Posted on 03/27/2005 5:58:01 AM PST by FR_addict
This morning two of the main leaders of Terri's fight were arrested. We have been at the Hospice since early Thursday morning.
We helped bail out strangers that made the personal decision to face jail because of the unjust laws and judicial decisions in this case.
We are sitting in our hotel room and just saw two of the leaders get taken to jail. It was the first time I've cried since I've been here.
The people at the vigil are various individuals and groups of caring people from all over America trying to work together to make a difference. You don't see the big names here, just the little people. They could use the support from others that are so affected by Terri and her family's suffering.
I don't even know all the main groups involved, but I did have the opportunity to meet these two pastors that were arrested today. I don't even have the name of one of the pastors. One was Chet Gallagher of OperationSaveAmerica -- www.operationsaveamerica.org
Last night before we left, we got to shake Mr. Schindler's hand. Afterwards my husband said it was more of an honor to shake Mr.Schindler's hand than it would have been to shake Pres. Bush or Gov. Bush's hand.
Oh I know, I am Catholic. I probably worded that inquiry wrong, I was just taken back initially that the thought was that if the Holy Eucharist was not given to Terri that her soul would be condemned to hell. Don't agree with that, that's all.
Terri is a Roman Catholic. The "Easter duty" refers to the obligation to receive Holy Communion during Eastertide. Of course, she is not "damned to hell" for not being physically able to carry out this awesome and precious duty --- intimate bodily contact and union with God --- the most sacred phenomenon which exists in the physical Universe.
Rather, since she is dying, there exists, not a "duty," but a "right" on her part, to receive Holy Communion in preparation for death. This is known as "Viaticum" (pronounced "vee-AT-ee-kum") which in Latin means "on the way with you": the idea being that as you go to God, God is already going with you.
By Canon Law, any priests who knows of a Catholic who is dying, is obliged to make sure he or she is given the Last Rites (Last Rites = Anointing + Viaticum.)
I rejoice that two priests have had the honor of being arrested trying to carry out this obligation.
It should be hundreds of priests. And at least one Bishop. Terri's Bishop, who is accountable before God to minister to his spiritual daughter. Bishop Robert Lynch.
My questions were aimed at understanding a reason why Terri may not have had a 'spiritual adviser' for her parents to 'produce'.
I assume yours are too. But, as we've seen you can get in trouble when you assume.
God bless you for responding to the echoes of the last trumpets!
If the Florida state enforcement is actively causing a woman to be starved to death then I'd support the Marines giving them option of standing down or meeting their maker.
"IF?" There is no "if" about it. The blue-shirted goon squad that passes itself off as a law enforcement agency in Pinellas Park IS directly and indirectly facilitating the death of this inocent woman. Herein is a letter I wrote earlier today and sent to the Chief of Police in Pinelas Park:
Dear Chief Thomas:
In as much as we have been inundated with media coverage with the Terri Schiavo state of affairs, one aspect seems to have escaped scrutiny (and of which I am certain you and your department, no doubt are relieved) and that is the role you and your department have played in assisting this state-sanctioned “execution.”
In my opinion (and that of many others) you and your “blue shirts” are complicit and an accessory (both before an after the fact) to the taking of an innocent human life by facilitating this mockery of what passes for jurisprudence in your jurisdiction.
If there have been any of your officers who have refused duty in order to protect the rights of Michael Schiavo while arresting any one who might have attempted to come to Terri’s rescue (including children) then this has been kept very quiet.
I find it hard to believe that there is not ONE officer who—based on moral, legal or ethical position—has not declined to be part of this travesty.
I can imagine that you and those who have provided “defense” and “protection” would reply that you were all simply “following orders”—regardless whose they may be.
That is the same retort/excuse/defense that the Brown/Black shirts attempted to use at the Nuremberg trials. “I was just following orders.” “Jawol, Mein Fuehrer.”
German SS Oath
"I swear to you Adolf Hitler, as Leader and Chancellor of the Reich, loyalty and valor. I vow to you and all those you place over me obedience until death, so help me God."
Being a Vietnam Vet and having served in the military for 8 years, I know that even a lowly recruit has the duty (and obligation) to refuse to carry out an order if they believe it to be unlawful or illegal. In the end, they have to justify their actions and may end up being court-martialed and could even be imprisoned—or in time of war—shot.
You and your “goons” on the other hand, stand to be—worst case scenario—demoted, or fired. That is, if none of you prevailed after litigation and other legal challenges.
