Federal Judge Denies Motion
Thursday, March 24, 2005
http://www.baynews9.com/content/74/2005/3/24/75556.html
A federal Judge in Tampa this morning refused to have doctors reinsert Terri Schiavo's feeding tube. This was the second time this week US District court Judge James Whittemore refused to do so.
Michael Schiavo says Terri wouldn't want to live in this condition.
Terri Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, are running out of options to keep Schiavo alive, as she is in her seventh day without a feeding tube.
Also, the Department of Children and Families filed a motion with the Florida Supreme Court to reinstate a stay in the case and to review the denial of a stay by the Second District Court of Appeals. Late Thursday the Supreme Court dismissed that motion.
Earlier Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the Schindlers to reinsert their daughter's feeding tube.
The judges gave no reason for their decision, which was at least the fifth time they refused to get involved in Schiavo's case.
The Schindlers' hopes dropped further when Pinellas/Pasco Circuit Court Judge George Greer reinstated his own restraining order against the Department of Children and Families.
Greer also denied DCF's motion for a stay and access to her records to see if Schiavo was abused or financially exploited.
Later in the day, Greer denied another DCF motion. The organization wanted to take custody of Schiavo in light of new evidence from its adult protective services team that she was misdiagnosed.
That came from a neurologist DCF enlisted from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.
The neurologist said Schiavo might be in a state of minimal consciousness and not in a persistent vegetative state as doctors have diagnosed Schiavo since she lapsed into a coma in 1990.
Governor Jeb Bush said Wednesday if there is any uncertainty about Schiavo's condition, they should err on the side of protecting her.
Bush said the neurologist has not examined Schiavo. His diagnosis is based on observing Schiavo in her room for approximately an hour, viewing videotapes and reviewing Schiavo's medical records. He has also done extensive research on persistent vegetative states.
A group of demonstrators plans to head to Tallahassee on a bus for a prayer vigil for Good Friday.
As news of Schiavo's condition worsened Thursday, demonstrators seemed resigned to her fate.
A demonstrator playing this drum outside the hospice said it signified Schiavo's heartbeat.
Associated Press report 03/25/05
In the federal court hearing, Schindler lawyer David Gibbs III argued that Terri Schiavo's rights to life and privacy were being violated. Whittemore interrupted as Gibbs attempted to liken Schiavo's death to a murder.
"That is the emotional rhetoric of this case. It does not influence this court, and cannot influence this court. I want you to know it and I want the public to know it," Whittemore said.
Bush appealed that decision to the 2nd District. The Florida Supreme Court later declined to take up a separate appeal on a Greer injunction that blocked the state's social services agency from taking temporary custody of Schiavo while challenges are argued. State law allows the Department of Children & Families to act in emergency situations of adult abuse.
The department also filed another petition before Greer seeking to provide emergency protective services for Schiavo. Greer had not scheduled a hearing, but he indicated one could occur Monday, according to Bush's office.
"For this lockdown to occur without having the ability to have an open mind, and say, 'Well, maybe there are new facts on the table, maybe there are new technologies, maybe, just maybe, we should be cautious about this' ... is very troubling," Bush said.
http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2005/03/050325schiavo.shtml
... [punishing her some more. Gov. Bush said 15 years of slurry and diapers isn't enough punishment for Terri to suit his agenda-driven interest group]."
What just drives me crazy is that the pumping proponents recite all their lofty prayers on FR while callously continuing behavior that they would never in a million years want for themselves.
Come on, step forward and be counted. Which of you 'eloquent' ones, busy pursuing your own agenda at her expense, if you were in the same condition (howsoever you describe it) would prefer to have your bowels pumped full of nutritional slurry and fill your diapers daily for 15-20-25 years rather than die and go home to Heaven? Be honest, now. Who wants to be the first to choose the slurry and the diapers over Heaven?
What does that prove? That you have attempted to repeal the Golden Rule. You would impose on Terri what you would never, ever impose on yourself if you had the choice. Shame on you all.