Posted on 03/22/2005 12:17:35 AM PST by goldstategop
Just what is it that so earnestly motivates those who zealously want Terri Schiavo's feeding tube to be removed? While there are plenty of exceptions, I dare say that most people in this camp are not driven by constitutional concerns, despite their hollow protests to the contrary.
As my brother Rush cogently noted, it is easy to understand what drives those who want to save Terri's life: the human urge to protect and save the life of another human being. The motivation of those fighting with equal fervor to remove the tube is not so self-evident.
The more I read about this case, the more it weighs on me – the more a creeping feeling of horror sweeps over me. If, in fact, Terri Schiavo wants to live and is going to be denied that right, the prospect of a court-ordered removal of her feeding tube is no less horrifying than that of a person being buried alive.
If Terri truly wants to live – as a lawyer visiting with her when her feeding tube was removed avers – how could any caring person wish death upon her? The question is not whether we think we would want to live in Terri's state, but whether in fact she wants to. Are those advocating Terri's death allowing themselves to consider that this woman truly wants to live – just like they do?
I doubt I'll ever be able to understand, much less relate to, the sympathies of certain people. Generally speaking, they seem to feel more compassion for wildlife than animals, more for animals than human beings, more for guilty human beings than innocent ones, more for Communist dictators and tyrannical thugs than freedom fighters, and more for the vindication of an abstract principle devaluing human life than for an actual human being like Terri Schiavo, who, though severely disabled, may truly want to live.
How can we possibly view in a favorable light the position of those who protest to save the lives of convicted killers on death row and who bend over backward to believe their most incredible stories of innocence, but won't lift a finger in support of Terri Schiavo and won't even momentarily consider that Terri wants to live? Where are the "Free Mumia" chanters when Terri needs them?
I realize some believe that many advocating for Terri's life are using her for their own political purposes and that even Terri's parents, the Schindlers, are putting their own selfish wishes to keep Terri alive above those of Terri herself.
But do we actually believe that loving parents – parents who would eagerly trade places with Terri in an instant – would place their own comfort above their daughter's? If not, how can we possibly believe they would fight to prolong her suffering? In examining this case from a distance, isn't it much easier to believe Terri's parents' assessment of her desire to continue living than that of her adulterous husband, whose conflict of interest should disqualify him from guardianship in this case and participation in this decision?
And isn't the essential argument of those wanting the tube removed that Terri's wishes ought to be honored? Since Terri left no legal document directing her death in these circumstances, shouldn't the system require clear and convincing evidence that Terri indeed would want to die in these circumstances? Yet the court is relying on the hearsay evidence of Terri's estranged husband, Michael.
The question is whether as a society we want to resolve these very difficult, doubtful cases in favor of death.
I detect more than a bit of intellectual dishonesty among many favoring Terri's death. They are claiming they merely want to honor Terri's wishes, yet they rely on her tainted husband, callously discount the testimony of her loving parents, blindly accept the disinformation that Terri is in a purely vegetative state, and ignore multiple firsthand accounts, including from examining physicians and nurses, that Terri is responsive, sometimes animated, and definitely wants to go on living.
Could it be that something besides Terri's wishes motivates many of the death-soldiers, such as an allegiance to the culture of death, or some abject, inhumane resentment that we spend so much money keeping severely disabled people alive? I've received appalling e-mails from people complaining about the financial burden to society of keeping Terri alive.
I'm not pointing fingers at anyone specifically, because I know that many who want the tube removed are motivated by their perceived compassion for Terri and even honoring Terri's wishes. But I fear that many arguing for tube removal are doing so with complete disregard for Terri's actual wishes in this case. To the extent that is going on, we are witnessing up-close the face of evil.
We must fight on. … More prayers for Terri
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
I wouldn't want to live like Stephen Hawking either. Let's starve him to death.
Moved and seconded. Particularly in light of some of the mindless "killherkillherkillher!" crap posted here, over the last several days, by some (purported) "conservatives."
I can still remember when this was -- proudly; unashamedly -- a pro-life party.
