The Schiavo Rift

Cox & Forkum ^ | 3/28/05 | Cox & Forkum

[thoughtomator]

I don't want to be a hotlinker, but no matter which side of this you're on, you'll have to admit that this is the funniest take on this case yet - and it's aimed squarely at us.

[supercat]

It was a civil case based up "preponderance of evidence". Probate judges interpret the wishes of those who can no longer speak for themselves all the time.

The statutes in 1999 were amended to allow refusal of artificial food and hydration based upon "clear and compelling evidence". But you haven't cited me any statute to allow the denial of oral food and hydration.

[Saundra Duffy]

I stayed on the hunger strike for 3 days. That was all I could take. Can't get sick because I have family responsibilities. Are you trying to make fun of me?

[beandog]

I agree with you. :)

[Melas]

Ah yes, anyone who disagrees with you is a hidden troll. It couldn't be that anyone who disagrees with has simply concluded that there is nothing but CSF where most of Terri's brain could be?

[Lion in Winter]

"it is definitely a mirror, but at least it shows conservatives give a dang about someone's life, versus the morbidity of neomarxism wearing a deguise of democracy."

BTTT

[lonevoice]

Yup...and the Dems are just lying low, watching us implode.

Yeah, that's true. There's plenty of disagreement amongst them regarding the Schiavo case (see #158) but they aren't out in public calling each other names over it. Who was it that said we eat our own?

If I was FR queen for the day, I'd make the following temporary rules: Whenever the words "Nazi", "Bible Thumper", "kook", or "death lover" appear on a thread, it will immediately be nuked. Any posters using those words will be given a time out.

[Finger Monkey]

But there is, always have been, and always will be a segment of the posters here who can't crawl out of their narrow point of view to even be civil to people who disagree, let alone recognize that the entire planet doesn't share their limited view of the world. In many respects, they are absolutely no different from the rabid Left, in that anyone who doesn't fall into lockstep

Isn't that also a Muslim extremist's view?

[Chad Fairbanks]

No kidding. Demonization is EXACTLY what it is...

[CitizenM]

I just heard MS attorney (on FOX) state that Michael has ordered a cremation of Terri's body. He wants to dispell any beliefs that he abused her and that is what led to her death. I believe there is another announcement coming.

[Repent]

Afternoon!

I have been coming to this forum for years (had to change my username a couple of days ago - couldn't get in?????). Anyway, I can't believe you are all arguing about "party" politics.

This is not about Republicans vs. Democrats. It is about God-loving vs. God-less people. It is about good vs. evil.

I am neither a republican nor a democrat, but rather just an ordinary Christian missionary. I never vote for human governments, because humans were never meant to govern themselves - and won't shortly. I learned a long time ago who puts who in power and that the "world" (the Beast System) is an enemy of God.

What is happening to Terri has been happening for a very long time. It was murder when it was first done in America and it is murder now.

And we are *all* to blame.

If this was being done in my neighborhood and I did nothing to try to stop it I would be blood-guilty. I live in the Coastal Mountains in Canada and I have done everything I can to help Terri over the past couple of years. If we ALL took care of our families first, and then our neighbors, and held life to be sacred and that to be absolute - TPTB couldn't get away with what they are (seemingly) getting away with now.

The government (any government)needs our cooperation to be corrupt. As far as we are able, we must NEVER cooperate with EVIL.

Terri would be just fine if that stance was taken fifteen years ago, and held to.

Yours, in the Light of Christ - Jesse.

[Doohickey]

Palm Beach County?! I can hear the moonbats already.

[CitizenM]

Oh...stupid, stupid....I meant AUTOPSY. HE WANTS AN AUTOPSY! I am too upset to think.

[Doohickey]

I don't think he's offended.

[Chad Fairbanks]

You will notice, however, that I did NOT go after her about the hunger strike thing, right?

That's just me, being nice. ;0)

[Lion in Winter]

"True, this reminds me of the scene in the movie 'It's a Beautiful Life', where the German women is talking oh so calm and well spoken about how much money the state would save by 'elimination' the useless feeders. Very rational, very cool, no emotion, just hard facts."

Well worth repeating and quite accurate about this fight for the life of Terri.

[Neets]

Did you know it is the lack of hydration more so than the lack of food that causes the organs to shut down in cases like this?

I am sure your "Hunger strike" is merely symbolic, but I wonder about your concern for getting sick because of your family responsibilities.

[Finger Monkey]

So, you are saying there is no room for disagreement under the conservative umbrella, we must all agree, exactly, on every point. I'm sorry, man, but that is not what communities are about.

[Melas]

I know. I've posted the tell-tale signs of strangulation several times myself. It's amazing.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

There is a lot of that, too. And people who just believe that husband's rights trump...and every other flavor of rational and irrational thought in between. Some stirring the pot for fun, some truly believing what they were talking aboutand some who were just tired of the subject.

[kralcmot]

thanks for your reply

and i respond

yes to almost all of what you have written, and the point of view you express

we diverge on what we would personally want for ourselves if we were in the situation that Terri is in.

and that is a matter of choice

i downloaded the California Advanced Directive a few days ago and posted it here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1367313/posts

i filled it out and called a meeting with my wife and sons. we discussed the document and my wishes. it was a disturbing and emotional experience, but undoubtedly necessary

we each view the information differently, and apply its lessons to ourselves

my wife is a nurse. she and i had this decision before, but for her mother, so we knew a little about it.

Terri is not on a ventilator. She is not suffering from a nasty cancer. In fact, she has, or had until a few days ago, a healthy body and her vital organs were functioning normally. her weight was in the expected range and she had no infections. the tube for nutrition and fluids is not in place because she cannot swallow, it is because it hurts her to do it. there is some damage to her throat. but she does swallow her own saliva and will swallow any liquids you put in her mouth. so the issue here is not heroic life support, it is the very lowest level of sustaining care.

how much brain funtion is there? enough to sustain life, with a little help, that's for sure. Is there cognition? does she try to communicate? no one knows for sure.

is there any possibility that rehabilitative care would help her? again, we don't know. but we do know that she has been denied therapy for at least 8 years.

will there be any scientific medical advances in the near future that would help her? again, we don't know.

have there been people who have been declared hopeless who have miraculously recovered? yes definitely, and their statements have be posted all over this board and others.

is it possible (that's possible, as opposed to probable) that if she were allowed to live for some years into the future that Terri might recover some of her cognition? we just don't know.

if i was her, and even if in my youth, at age 25 i had made a casual remark that i would not want to live "like that" i can tell you that now, at my more advanced age, i would not like to be bound by those words.

i have told my designated guardians to err on the side of the possibility that i might live to the day that i might see them again and tell them how much i love them, again.