I do not know the organizational structure in Florida. However, I find it hard to believe that a lowly probate judge (Greer) has the authority to command an autonomous municipality such as Pinellas Park, to obey his court instructions. Perhaps he may, but if not, then it stands to reason that someone else (the mayor, city council, etc.) are providing you with your “marching orders.”
Notwithstanding who has given the orders, it is shameful conduct on the part of you and your department.
Most Police Departments in the USA, operate under the banner of: “To Serve and PROTECT.” I guess your department has no such allegiance or pledge.
If I am mistaken, then it must be that somehow, this Michael Schiavo has some exalted powers, as it appears when there are any questions it is he who your officers call for permission or authorization.
For your information, it is illegal in the State of Florida to starve an animal.
The 2004 Florida Statutes
Title XLVI
CRIMES Chapter 828
ANIMALS: CRUELTY; SALES; ANIMAL ENTERPRISE PROTECTION
828.12 Cruelty to animals.--
(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, DEPRIVES OF NECESSARY SUSTENANCE, shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or
otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 (SEE BELOW) or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. (EMPHASIS ADDED)
CRIMES Chapter 775
DEFINITIONS; GENERAL PENALTIES; REGISTRATION OF CRIMINALS
s. 775.082 (a) For a misdemeanor of the first degree, by a definite term of IMPRISONMENT not exceeding 1 year (EMPHASIS ADDED)
Now is that not simply wonderful. Starve an animal in Florida and stand at risk of going to jail for a year. However, starve a human being and not only is this sanctioned, but you and your department are doing (and have done) everything possible to “aid and abet” this “murder.”
Here in Vermont, a man was convicted cruelty to animals for starving his cows.
Christian DeNeergaard pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in January. He received a suspended one-year sentence as well as 30 days of work crew assignment as part of a deal with prosecutors. In October, 2004, then-Washington County State's Attorney Tom Kelly said he would seek at least some jail time for animal neglect, which claimed the lives of at least 11 cows.
"We think some jail time is appropriate," said Kelly in an October interview. "The cows suffered tremendously."
Where are your (and your officers’) ethics? Where is your sense of duty? Where does your responsibility to follow orders of the court(s) or superiors end and a duty to a higher authority begin?
If what I read in The Miami Herald is true and a team of Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents were on their way to seize Terri, but "stopped short" when told that local police officers “would enforce a judge's order against removing her,” then I can only assume they were referring to you and your “officers.”
It is unfortunate that they (FDLE) “blinked.” It would have been most interesting to see if you and your “thugs” would actually have threatened fellow law enforcement officials with bodily harm? It certainly appears that way.
It is also unfortunate that Governor Bush does not have the fortitude and resolve to call out the National Guard to enforce the State Constitution and its provisions of which he took an oath to uphold. I would dearly love to have witnessed your “local yokels” try and prevent them from performing their “duties.”
It has been many years since I visited Florida and I had contemplated doing so again in the future. Now, I will have to think long and hard before I decide to do so and if I should, I will definitely never set foot in your county or town and regardless of the other “niceties” it affords its “seasoned citizens” (of which due to my age, I qualify) I would never entertain the thought of retiring in your state.
I also happen to be Catholic and it is reported that your “brown shirts” will to the end, uphold their “duty,” and enforce Michael Schiavo’s order that Terri not be given Holy Communion as part of her last rites, nor today, Easter, as her faith declares she should do.
How proud you all must be of your conduct! There are many villains in this still-to-be-finalized saga. Nevertheless, I count you and your department as one of the worst. I hope all of you can sleep well after this is all over and are at peace with your consciences—if any of you even have one.
Sincerely,
Should anyone else be so inclined to express their opinions to the Chief of Police in Pinellas Park, here is her name and address:
Chief Dorene Thomas
dthomas@pinellas-park.com
http://www.pinellas-park.com/Police/officeofchief.asp
I done told her twice to sign her posts!!
Yes. Thank you mountainfolk, for clarifying it better than I did.
Same here, Lilypad. That's why if someone asked me if I have a "spiritual" or "religious" advisor, I would honestly have to say no, even though I am a member of a Catholic parish and attend church.
Of course, if I needed help, I'm sure I could call my parish Priest and ask for it, but he does not know me personally, and if something like what happened to Terri happened to me, he certainly would have no idea what my wishes might be in respect to living or dying.
I think you posted that to the wrong person.
More of a rhetorical IF......
I've been waking every morning this week with a dry and scratching throat from sleeping with my mouth open due to sinuses. Its dry and sore. I can't help thinking each morning how hard it must be to not be able to get a drink of water.
This is the most horrible thing I've seen.
There is NEVER a reason to starve someone to death. Food and Water are NOT life support.