Attention President Bush:It is now after 3 am. Terri has starved another day. If the sunrise comes and we have still heard nothing from the Clinton appointed judge, we can probably assume that no ruling will come from this judge, until after she is dead, and that he is acting to deny Terry her due process once again.
She can't have her day in court if she's already dead. You must act to save her. You must. Do you really want to let her die of starvation? You can liberate 2 countries, but you can't save the life of one helpless woman. A special prosecutor needs to be appointed and you need to wade into the corruption that is here. Please act, don't let Terri die.
And there is a strong minority here on FR that wants to see her die.
Sickening!
What if Terri wants to live? Come on...get with it, David. This isn't about
Terri. It's about a court decision. If the courts decided she should die then we should just shut up and accept it. We don't have the cognitive abilities of these judges. Listen. Obey. Never question.
The problem I have is this: What If Terri Schiavo Wants To Die?
If I knew firsthand what she had or hadn't told Michael Schiavo 16+ years ago then I wouldn't have any problem deciding what I thought. But, none of us actually know, except for him, and anyone's opinion is merely that.
I know that there's no doubt that if I were her I would have wanted them to pull the tube many years ago. I wouldn't have really wanted them to ever even put it in (although perhaps for a limited while just in case I might've emerged). Even if I were in some minimally conscious state I would still want to die. Heck, even if I were in a somewhat alert and cognizant state I would want to die if it were to be under such circumstances. And, moreover, I certainly would not want to become such a national spectacle either.
But, I don't know what Terri would want, so I can't have a very passionate view without that information.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
This is an interesting point.
We have a congressional directive for her case to be heard throughout the federal court system that could stretch from district court all the way to supreme court.
On the other hand, the president's attorney general and justice department are charged with enforcing the laws of the land.
I'm thinking that if any judge drags his feet to the point there is concern that Terri might not survive the entire process which has been granted to her by the law that congress passed, that the Justice Department can take her into protective custody to ensure she survives throughout this entire time.
They would simply be ensuring the congressional law can be fully fulfilled.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
I told someone tonight while we were discussing this that once my cerebral cortex had atrophied and therefore no possibility existed for me to ever be "me" again, that I would definitely want the tube pulled beyond a shadow of a doubt.
I was overjoyed when Bush won reelection, and increased the Republican lead in the House and the Senate - with the prospects of rooting out the liberal activism in the Federal Courts with conservative appointments. I was thrilled to think that finally America had again found its moral compass; the body politic was being cleansed by the light of truth and "right".
What a fool I am!
Here we have a woman dying by judicial fiat, based on dubious testimony as to her "wishes". Our elected officials only offer up limp-wristed pallatives instead of decisive action, and supposed "conservative" FRiends are calling for her death on specious "constitutional" grounds. Or worse yet, because they might have to spend a few tax dollars on her continuing care!
Our culture is irrecoverably sick. We are dying; by small steps and large leaps - through the efforts of our announced enemies and our purported friends.
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come. PLEASE!
You might be surprised what you know then that you didn't think you could know.
First, one has to remember that Judge Greer has never asked Terri if she wants to die. Remember that if you have ruled that she is in a vegetative state, then there is no point. The Judge relies solely on expert medical testimony.
Second, one has to keep in mind that multiple caregivers; i.e., doctors and nurses, are willing to testify that Michael Schiavo has blocked any attempt to provide rehabilitation for his "wife". Even to the point that it took a court order to provide antibiotics to treat her infections over the objections of her "husband".
Lastly, one should be informed that Michael Schiavo is the administrator of a > $1 Million medical settlement. He claims the money is gone, but who is to know? In other words, there were big bucks involved here. Even after the settlement he would not allow any rehabilitation treatment.
Hannity interviewed a rehabilitation doctor who spent 10 hours over three different visits with her. That doctor says that Terri understands English and responds. She is NOT in a brain dead state. He has witnessed Terri acknowledge and smile at the appearance of her mother. At the end of his last visit, he informed Terri that the view out of her window included squirrels and birds. Even though she has no far vision, she turned her entire body to peer out the window.
I agree.
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