Still Waiting

Dakota Voice ^ | 1/29/2007 | Carrie K. Hutchens

[8mmMauser]

I don't know about anyone else, but I am still waiting for Michael Schiavo to make a correction on his blog about what "actually" took place in Colorado when he went there (to the debate) to supposedly ask Congresswoman Musgrave one question and she and her staff supposedly tried to have him removed. He called it, "My unreal night in Colorado - with radio link" (Thu Oct 26, 2006 at 08:05:14 PM PST). I'll say (from what I read) that it was his "unreal night".

As I said before in "Standing up and Admitting a Mistake: Not Schiavo's Style?",  if four uniformed officers were around my seat, I would have some idea of what was going on. I certainly wouldn't be sitting in "duh mode" to only be told later of what took place right there around me, as Michael suggests he was. If Michael's account is realistic -- his response and reaction is not. Nor is his response appropriate now that he has "learned" what he was "allegedly told" is not what took place. One would think if he can't get the words out that he was mistaken, he could at least have removed the inaccurate entry from his blog.

He has done neither.

I'm also still waiting to read about, "Also, maybe tomorrow I'll post about my election-eve rally with Bill Clinton in Florida." (A real election impact by Michael Schiavo, Thu Nov 09, 2006 at 10:40:34 AM PST).  Indeed, I would love to read that story by Michael, since I read it was not possible. Not if he was implying it was the Bill Clinton that is the former President of the United States. Will be interesting to see what he says about that if he ever does.

If Michael couldn't get it straight what happened at the Musgrave debate or even if he spent election-eve with former President Bill Clinton -- do you suppose he might have gotten Terri Schiavo's wishes mixed-up as well? (He does claim to have a bad memory from what I read.) Makes one wonder. At least makes me wonder. Whatever...

I'm still waiting for the corrections if not the explanations!

 

Carrie Hutchens is a former law enforcement officer and a freelance writer who is active in fighting against the death culture movement and the injustices within the judicial and law enforcement systems.

[8mmMauser]

The first wave brought an increment of snow, but subsequent rains have all but worn that new coat away and soon will work on the underlayment. Now all we have is flash flood and high wind severe weather alerts. I guess the churchgoers to the Church of Global Warmism are scurrying to morning prayers to conjure up some hot coals from the deep to comfort their sodden spirits. Forecast is still for very cold but not that bad. We may have to use an ice augur to plant our spring garden, though.

On your line up of critter pairs, I hope you give priority to the tasty ones.

[bjs1779]

Terri did not refuse medical care, and even if she had, she could not have known that it would be a horrible death by dehydration and starvation.

But, but, but, the mainstream media reported and assured us that it was not painful. Michael Schiavo and his attorney, Geroge Felos, said it is a "painless" and "beatiful"

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Elizabeth Bouvia (1), a mentally competent 28-ear-old quadriplegic, with cerebral palsy, capable of speech and able to move her fingers on one hand, simply wanted to die. While she was capable of eating, she had a feeding tube inserted to supplement her nutritional intake. The court ruled in her favor stating that by refusing food and water Elizabeth had "merely resigned herself to accept an earlier death..."

The California court of appeals ordered the physicians to remove the tube (2) and argued that she had the right to enlist the assistance of others in ending her life (Sprung, 1990, p. 2213).

The feeding tubes were removed,(3) but she did not die, and she remains alive as of 2002.

Ms Bouvia indicated then that she still wanted to die, but, after receiving pain control for secondary diagnoses, the process of starvation proved too physically painful to carry out. (4)

[T'wit]

>>... Felos said it is a "painless" and "beautiful"

We must immediately change the laws to make this the official form of execution in the U.S.

Prisoner are always grumbling about old-fashioned electric chairs, firing squads, hangings, poison gas and lethal injections. This is much better. It's painless, it's beautiful and they get to stay alive another, oh, thirteen days.