I will try to answer the questions that I can, although some of them are a little on the strange side, I must say.
1.Do you have to be a member of a Church to participate in Mass, and Holy Communion? No - you just have to have received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Confession, and First Holy Communion
2.Do you have to be a member to attend the confessional? - No - same as #1
3.Is there an issue in the church for someone in Terri's situation and when she last confessed? - Terri has received last rites, so she is in good shape with God, so to speak.
4. I have on occasion wondered about the rules for Purgatory, will time in the PVS count as time served? - don't know about that one, but God is merciful.
5.Is Purgatory only for Catholics? - not sure, but I don't think so
6.Was the 2nd coming of Jesus when he returned on Easter and established his Church on earth? - no - we are still awaiting Christ's second coming
7.Will folks in Purgatory be picked up during the Rapture? - not sure about that one
8.Is it important to have Israel around so God can destroy it? - WHAT????
On Judgement Day we may stand before the Lord and have to answer the question: "What did you do to save Terri?" Did you stand in front of the hospice and pray for her; if not, did you tell anyone who would listen that we are allowing the murder of an innocent woman? Did you do anything, or did you just not care as long as you are safe and warm in your house with more important things to do, like watching the NCAA basketball tournament. Will the Lord find you on Schindlers List or will he find you wanting? These may or may not be the Last Days; but when they come we must all choose the side of good or evil. I beleive that most will be seduced by the dark side and the remnant will see the light.
Your god sends people to hell for not performing ritual whil they are in an unconscious vegetative state?
Man. That's tough. Where'd you get this god?
The fool says in his heart "My god is THE god and if you don't believe it you are going to hell."
It's from the fact that we have an out of control activist judiciary making new law or setting precedents that overturn existing law to advance their agenda.
When did any legislative body pass a law that said we could abort babies for any reason?.
When did they pass a law saying we had to provide schools or heath care for illegal aliens?
This judge is reversing the precedent of one of our inalienable rights upheld by our Constitution.
The first right mentioned is the right to life.
The courts have already taken this right from the innocent unborn. Now after this case they will be able to do so those they find that are alive but who do not meet their standards of life.
Before this case the existing law said you had to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the innocent person wanted to die ie: a living will or direct word of mouth from the patient to health care providers.
Now this judge is reversing this precedent by saying to the innocent you have to prove that you want to live or we can kill you by hearsay or court order.
The Congress of the United States, the President and the Supreme Court are all under oath to uphold the right to life of the innocent.If there is any doubt they have to give preeminence to life.
This judge has went against this established right and ruled that death is preeminent to life.
That's why we have this controversy.
This case was not difficult. He had one and one job only to do. To determine Terry's will in this matter.
Not to determine her condition. Not to determine the worth or quality of her life. Not to determine if it cost too much to keep her alive.
Not Micheal's will or his lawyer's, or her parents,or your's or mine or the doctor's or the health care industry's or some activist's group whether religious or not and least but most important of all not his own will or wishes.
Just Terry's will.
If he did not have any concrete, solid, not subject to doubt evidence that Terry wanted to die by refusing care, the decision was simple and already established and made for him by Law.
His duty was to protect her life. Period.
It is his extremely weak and doubt filled decision that the other judges should have looked at and overturned not his court procedure.
This is what the Congress and President ordered.
Correct procedure shouldn't, as it has in this case, ever be allowed to be an excuse to condone the taking of innocent life.
I'm sure the Nazi's had all their paper work in order to.
This case is subject to be the Roe vs. Wade of the euthanasia movement.
The bad thing is the Judiciary will be allowed to get away with it once again, while we have conservative majorities in the Legislative and the Executive Branches of our government.
I would have said yes that communion is for church members, but I would have been showing my age. I have looked it up in the Catechism and there is no mention of any limitations on who may receive Catholic communion.
Perhaps her husband being Lutheran and domineering didn't permit the opportunity to attend church.
so you say. And yet, and yet... she was at Mass the day before her mysterious collapse.
""Are you suggesting that we should not use the military to save human life from torture? If so, why the heck are we in Iraq?""
If that's the reason we are in Iraq, then why don't we also go into Iran? What about those African countries?
We aren't in Iraq to save people from torture. We are in Iraq because Saddam refused to let weapons inspectors in. As far as we know he had materials to make Nuclear weapons (probably nuclear weapons), chemical weapons, and has bribed weapons inspectors, and has a history of harboring terrorists. He posed a threat to us, the USA. All of the rest is a plus and bringing Democracy to Iraq ensures a safe future for us. Because Democratic countries don't attack their neighbors.
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