Bill to Keep Schiavo Alive Defeated (Passes FLA House, Defeated in Senate)

Fox News ^ | March 17, 2005

[nickcarraway]

The state House passed a bill Thursday that could keep Terri Schiavo alive, less than 24 hours before the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube is scheduled to be removed.

But a more limited version of the proposal was defeated in the Senate, casting doubt on whether lawmakers could reach a compromise before the scheduled removal of the severely brain-damaged woman's feeding tube at 1 p.m. Friday.

The legislative action was part of a last-minute flurry of attempts to save Schiavo's life. Congress was also considering legislation to move the case to the federal courts, Schiavo's parents appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and Florida Circuit Court Judge George Greer scheduled a hearing Thursday to consider a request from the Department of Children & Families to halt the removal of the tube.

The House bill (HB 701) would block the withholding of food and water from patients in a persistent vegetative state who didn't leave specific instructions refusing the artificial measure. It passed 78-37.

"This provides a safety net where the government stands up for the vulnerable who don't otherwise have a voice," said Rep. Kevin Ambler (search), R-Tampa.

Gov. Jeb Bush has strongly urged the Legislature to pass a bill that would save Schiavo, as it did in 2003. That law allowed Bush to order doctors to restore Schiavo's feeding tube six days after it had been removed. The law was later declared unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court.

"We have a responsibility to act, to deal with this issue," Bush said. "It breaks my heart we're in a situation where it's possible this woman could starve to death."

The Senate measure, which failed 21-16, would have blocked the withholding of food and water from patients in a persistent vegetative state in cases where family members disagreed on the patient's wishes.

[PhilDragoo]

[Viking2002]

Another example of how liberals just love to exterminate those who can't provide either a voting bloc or a source of tax revenue (fetuses, the severely handicapped, etc.) Think I'm bullshitting? Ask yourself why they want to abolish the death penalty and give murderers the right to vote.........

[Ohioan from Florida]

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

[who knows what evil?]

This country will step off a very dangerous precipice at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon...

[SoothsayerToo]

This issue cuts across conservative and liberal lines. To issue blanket statements that this is another example of liberals run amuck is ignorant at best. How many posters here have read what the law change is. It is not whether a feeding tube can be removed, but what is to be done if no clear instructions are left. Why should it make any difference if instructions are left or not to you?

Since we can never be sure, how many of you posting here would argue for keeping anyone with brain damage alive regardless of the amount of the damage?

[verity]

Nah!

[russesjunjee]

Not a truer thing has been said today...

[Malesherbes]

Yes, exactly, and under the precipice lies barbarism. We are very close.

[russesjunjee]

"This country will step off a very dangerous precipice at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon..."

And when it does. I'm gonna drop everything and head for Pinellas as fast as I can go.

If Terri dies, America dies, as far as I'm concerned, and I'm not about to let that happen without doing everything I can to stop it.

Every American who loves this country should converge on Pinellas and Tallahassee tomorrow if Terri's tube comes out. We have to stand for our country now, or risk loosing it forever.

Its time to stop wringing our hands and get up off the couch...We have to step up for Terri!

[russesjunjee]

Life is Life!

We don't get to qualify it or Categorize it by cost or level of disability.

We don't starve people to death. I don't care if they can't swallow because they have been decapitated...

civilized human beings do not starve other human beings to death.
(It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to see why this is wrong.)

The fact that people can even consider starving a human to death based on what condition they may or may not be in just shows how low this country has sunk.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

The outrageous murders By Government Officials ping !!

Lawyers Judges Congressmen and Senators Alike no sanctity of life is precious to those who hold power only the power is precious to them .

They let go by the Murders of 44,000 Babies a day what makes people think they would give one hoot about a full grown woman condemned to death by a power hungry Judge and a murdering husband ?

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

(Green Beret Bo Gritz intervenes for Terri)


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1364536/posts

[Salvation]

Passed in the U. S. Senate -- looks like some sinators from Florida will be unelected here!

[eccentric]

If nothing changes, they will NOT REMOVE the feeding tube at 1pm. Instead, whatever 'law-abiding person' who is suppose to administer the next scheduled feeding will just not do it. I would hope that someone there has enough conscience to feed her just before 1pm --- but I have a hard time thinking that anyone at Howschitz has a conscience.

Anyway, it will be an hour, maybe two or more, before Terri starts feeling hunger pangs. There is still hope and time for prayer.

[sport]

I agree with you.

Their arguments for killing Terri are right out of the Third Rich.

What they fail to realize is that the same arguments are going to be used to kill them.

[sport]

They, for the most part, don't.

[iowamomforfreedom]

Atually, last time they actually did surgically remove the port in her stomach that the tube attaches to. Why? Good question. I'm not sure what they plan this time.

[Sun]

Here's what I just heard on the radio. 5:00 today est. Bo Gritz broadcasted live from florida.

http://radio.theamericanvoice.com/


I hope I have this info correct, as I don't always write that fast. I heard it on the radio, on the net. A pro-life friend told me about the radio broadcast.

Calls to action:

Sheriff Jim Cotes - has copy of citizens arrest. His Fax 727-464-3022

Woodside Hospice 727-541-4199 (they have 4 guards outside, 2 guards inside) - leave message about Terri

Hospice V.P. Scott Kistler 727-586-4432 - dont starve Terri; you will be subject to citizen's arrest

E-mails of empolyees at Hospice: ask them not to be a party to this judicial homicide and he said maybe the Holy Spirt will guide them.

SandyLamby@thehospice.org
Louise Cleary@thehospice.org
Kroble@thehospice.org
BeckyMcDonald@thehospice.org

[Dante3]

We better not talk about "bringing democracy to Iraq" when something this awful is happening in our own country.

Terri has been denied due process.
Her religious rights have been violated.
A sadistic estranged husband who has prevented her from getting rehabilitation has been kept as her guardian.
And Terri, although innocent, has been sentenced by Judge Greer to a horrible death.

[Sun]

Here's an e-mail that I just sent to Hospice employees:

Please don't be a part of killing an innocent woman, Terri Schiavo, tomorrow.

I saw Terri in a video responding to humor. She laughs when her dad reminds her of when she used to tease her mother, and roll her eye (Terri had "lazy eye").

Keep in mind when Terri makes sounds, she is attempting to talk, but needs therapy in order to talk. Even without therapy, as you probably know, Terri can say a few words. Sadly, Michael won't allow her to have ANY kind of therapy.

May God guide you in protecting an innocent woman's life,

(my signature)

For whoever wants to send them an e-mail to these hospice employees:

SandyLamby@thehospice.org
LouiseCleary@thehospice.org
Kroble@thehospice.org
BeckyMcDonald@thehospice.org