[T'wit]

>> We may have to use an ice augur to plant our spring garden, though.

You could grow some yummy lichen. Where do you buy seed?

[floriduh voter]

I find Terri’s Fight to have issues in common with the Imus firing as to media coverage slanting against Terri and Imus.

[bjs1779]

I find Terri’s Fight to have issues in common with the Imus firing as to media coverage slanting against Terri and Imus.

A good rule of thumb I always use is, that if it subverts our Constitution, that is where the media is.

[8mmMauser]

Texas Futile Care Law is challenged...

Looks like the Texas Futile Care law doesn't stand up under the spotlight!

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Austin, TX (LifeNews.com) -- Texas legislators debated a bill on Thursday that would stop hospitals from involuntarily euthanizing some of their most vulnerable patients. The legislation revises the futility care law that has come under national condemnation for allowing medical facilities to give families just 10 days to find places to care for their loved ones.

With names such as Emilio Gonzales and Andrea Clark making the headlines, pro-life advocates and disability rights activists have complained about the futility care law.

The statute allows hospitals and other medical facilities that believe a patient is too far gone to help to give their families just 10 days to find another facility that will offer the treatment or lifesaving medical care.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee head testimony in favor of the measure, which would void the 10-day allowance.

Sen. Bob Deuell, a physician, is the sponsor of the bill, Senate Bill 439, which would still allow doctors and hospitals to relinquish care of a patient but only after the patient has been successfully transferred to another physician or hospital willing to honor the patient's directive......................................

"We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will give you no rest."

Texas Legislature Debates Bill to Scrap 10-Day Futility Care Law

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[8mmMauser]

Another view on the Texas Futile Care law and Emilio...

The case has brought Texas' "futile care" law into the limelight. The 1999 state law empowers a hospital ethics committee to agree with doctors who believe further treatment of a patient is medically futile and to require the patient to be transferred within 10 days or have his care discontinued.

"This is a value judgment," wrote bioethics specialist Wesley Smith on his weblog at bioethics.com. "Members of ethics committees should have no right to impose their values over those of patients and families. Let us hope the Texas legislature revokes Texas' misbegotten futile care law."

Emilio's mother, Catarina Gonzales, 23, told NRL News she realizes there is "no cure" for her son.

"I know my son is going to die," she said. "But I want him to die when God calls him, not when someone pulls the plug."

LIFE DIGEST: Judge blocks Texas hospital's termination of care for young boy; ...

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[8mmMauser]

I probably won't make it to this seminar...

“This seminar is so needed!” said Petty. “Although we are hesitant to talk about death, we must learn to overcome our discomfort so that we can protect the wishes of our loved ones.” In addition to looking closely at advance care documents, other topics such as estate taxes, living trusts, funeral planning and organ/tissue donations will be covered.

“Much of the time is devoted to the question and answer session because we want the attendees to direct the flow of information,” continued Petty. “This allows attendees to find out exactly what they want to know about end of life decisions.”

BOOM! Magazine to Host End of Life Seminar

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[8mmMauser]

Wagglebee thread on the forces we all face...

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A lawsuit was filed April 12 in Federal Court seeking to overturn the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) unprecedented approval of the morning-after pill, Plan B, as both non-prescription and prescription based on the age of the buyer.

The lawsuit was brought by the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), Concerned Women for America (CWA), Family Research Council (FRC) and Safe Drugs for Women. The suit argues that the FDA committed numerous violations to approve the drug due to extreme political pressure exerted specifically by Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA).

CWA President Wendy Wright said, "The FDA buckled to pressure to do something it has never done before - make a high dose of a drug available without a prescription when a low dose of the same drug requires a prescription. The agency skirted laws and regulations put in place to ensure drugs are safe and effective, relenting under undue pressure from political operatives."

