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.
I concur.......it is one thing to be emotional about this issue, especially when sees all hope drained away.....but when I started reading articles about Jeb or G.W. being traitors or having "no balls", then that is where I start to use the word "fanatic", and it resembles the kind of crap liberal activists and "Bush is Hitler" types exude. These men went above and beyond, more than most, and should not be villified..........This is where emotion has now gotten the better of reason and logic......
No one should "go home to Jesus" via starvation and dehydration.
I think that Greer and the federal judge should be impeached. I also think that state and/or federal law enforcement agencies should immediately seize her medical records upon her death and that the Florida Attorney General should force an autopsy.
I agree. I actually think Jeb can do more, as some as Bill Bennet have argued. HOWEVER, I totally understand his unwillingness not to start a civil war in the state of Florida over this. Do I think he should do more? Yes. But do I fully understnad his reasons for not? Yes.
FURTERMORE, attacks on him by people who are getting irrational are getting totally out of line. WITHOUT JEB BUSH TERRI SCHIAVO WOULD HAVE DIED TWO YEARS AGO. JEb Bush has been Terri's #1 public advocate. Jeb has been by her side throughout this. I bet you if Terri Schiavo knew what the governor of Florida had done, she would be very grateful.
I know if I was in a similar situation, I'd be very grateful, but I"m not positive I'd want him to start a civil war in my state over it.
Jeb Bush deserves praised in this, not irrational hatred for refusing to put his state troops against state sheriffs in an effort to save Terri.
Terri received her last rites in a fashion acceptable to the Roman Catholic Church. Let it go.
I know how you feel......I really do........but many here would substitute "emotion" for public policy too in thinking Jeb Bush should send in the troops and defy the courts.......this issues has many in the death grip where "emotion" is being substituted for upholding the law, no matter how inconvinient it is
thanks for making those good points about Jeb
The good people of Florida should take every step that is in their power to remove Judge Greer, and they should keep on working to that avail. I pray they will be successful. Already shunned by his Church, I pray he will also be shunned by his state. God Bless you. Denco
I was at work when I heard the decision and said to myself, boy it's going to get crazy now. I read this norning they arrested someone for trying to free Terri with a gun :( I admit to praying that Terri dies fast. No one should have to die from dehydration but it's what Michael Schiavo has chosen for his wife, and what dictators choose in the Sudan everyday as we are speaking for thousands of people.
Usually it is an annointing on the forehead with chrism oil while the Priest prays over her.
No there is too much at stake here. It can't be let go.
Well said.
The Christian Right is being taken to the woodshed as we speak. And it's about time.
Thank you. It does seem that way, doesn't it. By that reason, I could off all my loved ones and claim that I love them sooooo much I want them to be with Jesus. See the thing is , MAN pulled the tube on a woman that was NOT dying. She just didn't seem to be useful enough. That sentimet is a load of BS.
No there is too much at stake here. It can't be let go.
YES!!!!! And since Terri has held on this long, to me this is indicative of her strong will to live!
No there is too much at stake here. It can't be let go.
My problem is with your word "let." How about we let her mother feed her and thus let her live?
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