Freepers call to action re. Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Make a complaint against Judge Greer:

Various ^ | August 28, 2003

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Freepers, we may be able to help Terri:

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I made some phone calls today and have the ULTIMATE PHONE CALL for registering a Complaint against Judge Greer. I can't reveal my sources but this is the phone number for a few pay grades above J. Greer.

Call the: Judicial Qualifications Commission at

#1-850-488-1581. I am complaining to them tomorrow that J. Greer isn't God, that he's been in the husband's corner since Day One, he doesn't care a wit about Terri's parents or her husband's attempt at medical neglect, and I'd like to know if Greer can be recalled or impeached.

HE SHOULD HAVE OR COULD HAVE HONORED GOV. BUSH'S REQUEST TO ASSIGN A GUARDIAN AD LITEM to represent Terri's interest instead of once again, taking the side of the husband. Judge Greer is from the Sixth Circuit Court, Pinellas County.

Oh, and ping everybody you can think of.

72 posted on 08/27/2003 5:06 PM EDT by floriduh voter

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From summer:

"..do a separate thread asking people to call this phone number FV provided. This could get a guardian appointed if the judge is tossed off the case for BIAS."

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Background:

8 Jeb Bush intervenes for Schindler-Schiavo -   WND | 8/26

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has asked a judge to delay setting a date for removal of a feeding tube sustaining the life of a brain-disabled woman, Terri Schindler-Schiavo.

In a letter, Bush asked Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George W. Greer yesterday to keep her alive until a court-appointed guardian can "independently investigate the circumstances of this case and provide the court with an unbiased view that considers the best interests of Mrs. Schiavo."

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8 From JEB to FR: Full text of Gov Bush's letter to Judge Greer re: Terri Schiavo. Email from Gov Bush to summer, for FR | 8/27

 ----- Original Message -----
From: [Governor Bush's office]
To: [summer's email]
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 8:06 AM
Subject: Letter regarding Terri Schiavo

> August 26, 2003

> The Honorable George W. Greer
> Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit
> 315 Court Street, Room 484
> Clearwater, Florida 33756

Dear Judge Greer:

> I appreciate the challenging legal and ethical issues before you in the case > of Terri Schiavo. As I have expressed over the course of the past several > weeks, our system of government has committed these decisions to the > judicial branch, and we must respect that process. Consistent with this > principle, I normally would not address a letter to a judge in a pending > legal proceeding. However, my office has received over 27,000 emails > reflecting understandable concern for the well being of Terri Schiavo. > Given that there is no procedural avenue available for these views to be > expressed to you in the normal course of the proceedings, I feel compelled > to write in the hopes that you will give serious consideration to > re-appointment of a guardian ad litem for Mrs. Schiavo before permitting the > removal of her feeding tube or other actions calculated to end her life.

> This case represents the disturbing result of a severe family disagreement > in extremely trying circumstances. Emotions are high, accusations abound, > and at the heart of this public and private maelstrom is a young woman > incapable of speaking for herself.

> I am disturbed by new rumors about the guardian's actions related to the > current care of Mrs. Schiavo. It has come to my attention that Mrs. Schiavo > has contracted a life threatening illness, and that she may be denied > appropriate treatment. If true, this indicates a decision by her caregivers > to initiate an "exit protocol" that may include withholding treatment from > Mrs. Schiavo until her death, which would render this Court's ultimate > decision moot. While the issue of Mrs. Schiavo's care is still before the > Court, I urge you to ensure that no act of omission or commission be allowed > to adversely affect Mrs. Schiavo's health before the September 11th hearing > you have set. No one involved should be permitted to circumvent due process > or the Court's authority in order to achieve personal objectives in this > case.

> Even discounting these rumors, there are a number of factual disputes > regarding Mrs. Schiavo's medical condition, past and current care and > therapy, and her prognosis. Given the contradictory positions of her > guardian and other family members, I respectfully ask that you re-appoint a > qualified guardian ad litem to independently investigate the circumstances > of this case, and provide the Court an unbiased view that considers only the > best interests of Mrs. Schiavo.

