Freepers call to action re. Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Make a complaint against Judge Greer:

Various ^ | August 28, 2003

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Freepers, we may be able to help Terri:

---

I made some phone calls today and have the ULTIMATE PHONE CALL for registering a Complaint against Judge Greer. I can't reveal my sources but this is the phone number for a few pay grades above J. Greer.

Call the: Judicial Qualifications Commission at

#1-850-488-1581. I am complaining to them tomorrow that J. Greer isn't God, that he's been in the husband's corner since Day One, he doesn't care a wit about Terri's parents or her husband's attempt at medical neglect, and I'd like to know if Greer can be recalled or impeached.

HE SHOULD HAVE OR COULD HAVE HONORED GOV. BUSH'S REQUEST TO ASSIGN A GUARDIAN AD LITEM to represent Terri's interest instead of once again, taking the side of the husband. Judge Greer is from the Sixth Circuit Court, Pinellas County.

Oh, and ping everybody you can think of.

72 posted on 08/27/2003 5:06 PM EDT by floriduh voter

---

From summer:

"..do a separate thread asking people to call this phone number FV provided. This could get a guardian appointed if the judge is tossed off the case for BIAS."

---

Background:

8 Jeb Bush intervenes for Schindler-Schiavo -   WND | 8/26

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.

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."

---

8 From JEB to FR: Full text of Gov Bush's letter to Judge Greer re: Terri Schiavo. Email from Gov Bush to summer, for FR | 8/27

 ----- Original Message -----
From: [Governor Bush's office]
To: [summer's email]
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 8:06 AM
Subject: Letter regarding Terri Schiavo

> August 26, 2003

> The Honorable George W. Greer
> Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit
> 315 Court Street, Room 484
> Clearwater, Florida 33756

Dear Judge Greer:

> I appreciate the challenging legal and ethical issues before you in the case > of Terri Schiavo. As I have expressed over the course of the past several > weeks, our system of government has committed these decisions to the > judicial branch, and we must respect that process. Consistent with this > principle, I normally would not address a letter to a judge in a pending > legal proceeding. However, my office has received over 27,000 emails > reflecting understandable concern for the well being of Terri Schiavo. > Given that there is no procedural avenue available for these views to be > expressed to you in the normal course of the proceedings, I feel compelled > to write in the hopes that you will give serious consideration to > re-appointment of a guardian ad litem for Mrs. Schiavo before permitting the > removal of her feeding tube or other actions calculated to end her life.

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

> I am disturbed by new rumors about the guardian's actions related to the > current care of Mrs. Schiavo. It has come to my attention that Mrs. Schiavo > has contracted a life threatening illness, and that she may be denied > appropriate treatment. If true, this indicates a decision by her caregivers > to initiate an "exit protocol" that may include withholding treatment from > Mrs. Schiavo until her death, which would render this Court's ultimate > decision moot. While the issue of Mrs. Schiavo's care is still before the > Court, I urge you to ensure that no act of omission or commission be allowed > to adversely affect Mrs. Schiavo's health before the September 11th hearing > you have set. No one involved should be permitted to circumvent due process > or the Court's authority in order to achieve personal objectives in this > case.

> Even discounting these rumors, there are a number of factual disputes > regarding Mrs. Schiavo's medical condition, past and current care and > therapy, and her prognosis. Given the contradictory positions of her > guardian and other family members, I respectfully ask that you re-appoint a > qualified guardian ad litem to independently investigate the circumstances > of this case, and provide the Court an unbiased view that considers only the > best interests of Mrs. Schiavo.

> It is a fine balance between Mrs. Schiavo's right to privacy and her right > to life, both of which are co-equal in our Constitution. To err on one side > is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her wishes, and continue the > debate. To err on the other is an irrevocable act that affords no > remediation. I respectfully ask that you give Mrs. Schiavo's family the > opportunity to present any new evidence as to her wishes. Evidence as to > her wishes should be reweighed as often as necessary to take into account > the effect of any new evidence, that is, to determine whether "clear and > convincing evidence" still exists that Mrs. Schiavo would now choose > withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures. While this process may delay the > surrogate's exercise of Mrs. Schiavo's privacy rights, it is necessary to > avoid denying her right to life. I urge you to err on the side of > conservative judgment to ensure that all facts can be uncovered and > considered before her life is terminated.

> I appreciate your compassion for Mrs. Schiavo's plight, and that of the > family members locked in dispute in these tragic circumstances. In light of > the ongoing contention related to so many issues in this case, I hope you > will consider appointing a guardian ad litem to ensure that the ultimate > decision is based on facts presented clearly, unclouded and uncolored by > personal interests of litigants.

