[flixxx]

Well, I know that this interview will probably not change anyone's mind at this point about the Schiavo case, but I thought that it would be of interest to those FreeRepublic patrons who would like the opinon of a respected neurologist. Also, if interested, here is a previous post referencing an article from the New England Journal of Medicine regarding PVS and the Schiavo case. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1368403/posts

As I have mentioned in previous posts, there will be no good outcome from this whole episode.

[texasflower]

Interesting. Thank you for posting this.

[John Valentine]

...the opinon of a respected neurologist.

Who is the "respected neurologist" to whom you refer?

Certainly not the notorious euthanasia champion Dr. Ronald Cranford! This is a man who most certainly has a horse in this race, and cannot possibly give an unbiased diagnosis or evaluation.

[concerned about politics]

The neurologist chosen by Michael Schiavo to examine his estranged wife, Terri, is a right-to-die activist who has been a featured speaker for the pro-euthanasia Hemlock Society.

Dr. Ronald Cranford testified in the court cases before county court Judge George Greer that Terri Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery.

[DakotaRed]

"Dr. Ronald Cranford, who actually examined Terri Schiavo in 2002 and testified to her condition"

When Dr. Cranford was on Hannity & Colmes last week, Hannity nailed him on two things he's claimed in the past, even when he tried to wiggle away from answering.

1. Did you once say people in a vegetative state have no constitutional rights?

2. Did you once say it's a waste of time to hook a feeding tube to someone with Alzheimers?

After some wrangling about, he finally admitted he did indeed write such things in an article and then tried to justify it.

[Fam4Bush]

"ABRAMS: Doctor, I mean you hate to say it but that's just a father wishful thinking, isn't it?

CRANFORD: I hate to say it but it's a father wishful thinking."

Leading?

I hate to say it but the
Right to Privacy = Right to Commit Murder

[Warlord]

"opinon [sic] of a respected neurologist."

Cranford is using this case to advance assisted-suicide. The NEJM "article" was editorial in nature, not scientific. It reflects elite opinion more than it does true science.

[beaversmom]

I just read a very well thought out article on FR about Terri's case. It's by ethicist Eric Cohen. It's a tad lengthy but an easy read and one of the best articles I have read for continuing to give Terri food and water. For anyone interested, here it is:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1370607/posts

[Cincinna]

Dr. Ronald Cranford is a world renowned expert on....EUTHANASIA. He is one of the cornerstones in the so called "right to die" movement.

The CAT scanb technology used on Terri in 2002 is totally outmoded and unreliable by todays i.e. 2005 standards and technology. The fact that this was done without availing the courts of the latest technological data speaks volumes in itself.

An autopsy should be performed by an objective, outside panel. Someone who has experience in strangulation and abuse should be part of the forensic panel.

Bring in Jordan Cavenaugh. Barring that, Dr. Cyril Wecht,forensic pathologist would be a great choice.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>...I thought that it would be of interest to those FreeRepublic patrons who would like the opinon of a respected neurologist...

When you find one, let us know - Cranstron is NOT one. He is on record that people like Terri HAVE NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS - and they are no more than animals.

[MadIvan]

I think people are missing the point - even if Terri's brain function was minimal, it is not terminal, meaning, without artificial life support, she would not die. She merely requires the necessities we all require in order to live as long as the rest of us.

In other words, she's living with a disability. How severe, there is a dispute. But we simply do not kill people because they are disabled: severely retarded children are allowed to live, for the moment, for example. Furthermore, where there is life, there is hope - it may very well be that adult stem cell therapy could restore some of her brain cell function, for example. But now we'll never know, and what is worse, "Dasein Ohne Leben", existence without life, has become an excuse for killing someone, something which even the Nazis practiced, but out of shame which Judge Greer apparently does not possess didn't enshrine it in law.

