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:

[T'wit]

My comment may likewise have been just the teensiest bit tongue-in-cheek :-) :-)

[floriduh voter]

Don't despair about Tom Delay. He's on the Justice Committee now. The other evening at a banquet for Bob Novak, Tom Delay mentioned judicial tyranny again. He's on Justice and another committee like appropriations. If he's on the appropriations committee, maybe he'll cut off funds to Florida's death lobby and court system.

[BykrBayb]

The Saint Petersburg Times hammered away with their lies, pushing for the murder of Terri. Their lies and their left wing bias have been exposed repeatedly.

If you really are interested, go back and read some of their coverage, and compare it to actual medical and legal documents.

They frequently used court rulings as proof that the court rulings represented the evidence, but they deliberately omitted the actual evidence because it was 180° different from the rulings. They even expanded on the court rulings, and made false claims that were even more egregious than the rulings.

They were fully aware of the fact that Terri was alive and responsive, yet they reported that she wasn't. They knew that Michael had testified in court that Terri wanted to be rehabilitated, but they deliberately omitted that. They knew that his later testimony was suspect, but they omitted that. They knew that his suspect testimony, even if true, did not constitute a statement by Terri that she would want to be killed, but they lied. They knew that every doctor that testified about her condition, testified that to her condition being above the legal requirement for a ruling of PVS, but they lied about that.

The Saint Petersburg Times suppressed facts, and lied repeatedly. Some of their readers accepted the lies because it supported their own agenda. Some of their readers accepted the lies because they just didn't want to know that the world isn't as they pictured it. Most of the world saw through the lies, and opposed the murder of Terri.

We predicted that if the government was allowed to carry out the murder of Terri, it would set a precedent that would allow for the escalation of the extermination of disabled people. We were right.

This isn't about the right to commit suicide. Terri was not suicidal, nor were any of the long list of victims and intended victims that we have been fighting for. Most people, disabled or not, are not suicidal. Yet there is much propaganda from The Saint Petersburg Times and others, attributing suicidal tendencies to all disabled people.

Those who supported killing Terri, portrayed her as a pitiful, subhuman creature. They separated the beautiful, vibrant pre-injured Terri, from the disgusting creature they saw after her injuries. They "respected" the pre-injured Terri by disrespecting the injured Terri. Some of them even participated in a game called "Do The Schiavo," where they mocked her unmercifully. Those who supported allowing her to live out her natural life saw her for the beautiful woman she was throughout her life. The Saint Petersburg Times played to the "Do The Schiavo" crowd.

[BykrBayb]

Not only was the audio turned off, but greer was blind, so he couldn't see the video. The one piece of evidence that made all of the other "evidence" inconsequential, and the fake judge never saw or heard it. The whole case could have been decided on that one piece of evidence. There was other evidence that supported it, and "evidence" that contradicted it, and the case could have been decided fairly without it. But if you were to pick one piece of evidence that would reveal everything you needed to know about the case, the audio/video would be it.

That's like putting someone on trial for murdering his family when there is audio/video from the home security system showing the intruders committing the crime, and the accused begging for the lives of his family; but the jury never hears or sees the audio/video. Add to that the fact that all of the other evidence points to his innocence, but the jury finds him guilty anyway, and the judge lies about the evidence in his ruling. Then they spend the next decade or so shuffling papers and calling it due process. Then they execute the prisoner, pat each other on the back, and go home.

[DadsGirl]

"Senate soul sale soon on eBay."

How can one sell what has already been sold....?

[BykrBayb]

Statement by the founder of Free Republic explains in Jim's own words where Free Republic stands. Welcome aboard, and happy Freeping.

[quentin]

Thank you for taking the time to post to me. I read quite a bit of the St. Petersburg Times coverage last year, and I also read all of the trial transcripts and court documents I could get my hands (eyes) on. I must say, I did not get the same impression of them that you have. May I ask if you are affiliated with that paper in some way? I only ask because you wrote a good deal about what they (SPT) knew and what they published. I would be very interested in how you came by that knowledge. Of course, if you are uncomfortable with my question, please overlook it, and forgive me.

I understand that Mrs. Schiavo was not suicidal. Of course, in her state, she was unable to experience desires of any kind save the most primitive, brainstem sort. But not wishing to have your life extended unnecessarily is a far cry from being actively suicidal--and I'm speaking from experience here. Sadly, I believe you are wrong about the incidence of suicidal ideation in disabled people. I think most of us (disabled folks), at one time or other, are actively suicidal. I certainly have been.

I surmise that you and I do not see the Terri Schiavo case in quite the same light, but I appreciate your civil tone and willingness to discuss.

[BykrBayb]

bumping the recent photos of Scott, and the link to updates.

http://scottsfight.com/Scott's%20News.htm

[BykrBayb]

I'm not affiliated with SPT. They obtained court records, and misreported the contents of those records.

Allowing Terri to live out the natural course of her life would not have required extending it artificially. Food and water is not artificial. There are a handful of people who claim it is, but Terri was not among them. Feeding tubes are not recent inventions. They've been in use, in one form or another, for hundreds of years. Terri was put on a feeding tube and made dependant on it, but with proper therapy, she could have continued to eat and drink orally.

