Jeb Bush intervenes for Schindler-Schiavo

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | August 26, 2003

[yhwhsman]

MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH Jeb Bush intervenes for Schindler-Schiavo Asks for delay to investigate case of brain-disabled Florida woman

Posted: August 26, 2003 1:37 p.m. Eastern

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

Flooded with 27,000 e-mails urging him to intervene, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has asked a judge to delay setting a date for removal of a feeding tube sustaining the life of a brain-disabled woman, Terri Schindler-Schiavo.

Gov. Jeb Bush

In a letter, Bush asked Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George W. Greer yesterday to keep her alive until a court-appointed guardian can "independently investigate the circumstances of this case and provide the court with an unbiased view that considers the best interests of Mrs. Schiavo."

On Friday, the Florida Supreme Court refused to intervene in the case, clearing the way for a Sept. 11 hearing in which Greer would set a date for removal of the feeding tube.

Bush said, according to a copy of the letter obtained by WND, he normally would not write a judge concerning a pending legal proceeding but noted the 27 e-mails his office received "reflecting understandable concern for the well being" of Schindler-Schiavo.

"This case represents the disturbing result of a severe family disagreement in extremely trying circumstances," Bush said. "Emotions are high, accusations abound, and at the heart of this public and private maelstrom is a young woman incapable of speaking for herself."

As WorldNetDaily reported, Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler of Gulf Port, Fla., have been locked in a decade-long legal battle with their son-in-law over the care and custody of their daughter, who suffered massive brain damage when she collapsed at her home 13 years ago under unexplained circumstances at the age of 26.

Terri Schindler-Schiavo before her disability.

The bitter dispute over Terri's lack of care became a major euthanasia battle five years ago when her husband Michael Schiavo petitioned the court for permission to have her feeding tube removed, claiming she is in a persistent vegetative state and would not want to be kept alive "artificially." The Schindlers and a number of doctors and therapists believe she could be rehabilitated, but the courts have consistently sided with Schiavo and his lawyer, right-to-die advocate George Felos.

Schindler-Schiavo was hospitalized Sunday for the second time in less than two weeks, CNSNews.com reported yesterday.

"The parents don't know what's going on, but she appears to be in critical condition," family spokeswoman Pamela Hennessy told the news service. "It appears to be pretty serious."

[yhwhsman]

Attorney General Charlie Crist
Office of Attorney General
State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

(850) 487-1963

Fax: (850) 487-2564

ag@oag.state.fl.us

There you go. It's on the 'Contact the Media' portion of Terri's website.

[Conservababe]

If one has ever worked in a nursing home, one would know that a feeding tube sometimes is inserted for the convience of the staff, not the patient, who may take a long time to feed.

Do judges know this? I think not, especially this stupid judge on his ruling to have it removed.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, fv. Lars Larson is talking about this on his radio show right now, criticizing the Catholic Bishops for appealing to Jeb to save a condemned killer, but not intervening in Terri's case.

Judge Greer should be getting the tens of thousands of e-mails. Why this man and Terri's husband aren't both in jail for neglect if nothing else, I don't know. Terri was never given the therapy she needs.

[thatdewd]

Bumpity Bump BUMP!

[trustandobey]

Just e-mailed the attorney general and e-mailed and called Jeb today. I too have been wondering why the media is ignoring this..could it be they are afraid to attract attention, knowing there are a lot of people besides us Freepers who haven't heard of this, and would join in the fight to keep her alive? Please keep praying, He is listening!

[MHGinTN]

Terri should have 24 hour surveillance protection so Michael cannot put bacteria or other deadly means into her body, to prevent her 'stay of execution'. He failed to kill her in 1990 so he's pushing for the sick liberal Florida court/judge to do it for him. Michael's contempt for 'right to lifers' is quite telling ... the demon-servant is getting away with slow, methodical, court-sanctioned murder. He may lose his patience and try to get it over with quicker ...

[yhwhsman]

Here you go kiddo:

Terri Schiavo's website Media Contacts

[Conservababe]

The husband could and should divorce his wife and make her a ward of the state, since he is living with another woman and has a child by her.

He has spent the money given by insurance company to this date, but is entitled to more upon her death.

Follow the money trail. And follow the sleazy judge who allows him to kill his wife.

[hocndoc]

I went to the website and looked at the videos (unfortunately there are no dates on what I saw). They might be disturbing to some, but Terri was definitely not in a "Permanent vegetative state" at the time of the filming. I can't say from the video whether she is "tracking" the balloon, but she is alert to some extent. She is not lying there asleep or in a coma.

My own "Advance directive" asks that I not have a feeding tube if I can't argue and read and fuss at people (almost literally - that's what I wrote). It also says that if someone does begin intervention, I'd want it removed, to be taken home, made comfortable while I die. But, that's my own preference, based largely on my need to control and my belief that I've got something to look forward to after death. I went out of my way to write it and to make sure that my mother, husband, and adult children understand it.( Old joke between my husband and I - He'd prefer that I cook and push the feedings for him, myself. But, I've promised to find a nice nursing home for my husband where he can get his tube feedings - and jokingly promise to visit at least once a month, since that's how often I'd visit the other patients in the nursing home.)