> Sincerely,

> Jeb Bush

> cc: Patricia Fields Anderson, Esq.
> George J. Felos, Esq.

---

(WND article excerpts, cont.:) "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.

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.

***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.

~~~~

The article is on CNSNews.com.

Florida Judge Rejects Governor's Bid to Help Terri Schiavo
By Jeff Johnson
CNSNews.com Congressional Bureau Chief
August 27, 2003

Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - Florida Circuit Judge George Greer Tuesday rejected a plea from Governor Jeb Bush to appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of Terri Schindler Schiavo, a 39-year-old disabled woman who suffered a brain injury in 1990 under questionable circumstances. Bush had intervened Monday after receiving 27,000 email messages asking for his help on Terri's behalf.

"I read [Gov. Bush's letter] because it came from the governor and I respect his position," Greer told the Tampa Tribune. "Beyond that, it is going in the file."

As CNSNews.com previously reported, Bush wrote Greer Monday asking him not to remove the disabled woman's feeding tube until a new guardian ad litem could "independently investigate" her condition. In the letter, Bush referenced the "fine balance between Mrs. Schiavo's right to privacy and her right to life," which Bush noted are co-equal under the Constitution.

"To err on one side is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her wishes and to continue the debate," Bush wrote. "To err on the other is an irrevocable act that affords no remediation."

But Greer told the Associated Press that he no longer has a choice in the matter.

"Frankly, I think I'm operating under a mandate from the 2nd District Court of Appeals," Greer said, "and frankly I don't think I can stray from that mandate."

In that same interview, however, the judge contradicted his own assessment of the limitation on his authority by stating that he was "not inclined" to appoint a guardian ad litem.

Michael Schiavo called Gov. Bush's intervention on behalf of Terri "crazy."

"The governor has deliberately twisted the facts in this case in an apparent effort to kowtow to his right-to-life political supporters," Schiavo told Tampa Tribune reporter David Sommer. "This has nothing to do with him. He should stay out of it."

Schiavo - who, for five years, has been seeking judicial approval to end his wife's life by denying her nutrition and hydration - also accused Terri's parents of manipulating their Catholic faith to keep their daughter alive.

"I believe in God and so did (?) Terri," Schiavo said, speaking of his still living wife in the past tense, "but they are out to push it on people... suddenly they are on a religious kick."

Judge refuses motion for hearing to set 'death date'

Greer also denied a motion Tuesday to hold an immediate hearing to set a date for the removal of Terri's nutrition and hydration tube. The hearing will be held, as previously announced, on Sept. 11. At that hearing, Greer will also rule on whether Schiavo may legally prohibit Terri's priest from visiting her.

Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, had also petitioned the court Monday to prohibit doctors from caring for Terri's current fever, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea and a "substantial infection."

"Given the imminence of the ward's death, further treatment (other than comfort care) for the ward's infection and other medical problems is unnecessary, unwarranted, inappropriate and futile," Felos said in an emergency motion, adding that Terri, "should be put back in hospice and receive comfort care and die in a peaceful setting."

Greer denied that motion, as well.

55 posted on 08/27/2003 5:29 PM EDT by yhwhsman ("Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small..." -Sir Winston Churchill)

---

Michael Schiavo is using "privacy" as an excuse for denying Terri every contact from the outside world, even flowers. "One sign of the case's nastiness is the Schindlers' complaint that Schiavo limits their visits with their daughter. They also say he has refused to allow doctors to examine her, refused her antibiotics and needed dental work, refused to replace a broken wheelchair so she could be taken outdoors and refused the delivery of flowers from a friend to her room on her birthday."

"Her teeth are fine; she doesn't eat," Michael Schiavo said. "Why take her to a gynecologist? She was supposed to die months ago. I don't want her room filled with flowers from strangers or right-to-life activists. Even though she is vegetative she has a right to privacy."

17 posted on 08/27/2003 10:14 AM EDT by I still care

***

I thought Gov Bush very eloquently made his case here, in this part:

To err on one side is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her wishes, and continue the debate. To err on the other is an irrevocable act that affords no remediation.

18 posted on 08/27/2003 10:14 AM EDT by summer

***

..this judge is going to look really bad if this part is ignored by the judge:

