Italian Court Rules Woman's Feeding Tube Must Stay

Reuters.com ^ | April 20, 2005 | Reuters

[xsmommy]

amazing, even the jaded italians get it....

[nutmeg]

Hmmm... interesting question.

[k2blader]

The main argument of the pro-death side seems to be:

"(S)he would wish to die."

Do they really expect the rest of us to reply, "Your total guess must be right. Let's kill her." ?

[floriduh voter]

Those people are Greer and Jeb's best friends and Bush 41 and Bush 43. The Semblers are the definition of fat cats and they have the ear of our prez and governor. With Greer thrown into the mix, what chance did Terri have? And add Jim King to the mix and you have folks playing on both sides of the fence, saying one thing and doing another. Terri's killing was bi-partisan but if Jeb would have lobbied the nine in the Fla Senate to vote for Terri, she'd be alive. He was hiding in his mansion while Terri was being starved-dehydrated. He refused to meet with Alan Keyes but he met with Jesse Jackson who switched sides after he met with Jeb.

I am a conservative forever but not a bush admirer. They stuck with the folks who have paid them handsomely during their campaigns. Mel Sembler was named "Mr. Gop" for being the GOP's chief fundraising for one of the Bush's. It's sickening.

[AndyJackson]

Attention, Supremes: bookmark this case of international law.

Funny. Bet this citation is one international case taht never appears in a US judicial opinion.

[floriduh voter]

FREEPERS, THIS IS WHY WE ARE STILL HERE...Look what powerful people did to Terri, an American:

The Ithacan, an opinion piece.

By Kevin O’Neill ’05

Guest writer

April 07, 2005

“The right to die” and “dying with dignity” are catchphrases that were thrown around quite frequently regarding the removal of a feeding tube from Terri Schiavo, a woman who suffered brain damage 15 years ago. I sincerely doubt most of those people had any idea what they were saying.

How dignified do people consider starva-tion? When confronted with commercials ex-posing the terrible food shortage in many third world countries, “dying with dignity” is not a phrase that jumps to most people’s lips. Perhaps ignorance of what physically happens during starvation and dehydration shields some from considering the gravity of this case.

Medical doctor and ethicist David Stevens has described the process thus: the mouth dries out and the tongue becomes swollen and cracked. The lips become parched and cracked as a thick coating begins to cake the mouth and lips. The eyes sink back into the skull while the cheeks hollow and the lining of the nose begins to crack, potentially causing nosebleeds. The skin turns dry and scaly and hangs loose on the bones. Urine decreases, becoming highly concentrated, and eventually stops completely.

Then, the stomach lining dries out, causing vomiting and dry heaves. Brain cells dry out, too, causing convulsions. The respiratory tract dries out and thick secretions develop, a process that may plug the lungs and airways. Eventually, after the body suffers all these effects, all the major organs fail, including the lungs, heart and brain.

This is an extremely warped idea of “dignity.” It is illegal in the state of Florida, where Terri lived, to put a dog down this way, but for an innocent woman this death sentence will suffice. George Greer, the judge hearing this case has displayed shocking determination to see Terri die. On February 25, he stated that he would only hear motions relating to the “death process” and has denied, without hearing arguments or evidence, the Schindlers’ motion to divorce Terri from Michael and denied, without hearing arguments or evidence, the Schindlers’ motion to remove Michael as guardian.

He also heard, but did not rule on, arguments that Terri should be fed by mouth once the feeding tube was removed and many more very relevant points relating to this case.

Judge Greer skirted and ignored the law more times during this whole fiasco than are permissible to relate in polite company.

What happened in Florida last week was nothing short of murder, and to add further insult to injury, the judge denied the Schindlers’ request that Terri be allowed to receive Viaticum (Holy Communion for the dying) by mouth.

Yes, an American judge denied a citizen the opportunity to practice her religion (he also denied her “unalienable right to life,” but the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are not the rules judges play by these days).

The president has said it is always best to err on the side of life, but what happened to Terri Schiavo last week was no mistake. The unjust rulings of Judge Greer were cold, obsessively calculated, lethally relentless and sadly indicative of the attitudes society has adopted toward the weak.