> It is a fine balance between Mrs. Schiavo's right to privacy and her right > to life, both of which are co-equal in our Constitution. To err on one side > is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her wishes, and continue the > debate. To err on the other is an irrevocable act that affords no > remediation. I respectfully ask that you give Mrs. Schiavo's family the > opportunity to present any new evidence as to her wishes. Evidence as to > her wishes should be reweighed as often as necessary to take into account > the effect of any new evidence, that is, to determine whether "clear and > convincing evidence" still exists that Mrs. Schiavo would now choose > withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures. While this process may delay the > surrogate's exercise of Mrs. Schiavo's privacy rights, it is necessary to > avoid denying her right to life. I urge you to err on the side of > conservative judgment to ensure that all facts can be uncovered and > considered before her life is terminated.

> I appreciate your compassion for Mrs. Schiavo's plight, and that of the > family members locked in dispute in these tragic circumstances. In light of > the ongoing contention related to so many issues in this case, I hope you > will consider appointing a guardian ad litem to ensure that the ultimate > decision is based on facts presented clearly, unclouded and uncolored by > personal interests of litigants.

> Sincerely,

> Jeb Bush

> cc: Patricia Fields Anderson, Esq.
> George J. Felos, Esq.

---

(WND article excerpts, cont.:) "On Friday, the Florida Supreme Court refused to intervene in the case, clearing the way for a Sept. 11 hearing in which Greer would set a date for removal of the feeding tube.

Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler of Gulf Port, Fla., have been locked in a decade-long legal battle with their son-in-law over the care and custody of their daughter, who suffered massive brain damage when she collapsed at her home 13 years ago under unexplained circumstances at the age of 26.

