Replies

You do have to agree that Michael Schiavo is a sadistic person and that that Terri was denied due process and killed in a barbaric way. Whatever Terri's condition, a mother was not allowed to put water on the lips of her dying child - that is horrific.

I recommend Martin Katz's article in "The American Thinker," March 29, 2005. It was also posted here on FR.

"You do have to agree that Michael Schiavo is a sadistic person and that that Terri was denied due process and killed in a barbaric way. Whatever Terri's condition, a mother was not allowed to put water on the lips of her dying child - that is horrific. I recommend Martin Katz's article in "The American Thinker," March 29, 2005. It was also posted here on FR."

Thank you for your civil words.

I am not sure I do agree that Mr. Schiavo is sadistic. My take on him is that he was truly trying to do what he thought his wife wanted. I do, however agree with you that allowing Mrs. Schiavo's body to expire over such a long, drawn-out period was not in anybody's best interest. This was not Mr. Schiavo's doing, though; he did not make the laws which prevent true euthanasia (="good death") from being practiced in this country, other than in the state of Oregon.

It is my understanding that the reason no one was allowed to give ice chips, water, etc. to Mrs. Schiavo was that there was a very real risk of aspiration, which would have caused a death much more unpleasant than that which she ultimately underwent. This was not by Mr. Schiavo's order, nor even by judicial order, but a medical order written by a doctor.

Somewhere along the way I read a copy of the medical orders for Mrs. Schiavo's care once the tube was removed--I can try to find it if you like--and included were specific instructions to keep her lips moistened and to put lotion on her skin. These things were to be done by the nursing staff so that no one would inadvertently injure Mrs. Schiavo in her weakened state. The reports of bleeding eyes and flaking skin were simply not true, so far as I can ascertain. I hope that eases your mind some.

Again I thank you for your courtesy, and I wish you peace.
Clyffe