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Freepers call to action re. Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Make a complaint against Judge Greer:
Various ^ | August 28, 2003

Posted on 08/28/2003 5:20:42 AM PDT by 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



TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: ada; california; catholiclist; constitution; deathbystarvation; euthanasia; felony; felos; floridasuncoast; floridian; frontpage; governor; greer; hemlocksociety; hospice; legalmurder; schiavo; schindler; suncoast; suncoasthospice; suncoastsoftware; terri; terrischiavo
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1 posted on 08/28/2003 5:20:43 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
BTTT! Everybody do SOMETHING!
2 posted on 08/28/2003 5:35:36 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Pray for Terri Schiavo!)
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To: Calpernia; summer; floriduh voter; windchime; cake_crumb; Robert Drobot; Coleus; JulieRNR21; ...
Freepers with knowledge of Terri's case, please add helpful tips for callers phoning in a complaint against Judge Greer - info on past decisions, known affiliations / opinions that could interfere with a life - death decision.

Please ping your ping lists, Florida Freepers.

Would appreciate help bumping this thread today.

Thank you!

3 posted on 08/28/2003 5:36:23 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (Rummy to Rats, 8/21* This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back.)
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To: Tax-chick
Bump!
4 posted on 08/28/2003 5:37:13 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (Rummy to Rats, 8/21* This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Bump!!
5 posted on 08/28/2003 5:55:29 AM PDT by windchime
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I would also complain the way the judge came back the very next day and said Jeb Bush's request would not be honored. Would be put in the file same as everything else.

He didn't even consider it. He disrespected the people of Florida when he did this. He might as well be in cahoots with the ghoulish husband.
6 posted on 08/28/2003 6:07:29 AM PDT by dennisw (G_d is at war with Amalek for all generations)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
The Honorable(?) George W. Greer:

"I am your little tin God, I will answer to no man, how dare you question my words, I can not ever make an incorrect decision, I will determine who lives and who dies, I am perfect".

7 posted on 08/28/2003 6:17:03 AM PDT by chiefqc
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
I just called the number to complain about Judge George Greer, and the woman at the judicial commission refused to take down my name and the nature of my complaint. She did not even ask if I were a FL resident, which I am not. She said that the commission has no authority to act in regard to a decision by a judge. The commission acts, she said, only if there is personal misbehavior by the judge. I asked if "bias" constituted "personal misbehavior," and she said that was an opinion outside the jurisdiction of the commission. The fact that I got through immediately led me to belive that not many calls have come to the commission office.

Once again, bureaucracy is there mainly for bureaucrats. But citizens mistakenly think bureaucrats are looking after the "little guys." The woman did say that the issue has generated a lot of "strong feelings" on both sides.

The call made no difference at all. It did not cost me anything to make the call, as I have a cell phone plan.

Poor Terri, this woman was born to trouble from the day she married that miserable wretch of a husband.
8 posted on 08/28/2003 6:30:28 AM PDT by Theodore R.
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To: chiefqc
bumping and praying
9 posted on 08/28/2003 6:31:30 AM PDT by kimmie7 (I need more time, more coffee, and more bandwidth.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl; summer; Floridavoter; All
"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."

Who the hell does this guy think he is?

Thank you all for posting the updates on Terri's case. At the moment I'm so mad I don't trust myself to shoot off emails or call anyone.

10 posted on 08/28/2003 6:40:29 AM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (This cow is independently owned and operated)
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To: Theodore R.
I just called the number to complain about Judge George Greer, and the woman at the judicial commission refused to take down my name and the nature of my complaint.

This woman is going to wish she had called in sick today.

11 posted on 08/28/2003 6:44:25 AM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (This cow is independently owned and operated)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
Just received email from Jeb with copy of his letter. Seems he is responding to everyone who wrote to him.

12 posted on 08/28/2003 6:53:19 AM PDT by NautiNurse
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To: Theodore R.
The commission acts, she said, only if there is personal misbehavior by the judge.