***The bitter dispute over Terri's lack of care became a major euthanasia battle five years ago when her husband Michael Schiavo petitioned the court for permission to have her feeding tube removed, claiming she is in a persistent vegetative state and would not want to be kept alive "artificially." The Schindlers and a number of doctors and therapists believe she could be rehabilitated, but the courts have consistently sided with Schiavo and his lawyer, right-to-die advocate George Felos.

~~~~

The article is on CNSNews.com.

Florida Judge Rejects Governor's Bid to Help Terri Schiavo
By Jeff Johnson
CNSNews.com Congressional Bureau Chief
August 27, 2003

Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - Florida Circuit Judge George Greer Tuesday rejected a plea from Governor Jeb Bush to appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of Terri Schindler Schiavo, a 39-year-old disabled woman who suffered a brain injury in 1990 under questionable circumstances. Bush had intervened Monday after receiving 27,000 email messages asking for his help on Terri's behalf.

"I read [Gov. Bush's letter] because it came from the governor and I respect his position," Greer told the Tampa Tribune. "Beyond that, it is going in the file."

As CNSNews.com previously reported, Bush wrote Greer Monday asking him not to remove the disabled woman's feeding tube until a new guardian ad litem could "independently investigate" her condition. In the letter, Bush referenced the "fine balance between Mrs. Schiavo's right to privacy and her right to life," which Bush noted are co-equal under the Constitution.

"To err on one side is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her wishes and to continue the debate," Bush wrote. "To err on the other is an irrevocable act that affords no remediation."

But Greer told the Associated Press that he no longer has a choice in the matter.

"Frankly, I think I'm operating under a mandate from the 2nd District Court of Appeals," Greer said, "and frankly I don't think I can stray from that mandate."

In that same interview, however, the judge contradicted his own assessment of the limitation on his authority by stating that he was "not inclined" to appoint a guardian ad litem.

Michael Schiavo called Gov. Bush's intervention on behalf of Terri "crazy."

"The governor has deliberately twisted the facts in this case in an apparent effort to kowtow to his right-to-life political supporters," Schiavo told Tampa Tribune reporter David Sommer. "This has nothing to do with him. He should stay out of it."

Schiavo - who, for five years, has been seeking judicial approval to end his wife's life by denying her nutrition and hydration - also accused Terri's parents of manipulating their Catholic faith to keep their daughter alive.

"I believe in God and so did (?) Terri," Schiavo said, speaking of his still living wife in the past tense, "but they are out to push it on people... suddenly they are on a religious kick."

Judge refuses motion for hearing to set 'death date'

Greer also denied a motion Tuesday to hold an immediate hearing to set a date for the removal of Terri's nutrition and hydration tube. The hearing will be held, as previously announced, on Sept. 11. At that hearing, Greer will also rule on whether Schiavo may legally prohibit Terri's priest from visiting her.

Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, had also petitioned the court Monday to prohibit doctors from caring for Terri's current fever, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea and a "substantial infection."

"Given the imminence of the ward's death, further treatment (other than comfort care) for the ward's infection and other medical problems is unnecessary, unwarranted, inappropriate and futile," Felos said in an emergency motion, adding that Terri, "should be put back in hospice and receive comfort care and die in a peaceful setting."

Greer denied that motion, as well.

55 posted on 08/27/2003 5:29 PM EDT by yhwhsman ("Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small..." -Sir Winston Churchill)

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Michael Schiavo is using "privacy" as an excuse for denying Terri every contact from the outside world, even flowers. "One sign of the case's nastiness is the Schindlers' complaint that Schiavo limits their visits with their daughter. They also say he has refused to allow doctors to examine her, refused her antibiotics and needed dental work, refused to replace a broken wheelchair so she could be taken outdoors and refused the delivery of flowers from a friend to her room on her birthday."

"Her teeth are fine; she doesn't eat," Michael Schiavo said. "Why take her to a gynecologist? She was supposed to die months ago. I don't want her room filled with flowers from strangers or right-to-life activists. Even though she is vegetative she has a right to privacy."

17 posted on 08/27/2003 10:14 AM EDT by I still care

***

I thought Gov Bush very eloquently made his case here, in this part:

To err on one side is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her wishes, and continue the debate. To err on the other is an irrevocable act that affords no remediation.

18 posted on 08/27/2003 10:14 AM EDT by summer

***

..this judge is going to look really bad if this part is ignored by the judge:

Even discounting these rumors, there are a number of factual disputes > regarding Mrs. Schiavo's medical condition, past and current care and > therapy, and her prognosis. Given the contradictory positions of her > guardian and other family members

21 posted on 08/27/2003 10:17 AM EDT by summer

***

HE SHOULD HAVE OR COULD HAVE HONORED GOV. BUSH'S REQUEST TO ASSIGN A GUARDIAN AD LITEM to represent Terri's interest instead of once again, taking the side of the husband. Judge Greer is from the Sixth Circuit Court, Pinellas County.

That is one thing that floors me .. This Judge should have long ago appointed an independent Guardian Ad Litem and not left her husband as her sole guardian .. especially since there are questions about her husband with abuse and the fractured bones that were reveled in xrays of Terry.

Everything I have read .. this Judge seems hell bent on having her killed

73 posted on 08/28/2003 2:45 AM EDT by Mo1 (http://www.favewavs.com/wavs/cartoons/spdemocrats.wav)

***

I know that Mr. Schiavo has tried to ban Terri's mother and family and priest from seeing her.

But, I don't know how a court could prevent doctors from ordering therapy, speach therapy (which is often actually swallowing therapy) and most especially oral nutrition.

27 posted on 08/26/2003 7:34 PM EDT by hocndoc (Choice is the # 1 killer in the US)

