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.

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(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

[kimmie7]

LOL you're a mess ;-) not just me ... FREEPERS TO SHARE OVAL OFFICE!!! ha ha

[syriacus]

I must say for all the mention by Felos of spirituality, I find him to be void of emotion and disconnected from reality.

The insidiousness of his cult of death makes him even more dangerous than Kevorkian. He'd be a human version of the lead lemming, except he'd dash aside and let his followers go over the cliff without him.

[Don Joe]

I agree. I'm generally one of the most wary people I know, but in his case, I made an exception, because I had a good feeling about his character based on the content of his posts. In any event, a throw-away account will provide pretty good protection from anyone that someone is worried about.

[blueriver]

I think the reason Terri has touched all our hearts is that we are able to empathize with the situation.

In addition I think it just is so unthinkable that this creep has been able to do the things he has done in the name of the law. It strikes a nerve when human life can be extingushed at the hands of our legal system. This creep should be in jail for the things he has done.

[windchime]

"I'm telling you, something is really fishy at Suncoast."


Agreed! It was interesting that Suncoast was asked to reimburse $8.9 million in improperly received Medicare payments and another $5.9 million in payments was being reviewed. That was in 1996. Who knows what is involved since then.

The common denominator with all these players is greed. The satisfying element is that Michael Schiavo is being USED by people much smarter and more evil than he is (at least they have more helpless victims).

[windchime]

"This creep should be in jail for the things he has done."


Blueriver, please see my post #525 (made at the same time as yours) re: Michael Schiavo. Chances are good that he'll wind up in jail (or worse) because I think he'll explode when he realizes he hasn't been 'the BIG MAN in control' of this process.

[agrace]

Just finished the complaint. If this doesn't have some effect, I don't know what would.

[blueriver]

The common denominator with all these players is greed.

I am now beginning to think that there is more at stake for M. Sciavo. Most normal people would have walked away from this situation a long tme ago and given Terri back to her family. He has wanted her dead in the worst way ever since that fatefull night. I am really starting to think he is afraid she will one day wake up tell the story of what really happened to her that night.

[windchime]

"Most normal people would have walked away from this situation a long tme ago and given Terri back to her family. He has wanted her dead in the worst way ever since that fatefull night. I am really starting to think he is afraid she will one day wake up tell the story of what really happened to her that night."


Your statement is very true, but I think the initial motivator for M. Schiavo was the potential financial gain from Terri's condition.

Somewhere in these threads there's a reference to his obtaining signatures from her parents to grant him sole guardianship WITHIN 48 HOURS of Terri's collapse. This was done at the prompting of a lawyer friend related to his employment. Once he received proceeds from the malpractice suit, she had served out her usefulness.

[kimmie7]

This guy's not normal. By the way, I sent the following e-mail this weekend and received the reply below. Anyone wanting to help can....someone with WestLaw experience (or a speed reader! ha) would really be able to help I'm sure. The Schindlers' funds for legal fees are rapidly diminishing, and I'm sure that if they need more research done, free help would be an asset.

Kimberly,

Thanks for making contact. Your help is greatly appreciated. I will forward your details to the attorneys working to defend Terri's life. Your offer is a very kind one and I thank you again.

-Pamela Hennessy- -----Original Message----- From: Kimberly Sent: Monday, September 01, 2003 12:59 AM To: phenn@yahoo.com Cc: phenn@zimp.org Subject: Terri Schiavo

Dear Ms. Hennessy:

I am a member of the FreeRepublic.com website and we have been very actively researching this case this weekend to see if there is something we can offer you to help in your case. I know finances are stretched to the limit and I (and some friends at www.FreeRepublic.com) are offering free net research to you.

I have experience in the legal, medical and graphic design fields. I was a CNA at a skilled nursing facility for 2 years, a legal assistant concentrating in the criminal and personal injury area for 6 years, and a graphic designer (my degree) for 4 years. Anything I can do for you would be at absolutely no charge. I just want to help this precious young woman.

Should you care to look into my postings at Free Republic, my "handle" there is kimmie7 -- pc93(a fellow member, whom I just 'met') gave me your name and e-mail addy though I already had them, and told me how nice you are. I just didn't want to bother you, but we're finding a lot of fishey stuff on the net and I want to help.

May God bless you richly for your work. I eagerly anticipate your reply,

Kimberly Pharris

[blueriver]

Somewhere in these threads there's a reference to his obtaining signatures from her parents to grant him sole guardianship WITHIN 48 HOURS of Terri's collapse.

Very telling. This alone can lead anyone to see that his intentions were never good.

[windchime]

Wonderful letter to Ms. Hennessey, kimmie! And, she provided a very receptive response.

Please advise if you receive direction for areas of research. I will be glad to assist, although my work experience does not provide the unique qualifications that yours does.

[kimmie7]

Will do. I'm sure if they need help all the willing hands possible would be great. And I can see that your research skills are well honed. You've been doing quite well.

[windchime]

Thanks! Curiosity provides a great incentive to learn.

[windchime]

"Very telling. This alone can lead anyone to see that his intentions were never good."

I doubt we'll read anything referring to his 'good character'.

[floriduh voter]

Ggod afternoon, kimmie7. Here's Rush Limbaugh's email address. I think he needs a freep because he's a registered florida voter.

RUSH LIMBAUGH'S EMAIL IS: rush@eibnet.com.

I'm going to get the email and phone number for Judge Richard Lazarra from the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Federal Court where the hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. It has to be on the internet.

If not, it would be helpful if someone with a TAMPA PHONE BOOK could look up the Tampa Federal Court phone number. Thanks in advance.

kimmie7, as I think about Terri's situation, I think there's even a case of discrimination based upon the fact that she's a woman. The Judge is a man, hubby is a man, probably the 2nd DCA are all men and hubby's attorney is a man. Look like these particular men all want to terminate her life. DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF GENDER AND DISABILITY. That would fall under AG Aschcroft's CIVIL RIGHTS ACT. Can someone get the Justice Dept. in DC's contact info for us while I work on the emergency hearing info?

[honeygrl]

Is there a way to contact Terri's parents and point out this thread to them in case they see some info that could help? They might also like to see so many people that are on their side.

[pc93]

No, contact Pamela Hennessy.

[kimmie7]

see post #530 ;-) Great minds think alike!

[floriduh voter]

I strongly recommend that everyone on TERRI'S PING LIST call this building today to leave voicemail if it's on or to call back tomorrow. Emergency Hearing is tomorrow!!! HERE'S THE PHONE NUMBER: 813-301-5400. If you can get through to Judge Lazarra's Judicial Assistant, ask for the JA right off the bat.

What do you say? Terri deserves a Guardian Ad Litem which was requested by Governor Bush. You are one of thousands of supporters of Terri's rights and you would like your call to be documented.

Thanks, FV