Posted on 03/25/2005 3:21:41 AM PST by Robert Drobot
I've heard the clamor as to why Terri Schiavo must die. No one, it is said, would want to live like her. Her parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, are religious fanatics. Many of her so-called supporters are "pro-life" zealots. Evil GOP geniuses passed a special law to help her live. And so, she must die.
I've followed this poignant case for two years. And my husband served at one time as an unpaid informal adviser to the Schindlers. I've heard the arguments, and they often start with: No one would want to live like that.
(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...
I'm no fan of Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas. But the House majority leader is right in this case. It's not clear Terri Schiavo would want to die. A husband does not -- in my book -- have an absolute right to withdraw life-sustaining treatment for his wife.
I wish the courts had ruled in Terri Schiavo's favor, even as I accept the fact that they have not and likely will not. It is possible, after all, that Terri Schiavo wants to die. It's just too bad that she will die, regardless of whether she wanted to or not.
But not by a complete starvation.........
Ping.
To the [many] people who utter those words I say, "Until you walk in her shoes..."
As Newsday reported in 2003, he won $300,000 for himself for loss of consortium and $700,000 for his wife -- based on the presumption that Michael would care for Terri for the rest of her life.
It was not until 1998 that Michael Schiavo acted on the basis of his wife's stated wish not to live on life support.
Here's another slogan: A husband has a right to determine a wife's fate. It doesn't matter if he has a conflict -- in this case, two children sired by a woman he calls his fiance -- he still has a supreme right over Terri's fate.
Another reported fact: Michael Schiavo won't approve an MRI, although Terri is said to have had one years ago.
Is that true? He will not allow an MRI?
No more whining about illegal aliens who die in our southwestern deserts.
She has electrodes in her brain. They can't do an MRI.
I think that most of the opposition from the liberal Democrats (which represents most of the news media) to allowing Terri to live lies in their unhinged, pathological hatred of George W. Bush and the Republicans.
To them this is a political battle and must be won at any cost, so that it can be rubbed in the faces of the "Radical Right Wing Conservative Christian Republicans".
They couldn't care less about Terri Schiavo or anyone else, just as long as their side wins.
They can do a PET.
After watching Rich Galen on FNC a few minutes ago, I'm beginning to think the same thing can be said for the Pubbies...
Yes, they can do a PET. I was just commenting specifically about an MRI.
"To the [many] people who utter those words I say, "Until you walk in her shoes..."
Amen.
It really goes without saying - no one would want anyone to be in the state Terri is in. But NO ONE knows what Terri would want and I am so sick of Judge Greer and others playing God and being so arrogant as to state they know what Terri wants.
I am sure if someone had asked Christopher Reeve before his accident if he would rather die than be in the state he ended up in, that he very likely would have said he would rather be dead. Until he ended up in that state, and even though he considered suicide, he chose life.
Terri's life is not the life we would want for her - but it's the only life she has.
I heard one neurologist say that Terri might have 5-10 more years to live in her current state. Why can't MS just let her live those years in the loving care of her parents? He is a cruel man, and if, as he and his supporters claim, she is not in pain, then why not let her live? It would bring great comfort to her family, and if by chance Terri does have some awareness, it would be wonderful - if she doesn't, then what's the harm in letting her live if she is in the loving care of her family? Why this pathological zeal of Michael and Judge Greer to kill this woman is beyond any reasonable comprehension - it's just sick.
Also, how is dehydration and starvation a dignified death? If it's so dignified, then why are no cameras allowed to be in the room to film this "euphoric and peaceful" process?
There is God-given dignity inherent in life and Terri has a right to life.
I cannot believe that one judge has condemned her to death based on hearsay evidence. A lot of people will use the tired old "19 judges agree" line, but 18 of those judges only ruled on judge Greer's ruling and never looked at the evidence. In fact many of the rulings of other judges were that they would not look at any other evidence.
I'm not calling for anyones impeachment or for the national guard to snatch Terri away. I only want some real evidence of Terri's wishes beyond because her husband says so.
As is stated in another thread on an article by a doctor (William Anderson) in the Weekly Standard titled "Terri's Last Chance" there is no medical, legal or moral reason to not attempt a trial of natural drinking. He argues all the outcomes of such a trial, even if it results in a quicker death, are better than refusing to allow her to attempt to take food and water on her own. A decent and humane society, which we claim to be, owes Terri at least the opportunity to try to take a drink. Only Greer's order stops this and such an order is not within the power of a court to make or a guardian to enforce.
Jeb and George Bush should blast Judge Greer out of the water on this illegal order and immediately give her water by mouth. He is only getting away with this order by default because there has been so much focus on the feeding tube. We don't know if Terri could accept enough nutrition to stay alive but every human being has the right to try to take a drink of water! If it works, this could allow time to dismiss Greer for violating her human rights by his order and overturn the guardian decision.
The problem is that there is no other legal method to kill her. A classic example of appearances trumping reality.
We must starve her to death so we can pretend we aren't killing her, we are merely "allowing her to die."
One of his many standing orders for many years.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.