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:

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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

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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."

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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."

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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)

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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

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..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

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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

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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

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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

[Theodore R.]

I just received this email from a friend whom I told about Terri's fight. She was unaware of it.

"The prestigious medical journal "Lancet" published a study last month showing that terminally ill people do not suffer from euthanasia by starvation and generally die in a day or two without fluids. They are kept on morphine. . . .

"But the thing about the Lancet article was that Lancet really hesitated to publish it because they were afraid of just the abuse you are talking about.

"We already have a lot more secret euthanasia than most of us realize--that little extra dose of morphine that depresses breathing and kills is the usual way. But with all the Medicare expenses, we'll be seeing lots more state murders to keep cost down while CEO's of insurance companies collect their 50 million a year salaries.

My reply: Do you think the kind of thinking expressed here is the reason Terri's fight has not made the mainstream media news? Many seem to believe that there is no pain or discomfort to being starved to death, particularly if one is "terminal" or "vegetative." And we know that Terri is in neither of those states.

[floriduh voter]

Thanks for your support. I haven't read any flames yet but as I told someone about 1500K posts ago, I was the bus driver.

I don't want anyone to get in trouble with the law if it's about the jello campaign. I know the Clearwater PD, scientology is right across the street from the courthouse and I am an experienced paralegal, with experience with J. Greer from the mid-nineties. I handled estates for one of the wealthiest families in the country. I handled a guardianship for a little boy who's dad was shot to death. I think I know what I'm talking about.

I thought of a better idea.

ANYONE WHO IS GOING TO THE RALLY ON SEPT. 11 for Terri... Go the St. Pete Times Office in downtown St. Petersburg, and get the May 11, 2003, issue of the Times. There's a GIANT picture of Jeb Bush with the caption "Brother where are thou?" Pick up a paper, a piece of foam tag board and write Jeb's PHONE NUMBER IN HUGE LETTERS ON THE TAG BOARD. Take that to the rally.

I name may be Floriduh but nobody should doubt my effectiveness here at Free Republic or in my advocacy in the community for anyone in need.

If I got flamed for walking away from the jello campaign, oh, please. If it's something else, RD, you don't know jack about Tampa Bay.

[floriduh voter]

Harmless pieces of papers & pictures are innocent parodies. Doing something that I was against, i.e. boxes going to downtown on September 11, 2003, I WALKED AWAY FROM THE JELLO CAMPAIGN. Now that's something Jim Robinson SHOULD BE concerned about.

I have never identified myself as a freeper in any call or email unless I am in a campaign and promoting FR.

If people do something I am against and say "it's from Free Republic", that's not Jim Robinson's problem but I'll tell him right now.

That was before it was going to be actual packets of Jello taken to government property on September 11, 2003. When it was just paper, it's a parody. When it's anything in a box, it shouldn't be done at all.

I went to the Friva Conference last year and attended the Leadership Institute seminar. Did you, Robert? You are very good at taking something out of context however.

[floriduh voter]

My words are not an admonishment. They are a warning, based upon my life experience, intuition and concern that anyone would get arrested okay?

RD, you have gotten way off message. How is that going to help Terri?

I'm outta here.

[kimmie7]

Good one. I'll print and read, but it looks very informative. I'll be off and on today. Saw the doc again this morning and he said to stay off of it. I just laughed at him, but it does hurt.

[pc93]

Just wondering, where are all the democrats who "care for the people, who feel our pain"?
---
is this a loaded question?

[kimmie7]

I am an experienced paralegal, with experience with J. Greer from the mid-nineties. I think I know what I'm talking about.

Man, I really envy you. I'm sure you know what you're talking about. If I were down there I would be right there with you volunteering in Anderson's offices. Most of us would love to be able to come down and help out. Lucky duck! :-)

I'd like to do a little more digging into the Americans with Disabilities Act and don't have time to sort through a lot of Googles. Could you point me to a link? Thank ya.

[floriduh voter]

I'll try to get the ADA in bulk later. I have errands today but wanted to share the giant Jeb picture idea from 5-11-03 that can be picked up from the St. Pete Times.

Just so you know, I tried to visit Bay News 9 on Saturday to talk to a reporter but they are locked up on the weekends.

Unfortunately, I can't volunteer at Attorney Anderson's office. I am waiting to get flamed for that. Anyone?

[floriduh voter]

Here's the ADA if anyone wants to see how Terri's rights are being violated by the State of Florida.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Gotta go, today's a work day. FV

[Robert Drobot]

While we may chose to believe someone has indulged in criminal behavior. It is the opposite of responsible writing to pin this kind of label on a person without clarifying the comment as opinion.

Should one chose to be wreckless in expressing their distain for another, there is a price to be paid. In point of fact, libel and slander judgments are awash with such unchecked vitriol.

The content of some of the posts on this thread concern me for this very reason.

FreeRepublic.com exist as a garden place of ideas related to America's social order. And while some would have it otherwise, FR can not and will not be allowed to continue to serve America if it is permitted to become a dumping ground for false claims and anchor for the capricious abuse of the First Amendment.

Take a moment and do a search on the legal burden charged to internet chat boards.

Declaring someone is a criminal without couching that charge with the caveat 'IMO', and failing to delete that comment can be a serious liability.

A cardinal FR rule is 'no personal attacks', and there is a very real reason for that rule.

[Theodore R.]

I see your point. So we need to say that the "evil" we see in FL is "our opinion." And we can't call names because that would be "offensive" and subject to suits.

I cannot imagine what the Schindler family is going through and has gone through. Their plight is a tragedy no one in a "free" country should endure.

I guess if we are all sued, we can prevail if we can prove what we wrote is true. Is writing opinion covered by the First Amendment, or writing only documented facts?

[Calpernia]

I am sorry; but did you miss my post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/971896/posts?page=2139#2139 ?

Please remove my name from any of your pings. I don't appreciate your condescending posts to other freepers.

Thank you in advance.

[floriduh voter]

IMO, Robert Drobot is trying to admonish everyone which I was accused of doing earlier by the same Robert Drobot. LOL

[trustandobey]

Haven't had time to read many of the posts, just want to say thank you for everything you have done for Terri.

[trustandobey]

Bump to the top

[floriduh voter]

Thanks. Did anybody else call the RNC and threaten to walk away from the GOP? They better do something or I'll be operating my web site as a RINO.

[trustandobey]

Bump

[trustandobey]

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[trustandobey]

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[trustandobey]

bump