Posted on 03/22/2005 3:58:24 AM PST by billorites
Shameful! There's really no other word to describe what is now both the Terri Schiavo ``case'' and the Terri Schiavo ``law.''
Before there was a ``case'' or a ``law,'' Terri Schiavo was just a 26-year-old woman, wife to Michael Schiavo, daughter of Bob and Mary Schindler. Then in 1990 a heart attack, likely resulting from an eating disorder, cut the oxygen to her brain, putting her in what doctors describe as ``a persistent vegetative state.''
Since then Michael Schiavo and the Schindlers have played dysfunctional family - neither willing to relent on who should have the last word on Terri Schiavo's care. They have fought out their battle over 15 years before 19 different judges in six different courts and the Florida Legislature, which attempted - ultimately unsuccessfully - to intervene. The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to intervene in the case on three separate occasions.
Common sense has long since gone out the window as politicians, first at the state level and now in Congress, have shamelessly used the case to pursue their political agendas - and as the equally shameful relatives of Terri Schiavo have allowed themselves to be so used.
Ah, but there's so very much shame to go around here. The U.S. Senate, of course, passed the Schiavo bill ``unanimously'' on a voice vote with only three members present Sunday because, well, all of those future Democratic presidential contenders like Sens. Hillary Clinton and John Kerry [related, bio] wouldn't want to actually put this to a debate and roll call.
Then, of course, there's the utter shamelessness of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist - Dr. Frist, a heart surgeon, remember - who insisted after watching a video that Terri Schiavo ``has a level of consciousness.''
Most doctors actually examine a patient before rendering a diagnosis, but not when that doctor ends up in Congress.
And then, of course, there was the 203-58 vote in the House, in which a lot of good Republicans who as a matter of philosophy want to keep the federal courts out of people's lives were perfectly willing to make an exception in this case where the political stakes were high.
The only question is whether Terri Schiavo's due process rights were protected. And the answer is more than those of any patient, anytime, anywhere.
Since it knows so much, maybe the paper can explain why she's never had a PET scan or an MRI. Or why she never received any rehab? Or why we should kill someone based on hearsay?
Or why evidence pointing to her husband's involvement in causing her condition is not worth addressing? Or why 10 years of adultery shouldn't have an impact on his guardianship?
Oh, yay! Another KILL HER! post.
*** Then, of course, there's the utter shamelessness of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist...***
The writer is a pure idiot.
If Terri had gone on a mass killing spree before she had that heart attack, this wouldn't even be an issue!
Terri is ALIVE.
You know what?! Just Euthanise her. Just stick a needle in her arm! BECAUSE STARVATION IS CRUEL!
What a disgusting editorial that misses every key point, and attacks everyone and assumes that only the writers know best.
"You know what?! Just Euthanise her. Just stick a needle in her arm! BECAUSE STARVATION IS CRUEL"
Ah, but that illegal. They're just looking for ways to get there from here.
Anyone can google PVS and see that patients appear alert. That Frist said what he did as a doctor is astounding. And misleading.
And that, as a doctor he didn't know that Terri can't have an MRI because she has electrodes in her brain is astounding as well.
I disagree. Guardianship did not seem to be proper, not just conflicts of interest, but unfiled paperwork and possible perjury. The second issue of whether Terri could recover was decided by Greer's appointed tie-breaking doctor. There was sufficient reason to try more rehab but Greer railroaded his decision through.
How much more are we going to take before we come to the realization that the Liberals have declared war on us? This goes beyond politics.
If starvation isn't cruel, I think we should try it at Gitmo.
Is it because of Hearsay?
Judges deciding her life is worthless?
Husband has a right to kill her?
Unbelievable that these heathens don't have at least the most miniscule compassion for life.
She is being killed cause she's a retard! Handicapped people are of no use to our collective society, and should be starved to death! (SARCASM)
The MUL is a shameful affair. When was the last time any of the media interviewed Terri's attorney ad litem to report her side? Oh, never mind, she doesn't have one so hasn't had due process.
I think we may need a clean-up here.
I would like to see President Bush order the Surgeon General to take over the health and welfare of Terri.
The Surgeon General can call on real experts who do not have a dog in this fight.
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