Danger Zone - (Haleigh Poutre)

National Review ^ | February 01, 2006 | Wesley J, Smith

[Ohioan from Florida]

In the court (and courts) of life and death, a little 11-year-old Massachusetts girl named Haleigh Poutre could be the next Terri Schiavo. For those who have not heard the tragic story, Haleigh was beaten nearly to death last September, allegedly by her adoptive mother and stepfather. The beating left her unconscious and barely clinging to life.

Within a week or so of the beating, her doctors had written her off. They apparently told Haleigh's court-appointed guardian, Harry Spence, that she was "virtually brain dead." Even though he had never visited her, Spence quickly went to court seeking permission to remove her respirator and feeding tube. The court agreed, a decision affirmed recently by the supreme court of Massachusetts.

And so, no doubt with the best of intentions, a little girl who had already suffered so much was stripped by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of even the chance to fight to stay alive. If she didn't stop breathing when the respirator was removed, which doctors expected, she would slowly dehydrate to death.

Close Call

Then came the unexpected:

[floriduh voter]

trolling today?

[floriduh voter]

It appears Senator Mel Martinez is a new member of the culture of death. Shame on him. And, I bet he's Catholic too. Bay news nine interviewed him this morning but the interview was by St. Pete Times' Adam Smith. Notice who links it here, a sleeper troll.

[Loud Mime]

Chuck Asay is a great cartoonist. I once had a sit-down and tea with him....before he got to the big-time! His knowledge of political events, history, and his calm logic is impressive.

[pickyourpoison]

Martinez won't get my vote next time. I don't like wishy-washy Rinos

[quentin]

trolling today?

I'm new here. May I ask how linking another FR thread constitutes "trolling"? Thanks in advance.

[Coleus]

E-2.20 Withholding or Withdrawing Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment.

 

Wesley J. Smith, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, is an attorney and consultant for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide and a special consultant to the Center for Bioethics and Culture. He is an international lecturer and public speaker, appearing at political, university, medical, legal, bioethics, and community gatherings across the United States, Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Australia.

In May 2004, National Journal named Smith one of the nation's top expert thinkers in bioengineering because of his work in bioethics.

Attorney Wesley J. Smith is the author or co/author of 10 books. His most recent book Consumer's Guide to a Brave New World, ponders the dangers and potential benefits of human cloning, stem cell therapies, and genetic engineering. Among his other books are Culture of Death: The Assault on Medical Ethics in America, Power Over Pain: How to Get the Pain Control You Need, and Forced Exit: the Slippery Slope from Assisted Suicide to Legalized Murder. He is currently conducting research for a book he will write on the animal rights/liberation movement.

Wesley J Smith's writing and opinion columns have appeared in such national and regional news publications as Newsweek, the New York Times, the Weekly Standard magazine, National Review, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the New York Post, First Things, Forbes magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Detroit News among many others. Smith has appeared internationally on the electronic media, including such programs as CNN Crossfire, Larry King Live, Good Morning America, Nightline, and the Sunday Program on BBC 4 radio. Wesley J. Smith is on the advisory board of the Catholic Educator's Resource Center.

[cgk]

:) It's one of my favorites - and gets LOTS of comments when I post it.

[cgk]

I love his work; he's one cartoonist whose work I constantly read. And my tagline on this thread ("I don't see myself as a conservative. I see myself as a religious, right-wing, wacko extremist.") was a paraphrase of something he said in an interview. Unfortunately, I couldn't fit his name in there as well, but I always give him credit for it. :)

[floriduh voter]

Planting a story from a left wing newspaper who wanted Terri Schiavo DEAD is something a troll would do. The republicans who now say Terri's murder was a good idea are in league with the ACLU. There is no united republican party any more. There's a serious split between the left wing republicans and the rest of us.

Anybody here want Judge Greer to starve and dehydrate you to death?

crickets chirping

Freepers, the ACLU helped Florida murder Terri. When will you ever learn?????

[Sun]

"Freepers, the ACLU helped Florida murder Terri. When will you ever learn?????"

George Felos was an ACLU lawyer, and a pro-euthanasia activist.

http://www.sunbiz.org/corpweb/inquiry/corinam.html

"The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast"

felos 1st appears on the annual report 1997
In 2001 he is deleted, being replaced by Clarence Welch

"The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" has kept this information largely out of the public eye, but an investigation of the Hospice's annual reports reveals a new twist in the case of Terri Schiavo: George J. Felos was the official but unseen hand of the Hospice - and he advocates death for those in his care.

http://becki-snow.blogspot.com/

[quentin]

I beg your pardon. I did not realize that the St. Petersburg Times is a "left wing newspaper who wanted Terri Schiavo DEAD", or that posting an article for discussion was considered "planting" or "trolling". Am I mistaken in believing that (posting an article for discussion) is what the forum is for? Any help you can give a newbie is appreciated. 8)

[floriduh voter]

newbie, this is a conservative web site.

[8mmMauser]

Hi, quentin welcome to FR.

Here is what we mean by trolling. Our threads on Terri are a magnet for the trolls who come on fairly regularly with the singular attempt to disrupt our discussions. They have a very predictable behavior, so are easily recognized.

They tend to be newbies.

They tend to come on to the Terri threads with negative comments, baiting comments, or provocations. Easy for us to spot, they never add anything to discussions, are negative from the very first post.

They tend to come on board running, already up to speed on how to post, and following similar patterns to the "seminar" callers on Rush Limbaugh, i.e. I am a long term Republican, but.........

I noticed in your posts elsewhere you are disabled and that being the case, you should find plenty of compatriots here. Also, you reflected an interest in "right to die". Once again, you can find people who will reflect your interests. What we are about amongst other things is the atrocity of State Sponsored Bioethicking and those who support it.

The post you reference has been deleted.

Hope this helps.

Welcome to the Terri February Dailies.

[quentin]

Thank you for your comments. I have some considering to do.

[quentin]

newbie, this is a conservative web site.

I'm sorry; I don't see how this pertains to my post to you. Could you please elaborate? Thanks. 8)

[Pepper777]

Wesley J Smith is one of my favorite authors. Thank you for the very informative post on Mr Smith.

[bjs1779]

"On the face, noxious stimulation including cotton swab up the nose and gag sensation and papillary touch with cotton evidenced a pain response. These were more than just reflexes, as she appeared to be annoyed by these painful responses long after they had stopped, and would not smile at me again for the rest of the day."

The video evidence that we have seems to support Dr. Hammesfahr's testimony that you have provided.

Dr. Hammesfhar's Swab Test Video

[Ohioan from Florida]

Every time I see videos of Terri, I marvel at the stupidity of some who continue to say that she was brain dead. Thanks for pinging me!

[Ohioan from Florida]

I suppose I didn't properly welcome you to FR on a different thread when I responded recently.

Welcome to Free Republic!