Since your own disablity gives you a different perspective on "right-to-die" issues than most of us, do you mind if I ask you to elaborate on that perspective? Most of us assume a patient wants to live, unless they express otherwise. You seem to be expressing the assumption that most severely disabled patients would prefer to die, unless they clearly and convincely state otherwise. Is this based on your own experience, and conversations you've had with others? The conversations I've had with disabled people, their family, and friends have left me with the impression that almost none of them wants to be euthanized. They wish they were healthy, sometimes get depressed, and occasionally question whether suicide is the answer before quickly answering with a resounding "No." I suppose if those conversations had been limited to patients currently suffering from depression, the attitudes would be different.

If you've read the available court transcripts, then you know there was never so much as an allegation that Terri would rather be killed than live with a disability. She's alleged to have said that she wouldn't want to be in that situation, but that's really not the same thing, is it? I don't know of anyone who would rather be sick than healthy. I take that back. I do know two hypochondriacs, but even they don't take it to that level. There was never any evidence that Terri wanted to be starved and dehydrated to death, and denied visits from those who loved her. There was very strong evidence to the contrary, including the testimony of Michael Schiavo. He testified that he wanted to become a nurse so that he could fulfill his vow to take care of her for the rest of his life. Why would she want him to make such a vow if she didn't want him to keep it?

[quentin]

Since your own disablity gives you a different perspective on "right-to-die" issues than most of us, do you mind if I ask you to elaborate on that perspective? Most of us assume a patient wants to live, unless they express otherwise. You seem to be expressing the assumption that most severely disabled patients would prefer to die, unless they clearly and convincely state otherwise. Is this based on your own experience, and conversations you've had with others?

Yes, it has been my experience that most disabled people would rather be let go if they should go into crisis and a decision has to be made whether or not to bring them back. Most people I have talked to have clear and emphatic DNR orders prepared. Speaking only for myself, I would be absolutely furious if someone--no matter how well-meaning--were to try to circumvent my wishes. Neither my wife nor our children would do so, but my family of origin would. My wife has sworn to block my mother, sister, and brothers should such an occasion arise.

Here's the thing: my disability causes me to be powerless in many areas of my life. I absolutely refuse to give up the power to make my own end-of-life decisions.

I think what you and I have in common is that we would both have wished for Terri Schiavo's power not to have been taken away from her. We merely differ in how we interpret the circumstances of the case and in who we believe to have stolen her power.

[floriduh voter]

Michael Reagan, son of the greatest American President knew that Terri Schiavo was to be killed by JUDICIAL MURDER.

http://www.blogicus.com/archives/michael_reagan_and_legalized_murder.php

This is a very good summation of what happened in the seediest, most corrupt county in the United States, the real capital of the U.S., Judge Greer's Courtroom.

[DadsGirl]

I wonder why you project your desires on Ms. Schiavo. I understand people who want to have some power over their lives and see that as a position of strength, but why do you assume that was her position? You assume that others actually have power over their lives. Those who are wise understand that power is an illusion, and some of us even see the realization of powerlessness as an incredible blessing...

However, I find it interesting that you assume that she would want exactly what you now think you want.

[T'wit]

Be glad you have a chance to make your wishes known. Terri Schiavo got no chance to speak for herself. The decision to end her life was made by her husband and his lawyers, who, not so incidentally, paid themselves half a million dollars out of funds held in trust for Terri's therapy and rehab.

[bjs1779]

Of course, in her state, she was unable to experience desires of any kind save the most primitive, brainstem sort.

Of course, that is just your opinion and I presume the SPT's formed that opinion for you. Correct? Also, as long as you read all of the court records too, why didn't Michael have to file his guardianship reports? That should get us started.

[T'wit]

You may wish to check this site for a general viewpoint in the disabled community, which is clearly at odds with your own.

disabled fight forced euthanasia

At least 25 of the country's top disability organizations were very active in protesting the judicial execution of Terri Schiavo. They all drew the obvious conclusion that if Terri could be put to death for her disability, so could they. Others here will have more information about these efforts than I, and you can find scores of informational links at this site.

[bjs1779]

They all drew the obvious conclusion that if Terri could be put to death for her disability, so could they.

In other words, the poster represents the disabled in his own mind.

[T'wit]

The poster will have to address that. I cannot speak for him.

Individuals do differ on these issues. Nonetheless, it was striking how much the Left and Right came together to support Terri. How many times will you see Jesse Jackson, Nat Hentoff of the Village Voice, Harriet McBryde Johnson at Slate and leftist attorney Gloria Allred unite, issue-wise, with Tom Delay, George Bush, Pope John Paul II and Free Republic?

God bless all of them! Hentoff and Johnson were particularly eloquent. But so were the Freepers :-)

[Dante3]

Well stated.

[T'wit]

Why Schiavo Case Worries the Disabled

[bjs1779]

I think most of us (disabled folks), at one time or other, are actively suicidal. I certainly have been. --quentin

The poster will have to address that. I cannot speak for him.----T'wit

I think he already did.