Posted on 03/15/2005 10:15:07 PM PST by tessalu
LIFE AND DEATH TUG OF WAR Lawmakers ready to save Schiavo Reach deal setting up vote in Florida Legislature
Key members of the Florida House and Senate reached a deal yesterday on a bill to prevent Terri Schiavo from being allowed to starve to death under a court order requested by her estranged husband.
For the second time in less than two years, the state lawmakers are prepared to intervene in the case of the brain-damaged woman, who requires a feeding tube to keep her alive
The proposed legislation would prevent caretakers of a person in a "persistent vegetative state" from withholding food and water in the absence of a written directive.
In 2003, "Terri's Law" enabled Gov. Jeb Bush to intervene the second time Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed. The law later was ruled unconstitutional, however, by the Florida Supreme Court, which said it violated the legal separation between the three branches of government.
Michael Schiavo won a court order in 2000 to have his wife's feeding tube removed, claiming she was in a "persistent vegetative state" and had declared orally she wouldn't want to live in such a condition.
Parents Robert and Mary Schindler, however, insist their daughter, while severely handicapped, is responsive and demonstrates a strong will to live. They have filed a flurry of motions to prevent removal of the feeding tube, scheduled for Friday, after 1 p.m.
The Florida bill is expected to come up for a vote Friday.
Terri Schiavo is not hooked up to any machines, but she requires the small feeding tube for nourishment and hydration. She collapsed under disputed circumstances Feb. 25, 1990, suffering severe brain damage when her heart stopped momentarily. Michael Schiavo attributes the collapse to an eating disorder, but the Schindlers strongly suspect he tried to strangle her.
The Schindlers have pleaded with Michael Schiavo to divorce their daughter, pointing out he has been living with another woman for 10 years, with whom he has two children.
Lawmakers said legal counsel for Gov. Jeb Bush helped shaped the new legislation, and they expect the governor to sign it, the Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
Mathew D. Staver, president and general counsel of Florida-based Liberty Counsel, a public-interest law firm, said he was pleased the legislature is acting with deliberate speed.
"Terri Schiavo is only a few days away from being starved and dehydrated," he said. "Death by dehydration and starvation is slow, painful, and inhumane. No parent should be forced to stand by helplessly and watch their child die of starvation."
The bill would allow a guardian, in the absence of a written directive, to deny food and water if there was "clear and convincing evidence" the incapacitated person declared his or her wishes orally.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. David Simmons, R-Orlando, emphasized "clear and convincing" is a tough standard.
He told the Sun-Sentinel a casual conversation "sitting around the dinner table, that's not going to rise to the level that will permit the denial of sustenance and hydration."
Michael Schiavo says Terri made her wishes known in casual conversations.
Sen. Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, the bill's sponsor in the Senate, said the new legislation avoids the constitutional problems found in "Terri's Law" -- violation of separation of powers and that it was retroactive and narrowly applied to Schiavo.
But Michael Schiavo's attorney, well-known "right-to-die" lawyer George Felos, predicted the Supreme Court will strike down this law as well.
"This is purely a knee-jerk response to the growing political clout of the far right, and it's tragic, to say the least, that legislators don't have any concern about the constitutionality of the acts they pass," he told the Florida paper.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. Congress, two lawmakers from Florida are pressing for federal legislation that would save Terri Schiavo's life.
Sen. Mel Martinez and Rep. David Weldon say the Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act will give Schiavo, and others in similar situations, the same constitutional protection of due process as death-row inmates.
Current law leaves the rights of disabled persons at the mercy of courts instead of the Constitution, the lawmakers argue.
The new measure would not apply to cases in which an advance medical directive is in effect.
Weldon's bill, which has 110 colleagues signed on in support, will have a hearing tomorrow at the House Judiciary Committee.
Martinez is hoping for a Senate vote on similar legislation this week.
(I have to pay his salary too? and Greer's?)
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER - NURSE THE PRISONERS AND GET AWAY FROM TERRI, YOU SCUMBAG!
My first thoughts regarding MS's invitation to Governor Bush is that they're betting that he won't come. The second is that Terri will have been given drugs prior to Jeb's visit.
You think some people have hit rock bottom, then they find a way to dig a little deeper. MS and Felos are getting desperate. DCF is on the trail, Felos is ripping off the government, and there is a good chance that Greer could be impeached. We can hope, can't we :)
ProLife Ping!
If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.
another Terri visit?
He and Janet Morana have a committment for the weekend.
