"Let's Review the Facts About Terri Schiavo," Pro-Life Leader Urges

MichNews.com ^ | Feb 28, 2005 | US Newswire via NewsCom

[AliVeritas]

WASHINGTON -- Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International (LID), today called on all Americans, especially those involved in the Terri Schindler Schiavo case, to refrain from being swayed by pro-euthanasia rhetoric and to keep in mind the facts of the case. "There are some basic facts that are getting lost in this case," Scott said. "It's time that we review the facts and keep them in mind as we determine Terri's fate."

Some doctors have claimed that Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state" and will never recover. Yet Scott argues that this is immaterial. "Qualified medical personnel often disagree on a 'persistent vegetative state' diagnosis. More importantly, when a doctor says that a person will never recover, I remember all the cases where they turned out to be wrong." Scott recalled the case of a young man who doctors said would never come out of a coma. They were urging the family to stop life support. "He came out of the coma and his first words were, 'I want a steak,'" Scott said. "The brain is the one part of the body about which scientists still know very little. We need to stop speaking in absolutes about such cases."

"It is really not the least bit important whether Terri is in a 'persistent vegetative state' or whether she will eventually recover from her condition," Scott said. "Terri's very right to live can't be dependent upon her abilities or condition. Once we go down this subjective road every person is vulnerable to the whims of others."

[Halls]

I know this in entirely a different example and story, but my sister was in a bad care accident a few years ago. The doctor said that if she makes it that she will be in the ICU for weeks, and hospital for months. My sister was in ICU for one week and the hospital for one month. This is why when I hear a doctor speak in absolutes I know better than to put my whole faith into what they say.

[Tabi Katz]

Apparently this guy is very pro-choice - not his wife's choice to live, but his choice to murder. And his quest for creamation is an obvious attempt to thwart anyone from discovering the cause of her "accident."

What's with the girlfriend? I strongly suggest she watch her back - and neck.

[Tabi Katz]

Luckily for her she wasn't married to this creep.

[Graymatter]

The case for killing Terri rests largely on the accepted hearsay evidence given by Michael Schiavo (who has been demonstrably false in certain public oaths he has made). The case rests on his claim that Terri said she would want to die in some unspecified condition that the court deems sufficiently similar to her current condition.
There is much better evidence in the balance in favor of letting her live. She was a churchgoing Catholic, orthodox and diligent. There's plenty of evidence of this, which is not mere hearsay. It's enough to counterweigh Michael Schiavo's unsupported version of her beliefs.

[GloriaJane]

I put together a song to try to help save Terri. I emailed Life Decisions International and told them they could use the recording in any way they might think would help.

I put it up on a couple of the online sites that host my music today. It's already live on Soundclick.com if anyone wants to use a copy to help spread the word about Terri. Please help yourself to a free download. It's at the top of the page:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/gloriajanemusic.htm

[nicmarlo]

I have personal thoughts about that girlfriend part. We'll see them play out in reality, I have no doubt.

[nicmarlo]

It's enough to counterweigh Michael Schiavo's unsupported version of her beliefs.

Also, at the time Terri could have even uttered that she would have wanted to be killed rather than live in any "tubular" state, at the time Terri could still talk, that type of deed would have been a felony. I hardly doubt that Terri asked her husband to commit, or have a hospital commit, a felonius assault upon her.

[scottywr]

This is truely disturbing. This woman is NOT brain dead, if there is some humanity left in her mind she cannot be left to starve to death. I couldn't imagine her agony in death. If they are truely going to starve her to death, then that bastard husband and the judge who ruled in favor should be made to sit next to her bed the entire time it takes to let her starve.

[Future Useless Eater]

THE TERRI SCHIAVO INFORMATION PAGE

[Future Useless Eater]

>>More importantly, when a doctor says that a person will never recover...

I wish they'd outlaw that criteria. 'recovery' can be irrelevant.

In this case, Terri's parents and siblings (and the rare 'allowed visitors') see some life in her. It makes NO DIFFERENCE if she can ever recover even ONE IOTA. They realize she enjoys their company, and vice versa, and are willing and eager to care for her for the rest of her natural life.

[scottywr]

You are so right, God I hope and pray they do not choose to execute her with this kind of torture.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Thanks, FLE!

Terri ping! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!

[DJ MacWoW]

The case for killing Terri rests largely on the accepted hearsay evidence given by Michael Schiavo

Schiavos arguement is specious even if she DID say she wanted no heroic efforts. Bill 2228 was passed in 1999 and covered persons in PVS using feeding by tube. Before 1999, no one thought simply feeding a person was a heroic effort. I think this was pushed by interested partys with Terri in mind. Note she MUST be PVS. That's why Michael will allow NO ONE to film her.

Bill2228

Page 16 and 17, posted 8/28/2000

14 (9) "Life-prolonging procedure" means any medical

15 procedure, treatment, or intervention, including artificially

16 provided sustenance and hydration, which sustains, restores,

17 or supplants a spontaneous vital function.

snip

4 (11) "Persistent vegetative state" means a permanent

5 and irreversible condition of unconsciousness in which there

6 is:

7 (a) The absence of voluntary action or cognitive

8 behavior of any kind.

9 (b) An inability to communicate or interact

10 purposefully with the environment.

[pollywog]

THE TERRI SCHIAVO INFORMATION PAGE

[Sun]

Thanks for that beautiful song about Terri.

All: BUMP to #6

[pollywog]

I know this in entirely a different example and story, but my sister was in a bad care accident a few years ago. The doctor said that if she makes it that she will be in the ICU for weeks, and hospital for months. My sister was in ICU for one week and the hospital for one month.

Absoulutely Halls!! Our 13 year old, when brought to us from Childrens Services, we were told would be probably nothing more than a " vegetable". Hooked up to monitors, they said she really was non responsive. Well, well, well. !!! She is in special education, but has been promoted to " Resource Day Class", received President Bush's honor at 6th grade graduation for achievement, and I dare anyone to call her a " vegetable". That vegetable helps these senior parents out more than you will ever imagine!! Sets the table, does her own homework, trys so hard and is now talking COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!

[True Republican Patriot]

Its clear they Love her dearly, and its also clear NOW that Michael Schiavo was beating her long before that fateful night fifteen years ago. Its clear he has continued to try to kill her everyday since that dark night fifteen years ago.He has been trying to kill her by Deydration since 1998 and only in that year did he conveniently remember her statement about wanting to die under questionable parameters.One wonders how much of the $500,000 in legal fees went toward campaign contributions, if any?

[ruoflaw]

Yes, they are going to starve her to death on mere hearsay but I think the truth is that he wants to put Terri out of his misery.

[ruoflaw]

That is wonderful!