FDA Sued Over Unlawful Approval of Morning-After Pill

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[8mmMauser]

Wagglebee thread on some who are alarmed in London

LONDON, April 16, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - More and more doctors in Britain are refusing to commit abortions, according to a recent release by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). In "unprecedented numbers," British doctors are opting out, a development that threatens to undermine the British abortion industry which now stands at about 190,000 babies a year with four fifths of the deaths paid for by National Health.

The RCOG cites "distaste" and ethical and religious convictions for the increase in "conscientious objectors" requesting exemption. A statement from the RCOG says the organization "believes that proper education and use of contraceptives are essential to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections."

Since the institution of widespread "sex education" programs in schools and the free availability of contraceptives, Britain's rate of pregnancy among teenagers has skyrocketed to become the highest in Europe.

UK Doctors Refusing to Commit Abortion Alarm Royal College

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[T'wit]

>> "But others in the medical community opposed it and even called it a "political and fundraising stunt" by groups who disagree with the law."

Right, standing up for fundamental rights and for life itself is a cheap fundraising gimmick.

I wonder what objection these high-minded purveyors of death have to yesterday's slaughter at Virginia Tech. What could they object to? Aren't those kids all "better off being with Jesus"?

[T'wit]

>> British doctors are opting out, a development that threatens to undermine the British abortion industry which now stands at about 190,000 babies a year with four fifths of the deaths paid for by National Health.

Oh, no! Oh, no! OH, NOOOO! How could they be so heartless! Those women need to kill their babies!! England has to commit suicide! The death biz is being undermined!! Keep killing, keep killing! Charge the taxpayers, they won't mind!

/sarc

[T'wit]

>> ...four fifths of the deaths paid for by National Health.

And who pays for the other fifth? Frankly, this smacks of inequity. It is practically feudalism all over again. It has to be those rich and snooty upper classes who can pay for their own abortions! Working people have to let the state give them a free ride and it's so humiliating!

/more sarc

[8mmMauser]

(tagline...;-))

We used to send ‘em to the dead end jobs, called the turkey farms.

[T'wit]

>> CWA President Wendy Wright said, "The FDA buckled to pressure to do something it has never done before - make a high dose of a drug available without a prescription when a low dose of the same drug requires a prescription.

Yikes!

[T'wit]

Roast liberalism with giblet gravy.

[T'wit]

>> Although we are hesitant to talk about death, we must learn to overcome our discomfort so that we can protect the wishes of our loved ones.

We've got a lot of death educating to do when kids like Cho Seung-Hui still don't get it. The poor boy thought there was something "wrong" with sending his classmates to live with God. He actually made excuses! He said, "You made me do it!" That is SO-O-O backward.

We have to protect the wishes of our loved ones. All Cho had to say was, "None of them wanted to live with tubes. They all said so." Just recite those few magic words. Then it's OK to open fire. They WANT you to end their misery.

. . . . .

P.S. I wonder where all our death peddlers are today. I haven't seen a one of them, have you? They should be out selling more death.

[8mmMauser]

Suzanne is fighting vigorously to save Emilio. God bless her for joining the battle...

.................................

CBNNews.com - Catarina Gonzales is desperately trying to relocate outside of Texas. She is seeking to find a place where her 17-month-old son Emilio can be treated without fear of having his life support unplugged.

Under the Texas Futile Care Law, hospitals are given the authority to cease life-support treatment of patients after giving families 10 days to find alternative care.

On April 10, Catarina was granted a second extension to find new medical care for her son. She is now intently searching for a facility out of state that will accommodate him by Thursday, April 19.

Not out of the woods yet

Two years ago, Suzanne Vitadamo fought to keep her sister Terri Schiavo alive, but lost the battle. She has since joined the fight with families across America to save loved ones who are in danger of having their life support stopped against their wills.

Vitadamo, co-founder of the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation, has been involved in helping the Gonzales family by working with their lead attorney Jerri Ward and Texas Right to Life to find a doctor and facility to care for Emilio.

