Posted on 03/25/2005 5:21:18 AM PST by mhking
My position on the Schiavo matter has vascilated back and forth over the past few days as I've agonized over the matter.
Should she be given a chance at life? If so, what kind of life are we talking about? Is there a chance at rehabilitation? Is Michael Schiavo an evil S.O.B., or is he simply a heart-broken man?
Conversely, is she truly in a vegetative state? A virtual zombie with eyes open, and nothing inside? Are her parents and family in denial about her pain and suffering? Are the evangelicals coming to her aid getting so worked up that they are looking past the true nature of this situation?
Difficult questions these. Who wins? Who loses?
There is no winner here. This situation is heartbreaking at the core. A vibrant woman struck down in the prime of her life. A myriad of doctors, most of whom have indicated that much of her brain tissue has deteriorated and possibly even liquified inside her skull. CAT scans that support that diagnosis.
Conversely, we see her eyes focusing on a balloon, we see her apparently responding to people entering her limited field of vision.
What do we believe?
After 22 different judges have agonized over this, they all have come to the same decision: that her husband has the right to make that agonizing decision.
Talk show host Neil Boortz has taken the stance that Terri Schiavo has earned her place in heaven, and that we, as a people, should let her go home.
Do you believe in God’s promise of everlasting life? Do you believe that the reward for a life well spent on this earth is a life with God in heaven after you die? If you do, then a few more questions if you will.Jesus awaits Terri Schiavo at the gates of heaven with open arms. He will grant her eternal rest. He loves all, no matter which side of this sad story the people are on.Do you believe that the human soul can make the transition to everlasting life while the human body that carried that soul through life clings to life on this earth? If you do, then you must surely believe that Terri Schiavo has earned and is already enjoying her reward in heaven. That being the case, why is it so important to you that the now-unneeded body of Terri Schiavo is kept alive?
But perhaps you believe, as I do, that the human soul is so connected to and integrated with its earthly body that any transition will not be made until that body ceases functioning -- until death occurs.. That being the case, why do you so ardently desire that the soul of Terri Schiavo spend five, ten, perhaps 30 years or more trapped in a useless and non-functioning body, unable to move on to whatever reward awaits her? Isn’t 15 years enough?
Where do your concerns truly lie, with the eternal soul of Terri Schiavo, or with her earthly body?
Let her go home. We can only commend her spirit among the angels for the journey.
Sadly, those who damn the judges and politicians and those of us who wish her spirit to move on are going to fracture the fragile fabric of the conservative wing of the GOP. In their zeal to ignore the rule of law and the Constitutional process, they are sliding down the slippery slope of anarchy toward mob rule.
This is a land of laws, not men. And the political problems that are surfacing -- on both sides -- point toward the deterioration of our constitutional republic. Are you ready for that? Are you ready for that will mean in the future?
I weep for Terri Schiavo today. But I fear for more tears in our future, thanks to those who would wad up the Constitutional protections and freedoms wrought by the notion of ignoring the rule of law, simply because those in power didn't get their way.
And PS, yes, what you cite from this article is pure, damning heresy.
Dan
Love to see how this crowd would act outside a Planned Parenthood office.
For my own sake, I want to clarify:
I take as a premise that God is always doing His best for people. That does not excuse manslaughter or homicide. We can rely on God to bring the best out of every situation, for each and for all. (Under this scheme, Hell is the best God can do for people who insist on rebelling against him.) But that confidence, I think, rather than rendering us placid and immobile, will strengthen us to fight the fights we ought to fight.
It should also clarify our vision. Without certainty beyond a reasonable doubt that "no one is home" in Terri's body, to subject her to a death for which we would be imprisoned or fined were we to do it to a dog is a very grave wrong.
Wrong is still wrong, even when God can redeem it.
Terri Schiavo has been ordered by a state judge to be killed. Your right, we should all learn from this
We're in a country that has sent tons of food to other countrys because of starving people. We're in a country where a turkey is pardoned at thanksgiving.
We're starving one of own citizens...unbelievable
Negative. You arehowever, in the vast majority of people who gets this point wrong, and it sure is understandable, given the incessant repetition of the error in the media and elsewhere.
The court considered Michael's testimony, and Scot, Michael's brother, and Soctt's wife, and Teri's blood family, and at least one of Terri's friends. The court deliberated on these pieces of testimonial evidence, and decreed that clear and convincing evidence exists to support the conclusion that Terri would choose to die, if she could. Michael's only power after that determination (not only a power, but a legal duty), is to carry out Terri's wish.
I believe, to the standard of clear and convincing evidence, that the trial court got this fact worng, and that Terri would not wish to have food and water withheld as the causative agent of her demise. Not while he family is still alive and loves her. But hey, I'm just an observer to this mockery of carrying out the patient's wishes.
Thank you for inserting the word "mostly."
The MSM is, if anything, pro-death. You honestly don't think they'd be pushing the "fact" (if it were in any way) that multiple people backed up Michael - IN A COURT?
I'm willing to hear it, but of all this stuff I've seen/heard - that has been nary mentioned.
I'd still question the JUDGEMENT of allowing the word of even a legal guardian who neglected to mention Terri wanted to die until 7 years later, and who was screwing other women.
"Bull. Letting Terri die is far, far worse than anything Nixon ever did."
Emotionally driven preposterous comment. Do you propose the President violate laws to attain a goal. Sorry old chap, but that is not the way it works in a free society. I would have loved to see Terri in the arms of her parents but there is seemingly NO LEGAL way to that end.
I just bet you pissed and moaned when klinton/el reno use shock troops to grab the Cuban boy. Now you call for the same here?
Get consistent!
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
I said in my haste, All men are liars.
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
It is deliberately misleading to not name the legal relationship of these friends. The 3 people who testified that Terri would not want to be kept alive were Michael, Michael's brother, Scott Schiavo, and Scott's wife.
In God's hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind Job 12:10
Amen and Amen!!
Hmmmm! Why, are you a man of the law?
Ok, so what's your recourse. Please provide details. Because what's done is done.
People die, so let's help them along? I honestly don't get your point.
Of course good people suffer. And when we have the chance to avert that suffering, we should do it. You mentioned a car accident - should the paramedics at the scene decline treatment because "good people suffer"?
This woman is being forced to die. I agree God is in control. That's why as a society we shouldn't try to wrest control from Him. We should be caring for her until He decides otherwise, not pushing her into His arms.
Bump.
Dear God, I humbly give my eternal thanks for the underserved gift of salvation, that you gave to all who would take it, in the gift of life and death of your Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of the world.
Yep. I am ridiculously overeducated, thank you very much.
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