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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.

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.