Posted on 03/26/2005 12:05:54 PM PST by wagglebee
There is a tremendous amount of suffering in the world. In the United States the suffering of Terri Schindler-Schiavo and her family has been the lead news story for weeks. Now it's the Christian Holy Week, where the suffering of Jesus is the religious focus of Christians around the globe.
Even Terri's maiden name, Schindler, is a reminder of the millions who suffered under Hitler. If you'll recall, Oskar Schindler was the man who rescued a thousand Jews from Nazi persecution and death. On Fox News, the Schindler family's spiritual adviser, Brother Paul O'Donnell, drew a parallel between the plight of Terri and the suffering of Christ. He spoke of how Terri's mother, Mary, cannot comfort her child as she dies. She cannot even offer her an ice chip to ease her pain. An armed police officer stands guard at Terri's bedside to assure that no intervention is attempted, and the death process continues.
The similarities that Brother O'Donnell points out are intriguing. Of course, this is not to suggest that the Schindlers are the holy family, but to remind us that suffering is no different today than it was 2,000 years ago. And that the persecution of man by man continues.
The court-ordered death of a disabled woman makes me wonder if we've learned anything about compassion, caring and humanity in those 2,000 years. It appears we've become more barbaric, continuing to make the same mistakes time after time, and we should know better.
Is it even remotely humane that a court has order that Terri Schiavo must die a slow, agonizing death by starvation? And where is the humanity in forcing her family to sit idly by as she dies? We don't even allow animals to be starved to death, and in many instances would prosecute any individual who so mistreated an animal.
It's imperative to point out that Terri was not being kept alive by heroic medicine. She was not on a respirator or any other form of life support. Like many disabled citizens of our nation, Terri simply can't feed herself.
Dr. Bill Hammesfahr, a neurologist specializing in brain-damaged patients, spent ten hours with Terri. He also spent months examining Terri's case, all of this at no cost to anyone. In interviews with Sean Hannity, Dr. Hammesfahr stated definitively that Terri is not in a coma and she is not in a vegetative state. Dr. Hammesfahr said that Terri is very aware, understands what is said to her and is responsive. He also explained that she could be rehabilitated if allowed the necessary therapy.
Terri's estranged husband, Michael Schiavo, claims that she wouldn't want to live this way. This comes from a man who's fathered two children with his 10-year live-in, Jodi Centonze, while remaining married to Terri. It's interesting to note that Schiavo never mentioned that these were Terri's wishes until seven years into her disability.
Since 1991, Michael Schiavo has denied Terri any therapy. Thirty allegations of "abuse, neglect or exploitation" by Schiavo have recently been filed in court by the Department or Children and Families in Florida.
The imposed suffering and death of Terri will be an atrocity. If this can happen in the United States of America, then no one is safe, anywhere.
Michael Schiavo is denying Terri her life. And we're allowing it to happen.
I have the same "hopeful" reading as you no doubt. However, clearly the people in the administration didn't feel that in and of itself was enough.
We won't know the full true story of this aspect as well as the rest until sadly much after the fact.
That being of course Terri's death.
I agree with you. I am sure her body has become so damaged from the deprivation, as well as any drugs they may be giving her, that even if some legal opening allowed them to give her an IV, it would be too late.
I can only hope that her most likely certain death will cause many people to wake up.
I've gotta read "Men in Black".
It's an unbelievable book!
You mean our leaders couldn't sense this throughout this ordeal? How will they ever get the message then?
To me you're not there at all either. So let's stop the food and water for you, too. Next.
There's that sharp reasoning we've come to expect on these silly threads.
SINCE YOU JUST JOINED UP TODAY - GO BACK TO DU.
Is today March 28, 2003?
Almost out of words about this whole thing. It's just so wrong and I cannot believe it is happening in the United States of America - where life, liberty and the pursuit of justice is our credo.
I'm also outraged that she'll be cremated right away and her body buried elsewhere - his choice.
The other night on FOX a woman who is friends with MS was being interviewed... she said she had never met Terri but she had been in the room to visit her.... I don't know why, but it bothered me that with all his going on about Terri not wanting to be a spectacle, he brings in strangers to see her.
And then denying her Holy Communion today... a comfort to her parents and siblings and food for the journey. Horrible.
I don't know but even if the governor could, I wouldn't count on Jeb pushing it if he meets resistance. He wouldn't do that for a dying disabled woman so I see no reason to have faith in him in the future.
Why all the shouting? Please lower your caps. Thank you.
We sent our young men and women to fight and die in Iraq some of them come home severely wounded..
We wont fight to Keep a disabled woman alive..
How long before our wounded are to also be killed for another spouse who cant/wont cope...
The precedent is set...
Jeb and GW refuse to do what good men oftentimes must...
imo
What law would he be breaking - none. He would be disagreeing as a coequal branch of government with the court. If the court disagrees with him, you're saying that's fine. If he disagrees with the court, suddenly he's supposed to bow to their wisdom. What happened to them bowing to his or that of the Legislature. This is more than a one way street. The judges do not have the final say.
And
Also Pat pointed out that only 16% of those polled were even following the case. So their 85% which believe Congress overreached - it based on faulty data in order to arrive at the answer they wanted.
Which means the MSM may have just screwed the Dems in the long run if the Dems are operating on faulty date. Did Pat have anything else of interest to say about this?
IMO, I do think this society has an inclination to support Death over Life. Whereas once we instinctively supported Life over Death. I do think were the Truth known rather than the junk the news services have been dishing out the numbers wouldn't be quite the same.
However, ONE YEAR LATER - the very same 75% had changed their minds and now believed HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM OFFICE.
Word to the Dems. Guess what we are going to spend the next years doing? After this subsides from your MSM coverage? Promoting a culture of Life and telling the American people the facts without your Lies clouding the issue. This isn't over, Terri's memory will live.
I shout when shouting is appropriate - and it's appropriate when it's appropriate!! IT WAS APPROPRIATE.
Well, Jeb is a weak noodle, and I been here since 1998.
I wish I had Jeb's job. Terri would have a feeding tube, and be in protective custody right now.
You're entitled to your opinion - but your comment is a little on the rude side. I just find it unseemly.
People can't seem to comment - I don't really care for him, or I don't like his policies - but no, it's he's a "weak noodle" which is so demeaning - it's really a PERSONAL ATTACK and it's unnecessary. Good grief.
Yes you can. It's easy. DCFS has the state police line up 30 of their best marksmen outside the hospice, then they proceed to the gate, point to the marksmen and say, "We have legislative authority to remove Terri Schiavo from these premises since we believe that her life is in danger and that she may be the victim of abuse and/or neglect. If you care to take issue with that, take it up with those guys."
Done deal.
The most baffling piece of this whole fiasco is why Jeb Bush committed political suicide - - he couldn't get elected dog-catcher at this point and he has nobody to blame but himself. I simply cannot figure this out....
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