Viewing Videotape, Frist Disputes Fla. Doctors' Diagnosis of Schiavo

Washington Post ^ | March 19, 2005 | Charles Babington

[Kaslin]

Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), a renowned heart surgeon before becoming Senate majority leader, went to the floor late Thursday night for the second time in 12 hours to argue that Florida doctors had erred in saying Terri Schiavo is in a "persistent vegetative state."

"I question it based on a review of the video footage which I spent an hour or so looking at last night in my office," he said in a lengthy speech in which he quoted medical texts and standards. "She certainly seems to respond to visual stimuli."

[ThinkPlease]

It is my understanding that POS wants the body cremated. I would that if she passes away they (Florida officials) would open a criminal investigation and have an autopsy before returning her remains to that POS.

Why? Her body has undergone over a dozen medical examinations for foul play in the 4+ years after the incident, and nothing was ever found. She had a heart attack from a from a lack of potassium in her system, caused because she was bulemic. I've spent the last couple of days reading the decisions around this incident and learning why the law has ruled that it has. I see nothing in the legal documentation that shows any sort of foul play, or reflects some of the vicious and brutal epithets thrown this man's way. I wonder how many people here have gone to any site besides terris Fight and read a more objective legal view of this case?

[tutstar]

ping

[TBP]

Hey, what could Dr. Frist possibly know about medicine?

[expatguy]

Who in God's name does this evil man think he is?

I have yet to see anyone who can fully explain how this man thinks he even has a right to order this woman starved to death.

He is only a judge.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Florida's George Wallace.

[freddiedavis]

where is dr kerkovian when you need him

[Mr Ramsbotham]

If a child were being kept in a dark room and not given any stimuli, and not fed, they would step in and arrests would be flying. Why haven't they done this in this particular case?

I'm inclined to think it's because they don't want to have to deal with the controversy. We've got a lot of fine Republicans in high places who talk a big line about respecting life, but when the chips are down they become strangely inert.

[snowsislander]

I was surprised that the Washington Post would carry this, but after reading the article, they are trying to frame this as a criticism of Senator Frist's professionalism.

The journalist did manage to find a director of bioethics, Ms. Zoloth, who apparently was critical of Senator Frist. She is indeed an informed individual on the issues, and her opinion is not without value.

However, on the plain face of it, Dr. Frist is himself a physician, and I think that he is entitled to express an opinion on his simple, relevant observations. In this case, the observation was "She certainly seems to respond to visual stimuli." That seems to me something that indeed one could form an opinion, even if not a definitive professional one, based on an hour's worth of video on such as a simple matter.

[Kaslin]

I was debating with myself if I should have added the barf alert or not

[GailA]

Why hasn't PETA interfered..at the turn of the century before there were laws on the books on child abuse animal cruelty laws were used to go after child abusers.

I wonder if Frist knows that judge greer is legally blind and unlike himself could NOT view these same films that Dr. Frist viewed?

[JFK_Lib]

Florida's George Wallace.

I really dont think that that is fair to George Wallace.

Wallace was a populist and a race baiter, true, but he did live long enough to repent and try to amend for his wrong-headedness.

Judge Greer is an arrogant egomaniac who is deliberately trying to kill an innocent woman via starvation.

I highly doubt that Wallace would have ever sank so low.

[bookworm100]

There is an update at http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050319/D88U2IP80.htm

[Melas]

CPS, APS, et al can't step in, in violation of a court order, that's the short answer.

[JFK_Lib]

Thanks.

Hope something breaks soon.

[gogipper]

Great story. Thanks for sharing it. Can you send it to newspapers, its very convincing.

[pc93]

I don't have my ping list.

CALL THE WHITE HOUSE SWITCHBOARD:
Switchboard: 202-456-1414 -- live person

Call and find out when they are going to send in the federal marshals to rescue Terri Schiavo (a congressional witness) who is being right now being subjected to the threat of death.
Ask that the President also get Atty. General Gonzales involved.

Spread this. Post to your locales if you are from another state. Please do this! Post it to others who aren't on freep as well.

[WeddingPlanner]

I didn't realize the Judge was blind. Doesn't that make him "not 100%" and incapacitated? Does that mean he's a candidate for euthanasia?

[crz]

So in other words, you would let her die in the semi coma state she is in? Even if there was a 10% chance of her snapping out of it? A 5% chance? A 1% chance?

Nice to know some on here have a high regard for life.

I suppose those Nuerologists havent the guts to admit that she may in fact have a slim chance to come out of the coma.

Look, if the lady was totally out of it and had no stimuli what-so-ever, then I would say end it. But this lady smiles, is aware of objects and re-acts to them. Then, the husband refuses to just simply go his own way and let the family take care of her. I find that a tad bit strange dont you?

[verity]

You absolutely and completely missed the point of my question.

Do you have that much difficulty with reading comprehension?

[loulou]

that is not what I have read....That is why I hope and pray there is an intervention.