Even discounting these rumors, there are a number of factual disputes > regarding Mrs. Schiavo's medical condition, past and current care and > therapy, and her prognosis. Given the contradictory positions of her > guardian and other family members

21 posted on 08/27/2003 10:17 AM EDT by summer

***

HE SHOULD HAVE OR COULD HAVE HONORED GOV. BUSH'S REQUEST TO ASSIGN A GUARDIAN AD LITEM to represent Terri's interest instead of once again, taking the side of the husband. Judge Greer is from the Sixth Circuit Court, Pinellas County.

That is one thing that floors me .. This Judge should have long ago appointed an independent Guardian Ad Litem and not left her husband as her sole guardian .. especially since there are questions about her husband with abuse and the fractured bones that were reveled in xrays of Terry.

Everything I have read .. this Judge seems hell bent on having her killed

73 posted on 08/28/2003 2:45 AM EDT by Mo1 (http://www.favewavs.com/wavs/cartoons/spdemocrats.wav)

***

I know that Mr. Schiavo has tried to ban Terri's mother and family and priest from seeing her.

But, I don't know how a court could prevent doctors from ordering therapy, speach therapy (which is often actually swallowing therapy) and most especially oral nutrition.

27 posted on 08/26/2003 7:34 PM EDT by hocndoc (Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)

***

Judge Greer has been with the husband since day one. A guardian ad litem would have been fair for Terri and her parents. Her parents love her but they are treated as the enemy. I'm ashamed this is happening in Pinellas County.

31 posted on 08/26/2003 7:41 PM EDT by floriduh voter

---

Judge Greer will not appoint a guardian ad litem. I have phone numbers from the phone book for the Clearwater Courthouse and all the guardianship phone numbers. He husband held a presser today and was very flippant about Jeb's letter and called the emailers a "bunch of right to lifers."

Hubby is looking a little nervous but with a pal like Judge Greer who is no Judge Moore, Terri has until the September 11 hearing to decide the date her starvation begins.

Here are the phone numbers: courthouse - 727-464-3000, guardianship numbers: 727-582-7563, 727-582-7771, and 727-464-8700. We can at least call as friends of Terri and voice our concerns.

25 posted on 08/26/2003 7:34 PM EDT by floriduh voter

---

Freepers, please call the Juducial Qualification Commission regarding Judge Greer:  1-850-488-1581.

***

Contact friends, thank those have been fighting on Terri's behalf, including Glenn Beck, Lars Larson, CNS News.com, WND, and Bill O'Reilly.

*** Terri Schindler Schiavo's website - background and news updates: www.terrisfight.org ***

8 Terri Schiavo's website Media Contacts

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

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

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

[windchime]

This is new information from the web site and provides information on the position the Catholic Church takes on nutrition/hydration of a patient and on Terri Schindler-Schiavo's situation specifically.

 

 

STATEMENT OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF FLORIDA

August 27, 2003

---

 
Florida Bishops Urge Safer Course For Terri Schiavo

   We continue our fervent prayers for Terri Schiavo, for her family, and all involved in this most difficult and heart wrenching situation. After a fourth consideration of her case, the 2nd District Court of Appeals has upheld the latest order of the trial court judge to withdraw her hydration and nutrition tube. An emergency appeal to the Florida Supreme Court was denied. Barring unforeseen legal intervention, the trial court will soon re-schedule the removal of Mrs. Schiavo’s feeding tube.  It is most unfortunate that family members have not been able to agree on her care, forcing the Court’s involvement.

   Bishop Robert N. Lynch of the Diocese of St. Petersburg has spoken in detail to this case (Concerning Terri Schiavo).*  His statement followed careful consultation with his brother Bishops and we fully support it.  Because of so much uncertainty and dispute, we reiterate his plea that her treatment be continued while all parties pursue a more clear understanding of her actual physical condition.

   Bishop Lynch’s statement clarifies the teaching of the Church that nourishment or hydration may be withheld or withdrawn where that treatment itself is causing harm to the patient or is useless because the patient’s death is imminent.  Church teaching is clear that there should be a presumption in favor of providing medically assisted nutrition and hydration to all patients as long as it is of sufficient benefit to outweigh the burdens involved to the patient.

   The Church cannot make this decision, but her teaching guides those who must:  the patient or those legally entitled to do so if the patient is unable.  If Mrs. Schiavo’s feeding tube were to be removed because the nutrition she receives is of no use to her, or because she is near death, or because it is unreasonably burdensome for her, her family, or caregivers, it could be seen as permissible.  But if her feeding tube were to be removed to intentionally cause her death, or because her life is perceived to be useless, or because it is believed that the quality of her life is such that she would be better off, this would be wrong.