Others calling might mention that his behavior indicates that he's being paid off by Schiavo and/or his lawyer. That would be "personal misbehavior," I should think.

13 posted on 08/28/2003 6:54:25 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Pray for Terri Schiavo!)
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To: Theodore R.; Ragtime Cowgirl; floriduh voter
I had a similar experience with the staffer who took my call.

When I tried to give her my FL address and asked that my complaint be registered; she told me to write a letter to the Commission.

When I asked "What action will be taken on complaints?"...the response was NONE. Judge Greer will not even be notified of them.

She said that I would do better to write a letter to the local newspapers in Pinnelas County.

This Commission seems to be highly ineffective and it is obviously designed to provide a format for people to leave comments which are ignored!
14 posted on 08/28/2003 7:32:59 AM PDT by JulieRNR21 (Take W-04....Across America!)
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To: dennisw
Thank you, dennis. Judge Greer's callous dismissal of the Governor's request shocked me, too. Gov. Bush was pleading to the Judge for Terri's life, with respect and humility. The Judge might as well have said, "put some ice on it."
15 posted on 08/28/2003 7:38:57 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (Rummy to Rats, 8/21* This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back.)
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To: Ragtime Cowgirl
bump
16 posted on 08/28/2003 7:49:01 AM PDT by SAMWolf (I'm So miserable Without You, It's Like Having You Here)
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To: Theodore R.
The commission acts, she said, only if there is personal misbehavior by the judge.

Thank you, Theodore.

Seems to me the Judge's opinions throughout this case add up to plenty of incidents of "personal misbehavior". Wouldn't it be personal misbehavior to ignore the many doctors who disagree with the court-appointed doctors? Wouldn't it be personal misbehavior to ignore Terri's own medical reports, evidence of physical damage - atypical of a woman under competent care from a concerned husband? Shouldn't Terri, a woman who cannot defend her own life, at least be accorded a Judge who isn't blatantly pro-euthanasia???

Our law is broken.

I suggest we keep calling - and asking questions. A child would know this is not right, fair, just, decent - AMERICAN - for Terri or her loved ones.

17 posted on 08/28/2003 7:54:48 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (Rummy to Rats, 8/21* This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back.)
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To: JulieRNR21; floriduh voter; summer
When I tried to give her my FL address and asked that my complaint be registered; she told me to write a letter to the Commission.

When I asked "What action will be taken on complaints?"...the response was NONE. Judge Greer will not even be notified of them.

Time to e-mail Jeb and AG Crist, re. this "Commission". Talk about a legal racket! The biggest accusers, those with life and death in their hands get away with murder.

Her hearing is Sept.11. There is no time to write a letter and expect action.

How can a condemned killer get a stay of execution and a defenseless innocent can't?

18 posted on 08/28/2003 8:01:25 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (Rummy to Rats, 8/21* This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back.)
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To: TheSpottedOwl
At the moment I'm so mad I don't trust myself to shoot off emails or call anyone.

Understood. It is so wrong!

19 posted on 08/28/2003 8:02:28 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl (Rummy to Rats, 8/21* This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back.)
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To: RonDog; Bob J; diotima; ALOHA RONNIE; NormsRevenge; MizSterious; Jaded; Flurry; Laura Earl; ...
I hope you all don't mind that I pinged you to this thread. If anyone needs the mother of all FReeps, it's this judge:

"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."

After receiving over 27,000 emails, Governor Jeb Bush sent Judge Greer a letter regarding Terri Schiavo's medical treatment, and the fact that her husband is trying to get a court order to starve her to death. The above quotation, in bold, is Judge Greer's response to the Governor.

Please check out Terri's website, and pay attention to the bone scan report. Keep that in mind when you read what's going on with her case. The clock is ticking for this woman.

As soon as I simmer down, I'm calling and emailing. Right now I'm just too pissed off. I hope that maybe we can make a difference.

If anyone has a ping list, pass this on. Let's melt the phone lines and crash the servers!

20 posted on 08/28/2003 8:06:47 AM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (This cow is independently owned and operated)
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