Posted on 03/25/2005 5:21:18 AM PST by mhking
My position on the Schiavo matter has vascilated back and forth over the past few days as I've agonized over the matter.
Should she be given a chance at life? If so, what kind of life are we talking about? Is there a chance at rehabilitation? Is Michael Schiavo an evil S.O.B., or is he simply a heart-broken man?
Conversely, is she truly in a vegetative state? A virtual zombie with eyes open, and nothing inside? Are her parents and family in denial about her pain and suffering? Are the evangelicals coming to her aid getting so worked up that they are looking past the true nature of this situation?
Difficult questions these. Who wins? Who loses?
There is no winner here. This situation is heartbreaking at the core. A vibrant woman struck down in the prime of her life. A myriad of doctors, most of whom have indicated that much of her brain tissue has deteriorated and possibly even liquified inside her skull. CAT scans that support that diagnosis.
Conversely, we see her eyes focusing on a balloon, we see her apparently responding to people entering her limited field of vision.
What do we believe?
After 22 different judges have agonized over this, they all have come to the same decision: that her husband has the right to make that agonizing decision.
Talk show host Neil Boortz has taken the stance that Terri Schiavo has earned her place in heaven, and that we, as a people, should let her go home.
Do you believe in God’s promise of everlasting life? Do you believe that the reward for a life well spent on this earth is a life with God in heaven after you die? If you do, then a few more questions if you will.Jesus awaits Terri Schiavo at the gates of heaven with open arms. He will grant her eternal rest. He loves all, no matter which side of this sad story the people are on.Do you believe that the human soul can make the transition to everlasting life while the human body that carried that soul through life clings to life on this earth? If you do, then you must surely believe that Terri Schiavo has earned and is already enjoying her reward in heaven. That being the case, why is it so important to you that the now-unneeded body of Terri Schiavo is kept alive?
But perhaps you believe, as I do, that the human soul is so connected to and integrated with its earthly body that any transition will not be made until that body ceases functioning -- until death occurs.. That being the case, why do you so ardently desire that the soul of Terri Schiavo spend five, ten, perhaps 30 years or more trapped in a useless and non-functioning body, unable to move on to whatever reward awaits her? Isn’t 15 years enough?
Where do your concerns truly lie, with the eternal soul of Terri Schiavo, or with her earthly body?
Let her go home. We can only commend her spirit among the angels for the journey.
Sadly, those who damn the judges and politicians and those of us who wish her spirit to move on are going to fracture the fragile fabric of the conservative wing of the GOP. In their zeal to ignore the rule of law and the Constitutional process, they are sliding down the slippery slope of anarchy toward mob rule.
This is a land of laws, not men. And the political problems that are surfacing -- on both sides -- point toward the deterioration of our constitutional republic. Are you ready for that? Are you ready for that will mean in the future?
I weep for Terri Schiavo today. But I fear for more tears in our future, thanks to those who would wad up the Constitutional protections and freedoms wrought by the notion of ignoring the rule of law, simply because those in power didn't get their way.
Why the rush to kill her before all the questions were answered? There are some doctors who believe she could have improved given therapy. How will we know now? We're supposed to believe Michael just wanted a dignified death when he wouldn't even let them brush her teeth so they wouldn't rot out?
There are thousands of people in this country in worse shape across this country. Christopher Reeve couldn't breathe on his own but I don't remember anyone calling for the state to remove his breathing tube.
I know Terri is heading for a better place, I'm not so sure our country is heading toward that same place.
Every example Christ gave us when he was attending to a sick or handicapped person was that of healing, comfort, love and prayer. I do not know of one incident when Christ recommeded starvation so that the afflicted could "go home."
Ah, a voice of reason, well said.
It's been really spooky on FR reading the calls for vigilante actions by Gov. and Pres. Bush.
Let Terri go home.
good points
Thanks Mike!!
I being a Christian have struggled with this and decided pretty much the same as you. I'm glad you took the time to put it in print.
RB<><
I think Jeb would have gone in had the legislature said "we'll back you up". people need to realize the scenario that plays out if you do this. I think he has the authority, but Greer would immediately have him in contempt and in violation ofa court order, and probably ask someone to bring him up on kidnapping. with the fl sc being on his side, Jeb would have had to have a lot of other ducks going. He's haave to somehow prevent his own arrest, be able to guard Terri, and probably have to have his brother agree to send in federal troops as well,a nd have the legislature back him up with any new law. Given the Senate vote, the fl SC, there is only so much Jeb could do without turning the state into a civil war. Is that what people really want? I hate to ask this, but I know her parents are emotional, but is that really what Terri would want? There is a purpose in all of this--it is HOly Week after alll--and I dont know what that is, but as someone who has been as passionate of defender of Terri as any (arguing with some on here even), asking Jeb to start a civil war is over the top. It's not like he didn't explore the options.
I guarantee you Jeb Bush will be one of the first to cry when Terri passes. And right now he's wishing he could do more. He's explored every avenue, as has Terri's parents. It's awful what is going on, and I"m frustrated too. But scorn should be directed at the FL Senate, judges, etc, not Jeb Bush. Jeb Bush is the last person anyone should scorn.
