Mother pleads for Terri Schiavo's life (US House convenes at 1:00 PM EST - LIVE THREAD

Kansas City Star/AP ^ | 2/20/05 | Mitch Stacy

[Dane]

Mother pleads for Terri Schiavo's life

MITCH STACY

Associated Press

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - Hanging their hopes on a last-minute compromise in Congress, Terri Schiavo's parents notified her hospice to prepare to have her feeding tube reinserted on Sunday, her third day without food or water.

Congressional leaders from both parties hoped an agreement reached on a bill would allow the tube to be restored while federal courts review her case. The House and Senate were expected to take up the legislation by Sunday or early Monday. If passed, President Bush planned to sign it.

SNIP

But Mary Schindler pleaded for parents nationwide to call their congressional representatives and pressure them to vote for a bill to prolong her daughter's life.

"There are some congressmen that are trying to stop this bill," she said outside her daughter's hospice. "Please don't use my daughter's suffering for your own personal agenda."

SNIP

Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla., issued a statement late Saturday saying he will make an objection that would stop the vote Sunday. Any member can demand that a majority of members be present to do business. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said he was trying to gather enough votes to defeat the bill Monday

[T'wit]

>> This is something that really bothers me.

Michael has said twice (that I've heard), one time in a sworn deposition, that he was killing Terri to spite the Schindlers, whom he accuses of making his life miserable. Of course it has nothing to do with "Terri's wishes." He has been merciless to her for years.

[texasbluebell]

I believe not till 12:01 am (tonight).

[angelwings49]

Thank you :)

[supercat]

Don't think it can't happen. If you give the feds the ultimate decision, they will USE it!

How does killing someone protect their life, liberty, or property?

[TheCrusader]

"Attorney George J. Felos is a nationally recognized expert in right-to-die cases."

So was his spiritual compatriot, Jack Kevorkian.

[Awestruck]

If the law stated that Jews had to be shipped off to camps would you support that too? Let's kill all the Christians since it's better to be with God according to you.. Maybe she wants to live and she'd have a great chance if her "husband" had allowed her any rehabilitation... and who are you to determine anyone's intrinsic value? Just because YOU wouldn't wanna live that way doesn't mean you can figure out what she wants..

[reaganaut]

You are correct that this issue is bigger than just Terri, but your concerns are mislaid. This is a question of basic CIVIL RIGHTS. The federal government HAS stepped in on those cases (Jonesboro boys, civil rights movement). So many are mistaken that this is about the 'right to die'. It is not. It is about basic civil rights for the disabled.

Why do we give criminals more civil rights than we are giving Terri? If a judge were to make himself the defense lawyer (as Greer did) and disregarded evidence (as Greer did) because it would affect the case, and relied only on hearsay by one person, the ACLU would be up in arms.

It would be considered "cruel and unusual punishment" to starve a mass murderer to death, yet people claim this is what she wanted. Based on what? The word of her husband who has abandoned her?

Why is she being denied basic civil rights only because she cannot speak? My mother worked at a disabled children's home when she was younger and I knew kids there who were less responsive than Terri, who were given impeccable care, she should be given no less.


The idea of living wills/medical directives is fairly recent. Terri should not be given the death penalty for the "crime" of not doing something that few people had heard of when she collapsed, much less had. And yes, I do have a living will AND a medical directive outlining very specifically my wishes for medication, ventilation, and even who can and cannot visit me if I am incapacitated.

BTW, I study death for a living, and since everyone else seems to spout their opinion thusly, so shall I: "If I were in Terri's place...I WOULD WANT REHABILITATION THERAPY AND TO BE WITH THOSE WHO LOVE ME!!!!!"

[IvySterling]

I probaly have missed the answer to my question, but I will ask it now.

Why hasn't the husband divorced Terri years ago and handed over her care to the parents?

[Ohioan from Florida]

No, I didn't see him. You're right about Felos, and with good reason. Michael always screws something up because he just isn't telling the truth. So the truth slips out on accident every now and again. Have you seen this transcript?

KING: Have you had any contact with the family today? This is a sad day all the way around, Michael. We know of your dispute.

M. SCHIAVO: I've had no contact with them.

KING: No contact at all?

M. SCHIAVO: No.

KING: Do you understand how they feel?

M. SCHIAVO: Yes, I do. But this is not about them, it's about Terri. And I've also said that in court. We didn't know what Terri wanted, but this is what we want...

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0503/18/lkl.01.html

It's about half way or so down the page.

[Clara Lou]

I can't believe you said that.

[Beeline40@aol.com]

Your point is very well taken. Hey, tell me about your profession I am curious.

[reaganaut]

ping to 347

[MarketR]

This case has nothing to do with organ donation. You can only use the organs if they are still fully functioning as life support is withdrawn, such as a respirator. You CANNOT used organs from a person who has been dehydrated to death. The organs are useless. Please people, educate yourselves. Now you are trying to give organ donation a bad name. sheesh!!!

You clearly didn't read my post or you would not assume I didn't know this. Sheesh!

My point was, and is, if you give the Federal Govt. the right to override family, then the precedent is set for them to override family in ANY situation they see fit...including cases of brain dead individuals forced to remain on life support, against the wishes of their families, so organs may be forcibly harvested "for the greater good of society".

[Beeline40@aol.com]

It gets worse see post 336. I am considering the source.

[Terriergal]

The law states that Terry's wishes are to be carried out. Do you honestly believe that she would want to be maintained in this sad state

How can YOU know? So we err on the side of death?

Check this one out and get informed, if you think she so badly wants to die.

Terri Schiavo Tried to Tell Parents' Attorney She Wanted to Live

Terri Cried at News [that her feeding tube would be removed]

When I woke up (also posted on FR here)

The question you should be asking is WHY does this man so badly want her dead, why has he refused therapy to help her speak more clearly, in spite of someone ELSE's willingness to care for her and love her and foot the bill?

[BykrBayb]

I won't watch the Western horizon because of any whacked out belief that the sun should follow Greer's orders. However, knowing that everyone else follows his orders, even though they shouldn't, I will keep an eye out, just in case.

[Terriergal]

The law states that Terry's wishes are to be carried out

BTW you also demonstrate your total ignorance here.

These are the laws that have been broken in order to kill her:

Judge Greer Breaks Law to Ensure Terri Schiavo's Death

This man, and Terri's estranged husband who should have NO say in her care anymore, should be hauled off to jail.

[supercat]

previous records will not be in play (I THINK that's what I heard)

I would think that if need be such transcripts could be called insofar as to question witnesses about them, e.g. "On XXX, you said Y. Now you say Z. Can you clarify?"

[Terriergal]

:-)

[Clara Lou]

Vile. I'm nearly speechless. But there's been a whole lot of that "eat our own" commentary these last few days. The comments to you are the nadir, though-- I hope.