FV SAYS: If you want to, please copy/paste & email the above to your US Senators and House Members and demand an investigation of ALL THE JUDGES in the SCHIAVO CASES and an investigation of the NINE SENATORS IN TALLAHASSEE who voted against Terri. Who lobbied them so they would vote against her?

[TAdams8591]

They're using the example of the Schiavo case to show how NOT to mke an opinion. Perhaps also the recent words of the Catholic Church against starvation and dehydration of even comatose patients helped.

[Just Kimberly]

With the Supreme Court often going outside the laws of our land, and looking for precedence elsewhere in order to interpret our Constitution, I must agree with the rest who have said - too bad this didn't come to light earlier.

It amazes me - the differences between our country - which is supposed to be the greatest in the world, verses the old world countries, that seemingly do things RIGHT. Even though our freedoms and our basic beliefs are supposed to bolster 'the land of opportunity', 'freedom and justice for all' - we can clearly see this is no longer the case in the great old USA. What freedoms do we really have remaining?

I wonder if the Supreme(what an oxymoron)Court, has seen this thread. JK

[floriduh voter]

In summary, words from Mary Schindler: 4/22/2005 3:00 PM ET

"My heart aches over the loss of my daughter. She was a part of my daily life for the last 41 years. She would have been residing in our home with us for the last fifteen years had she been allowed. She was, and will always be my baby. I will never forget her. I miss her terribly. The pain and distress she was in during her final days because of what they did to her will never leave my mind. Bob has a difficult time sleeping at night. The last we were told was Michael cremated Terri. This week, our attorneys told us she is still here in Florida. Michael will not tell us where, or what he will do with her and this breaks my heart. As her Mother, I want my daughter to be buried where our family may visit her gravesite. Our only relief right now comes in knowing they can bring no more harm to her. We know that she is safe and in the protected hands of God."

FV SAYS: I'm emailing this to Jeb Bush (who is at the Vatican for the Investiture of Pope Benedict XVI.) and other leaders who trusted this country's broken judicial system with Terri's life. They think we will forget that Terri was tortured and murdered by men in black robes and some women too, not to mention GOP reps & democrats too. They should think again...

[Pepper777]

FV SAYS: I'm emailing this to Jeb Bush (who is at the Vatican for the Investiture of Pope Benedict XVI.) and other leaders who trusted this country's broken judicial system with Terri's life. They think we will forget that Terri was tortured and murdered by men in black robes and some women too, not to mention GOP reps & democrats too. They should think again...""


You're exactly right, FV!! I'm reminded of how Jeb Bush said in time, we will forget or something similar. We will not ever forget. Why is Jeb Bush at the Vatican representing the state of Florida, a state who went against the teachings of the Pope and the Catholic Church? The Gov of Florida should still be in hiding, in my opinion.

Thanks for posting the opinion piece on the truth about all the pain and horror of Dehydration. I'm sickened by the likes of Felos and his LIES concerning Death with Dignity and their similar buzz words. Talk about backwards speak!! The author of the piece is right on target.

[B Knotts]

However, the Supreme Court ruled that since there was no specific evidence of the woman's views on life and death, it was impossible to say that her father's opinion reflected her own.

How about that? A court applying common sense!

Can we import some of their judges?

[PrepareToLeave]

Thank you so much for the ping. This story about the Semblers is unbelievable. I pray that Mary and Bob will find peace at last which can only come from God. I'm speachless.

[floriduh voter]

Jeb Bush led the United States Delegation, not just Florida. It makes me sick but I'm trying to not think about him except when the news brings him up.

[floriduh voter]

This forum is vacant today. Have a nice week.

[narses]

Deo Gratias!

[cyn]

Hi, fv. Thanks for posting that update from Mary. How excrutiating their pain must be, in having their child so cruelly and inhumanely treated, with them powerless to intervene. What a nightmare. Prayers continue for them for God's perfect TLC and healing for their heartache -- and all who are hurting over this travesty.

Thanks for your pings -- best to you all. In mourning...

[floriduh voter]

Hi, cyn. There is light amid the darkness. Millions of people are still mourning. Millions could not stop a cold blooded murder. Please call Representative Dave Weldone and Rep. Tom Delay and ask for an investigation of the State of Florida including the fed judge Whittemore in Tampa. They are all guilty and there will be more light after we find out every single person who did this to Terri and why... Thanks FV