The point of all this is not to support withdrawal of feedings. It's to point out that different people have different views on life, end of life, and life after life. The default position - the one we should assume - is that the person would want to continue living, since as long as there is life, changes can be made. If someone is killed or deliberately allowed to die, there is no turning back.

I do not understand the rationale behind any doctor saying that the woman in the video is in a "permanent vegetative state."

There is no public interest in letting Terri die. Even the most die-hard objectivist should agree that, short of legal evidence that Terri did not want to live, no one else has the right to interfere in such a way as to speed her death. She is "supporting" herself, since there's insurance money. And the State would have the "right" to expect her husband to do so if there weren't - stuff happens in life that causes responsibilities. Has anyone seen a marriage that did not include the vow "in sickness and in health" or something to that effect? But, Terri's mother would be glad to take over her care. Why shouldn't she be allowed to do so?

Removing the tube is an act of medical intervention intended to starve Terri. It is unethical for any doctor to do that, even if Terri were actually unresponsive or costing someone a ton of money. (It is ethical to not act, but not something I'd want to do as a doctor.)
The only reason to pull the tube is to kill.

[yhwhsman]

I keep wondering if that's the reason she's in the hospital right now, especailly since he tried to get a court order preventing them from treating her for infections.

[Real Cynic No More]

What I didn't see in a hurried search of all the responses, is any credit for Glenn Beck. Glenn has been on a crusade for the Schiavos for a long period of time. He has encouraged his listeners to write or call the Governor's office about this issue. I would say that the 27,000 e-mails are a direct result of Glenn Beck's campaign. Give credit where credit is due.

[Calpernia]

Ping

[Calpernia]

bump!!!

[floriduh voter]

Thanks. It's blitz time as September 11 draws near. If I were Terri and I had nothing but my eyesight, I would want to live. Terri can see. She doesn't deserve a death sentence at some hospice facility. Terminally ill hospice patients receive morphine until they're gone but Terri is not terminally ill.

I'm afraid they would treat her like a terminally ill patient because she's at a hospice when she's not in Morton Plant Hospital. Hospice is in the business of helping people die who are terminally ill. They are somewhat desensitized to the process and she'd just be another client. My dad went through hospice when he passed and it had good points and bad. Sometimes they were in the way because they dragged interns along and it wasn't very private for the family. I was ordered around and I didn't appreciate that.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

This judge needs to hear from "we the people":

ggreer@co.pinellas.fl.us

[sarasmom]

She is back in hospital now.Infection.
If nothing else, at the very least the letter from Jeb forced "judge" Greer into overruling Shiavo's most recent orders against basic medical care and antibiotics for Terri.
I am NOT hinting the "husband" caused her current infection.
But it must be noted that his absolute power over her medical care might be construed as a trend...

[My Favorite Headache]

Excellent news...I had written Jeb last week about this issue. Great to hear that he took note.

[yhwhsman]

Ok, a little longer list.

Governor Jeb Bush (R)
Office of The Governor
Florida Capitol Building, PL-05
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
(850) 488-7146
(850) 488-4441
jeb@jeb.org

Attorney General Charlie Crist
Office of Attorney General
State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
(850) 487-1963
Fax: (850) 487-2564
ag@oag.state.fl.us

Senator Bob Graham (D)
101 E Kennedy Boulevard
Barnett Plaza, Suite 3270
(813) 228-2476

or:

524 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-3041
Fax: (202) 224-2237
bob_graham@graham.senate.gov

Senator Bill Nelson (D)
United States Courthouse Annex
111 N. Adams St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 942-8415
Fax: (850) 942-8450

or:

524 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5274

Michael Bilirakis (R)
District 9
1100 Cleveland St. Suite 1600
Clearwater, FL 33755
(727) 441-3721
Fax: (727) 442-8180

or:

2269 Rayburn Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-5755
Fax: (202) 225-4085

C. W. Bill Young (R)
District 10
360 Central Ave., Suite 1480
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 893-3191

or:

2407 Rayburn Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-5961
Fax: (202) 225-9764

The Honorable David A. Demers
Chief Judge of 6th Judicial Circuit
Judicial Building
545 First Avenue North, Room 400
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 582-7882
Fax: (727) 582-7210
ddemers@co.pinellas.fl.us

The Honorable George W. Greer
6th Judicial Circuit
315 Court Street, Room 484
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-3933
ggreer@co.pinellas.fl.us

[mommadooo3]

This has GOT to be insanity and perversion at its UTMOST.

This worthless piece of trash, who calls himself 'husband', has the nerve to claim he has the authority to kill his wife legally. But YET, the piece of sh*t is LIVING with an adulteress/whore.

And the legal system finds nothing WRONG with that scenario??????
Apparently, the system is a legal bunch of whoredogs ALSO.

[Dubya]

bump