What if you're wrong. Because no one can say for sure, because there is room for debate absent newer tests that could better determine her condition; tests that have been denied for a decade, Terri Schiavo should not be starved and dehydrated to death.
Frankly, the thing about this that I find so troubling is not so much the question of whether Terri's better off dead or alive, but rather where does it leave the law? To me, the judge moulded the law and the facts to a point that they are not accurate so that he could reach the conclusion that he wanted, which was that Terri should be euthanized.
That is not the prerogative of a judge, and is not intellectually honest. It would have been much better if this decision had been made by the legislature, not by a judge, who is only supposed to uphold the law, not change it. While they were at it, they could have found a better way to do it other than by starving her to death.
In addition, this decision invites a slippery slope. Even if 80% of the people think this was the correct result, I sympathize with the 20% who protest this action on moral grounds, and are determined that if the 80% want to take us down this slippery slope to euthanasia, then they are going to have to deal with civil disobedience. Maybe the prospect of unending protests over this kind of thing will make the other 80% rethink the idea of whether euthanasia should be made a commonplace part of American life.
People who don't know what the rule of law IS....this is what pushes our country further and further down the slippery slope!
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[T]he laws of nature . . . of course presupposes the existence of a God, the moral ruler of the universe, and a rule of right and wrong, of just and unjust, binding upon man, preceding all institutions of human society and government.
John Quincy Adams
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The law of nature, “which, being coeval with mankind and dictated by God Himself, is, of course, superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times. No human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this.”
Alexander Hamilton, Signer of the Constitution
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The “law of nature” is a rule of conduct arising out of the natural relations of human beings established by the Creator and existing prior to any positive precept. . . . [These] have been established by the Creator, and are, with a peculiar felicity of expression, denominated in Scripture, “ordinances of heaven.”
Noah Webster, Judge and Legislator
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The PEOPLE, or 'natural persons', are supposed to follow God's law (natural law), and the government is supposed to follow man's law (positive law)
The people are NOT under the legal, lawful or moral control of the government...... that is what MAKES us a Republic.
Sadly, those who damn the judges and politicians and those of us who wish her spirit to move on are going to fracture the fragile fabric of the conservative wing of the GOP.
If it's THAT fragile (and ignorant), does it deserve to survive?
Absolutely.
Do you believe that the reward for a life well spent on this earth is a life with God in heaven after you die?
No, because Jesus expressly said otherwise. In John 3:16, 8:24, and 14:6, He stipulated belief in Himself as mankind's only Savior as the prerequisite for salvation.
Boortz's pop theology notwithstanding, I trust Terri has forged that personal connection with her Lord, of Whom the Bible states, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
Please don't get me wrong - I pray that God's wisdom will flow over all involved here, both in Florida and all over the nation. I pray that God's will be done with Terri, whether that be to remain alive or to be commended to heaven. And I pray that something good comes of this entire affair for all, whether it be for other laws to be enacted or changed, or if it's for increased knowledge, wisdom and faith for all.
I'm not evil. None of us on FR who are here on this side of the divide are evil. Please don't paint us as such.
The system worked the way it was supposed to work. As the law stands now, Michael has the power to determine what happens to her. I don't agree with it, but it's the law.
What I fail to understand, however, is why Michael is so intent on letting her die. It seems very selfish on his part. If so many people want to keep her alive, why not? What's it hurting him? He doesn't have to do anything for or with her. He can stipulate that--just say okay, she can live, but don't expect me to have anything to do with her from here on out. Her family would respect that, I believe. I believe he just doesn't want to bear the guilt of having her live, yet ignoring her. Much easier to get her out of the way -- no guilt anymore.
ping!
"Jesus awaits Terri Schiavo at the gates of heaven with open arms."
This will be true of any Christian who is murdered at the hands of the state.
I haven't been very conflicted over this, ever.
Nobody knows that part of it, neither you nor I.
He could just as equally be urging us to KEEP UP THE BATTLE, too.
Until all options are gone, we keep fighting, and we err on the side of LIFE.
Respectfully, but in disagreement,
No mere man has ever seen, heard or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.
1 Corinthians 2:9
Let her go home. We can only commend her spirit among the angels for the journey.
I couldn't have said it better. Thanks for the post.
i totally agree about Jeb and the President. i think they are grieving this as hard as just about anyone could, and tortured more so by their inability to do anything to save her. that being said, i disagree vehemently with what is being done (and NOT done) to her. it will be wonderful at the end of life to go and be with God, far preferable to this earthly toil, but that doesn't mean we need to decide to do it now. OTHERS are deciding that it is time for terri to go and be with God, in this instance.
JEb expressed the same bewilderment you are. It's all very strange, sick, and sad.
I hope people don't give up on "Terri's fight" when she passes. I hope people turn this inot a nationwide, state by state effort, to chnage laws in this regard.
I hope there are 50 Terri's laws. I hope that Michael Schiavo has to read int he paper each morning how this state or that state has adopted a Terri's law. I want to see her honored by having her fight continue for the right to life of all humans--unborn, disabled, etc. We have have lost the fight for her, but her battle is truly not lost, at least to me.
If God wanted Terri to die He would have taken her when this first happened. God doesn't do anything half way, and this is a killing here.
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