   Without question, removal of Mrs. Schiavo’s feeding tube will result in her death.  We respect the need for finality of the court’s decision, but we urge additional time to allow greater certainty as to her true condition.  We respect, too, the limitations on new evidence being considered by the court, but in matters of life and death, exceptions should be made.  If additional medical treatment can be shown to be helpful to her condition, we urge that all parties involved take the safer course and allow it to be used.

   Just as we are concerned for Terri Schiavo, we are also concerned for others who are weak and vulnerable.  There is an inherent danger in assuming that food and water can simply be withheld without clearly knowing a patient’s wishes.  There is reason to be circumspect and ever careful in these cases.  We reject outright the euthanasia movement and its utilitarian standard that some lives are not worth living.  Every life is precious and unrepeatable.

   And finally, we remember there are times when one may refuse treatment that will result in a precarious and burdensome prolongation of life.  Properly, this may be seen as an expression of our hope in the life to come.  Let each of us communicate ahead of time with our families and loved ones, our wishes for treatment at the end of our lives.  To do so will give great comfort to them in an emotionally stressful time.

   We join our prayers with the family and loved ones of Terri Schiavo in this most difficult time.

http://www.flacathconf.org/Publications/BishopsStatements/Bpst2000/TerriSchiavo.htm
 

Archbishop John C. Favalora Archdiocese of Miami	Bishop John J. Nevins   Diocese of Venice	Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, CP Diocese of  Orlando
Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ Diocese  of Pensacola/Tallahassee	Bishop Victor Galeone   Diocese of St. Augustine	Bishop Robert N. Lynch Diocese of St. Petersburg
Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, JCL Bishop-Designate of Palm Beach		Bishop Thomas G. Wenski Co-Adjutor, Diocese of Orlando

Bishop Lynch's statement concerning Terri Schiavo
* ( http://www.dioceseofstpete.org/news_releases/statement_of_bishop_robert_n.htm )

[windchime]

Link to report by Sara Foster, World Net Daily, with anti-euthanasia author and attorney Wesley Smith.

Smith pulls no punches in stating his opinions.

[yhwhsman]

Not to mention that as soon as she dies he's planning to cremate her body--great way to get rid of evidence.

[yhwhsman]

Thanks for the post, and welcome to the family.

[yhwhsman]

Don't forget, he didn't start to make those claims about her wishes till after he won all those malpractice suits.

[yhwhsman]

"We can keep a human body "alive" with its heart beating and its lungs pushing air for a very long time after the person who inhabited that body is no longer there."

That's true, we sure can. But exactly how does this apply to Terri? All she has is a feeding tube, there are no other machines attached to her body.

" There comes a time when someone has to decide that everything that can be done has been done."

Exactly what has been done? She hasn't had any type of therapy, hell she hasn't even had her teeth brushed. Nothing has been done to truly see whether or not she can recover.

And why is it, that the husband was very supportive of his wife until he won the large malpractice suits, where he suddenly revealed that "oh, by the way, Terri told me she doesn't want to live as a vegetable." And he has been trying to end her life since.

Terri's parents have begged him to give them the guardianship rights, even to signing over all the malpractice money (which he can't touch till she's dead), yet he refuses to do so. Why, that doesn't make sense? And why is Judge Greer so adament about setting a death date? You're right, this case has been going on a long time. But what's the harm in letting her be examined by unbiased examiners, to settle the question once and for all if she's a vegetable or not?

[BlessedBeGod]

Beautiful letter.

[mommadooo3]

The FL Bar Association cannot be of any help against this judge? I always thought they were supposed to investigate any claims of unethical behaviors?

HOW can 'the law' listen to an ADULTEROUS husband?

Has anyone informed Gov. Bush, or that judge, that if the husband succeeds in killing off Teri, that the action will be NO DIFFERENT than what Kevorkian was jailed for. It would be NO DIFFERENT than the various healthcare workers we've read about, who were caught and found GUILTY of killing off patients that were in 'bad condition'. It's going to set a horrific precedent for anyone alive.

If Teri did NOT have the 'I-don't-want-to-live-as-a-vegetable-in-case' put IN WRITING then how can 'the law' proceed with killing her?

[yhwhsman]

There are so many things that just don't make sense about this case. The parents have asked the husband to give them guardianship of Terri, even to promising to sign over the malpractice money, but he refuses. The judge refused to allow doctors testimony that didn't go the way they wanted.

