Posted on 03/19/2005 11:30:38 AM PST by Ravi
Just heard on Fox that U.S. Senate will convene today in emergency session regarding Terri Schiavo.
They love to say "teeth brushed" but the only contention was whether or not she had her teeth professionally cleaned.
I've read that she hasn't been taken outside since she was admitted to Hospice. I think that was very wrong.
When it comes to eliminating human suffering, an almost universal goal, many are seduced by the ease of eliminating the human over the difficulty and expense of addressing the suffering.
I think that sums it up succinctly.
Thanks for that clarification.
Is it that Michael insisted that she not be taken outside? Or is it the Hospice's decision, I wonder.
And if a husband takes a new lover, has children by her, and decides to kill his wife we know have approved it in advance.
Then we're in complete agreement. But this isn't a discussion on convicted criminals
Michael says it is to avoid the media. He has a strong conviction that Terri would be mortified at being seen in her condition. (I agree with that)
I think he also does it because, if she is as unaware as he says she is, she wouldn't know the difference.
It's one of those things that really bother me about his handling of this case. This and his not inviting numerous neurologists to come examine her. I think he fears finding out there is even a slight awareness left in her.
I saw Senator Frist on the Senate floor really late Thursday night--he said that he had read all he could about Terri's case---and talked to some neurologist friends of his--
He read from some kind of book the definition of a persistent vegetative state, then the definition of a condition that is a step above PVS in cognitive ability--
Sen. Frist said that in HIS opinion and in the opinion of the neurologist that he talked to, Terri looked like she was in the better of the two---
He mentioned that although he is a Senator, his first "job" has been medical doctor, and it is as a doctor that be believes that Terri has not had the benefit of a thorough enough evaluation to warrant removal of feeding tube which will bring death---
You said you hadn't heard anyone else say anything different than PVS--this is an example--
I have always respected you from the posts I have seen, so I know that you are speaking with heartfelt thoughts, I just thought I would share what I saw on the Senate floor--
For what it is worth---
If you can get Terri convicted of a crime she would be protected. That is how evil the people who want to kill her, and I include those who support her murder in the group, are.
National Right to Life Committee
UPDATED SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2005, 7 PM EST --
The House will convene at 1PM Sunday, March 20, 2005. If there is no objection, the bill will be passed then.
If there is objection, the House will reconvene at one minute after midnight – at the very earliest moment on Monday – to take a vote, which would require 2/3 of those present.
After the House acts, the Senate will have to pass the final bill. It is scheduled to convene at 2PM on Sunday.
IT IS CRITICALLY URGENT THAT YOU CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT THE COMPROMISE “TERRI’S LAW.”
To Send a Message to Your U.S. Senators
and Representatives, click here!http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7260791
Wrong. It is called a living will. That is what Terri lacked and Michael tried to summon up.
Thanks for that info, Txsleuth.
I respect Dr. Frist but was surprised when he mentioned that it was wrong that Terri hadn't had an MRI. I've been told that she can't have one because of electrodes in her head. It would be impossible for her.
And much as I respect Dr. Frist, he's had months and months to study this and intervene and I don't like that he wait until the last possible moment. He's also at odds with the numerous other neurologists who have actually examined her and looked at test results, etc.
IF she's not in PVS, then I absolutely can make up my mind and would abhor this being done to her. I abhor it anyway, but if she's PVS, then it's what I'd want.
This is a good web site (sent to me by the same freeper who wishes to remain nameless about the MRI and other medical information):
First thing to do is read the Wolfson report.
http://www.miami.edu/ethics2/schiavo/wolfson%27s%20report.pdf
Wolfson was Terri's guardian ad litem and he absolutely went into his job wanting her to live. Sadly, he came to a different conclusion and from what I've read, he's spent more time with her than most of the other expert.
I appreciate your post, Txsleuth.
Thanks for the correction.
I only knew about Rep. Peter King. He's my congressman.
Where is Steve King from?
I will send a letter to Boxer and Feinstein, my senators, though I suspect little good will come of it.
But I would like to mention that sending an Email via a third party link sometimes gets your Email bounced right back at you by the senator.
Barbara Boxer sent back my Emails saying that they are not read UNLESS submitted directly to her government web site.
Just wanted to mention that. If I can, I'll search around for a official senate site and post it so people might get a better response.
western IA. He was a Buchanan manager in 1996.
OFFICIAL U.S. SENATE SITE WITH EMAIL LINKS TO YOUR SENATORS.
YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL DIRECTLY TO THE SENATE TONIGHT.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
That's a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it.
Maybe a miracle like that is awaiting Terri.
My son, who was quadriplegic as a result of a diving accident, was tube fed for 2 years.
He was on TPN (don't remember what that stands for).
But they had to bypass his stomach, so his food went directly into his artery. In his case, his stomach was the problem. He vomited for 2 years, even without eating.
The only reason they probably waited is because they thought that Florida legislature would take care of it, I guess--
Sen. Frist also said that in order to make an accurate diagnosis of PVS, a doctor would have to take several MRI or PET exams while also evaluating day-to-day changes, because PVS is a fluid state that needs a long time to diagnose---
Again, for what it is worth---
I just have to think that ALL of the congresspersons, especially Frist since he is Maj. Leader, a possible candidate for POTUS, and an MD, would not go out on this limb lightly---that he above all, but ALL of them are taking a huge political chance on this--
They are taking heat from no less than Catherine Crier- a former judge, the Supremes have said NO, ---I wish I knew where Mark Levin stood--as you can tell from my tagline, I really trust his opinions--
Have you heard where he falls on this case?
>"I think that sums it up succinctly."<
-Yes it does.
Dr. Bob makes an excellant case about the slippery slope of euthanasia:
The banality of evil: Great evil springs in countless small steps from lesser evil. Jesus Christ was doubtless not the first innocent man Pilate condemned to death; soft porn came before child porn, snuff films, and rape videos; in the childhood of the serial killer lies cruelty to animals.
Small evils harden the heart, making greater evil easier, more routine, less chilling. We marvel at the hideousness of the final act, but the descent to depravity is a gentle slope downwards.
The false optimism of expediency: Solve the problem today, deny any future consequences. We are nearsighted creatures in the extreme, seeing only the benefits of our current actions while dismissing the potential for unknown, disastrous ramifications.
When Baby Knauer, an infant with blindness, mental retardation and physical deformities, became the first child euthanized in Germany, who could foresee the horrors of Auschwitz and Dachau?
I've not heard one credible attorney support what the Congress is doing.
No, you don't see the danger here. If the Fed gets involved, they will need to produce a result.
That result may well be a precedent that renders all living wills subject to challenge in the Fed courts unless they meet a certain set of circumstances.
And away we go from there. You get what you ask for, when you ask for Federal intervention.
Every time!
Shiavo did not summon up anything. He adequately showed cause for the belief that Terry would have signed a living will that would have prevented at least 10 of these past 14 years in the hospice.
That is pretty simple and solid. If this intervention occurs, I have no idea what will eventually come from it, but you can be sure that it will open the proverbial can.
Look at what happened to death penalty appeals and the lengths of time it takes, and compound it by a potential of thousands of cases every week.
Think unintended cause and effect! Think hospital murders galore...suicides....you name it.
The Feds aim to please.
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