Posted on 04/02/2005 3:13:24 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
McMINNVILLE, Ore. (BP)--There are so many things troubling about the case of Terri Schiavo that time and space do not allow for the examination of them all. Suffice it to say that that the consequences of Terri’s demise, both intended and unintended, will be far-reaching.
One disturbing aspect of her situation is the absolute contempt for the sanctity of marriage and the vows that establish that unique relationship.
Traditional marriage vows include some version of the following: For better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness, in health; as long as we both shall live, I pledge myself to you.
Unless Michael Schiavo’s vows included some provision for unfaithfulness in the event his wife could no longer fulfill his needs, intimate or otherwise, he had been committing adultery for some time -– even fathering two children out of wedlock.
The fact that Florida Judge George Greer ignored Michael Schiavo’s admitted adultery and allowed him to remain as Terri’s legal guardian is unconscionable. How can a man who is so cavalier about his marriage vows be trusted to act in the best interest of his so-called wife?
Media reports constantly intoned that Michael was Terri’s husband. As an aside, some mentioned that he was living with another woman. A few indicated the relationship had resulted in children. However, a conflict of interest was never even suggested.
It seems that the promises made to another person and before witnesses –- not to mention before God for those who believe marriage is sacred -– meant absolutely nothing. As soon as they were uttered they were forgotten.
Since Michael Schiavo felt justified in his adultery because his wife was incapacitated, should a spouse now feel comfortable to follow his lead if a husband or wife becomes a quadriplegic or is stricken with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease)?
While the sanctity of life received a blow in the Terri Schiavo case, so did the sanctity of marriage. And both were already in a fragile state.
Another disturbing aspect of Terri’s case has yet to occur. It is the book deal that Michael Schiavo is sure to sign.
Of course, we will be told his motives for writing a book are not financial. No, he will be doing it to help the thousands of people who are facing their own right-to-die scenarios.
Timing will be very important. If Schiavo inks the deal too soon, he will come off looking like he is calloused and uncaring. However, if he waits too long, he risks losing the momentum of publicity. Life is tough when trying to capitalize on your brain-damaged wife’s induced starvation.
But the book will be nothing new.
In 1920, “The Permission to Destroy Life Unworthy of Life,” was published in Germany. It was a treatise that outlined the legal rationale for allowing “death assistance.” It asserted that those who suffered from brain damage or mental retardation were already in a state of “mental death.”
The book’s authors, Karl Binding and Alfred Hoche, argued that seriously ill patients should be allowed to give their consent to euthanasia. In the case of those unable to consent, a three-person panel should be allowed to make the decision.
Binding and Hoche emphasized the economic burden on society of keeping the “hopelessly ill” and institutionalized alive. The authors argued that euthanasia was the compassionate thing to do for all involved.
“The Permission to Destroy Life Unworthy of Life” provided the foundation for the Nazi philosophy that began with “mercy killing” and eventually led to the Holocaust.
It is troubling that even though Michael Schiavo had total disregard for his marriage vows, he was still allowed to act as Terri’s legal guardian. What is even more troubling is that he could profit from her death.
Terri’s demise and the manner in which it occurred have opened a Pandora’s Box that will be difficult, perhaps impossible, to close. And the consequences, intended as well as unintended, will be far-reaching, perhaps even more than many Americans can even imagine.
Hino's three-person panel was made up of hino, Felos, and Greer. Terri had no panel. Terri had no voice. Terri had no attorney ad litem.
In Terri's case, it seems like a lot of damage came from one source - an incompetent judge named Greer.
Schiavo took his wife for better or best.
But the fact that Michael's wife was ill makes his cheating unique and deserving of special punishment ... well, the author lost me there.
unfaithful ones.
Top Neurologist's Report on Terri Released: (snip)
newsmax.com
"Spinal Exam: The patient's exam from a spinal perspective is abnormal. The degree of limitation of range of motion, and of spasms in her neck, is consistent with a neck injury. The abnormal sensory exam, that shows evidence of her hypoxic encephalopathic strokes (right side sensory responses are different from left) also suggests a spinal cord injury at around the level of C4. Her physical exam and videotapes also suggest a spinal cord injury is also present, as she has much better control over he face, head, and neck, than over her arms and legs. This reminds one of a person with a spinal cord injury who has good facial control, but poor use of arms and legs. It is possible that a correctable spinal abnormality such as a herniated disk may be found that could be treated and result in better neurological functioning. This should be looked for, as may be treatable. Thus, there may be an injured disk or spinal cord; the disk injury is more treatable, the spinal cord injury, if present without a disk injury, may be more difficult to treat. A person with a spinal cord injury and hypoxic encephalopathy will need different treatment and rehab recommendations than one who just has a hypoxic encephalopathic.
Interestingly, I have seen this pattern of mixed brain (cerebral) and spinal cord findings in a patient once before, a patient who was asphyxiated."
TERRI SUFFERED A SPINAL INJURY! WE WANT TO KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED.
Great article. I too can't believe how this man, who clearly violated his marriage vows, was able to convince so many that he was a "devoted husband". And as the author mentions, the media were pretty much silent on the fact that he had a common-law wife and two children, which is why I think the opinion polls tended to favor his postion. This fact should have rendered his marital status (and guardianship over Terri) void.
Facts:
1) Terri was ruled mentally incompetant by the courts.
2) Michael Schiavo was appointed as "legal guardian" for his wife without opposition from his in-laws.
3) Terri's parents encourage Michael to date and actually introduced him to other women.
4) It is generally accepted in the USA that a mentally incompetent person lacks the mental capacity to consent to the marriage and can not consent to marital relations. The Florida Dissolution of Marriage Statute allows for divorce when the spouse alleged to be incompetent has been held by a judge to have been incompetent for a period of at least three years. This was not done.
5) Legal guardian's do not take a vow of chasity.
Could her parents could have sued MS for divorce on behalf of Terry on grounds of adultery?
I don't think he needs to worry about that anymore. It's already quite obvious that he is calloused and uncaring. I wouldn't put it past him to marry his "fiancee" before the end of the month.
And all of a sudden, after so many years of both parties destroying the family by killing husbands with unconstitutional laws, kangaroo courts, and defamations, the preference for romanticist, feminist adultery becomes an issue in the campaign to vilify all husbands by media marathons that go on and on for years about each individual woman victimized by a man.
"It's too late, Baby." "...goose...gander" "...mote...eye...beam...eye."
I see nothing in your comment that would persuade me Terri should have been starved to death.
If I were the parents.. I certainly would file to the Church for Annulment of the marriage from Hell, There is certainly grounds for this on religious reasons.
Actually, I believe there were 5 - 2 from the parents 2 from Felos and 1 from the court (which of course sided with Felos). So .. a 3-2 vote relagated Terri with the stigma of PVS and she was therefore eligible to have her feeding tube removed. The law was stacked against her from the beginning.
No, but spouses do! And...remember the "for better or worse" thing.
Michael should have filed for divorce before he cheated.
But...that would have been the honorable thing to do.
So the marriage vow really means "in sickness, but not too sick?"
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