Posted on 04/01/2005 8:05:46 PM PST by FairOpinion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Polls leading up to the death of Terri Schiavo made it appear Americans had formed a consensus in favor of ending her life. However, a new Zogby poll with fairer questions shows the nation clearly supporting Terri and her parents and wanting to protect the lives of other disabled patients.
The Zogby poll found that, if a person becomes incapacitated and has not expressed their preference for medical treatment, as in Terri's case, 43 percent say "the law presume that the person wants to live, even if the person is receiving food and water through a tube" while just 30 percent disagree.
Another Zogby question his directly on Terri's circumstances.
"If a disabled person is not terminally ill, not in a coma, and not being kept alive on life support, and they have no written directive, should or should they not be denied food and water," the poll asked.
A whopping 79 percent said the patient should not have food and water taken away while just 9 percent said yes.
"From the very start of this debate, Americans have sat on one of two sides," Concerned Women for America's Lanier Swann said in response to the poll. One side "believes Terri's life has worth and purpose, and the side who saw Michael Schiavo's actions as merciful, and appropriate."
More than three-fourths of Americans agreed, Swann said, "because a person is disabled, that patient should never be denied food and water."
The poll also lent support to members of Congress to who passed legislation seeking to prevent Terri's starvation death and help her parents take their lawsuit to federal courts.
"When there is conflicting evidence on whether or not a patient would want to be on a feeding tube, should elected officials order that a feeding tube be removed or should they order that it remain in place," respondents were asked.
Some 18 percent said the feeding tube should be removed and 42 percent said it should remain in place.
Swann said her group would encourage Congress to adopt legislation that would federal courts to review cases when the medical treatment desire of individuals is not known and the patient's family has a dispute over the care.
"According to these poll results, many Americans do in fact agree with what we're trying to accomplish," she said.
The poll found that 49 percent of Americans believe there should be exceptions to the right of a spouse to act as a guardian for an incapacitated spouse. Only 39 percent disagreed.
When asked directly about Terri's case and told the her estranged husband Michael "has had a girlfriend for 10 years and has two children with her" 56 percent of Americans believed guardianship should have been turned over to Terri's parents while 37 percent disagreed.
In my own life I've denied the initiative to ask people their thoughts on Terri. I wanted them to introduce the subject first so I could observe their initial opinion without my own take.
Any I've heard from have stated it was wrong to remove that feeding tube. They wanted to wring Michael's neck. Felt the parents should have been given custody since he had already moved on, and that starvation is not "euphoric".
This was my own unscientific poll, but I feel it's more valauble than ABC's. ;-)
There is going to be a backlash, and imo, it will not be where the MSM hopes it will be.
Just to remain on record I will state favorable or not, I find polls on whether someone should live or die to be repugnant. However, on the character of a nation they can be illuminating IF conducted honestly.
I looked at the Zogby site and there was no mention of it, nor have I seen it anywhere else.
I was actually debating, whether or not I should post it, in case it's a cruel "April Fool's" joke, but Life News has been pretty reliable and it's not out of character for the MSM and even Zogby to not publicize polls, the results of which they don't like, so just because nobody else is mentioning it, doesn't mean it didn't happen.
There is quite a bit of specific information about the questions in the article, which adds credibility.
Common sense also tells you, that in these types of polls the wording makes all the difference and we know the wording of the ABC poll...
Interesting poll. Americans are not dummies when they get the facts. They sort it out, and intelligently apply their own values to the facts. That is my belief based on experience.
Tell that to those locked up for mental disorders, including anorexia.
"Conflict of interest"???
Terri's husband sought EVERY avenue of help for Terri for 3 years, even went to school to become a nurse to care for her.
I was ONLY after he became convinced her situation was hopeless that he gave up.
Who do you people think you are judging this man?
What ever happened to letting the next of kin decide?
The slam job the MSM did on this case indicts them as full members of the culture of death.
The actual questions asked were posted for all the polls. Those against Terri referred to her as a brain dead woman being kept alive on life support. Zogby offered questions that gave the facts. That's why the poll results changed. A clock can be right twice a day, and this time, Zogby did the right thing, but did the right thing too late.
The claim is made he tacked when the judgment money came in. In the end, it doesn't matter that much to me, I make my decision on other grounds, but which is it? What is the time line?
And the fact is that evidence must be clear and convincing. I want the law protecting my right to make that decision and if I'm unable, I want the evidence of those that presume to know my wishes to be clear and convincing. Speaking for myself, the idea that a brother or sister-in-law would be more reliable than my family or closest friends is preposterous.
"Terri's husband sought EVERY avenue of help for Terri for 3 years, even went to school to become a nurse to care for her."
Yes, WHILE his malpractice suit was going on.
The minute it was over, he started to do everything he could to kill Terri.
1992
Aug - Terri awarded $250,000 in malpractice settlement.
Nov - Terri awarded $1.4 million in malpractice trial.
Nov - Michael Schiavo awarded $600,000 in malpractice trial.
1993
Feb - Michael Schiavo denies recommended rehabilitation treatment.
Feb - Schiavo and Terri's parents have falling out regarding lack of therapy for Terri.
Feb - Schiavo withholds medical information from Terri's parents.
Feb - Schiavo posts Do not Resuscitate order in Terri's medical chart.
Jun - Schiavo threatens Schindler family with lawsuit.
Aug - Schiavo orders medical staff not to treat Terri for potentially fatal infection.
Sep - Bob and Mary Schindler petition courts to remove Schiavo as Terri's guardian.
Nov - Schiavo admits in deposition that he knew withholding treatment of infection could result in Terri's death.
....
1995
Sep - Schiavo orders Palm Gardens not to treat Terri for potentially fatal infection.
1996
Jun - Terri's parents obtain court order for access to Terri's medical records.
1997
May - Judge Shames approves Schiavo action to remove Terri's nutrition and hydration.
Jul - Schiavo's engagement to Jodi Centonze announced.
Aug - Attorney Felos's letter notifying Terri's parents of action to remove Terri's nutrition and hydration.
Michael Schiavo spent YEARS seeking EVERY means of helping Terri he could.
It was ONLY after NOBODY could offer any hope that he gave up on her and decided to let her go.
I am sick to death people judging this man with hysterical and meanspirited accusations.
not quite. Greer should be impeached for not understanding (or admitting) what 'clear and convincing evidence' is.
Luis,
Judge Greer did NOT follow the law, he made the law.
You shouldn't be starved or "thirsted" to death. When one reaches terminal illness time, organs gradually lose normal function, appetite diminishes, consciousness delclines etc. Good Drs administer IV fluids continuously, pain and rest meds as needed to keep you comfortable and small oral feedings you want and tolerate. What you have seen here is a healthy body, suddenly having everything withdrawn and the "beautiful" result.
I'm sorry, but you are wrong.
You are wrong.
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