Regards, Ivan

[TotusTuus]

I work in the medical field closely with neurosurgeons, and radiologists. I have no doubt that the diagnosis of Terri's higher brain function is correct. Barring a miracle from God, she will never recover the lost cortex of her brain. Weather one calls it PVS or minimally conscious, the "problem" is, she is still (currently) alive despite her very severe brain injury. She is not being kept alive by extreme and/or artificial means. That is why she has to by starved/dehydrated to death.

That is called euthanasia. That is what is wrong and immoral to what is happening to her.

To put it in context, when I was growing up I knew a family who had an older son who was born without a brain, that is without any cortex, which is being discussed here. As my Mom said, he was in a state of being a perpetual infant in the body of an adolescent. He had to be feed by his family for nourishment. Would they have had the right to starve him to death?

Terri is probably in a very similar state, i.e. of now being mentally a perpetual infant. I would argue that her inalienable right to life is protected by the Constitution. And this regardless of her "awareness" - a spiritual reality that cannot be measured by the medical sciences.

[beaversmom]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1370607/posts?page=1

How Liberalism Failed Terri Schiavo by Eric Cohen

Once again I would like to point to this article. I know it probably won't sway the people that want to dehydrate Terri to death, but I think it will give the people that believe she deserves to live a few good points to consider. Maybe we (as in the pro-life Terri people) shouldn't get all of our eggs tied up in what her brain looks like basket. I believe Terri's life has worth even if her brain looks like oatmeal. Look at the ruckus and debate she's caused and she can't even leave her room. Terri thank you for being. I am glad you were born and I'm glad you are still here. Even if they are successful at killing you, your life had meaning. You've had lots of things taken away from you, but they won't be able to strip you of that.

[catpuppy]

Alert but severly damaged or in a vegetative state, the condition of Terri should have little bearing on the case. A "Judge" worthy of the term should be able to "judge" that the husband to whom he has granted every benefit of doubt has tremendous conflict of interest issues and his testimony should be discounted accordingly.

[A CA Guy]

If the above is true, then this is being missrepresented.

But Hannity reviewed it all also and said there seems to be lots of evidence the court is ignoring.

I thought everyone was saying the CT scans were not taken?

[DBeers]

Well, I know that this interview will probably not change anyone's mind at this point about the Schiavo case, but I thought that it would be of interest to those FreeRepublic patrons who would like the opinon of a respected neurologist.

You may respect him -I do not!

[Southack]

"Well, I know that this interview will probably not change anyone's mind at this point about the Schiavo case, but I thought that it would be of interest to those FreeRepublic patrons who would like the opinon of a respected neurologist."

If this were a purely *medical* case, a respected neurologist would be a good source, but this is a moral and legal case as well as medical.

In Terri's case, her parents want to take care of her themselves; her husband doesn't want to take care of her, and doctors (for the most part) don't want to continue treatment.

The obvious solution to make all of the above happy is for the doctors and husband to step aside and let her parents care for her.

That the husband and the courts are actively *preventing* the girl's parents from feeding and hydrating her, however, goes far beyond the pale.

From a coping viewpoint alone, the parents should be permitted to care for their daughter, all other issues and points aside.

...And for *that* perspective, a respected neurologist adds little or nothing.

[Cruising Speed]

Well, it doesn't change my mind because this case doesn't revolve around this issue. It revolves around Mr. Schiavo's assertion that Terri wants to die. Without that, the rule of law says she lives. Judge Greer found Mr. Schiavo to be credible but lots of people do not, including yours truly.

Mr. Schaivo sued for 51 years of care for Terri and, immediately after winning $700,000 for this purpose, suddenly remembered that Terri wants to die. He would inherit the remainder which means he has a clear conflict of interest.

[Shellback Chuck]

http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/science/is_the_brain_really_necessary.htm

[Steve Van Doorn]

I believe it was 13 doctors for the court record of which 7 believed she was in a permanent vegetative state 6 did not.

[jazzlite]

"Cranford is the assistant chief of neurology at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis as well as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota's Center for Bioethics."

Enough said..This is all the credential I need to see.