The husband didn't come up with the 'Terri didn't want to live as a vegetable' claim till after the large malpractice suits. He sealed her medical records, hiding the x-rays that seem to show abuse till recently, and because it's been over ten years the judge refused to allow it as evidence.

It's just totally sickening. I really really wish I had the means to wisk Terri to safety.

[countrydummy]

ping!!!

[2timothy3.16]

I would like to sign the petition, but as a Born Again Christian, the site won't let me sign unless I login and to do that I must join this Roman Catholic organization, which I can't.

Is there any other way to sign the petition?

[mommadooo3]

It doesn't make sense. There are SO MANY legal aspects that are being conveniently ignored. It disgusts me that liars and law-perverters are 'winning'........

but GOD.

HE knows what's going on. I truly think the strongest 'attack' believers can launch, is to pray and expect Him to step in and cause Teri's swallowing action to 'kick in'. How AWESOME that would be. And how awesome it will be to see that destroy the grounds that the 'husband'/judge/doctors stand on.

ANOTHER thing I wonder about....isn't there a way that Teri's parents can get OTHER doctors who are 'experts' in Teri's condition, make statements and THEN start lawsuits against the husband's ghoulish 'doctors'?

[Tax-chick]

God bless you for all your work, FV. Later today I will put together a summary with the contact information you've looked up, and see if I can get it on the "Mothers of Many Young Siblings" e-mail digest. That goes out to about 3,000 readers.

I wonder whether Terri's parents and their supporters are planning an Action if it becomes necessary? There must be hundreds of people without day jobs, just in their parish, who could mob the facility and physically prevent someone from harming Terri. If security guards (or sheriff's deputies, or state police) were to physically assault a crowd of (tax-paying, voting) retirees and SAHM's, wouldn't that finally make the "mainstream" news?

[Tax-chick]

Is there any other way to sign the petition?

There's an option for "sign petition without registering."

[expatguy]

emails sent requesting a "stay of execution" for Terri Schindler-Schiavo.

[syriacus]

http://www.2dca.org/, Homepage for Florida Second District Court of Appeal

Telephone (863) 499-2290

FAX (863) 499-2277

Postal address P.O. Box 327, Lakeland Florida  33802 Electronic mail

Administrative Information: strzalkar@flcourts.org

Webmaster: holmesl@flcourts.org

[syriacus]

Florida Second District Court of Appeal also has a Tampa branch, which "requests that all documents be filed in the Lakeland Headquarters. "

Tampa Branch 801 E. Twiggs Street Suite 600

Tampa, Florida  33602
(813) 272-3430

Fax: (813)229-6534

The court requests that all documents are filed in the Lakeland Headquarters.

[syriacus]

I would LOVE to see a movie called "Freddie Vs. Jason Vs. Michael Schiavo".
[Source: http://www.victorlams.com/etc/2003_08_01_etcarchive.html]

[syriacus]

What connections does Judge Greer have to the Hospice where he has sent Terri?
It seems that the sister of one of Greer's fellow judges sits on the board of that Hospice, which may have some ethical lapses of its own (diverting non-profit funds to for-profit division)

From: Board members of Hospice of the Florida $uncoast,

Martha Lenderman (Chair)

(Sister of Judge John Lenderman ... bench buddy to Judge Greer in the Terri Schiavo case who always rules in favor of the hospice efforts to end Terri Schiavo's life)

7268 Moffatt Lane North

Pinellas Park, FL 33781

(H) 541-7888 (F) 547-2296

Page: 790-1271

lendmar@gte.net

Also from the same webpage

Why is it that the C.E.O. of the hospice, LABYAK, DENIES Ever Giving Charitable Donations to For-Profit one moment, and then admits to it the next day? The article reports: "Hospice donations diverted, suit says" C.E.O. LABYAK ADMITS diverting Medicaid money into the For-Profit Subsidiary! Yet, Labyak denies that even that is wrong! [2/25/2003].

[floriduh voter]

Thanks for the 2nd DCA info above.

I am posting auto responses that I receive on Terri's threads. So far, I've received auto responses from Fla AG Crist and from Jeff Johnson.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for writing to share your thoughts. I've received your message and will review it as soon as possible.

If you've included a news tip in your message, thank you! Should I need more information, I'll be in touch.

If you've included a comment about my story, thank you, as well! Your message will be forwarded to the editor for possible inclusion in our "Letters to the Editor" section.

Again, thanks for writing and keep reading http://www.CNSNews.com

-- Jeff Johnson -- Congressional Bureau Chief -- CNSNews.com --

There's an op-ed piece about Terri's dire predicament in today's St. Pete Times. Until I've got time to do a thread, their url is http;//www.sptimes.com. The columnist in support of Terri is Debra J. Saunders of Creators Syndicate.