So it would have to be today or tomorrow. He has said that his weekly column should be interesting next week. I don't know if he is going to keep that title he mentioned.
I guess if they start starving/dehydrating her, he might go down. But I am not sure what his committments are, and he has many. [He has a radio studio to do telephone interviews with radio stations, for example]. If any of these committments require him to be at the office, I am not sure.
After the last time, he said he probably would not expect to see Terri again. This might be however he got in to see her last time might be closed -- Michael Schiaveo forbidding it. Also, there was some press about his visit -- he wrote about it, as well as I did.
Cardinal Rigali's strong stand and that of the Vatican are wonderful.
There are still other things going on -- the Judical appeals by the Florida DCF, and laws being worked on in the Florida legislature and US Congress.
Legal options are the best at this point. This last sentenance alludes to the title that Father Frank is considering for next week's column -- something about the law...
God bless!
Schiavo responded, "I'll refrain from answering that right now."
Please put this in your separate State locales if it isn't there yet and also spread it around to others on and off freep:
Please call on Gov. Bush to visit Terri and place in protective custody
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/16/State/_Who_there_would_take.shtml
Michael Schiavo invites Florida Governor to visit Terri in person.
Please ask the Governor to do that.
Gov. Jeb Bush
850-488-4441
850-487-0801 (fax)
jeb.bush@myflorida.com, fl_governor@myflorida.com, jeb@jeb.org, jeb@myflorida.com
Executive Office of Governor, Legal Team to Jeb (ask to speak to the following individuals):
Robert H. Fernandez (Deputy General Counsel to Governor) -> fernanr@eog.state.fl.us
Raquel A. Rodriguez (General Counsel to Governor) -> raquel.rodriguez@myflorida.com
Christa Calamas (Assistant General Counsel to Governor) -> calamac@eog.state.fl.us
850 / 488-3494 (voice)
850 / 488-9810 (fax)
+++
Please call those FL House Reps / Senators, US Congressmen and Senators:
Contact info, etc.:
http://tekgnosis.typepad.com
Gov. Bush,
Please visit Terri. Per Michael Schiavo via the St. Pete Times has
given you an open invitation:
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/16/State/_Who_there_would_take.shtml
Regards,
Juan Schoch
Lake Mary, FL
407-925-4141
http://www.eeng.net/eeng/ribbon/Visit_Terri_Jeb.html
P.S. It is my opinion that Terri is in danger from Michael Schiavo as he is inviting you to visit her via the St. Pete Times while at the same time blasting you in the national media. Please place Terri into protective custody and appoint a special prosecutor.
Others believe that Terri is going to be medicated when you visit her so that you will believe she has no hope. Terri is in danger from this unstable man and the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, Inc.
Terri is in danger and Michael is inviting you (via St. Pete Times) to visit Terri and blasting you at the same time. Terri needs protective custody and please Governor assign a special prosecutor. It's time that you stand up to Michael Schiavo.
From another:
Re: Niteline
Michael teased us with almost tears on Nightline tonight? I mean... it was difficult not to roll on the floor laughing one's rear off, don't you agree??? Did you watch his eyes? Did you look at him???? He looks like a pale pasty plastered on the wall of conversation and he doesn't even know anymore that lots of people don't care what he has to say. He has become a joke.
From another:
Re: Good Morning America
I just watch a tape message from Terri's husband and now more then ever I believe he is just getting rid of his excess baggage. He says he loves her and will always love her. Then blasted the governor and made remarks against people who are fighting for Terri to live. He says he will receive no money after her death. He has bags under his eyes and tears in his eyes ...
From another:
I called Jeb Bush re: Michael inviting Jeb to visit. I WARNED Jeb that if he takes Michael up on the offer, Michael runs the hospice and Terri will be heavily sedated so that Jeb will think Terri is pvs.
From another:
TERRI WILL BE DRUGGED-OUT IF BUSH COMES TO VISIT HER.
From another:
My first thoughts regarding MS's invitation to Governor Bush is that they're betting that he won't come. The second is that Terri will have been given drugs prior to Jeb's visit.
You think some people have hit rock bottom, then they find a way to dig a little deeper. MS and Felos are getting desperate.
Michael Schiavo will make certian that Terri is heavily sedated if Bush agrees to visit her.
Looks like we all know Michael pretty well here on FR!!!!
She's a HOSTAGE -- A HOSTAGE OF GREED!!
Child of God...
We pray those judicial sinners...
Do not cause the hour of thy death...
Amen !!!
.
bttt
Terri has found herself trapped in a Kafkaesque nightmare.
