No one should "go home to Jesus" via starvation and dehydration.
No there is too much at stake here. It can't be let go.
The Christian Right is being taken to the woodshed as we speak. And it's about time.
My problem is with your word "let." How about we let her mother feed her and thus let her live?
Every1 keeps talking about the rule of law.
Well, there is the LETTER and there is the SPIRIT of the law.
I think we have so damn many detail rules and such that so many judges no longer bother w/the SPIRIT of the law - USING TRUE "JUDGEMENT" - and purely go on the letter. How is that judgement? That is merely following rules as written; we don't need judges for following instructions.
I'm not necessarily blaming HINO Michael Schiavo or even Judge Greer. I don't necessarily think either is as guilty of grave sins as every1 starts thinking.
BUT I do have a problem w/the way Greer apparently started all this, probably based on following a nit-pick law rather than using JUDGEMENT.
The basic problem from some years ago:
Allowing Terri to be essentially neglected based on the *HEARSAY* of *ONE* *QUESTIONABLE* man.
I know he is the official guardian. But let's look at it. In fact, never mind all the vitriolic accusations thrown Michael's way; let's assume he really intended the best for Terri (which is entirely possible).
By an outsider's view like the judge's, here was a man - a SINGLE, SOLITARY man - who suddenly started saying Terri didn't want to live "like that" (also undefined). Years after the fact.
Also, here was a man who already had adulterous relationships as well as had 1 going at the time of the hearing.
Those 2 facts alone should call into question Michael's interests, as a stranger looking at it.
Plus, he's not backed up by any1 else - it's all a single person's hearsay, not even 5 people's hearsay.
JUDGEMENT should have been used and the letter of the law "spousal guardian has right to do what he wants" ignored. It could have been done in the SPIRIT of the law. Please don't tell me this kind of thing hasn't happened in the past in our country. I have no doubt 200 years ago such things would have been done w/NO problem. And I trust the people around the Founding alot more than any1 today.
What bothers me next is this starvation method. This does not even qualify as "mercy-killing"; do veterinarians suggest you just stop feeding your dog and let him die off in 2 weeks? No, they do something instantaneous. *Cutting off air* is more instantaneous and hence less cruel. This is abominable in my view, this slow wasting. Ridiculous.
Good writing, Michael. I too have gone back and forth, but I am glad Jeb Bush did all he could, within the rule of law. I've prayed and prayed for God's will to be done (as it always is) and for our country to reflect on what all has transpired here.
If people are mad, and want to do something, maybe they should join FR and other groups at The March for Justice in DC in April. Let their voices be heard. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1370158/posts
Thank you MH.
I totally agree with you and have been villified on this forum for expressing the same.
Whew! The Gator will live! Rest easy, America.
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com
Once Proud Polar Bears Are Starving!!! CNN bemoans the tragedy of starving polar bears.
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com
America Ruled by Judicial Tyranny
Murderers, Nazis, Dolphins, Trees Get Reprieves
So life goes on in America, and around the world. In Florida, it's a different story...
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com
Why Levin's Book Scares The Left.
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com
Where's Janet Reno When You Need Her?
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com
Terri nurse interview on Fox...
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/player.html?032205/pol_schiavonurse_032205&FOX_Friends&FOX%20News%20Exclusive&acc&Politics&-1&wvx-300
Why the rush to kill her before all the questions were answered? There are some doctors who believe she could have improved given therapy. How will we know now? We're supposed to believe Michael just wanted a dignified death when he wouldn't even let them brush her teeth so they wouldn't rot out?
There are thousands of people in this country in worse shape across this country. Christopher Reeve couldn't breathe on his own but I don't remember anyone calling for the state to remove his breathing tube.
I know Terri is heading for a better place, I'm not so sure our country is heading toward that same place.
Every example Christ gave us when he was attending to a sick or handicapped person was that of healing, comfort, love and prayer. I do not know of one incident when Christ recommeded starvation so that the afflicted could "go home."
Ah, a voice of reason, well said.
It's been really spooky on FR reading the calls for vigilante actions by Gov. and Pres. Bush.
Let Terri go home.
Thanks Mike!!
I being a Christian have struggled with this and decided pretty much the same as you. I'm glad you took the time to put it in print.
RB<><
Frankly, the thing about this that I find so troubling is not so much the question of whether Terri's better off dead or alive, but rather where does it leave the law? To me, the judge moulded the law and the facts to a point that they are not accurate so that he could reach the conclusion that he wanted, which was that Terri should be euthanized.
That is not the prerogative of a judge, and is not intellectually honest. It would have been much better if this decision had been made by the legislature, not by a judge, who is only supposed to uphold the law, not change it. While they were at it, they could have found a better way to do it other than by starving her to death.
In addition, this decision invites a slippery slope. Even if 80% of the people think this was the correct result, I sympathize with the 20% who protest this action on moral grounds, and are determined that if the 80% want to take us down this slippery slope to euthanasia, then they are going to have to deal with civil disobedience. Maybe the prospect of unending protests over this kind of thing will make the other 80% rethink the idea of whether euthanasia should be made a commonplace part of American life.
People who don't know what the rule of law IS....this is what pushes our country further and further down the slippery slope!
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[T]he laws of nature . . . of course presupposes the existence of a God, the moral ruler of the universe, and a rule of right and wrong, of just and unjust, binding upon man, preceding all institutions of human society and government.
John Quincy Adams
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The law of nature, “which, being coeval with mankind and dictated by God Himself, is, of course, superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times. No human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this.”
Alexander Hamilton, Signer of the Constitution
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The “law of nature” is a rule of conduct arising out of the natural relations of human beings established by the Creator and existing prior to any positive precept. . . . [These] have been established by the Creator, and are, with a peculiar felicity of expression, denominated in Scripture, “ordinances of heaven.”
Noah Webster, Judge and Legislator
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The PEOPLE, or 'natural persons', are supposed to follow God's law (natural law), and the government is supposed to follow man's law (positive law)
The people are NOT under the legal, lawful or moral control of the government...... that is what MAKES us a Republic.
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.
If it's THAT fragile (and ignorant), does it deserve to survive?
Absolutely.
Do you believe that the reward for a life well spent on this earth is a life with God in heaven after you die?
No, because Jesus expressly said otherwise. In John 3:16, 8:24, and 14:6, He stipulated belief in Himself as mankind's only Savior as the prerequisite for salvation.
Boortz's pop theology notwithstanding, I trust Terri has forged that personal connection with her Lord, of Whom the Bible states, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
Please don't get me wrong - I pray that God's wisdom will flow over all involved here, both in Florida and all over the nation. I pray that God's will be done with Terri, whether that be to remain alive or to be commended to heaven. And I pray that something good comes of this entire affair for all, whether it be for other laws to be enacted or changed, or if it's for increased knowledge, wisdom and faith for all.
I'm not evil. None of us on FR who are here on this side of the divide are evil. Please don't paint us as such.
The system worked the way it was supposed to work. As the law stands now, Michael has the power to determine what happens to her. I don't agree with it, but it's the law.
What I fail to understand, however, is why Michael is so intent on letting her die. It seems very selfish on his part. If so many people want to keep her alive, why not? What's it hurting him? He doesn't have to do anything for or with her. He can stipulate that--just say okay, she can live, but don't expect me to have anything to do with her from here on out. Her family would respect that, I believe. I believe he just doesn't want to bear the guilt of having her live, yet ignoring her. Much easier to get her out of the way -- no guilt anymore.
"Jesus awaits Terri Schiavo at the gates of heaven with open arms."
This will be true of any Christian who is murdered at the hands of the state.
I haven't been very conflicted over this, ever.