he was supposed to do a de Novo - look at new evidence. HE DID NOT. he just rubber-stamped - and took his sweet time about it while Terri's life ebbed away
Exactly where did you get that idea from? Looking at new evidence from an appellate level is not all that common unless the petitioner can show that the evidence would have a likely chance of altering the outcome. Usually appeals involve arguments of law and violations of rights or procedure, as this one was. But in this case, the judge was never asked to look at any new evidence anyway.
HE DID NOT. he just rubber-stamped
No, he looked at from scratch (de novo) those claims of violations of her rights that were brought before him, exactly as the law stated he should.
and took his sweet time about it while Terri's life ebbed away
Now you're just making crap up. Do you remember what time his ruling came out (hint: not a time that would suggest normal comfy daylight working hours)? Do you remember how long after Congress passed the law that it came out (hint: not long)?