"Emilio is not out of the woods yet," said Vitadamo regarding the extension the Gonzales' were given on April 10 to find a new medical facility for Emilio. "He is still in a very precarious position."

Vitadamo told CBN News that Ward pleaded with Judge Guy Herman to give the Gonzales family a chance to secure alternative medical care for Emilio.

"Jerri told him that she had leads, but needed more time," said Vitadamo.

"I worked with Ward on several 'futile' care cases, and she was successful in stopping the removal of life support in all of them," noted Vitadamo. "In one case, the patient was allowed to be given care from home."

This is what Vitadamo hopes will be the case for Emilio.

"He could possibly be cared for at home if he has a tracheotomy," said Vitadamo, who added that the operation would take away the need for Emilio's respirator.

Fighting for Emilio

What can be done to help keep Emilio alive?

When asked what Americans could do to help the Gonzales family, Vitadamo said, "If they know of a doctor and facility, that's what they desperately need now as they are looking to the grace of God." She would like to see "people calling hospitals across the country - even their personal physicians - there's got to be one out there."

Addressing the legal battle, Vitadamo said "Texas Right to Life has been working hard with the Futile Care Law; however, I'm not sure if anything will happen within one week."

Vitadamo said that possible changes to the Texas law could help by "extending the 10-day window or eliminating it altogether to allow families endless time for transfers."

Add your name to an online petition to keep the hospital from pulling the plug on Emilio by clicking here.

Vitadamo told CBN News that so far, no protests have been waged against the Brackenridge Children's Hospital's "ethics" committee. She noted that "It is good to stay on good terms with the hospital in order to facilitate a transfer," suggesting that there should be no hostilities.

Another way to be a voice for Emilio is by contacting Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Emilio is not alone

Are there other Emilios out there? Absolutely.

"Emilio's case is not unique, and similar cases are probably happening in Texas daily. They are happening across the country," explained Vitadamo. "Emilio got more attention because Catarina is standing up against the system."

She continued, "The Terri Schlindler Schiavo Foundation is contacted weekly about people being starved and dehydrated to death."

The battle has just begun

Who is winning the war concerning a patient's right to live?

According to Vitadamo, "Patient advocates are not winning the war. We need to continue the fight across the country, as we are not close to winning yet."

However, Vitadamo did say that there has been some progress since her sister's death two years ago.

One obstacle put in the way of patients' right to life came several years ago.

"Feeding tubes used to be called 'basic care,' but now, most states consider them artificial life support, making it more difficult for families to continue treatment," said Vitadamo, who believes that the fragility of one's life should not determine the quality or worth of one's life.

"People are now speaking out more and can say they disagree," commented Vitadamo. "Families are more aware of the fact that doctors don't always know what's going on, and they can stand up more. In the past, people were more passive, but now they're more active."

She asserted that Catarina and Terri Schiavo's parents are good examples to follow when fighting the system to save the lives of loved ones.

Schiavo's Sister Fights for Toddler's Life

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[8mmMauser]

We could not expect the fight for Emilio to go without challenge from the "other" side. Here is one perspective...

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I am a retired nurse. Emilio Gonzales' grieving mother's behavior is totally understandable. The hijacking of our legal system by her attorney to delay the inevitable is not.

The child is dead and being maintained in a life-like state by machines that should be available for a child who could be saved. The scarce resource of skilled nursing care is unavailable to a child who could benefit, and the number of nurses who leave intensive care nursing because of their grief in causing pain to a child like Emilio should be considered.

Hospital ethics committees came into being to deal with such situations, triggered by the suit by the parents of Karen Ann Quinlan to remove her from life support in 1975. We need to recognize that ethics committees do not make their decisions lightly and we need to allow them to go forward peacefully, not be second-guessed by some attorney.

HELEN CARVELL

Austin

Baby Emilio, postage rate and marriage lessons COMMENTS FROM READERS

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