[8mmMauser]

Carrie Hutchins in the Dakota Voice today illustrates how polls were used to the advantage of Terri's killers.

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The polls were often sited as the Schiavo case progressed. Pundits, George Felos, Michael Schiavo and pals used poll numbers to claim the American people believed it was acceptable to execute Terri Schiavo in a death by dehydration and starvation. Other polls indicated it was acceptable to remove "life support", without making it clear the so-called "life support" was in fact a mere feeding tube.

Fast forwarding to the Election of 2008, it became quite apparent that polls are faulty. Polls weren't representative of the results in many cases. Pundits seemed bewildered. Some said they were going to have to revisit the reliance upon polls when looking for an accurate prediction of outcome.

Finally, the inaccuracy of polls was utterly apparent to not only the pundits, news staff, candidates and the candidates' staff -- it was apparent to any who were watching as the election events unfolded. Finally, the obvious was made so obvious that no one could ignore it. But sadly, it was three years too late for Terri Schiavo and her family.

Prior to Terri Schiavo's agonizing death by court order, many tried to point out the problem with relying upon polls, but it didn't hit home with those it needed to hit home with. People were becoming comfortable with the judicial order for murder, because the polls were alleging the majority believed it was acceptable to remove Terri from "life support." The irony being, that even after Terri's death, many believed she had been "brain dead" and only kept alive by a respirator. Some said they believed the latter is what she was removed from, because that is what poll questions appeared to be referring to.

Absolute fact is: Terri Schiavo was neither "brain dead" nor on a "respirator."

It is good that the Election of 2008 threw the truth about the unreliability of polls into the face of the world. It's just too bad it didn't become so apparent in the Election of 2004. Had it, Terri Schiavo might still be alive today and still proving assumptions to be wrong!

Terri Schiavo Execution Sanctioned by Faulty Polls?

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[8mmMauser]

HARRIET McBRYDE JOHNSON

Farewell to a friend of Terri...

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Attorney spoke out for disabled

CHARLESTON — Harriet McBryde Johnson, a civil and disability rights attorney who drew national attention by protesting the annual Jerry Lewis muscular dystrophy telethon, has died. She was 50.

Johnson, who suffered from congenital neuromuscular disease, died in her sleep early Wednesday. The cause of death has not been determined, said her father, David D. Johnson.

Harriet McBryde Johnson, who handled cases for the poor and working class, protested the telethon for almost 20 years, objecting to what she called the show’s “charity mentality” and “pity-based tactics.”

She wrote in her 2005 memoir, “Too Late to Die Young,” that the telethon first sent her the message that her neuromuscular disease eventually would kill her.

At the same time, Johnson was a passionate and articulate voice for the humanity of people with disabilities — arguing, for example, that government officials were correct to get involved in the case of Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman who became the focus of debate over whether she should be kept alive despite severe brain damage.

South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal told The Post and Courier of Charleston that Johnson was a fierce advocate for the disabled. Toal said she was heartbroken when she heard of Johnson’s death.

“The world is a poorer place,” Toal said.

HARRIET McBRYDE JOHNSON

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[wagglebee]

Other polls indicated it was acceptable to remove "life support", without making it clear the so-called "life support" was in fact a mere feeding tube.

The deathbots don't seem to care that food and water is "life support" for ALL of us.

[Lesforlife]

We will never forget!!!

LET LAUREN LIVE!!

[Dante3]

Needs repeating - Terri was not “brain dead” or on a “respirataor.” (Recently I had one person tell me that._

[floriduh voter]

LOTS OF PRESIDENTS have met w/Billy Graham. If Juan McCain refsed to meet with Billy Graham, he's just making things worse for himself.

McCain camp says the reports are bogus and they've been talking to BG for a month.