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Florida legislators move to rescue Terri Schiavo
WND ^ | 10-21-03 | WND

Posted on 10/21/2003 9:35:43 AM PDT by JustPiper

STARVATION DAY 7

Senate drags its feet amid worries over language of legislation to save brain-disabled woman's life

With only a few hours remaining before she slips beyond the point where she can be saved, the Florida Senate has not decided whether it should join the state House of Representatives in giving Gov. Jeb Bush the power to order Terri Schindler-Schiavo's feeding tube re-inserted.

"They're just playing with her life," Pamela Hennessey, spokesperson for Terri's family, told WorldNetDaily. "They're arguing over bill language and deliberately letting her die."

"The governor won't do anything – he says his hands are tied but he knows that's not the case," she exclaimed. "They're just going to let her die so they can wash their hands and walk away."

Last night, six days after Terri's feeding tube was removed on court order – sentencing her to a slow and painful death – the House, influenced by a massive and sustained outpouring of support for the 39-year-old brain-disabled woman, passed legislation that gives Bush the authority to intervene.

On a 68-23 vote, the 120-member House passed H35-E, known as Terri's Bill, at approximately 10:15 p.m. Eastern last night.

Introduced by John Stargel, a Republican representing Polk County east of Tampa, the bill "authorizes the Governor to issue a one-time stay to prevent withholding of nutrition and hydration under certain circumstances; provides for expiration of stay; authorizes governor to lift stay under certain circumstances; provides that person is not civilly liable and is not subject to regulatory or disciplinary sanctions for taking action in compliance with any such stay."

The Senate version S 12-E, introduced by Sen. Daniel Webster, a Republican from Winter Garden in central Florida, passed a Senate panel this morning and will be considered by the full Senate tonight.

The Senate Rules & Calendar Committee approved the bill on a 10-2 vote.

Florida lawmakers, in the capital for a special session on economic development, have been flooded with calls and e-mails urging them to intervene on Terri's behalf.

According to the Associated Press, Byrd called the special House session yesterday, as the governor asked to have the Schiavo issue added to the agenda.

"President King, Speaker Byrd and others in the legislature recognize the unique and tragic circumstances of Ms. Schiavo's case, and I am hopeful the legislature will pass a bill immediately," said Bush in a press release yesterday.

If the Senate passes the measure, Bush said he would sign it immediately. The governor will then have 15 days to issue a one-time stay.

Fla. Senate President Jim King

Terri's supporters fear the outcome of today's Senate debate because of known opposition of Senate President Jim King, a Republican representing the northeast Florida coast area and Jacksonville.

King has expressed reservations over intervening in a case already vetted in the courts.

But citing "unique and unusual circumstances,'' he has signed off on what he considers a narrowly drafted measure that still delivers what Byrd and Bush want, reports the Tribune.

"If we are going to err, then let us err on the side of caution,'' the paper quotes King as saying. "I just hope to God we've done the right thing.''

Still, a full Senate vote won't come until tonight.

Physically attacked?

The House action occurred just hours after the Tallahasse-based Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities filed for an injunction to keep Schiavo alive to have time to investigate whether removal of her life-sustaining feeding tube was an act of abuse by her husband, Michael Schiavo, according to an Associated Press report.

Schiavo – who lives with another woman with whom he has a child and another on the way – cut off all access to Terri's therapy and claims he only is fulfilling wishes expressed before she suffered a sudden collapse in 1990 under mysterious circumstances.

The Schindlers, who maintain a website on their daughter's case, say they have evidence Terri was physically attacked prior to her mysterious collapse.

Terri responding to her mother in video clip available on terrisfight.org

Gordon Scott, an attorney for the advocacy group, asked for a 10-day injunction to provide time for an investigation after he had conversations with the Schindlers and a neurologist. Scott said he is not convinced Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state" as claimed by Michael Schiavo and his advocates.

Pinellas County Circuit Judge George W. Greer agreed to that assessment, however, and ordered the feeding tube removed Oct. 15.

Scott also believes, contrary to Michael Schiavo's claims, Terri is feeling pain from the starvation and dehydration.

The Schindler family said Terri appears to be in stable condition at the Pinellas Park, Fla., hospice where she has been a patient for over three years.

"She seems to be alert,'' said her brother, Bob Schindler Jr., according to the Associated Press. "But every day that goes by, we're getting into a crucial time for her. She's got an incredible will to live."

Christine Brundage, a retired registered nurse who handles the correspondence for the Schindler family, told WorldNetDaily in an e-mail last night Terri is still alert and awake, but very shrunken – the effects of six days of dehydration taking their toll.

Last week, two separate state courts rejected a motion to have the tube reinserted so law enforcement could investigate the case.

Meanwhile, the General Assembly of the Catholic Medical Association passed a resolution at its annual meeting Friday that summarizes the view of many advocates of the Schindler family.

It declared removal of Terri's feeding tube "without first undertaking rehabilitation therapy to ascertain her ability to swallow and digest nourishment" constitutes "depriving her of life without due process of law," according to Florida Statutes Section 744, 3211.

Volunteers with the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation urge all concerned Floridians to contact their senators and encourage them to support "Terri's Bill."

Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of legislators are listed on the Florida legislature's website.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: florida; starvation; terri
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To: Terriergal
"Marxist do-gooders"

I was trying to be kind.

Also, in my post 183 "(who recently decided to move to Florida, but have since changed my mind - I'm elderly and don't trust you to obey GOD'S LAW!)"

Okay, so I exaggerated a little.

261 posted on 10/21/2003 12:38:04 PM PDT by Budge ( <>< .)
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To: Terriergal
Michael Schiavo wants that money BADLY. If "Terri's Bill" does not pass and Terri dies, will MS be charged with murder? Will there be an autopsy? or will the jerk be able to stop that, too?