LICENSE NUMBER: ME28973
Profession:Medical Doctor Year Began Practicing:1/1/1976 Expiration Date:1/31/2006 Status:CLEAR/ACTIVE Primary Practice Address VICTOR EMMANUEL GAMBONE JR 9009 CORPORATE LAKE DRIVE SUITE 200 TAMPA, FL33634
URGENT ACTION ITEM
To: Terri Supporters
From: Cheryl Ford RN, Nurse spokesperson Terri Schindler Foundation
Last night I returned from three days in Tallahassee at the State House Committee meetings regarding HB701 which hopefully will help to save Terri's life if it is passed by Friday.
Tomorrow, Thursday, it will go before the Senate. Your emails and telephone calls are working. The State Representatives spoke about how they were flooded with your calls and emails. We at the Terri Schindler Foundation thank you for
all that you are doing to help to save Terri.
ACTION ITEM NEEDED NOW:
This item is extremely important with how it is handled.
Please call and email Governor Bush with one item only.
Subject Line: Terri's tube MUST NOT be removed surgically on Friday..have them cap the tube only while the investigations are underway. It is invasive and risky to have Terri surgically undergo removal of the tube when the same results can be achieved by it being capped off.
Call Jeb NOW!
Gov. Jeb Bush
850-488-4441
850-487-0801 (fax)
jeb.bush@myflorida.com, fl_governor@myflorida.com, jeb@jeb.org,
jeb@myflorida.com
Executive Office of Governor, Legal Team to Jeb
*Ask to speak to the following individuals*
Robert H. Fernandez (Deputy General Counsel to Governor) ->
fernanr@eog.state.fl.us
Raquel A. Rodriguez (General Counsel to Governor) ->
raquel.rodriguez@myflorida.com
Christa Calamas (Assistant General Counsel to Governor) ->
calamac@eog.state.fl.us
850 / 488-3494 (voice)
850 / 488-9810 (fax)
Section: 415:1051--- This allows DCF through adult protective services to provide protective custody for the victim of alleged abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.
Should Governor Bush visit Terri, he should bring a doctor, a nurse, and DCF workers. If Terri is drugged and unresponsive, blood samples should be taken for analysis.
Felos isn't going to let this visit happen.
He already invited him. It's a public invite already.
LICENSE NUMBER: ME10263
Profession:Medical Doctor Year Began Practicing:1/1/1954 Expiration Date:1/31/2006 Status:CLEAR/ACTIVE Primary Practice Address MELVIN GREER DEPT OF NEUROLOGY UF P O BOX 100236 GAINESVILLE, FL32610Dr. Greer graduated Magna Cum Laude (with honors) with a BA from the College of Arts and Pure Science, New York University, in 1950 and received his MD in 1954 from New York University. He served his internship and residency from 1954 to 1956 at Bellevue Hospital in NY and was a Fellow in Neurology at the New York Neurological Institute of the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.
__________________________
GEORGE W. GREER, 62 [born ~ 1942], is a circuit judge who sits in probate court. Born in New York City, he and his family moved to Pinellas County when he was 4.[~1946] Greer graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College and then earned a business degree from Florida State University. He earned a law degree from the University of Florida and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1966. He was a Pinellas County commissioner from 1984 to 1992. Greer is married and has two children. ASSETS: home, stock, mutual fund, savings. LIABILITIES: mortgage. SOURCE OF INCOME: salary.
-------------------------------------
Dr. Melvin Greer, appointed by Schiavo, testified that a doctor need not examine a patient to know the appropriate medical treatment. He spent approximately 45 minutes with Terri. Dr. Peter Bambakidis, appointed by Judge Greer, spent approximately 30 minutes with Terri. Dr. Ronald Cranford, also appointed by Schiavo and who has publicly labeled himself Dr. Death, spent less than 45 minutes examining and interacting with Terri.
--------------------------------
Wonder when Dr. Greer moved to Florida. Wonder if he's related to Judge Greer. Wonder how Michael Schaivo got Dr. Greer to testify in front of Judge Greer. Just wondering, too.
"I'm going to follow Terri's wish if it's the last thing I do ... You have a choice as a U.S. citizen to refuse treatment." (bolding added)
-- Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband
In looking at this statement of Michael's, we can clearly see that what he is wanting to do is not refuse treatment for Terri, because feeding someone is not a treatment but is ordinary care. Michael is trying to say that Terri would refuse ordinary care. BS. Not feeding Terri is not treatment for a medical condition, but rather it is mistreatment.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.