Terri Schiavo's Death Will Be an Atrocity

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.

Hmmmm? That's pretty much my fav's too - especially Gibson. Once in awhile he has some bozo on but most of the time he has good talking heads. But .. I rarely watch Hannity anymore. I like his radio program most of the time, but I can't stand the over the top guests they have - all screaming at each other at the same time - you can't understand what any of them are saying.

I agree - they are center left.

But .. Brent Bozell did an interview for the Limbaugh Letter recently, and he commented that there was going to be another conservative station - slightly more conservative than FOX - very soon.

Yes, he would be upholding the law. The law in question is the DCFS law that says that DCFS can take Terri out of there. The judge has ruled that they can't, but the judge cannot change the law. The judge is the one that is acting lawlessly here.

Jeb has the legislature on his side. They made the law. The judge has only himself.

If you want to get into the Constitution, well there's a subject you obviously haven't studied in some time. Otherwise you would know that Terri is also protected under the 5th, 7th and 8th amendments.

No person shall be deprived of life without due process. (5th amendment)

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed *twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, (7th amendment) Terri has not been afforded a trial by a jury of her peers.

*No one can argue that a life is worth less than $20.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. (8th Amendment)
Starving a person to death is cruel and unusual punishment, especially considering she has commited no crime.

I will agree with you on the DCF issue - I too am troubled by the fact that a Judge can tell a Governor that the Gov CANNOT UPHOLD THE STATE's LAWS .. something weird there.

But then again - Jeb is not a lawyer - and like the rest of us must take his guidance from others. I've had legal people here at FR tell me the judge is wrong. This is frustrating to me that Jeb does not have a good enough legal mind to advise him if the judge can do that or not. So I am with you on that point - but it still comes down to Jeb disobeying the court's order - and he's got people telling him he cannot do that.

Jeb tried the legislature - and he couldn't get it done there. I think it was too many repubs who were not in favor of doing anything. Why, I don't know.

As for the Constitution - you forgot the 14th.

And .. as far as "due process" is concerned - all of the appeals for Terri have NOT been based on "due process" failures. Due process failures are all you can appeal on. Once FACTS have been established - the due process failures are all that's left. This is why the appeals were wasted - because they kept presenting new evidence of FACTS, but no evidence of due process failures.

I see this as very very clever. This judge knew how to dot every i and cross every T. He knew his case could never be appealed. So .. that's a major problem - as far as the appeals courts are concerned - Terri has had due process.

While you and I might not agree - it's a legal wall that's just insurmountable. And .. this is the reason that the Congress called for the courts to do a "de novo review".

I believe Public Law 109-3 COMPELLED THE COURT to not only re-insert the tube - but to review the case. What can be done about the courts not complying with the Public Law is sadly something I don't have any legal knowledge of.

Yes she did have a jury trial, but it was about the suit her husband brought against the hospital for a misdiagnosis. Everything has been predicated upon that trial - where the basic FACTS were established.

I do so agree with this statement: "Starving a person to death is cruel and unusual punishment, especially considering she has commited no crime." But .. the state laws allow the husband to have control over this situation and I don't see any resolution as long as he and Greer are in control.

However, there is a thing brewing - here is the link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1371592/posts

What then of those who delight in causing others' pain?

Thanks for the ping. Remember the thread about "Amalek"? I wonder if his descendants are now being termed "socio/psychopaths"? They love to see others in pain, whether it is physical or emotional.

I've been trying to keep up with the Terri threads, but haven't had the heart to reply, not to mention that by the time I get to the end of one, it's locked. I just read, pray, and get angry. Children are being arrested, and the whole world is watching. The longest domestic violence-related murder in history is being carried out, and the whole world is watching. Michael Schiavo forbids the Schindlers to visit for 5 hours, but he comes out of hospice laughing. You know, the sense of hearing is the last to go, and I wonder what he is saying to Terri. Amalek....

This is very painful. Maintaining one's faith in God is a must, but so difficult at times. What is God's plan in this?

Have a blessed Easter, friend.

May you also have a blessed and inspiring Easter.

One train of thought that helps me through difficulties is this: (warning, my thought processes are a little woozly right now.)

God's eternal nature is not conceivable with our little minds that are imprisoned by time in the earthly realm. His time, His judgement, His mercy, His love - they are all bounded only by eterntity, which has no end and no beginning. So we may not - and likely will not - see what happens to all these souls after the demise of the body. Terri may be walking with God in her heart, she may be praying for His protection continuously - it's a secret relationship which can happen even when the body is wracked with pain, even when the body is sleeping.

OTOH, Michael Schiavo's destiny is very, very dark. But no act and indeed, no thought is gone unwitnessed, since God's purview extends to and in between every atom. MS is not alone, nor are any of us, even in the darkness of a sleepless night.

He will get his just reward, and so will Terri. And any tears of mercy, compassion, and repentence for our own misdeeds that we shed - especially on such a holy day as today - will help wash our own hearts of the hardness that keeps us from loving surrender to God.

This is true. Only God knows the hour and the day. The manner in which Terri has been tortured and is being killed, reminds me of ancient martyrs. Has God chosen Terri for a specific reason? God could save Terri, but I guess He has another purpose in mind.

I've made my way through all the Terri threads, praying and contemplating why this is happening. We cannot possibly know what His plans are. Terri is being offered up to the forces of greed and violence. There are many people who are offering up prayers for Michael Schiavo's soul...if he has one. I believe this is the correct thing to do. I'm saving my prayers for Terri and her family. The Schindler family has a tremendous amount of faith and endurance. their grief and sorrow must be overwhelming :(

Justice will be done, in the Lord's time. I do hope to see justice handed down to those involved with her murder, in my lifetime.

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