If MS goes to prison the State of Florida may end up raising his bastard child by that other woman. What a mess!

262 posted on 10/21/2003 12:38:26 PM PDT by madison10
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To: concerned about politics
MSNBC reporting that Michael Schiavo is filing a motion to stop the legislature's action.....

Wonder how that works? The courts can't stop a legislature from acting!

Unless MSNBC is talking about Schiavo's getting an injunction to stop the re-insertion of the tube.

And I still don't see how Schiavo can get that without demonstrating to the court irreparable harm.

Where's the "harm" in allowing an innocent person to live? And where the parents have volunteered to take care of her?

263 posted on 10/21/2003 12:41:43 PM PDT by shhrubbery!
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To: The Wizard
Troll !

Next time a mugger attacks you, I hope a policeman tells you that he can't "butt in" on your life.
264 posted on 10/21/2003 12:45:46 PM PDT by repentant_pundit (For the Sons and Daughters of Every Planet on the Earth)
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To: Gelato
It passed? Oh, get her some water, please, someone quickly!

IV drip, whatever. No more wasting time!
265 posted on 10/21/2003 12:45:49 PM PDT by texasbluebell
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To: shhrubbery!
Excellent comments! Start finding out who he has to see to get the injuction. I have not heard of something like the being issued when an order from the Governor is handed down. Shiavo wants her dead. His true colors are showing more and more. God is still working this miracle. You have to believe that this will happed in Terri's favor. God and life is on our side!
266 posted on 10/21/2003 12:46:49 PM PDT by atruelady
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To: texasbluebell
It passed? Oh, get her some water, please, someone quickly!

Not so fast. The Senate passed an AMENDED bill. That means the House has to approve the Senate's changes before Gov. Bush can sign it.

It's like they're playing with this woman's life!

267 posted on 10/21/2003 12:48:29 PM PDT by Gelato
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To: atruelady
A true lady you are not. It sickens me to even write a response to such a diatribe, but I must. YOU are the sub-human here. A heartless, gutless monster. May your miserable life be living hell!
268 posted on 10/21/2003 12:48:50 PM PDT by Knute
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To: JustPiper
He was killing her and went off to vacation while she lay in a coma.

Thank God your mother has a loving family to fight for her. Thank God!

269 posted on 10/21/2003 12:49:40 PM PDT by Saundra Duffy (For victory & freedom!!!)
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To: Lurking Libertarian
The records would be in the Probate Court.

The probate court of the state where the person died?

270 posted on 10/21/2003 12:50:24 PM PDT by syriacus (Judge Greer---YOU should have looked into Terri's eyes and asked her if she wanted life.)
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To: Knute
Spare me. Outrage does not make a lady less than she is. You obviously don't know the difference.
271 posted on 10/21/2003 12:51:51 PM PDT by atruelady
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To: Gelato
That's exactly what I'm thinking. Playing with this woman's life. Everyone of those politicians who are dragging their feet, her "husband", his lawyer, the judge.

It's beyond frightening.
272 posted on 10/21/2003 12:52:14 PM PDT by texasbluebell
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To: syriacus
The probate court of the state where the person died?

Yes.

273 posted on 10/21/2003 12:53:00 PM PDT by Lurking Libertarian (Non sub homine, sed sub Deo et lege)
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To: Knute
Did you misread atruelady's comments? She was expressing anger at Michael Schiavo, who wants his wife dead.
274 posted on 10/21/2003 12:54:20 PM PDT by Gelato
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To: Gelato
I totally apologize. I read this that she was calling Terri a freak and was calling on the legislature to STOP their action on this law. Withdraw my comment on message #268!

275 posted on 10/21/2003 12:56:51 PM PDT by Knute
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To: The Wizard
The parent said they will take care of her. Her husband got over a $1 million for her care, which he was suppose to use for her rehabilitation and comfort. He did not use it for Terri. He gets to deicde when and if her parents and priest can visit.

Her husband can divorce her. He won't. It's either the money or he's afraid of an autospy. He wants to have her cremated as soon as possible. There were some xrays taken at the time of her injury that indicated she may have been abused.

That's why we are meddling. Also removing a feeding tube is not legal in all states. This is not the same as pulling a plug. The woman is not in a vegetative state despite the media reporting she is. It is a cruel death for someone that has cognitive abilities like Terri does.
276 posted on 10/21/2003 12:57:05 PM PDT by FR_addict
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To: Knute; atruelady
Knute apologizes...see # 275.

We're all on the same side here.

277 posted on 10/21/2003 1:01:42 PM PDT by Gelato
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To: FR_addict
Greer approved for the husband to have her cremated immediately. Florida LAW states that a person cannot be cremated BEFORE 48 hours after their death. It disturbs me that people in the press corps as well as the Legislature constantly talk about this case that is went to court, blah, blah, blah, but the judge has consistenly acted outside the law. Even in regards to basic procedures and rulings without regard to evidence.
278 posted on 10/21/2003 1:05:13 PM PDT by atruelady
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To: Gelato; All
Ah, Greer. Why am I *not* surprised?

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-fschiavo21xoct21,0,23471,print.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

Excerpt:

George Felos, attorney for Michael Schiavo, took steps to stop Bush even before the governor received the bill. He filed a request for an injunction if Bush issued an order. Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer planned to hear arguments Tuesday afternoon.
279 posted on 10/21/2003 1:09:40 PM PDT by Don Joe
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To: Gelato
My thanks. When I saw your post to me I figured you misread. I posted a reply to you. Consider it null.
280 posted on 10/21/2003 1:09:48 PM PDT by atruelady
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