***

Judge Greer has been with the husband since day one. A guardian ad litem would have been fair for Terri and her parents. Her parents love her but they are treated as the enemy. I'm ashamed this is happening in Pinellas County.

31 posted on 08/26/2003 7:41 PM EDT by floriduh voter

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Judge Greer will not appoint a guardian ad litem. I have phone numbers from the phone book for the Clearwater Courthouse and all the guardianship phone numbers. He husband held a presser today and was very flippant about Jeb's letter and called the emailers a "bunch of right to lifers."

Hubby is looking a little nervous but with a pal like Judge Greer who is no Judge Moore, Terri has until the September 11 hearing to decide the date her starvation begins.

Here are the phone numbers: courthouse - 727-464-3000, guardianship numbers: 727-582-7563, 727-582-7771, and 727-464-8700. We can at least call as friends of Terri and voice our concerns.

25 posted on 08/26/2003 7:34 PM EDT by floriduh voter

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Freepers, please call the Juducial Qualification Commission regarding Judge Greer:  1-850-488-1581.

***

Contact friends, thank those have been fighting on Terri's behalf, including Glenn Beck, Lars Larson, CNS News.com, WND, and Bill O'Reilly.

*** Terri Schindler Schiavo's website - background and news updates: www.terrisfight.org ***

8 Terri Schiavo's website Media Contacts

Governor Jeb Bush (R)
Office of The Governor
Florida Capitol Building, PL-05
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
(850) 488-7146
(850) 488-4441
jeb.bush@myflorida.com

The Honorable(?) George W. Greer
6th Judicial Circuit
315 Court Street, Room 484
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-3933
ggreer@co.pinellas.fl.us

Attorney General Charlie Crist
Office of Attorney General
State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
(850) 487-1963
Fax: (850) 487-2564
ag@oag.state.fl.us

[cpforlife.org]

I am afraid I don't know another way.

They do have a way to communicate on the site with someone. See if that person can help?

[kimmie7]

Thank you!! Me too.

[syriacus]

I'm still looking for a link between Greer, Bushnell, and the Hospice. They are too dirty to begin with, and all decisions have been made in the Hospice/Husband's favor. There is much more to this decision than just Terri, and I feel like the business potential for "processing" people like Terri would be a potential goldmine.

I think you are on to something....

---

What connections does Judge Greer have to the Hospice where he has sent Terri?

It seems that the sister of one of Greer's fellow judges sits on the board of that Hospice, which may have some ethical lapses of its own (diverting non-profit funds to for-profit division)

From: Board members of Hospice of the Florida $uncoast, Martha Lenderman (Chair) (Sister of Judge John Lenderman ... bench buddy to Judge Greer in the Terri Schiavo case who always rules in favor of the hospice efforts to end Terri Schiavo's life)

[JulieRNR21]

Regarding the lack of media attention on Terri's plight....I recall hearing Glenn Beck discuss Terri several months ago....is he still trying to help?

Also If I recall correctly, Bill O'Reilly covered Terri's story a few months ago.....or am I not recalling correctly?

[Robert Drobot]

RC,

I inadvertently posted the below information/ commentary at this morning at 5:12 AM. Plese excuse my oversight, as I had actually intended it for this thread.

The next set of power brokers that are politically responsive only when boxed into a corner are the Roman Catholic Bishops of Florida.

It is their individual and collective responsibility to oppose the fundamental concepts woven into the developing governmental support and encouragement of euthanasia.

Ironically, they've gathered to chant for the lifting of a death sentence imposed upon a murderer condemned to die by a Florida court.

Compare the weak and evasive comments given thus far about Terri's fight for life, with their vigorous demand that Governor Bush act to spare a convicted killer Paul Hill.

If only Terri had committed a felonious crime instead of perhaps being the victim of the same, these pious pretenders would be chained to her bed protesting Greer's inhuman death decree.

Urge your circle of contacts, and their circle of contacts to focus every ounce of their considerable clout in the direction of these identity-challenged potentates. Urge them to speak against government's intent to use Terri as a foundation for the institutionalizing of euthanasia as public policy.

Archbishop John C. Favalora - no email address available
Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ - no email address available
Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito, JCL - email : c/o dlucia@dioogdensburg.org
Bishop John J. Nevins - email : c/o feliz@dioceseofvenice.org
Bishop Victor Galeone - no email address available
Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, CP - email : info@diocese.org
Bishop Robert N. Lynch - email : comdosp@aol.com
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski - no email address available

Government argues the aged and infirmed ( not illegal aliens ) are a burden. Government tells us we need to rid ourselves of the responsibility for providing care for those who rose to defend America in its time of need.

Government is asking that we give it the ultimate control over every American Citizen ( less the millions of illegal aliens leaching from us on a daily basis ). Government wants us to close our eyes to the very real fact that Terri, and all like her are creations of God.

We stood by and permitted government to presume His Will once already, when we ceded our authority to a public policy ending life in the womb.

Now we are witnessing a compounding of this grievous error, with a further attempt by government to arbitrarily assume control over who will be permitted to live beyond the womb, and when they will have God Almighty's gift of life stolen from them by the pen of men in black robes .

Demand they join with Governor Jeb Bush. Tell them they're obliged to renounce the slow death by starvation decreed by a goose-stepping Hitlerite pig ( you might be the wiser to chose the term 'judge' ).

Below is a letter I strongly urge you to urge your contacts to copy and email to John Paul II, as written by Thomas A. Droleskey, a journalist with the Seattle Catholic

----------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Holy Father,

You have raised your office in the past twenty-five years against the horror of abortion. You have spoken out against other crimes against innocent human life. You have made it a point to intervene directly in the cases of convicted criminals who have been sentenced to death after due process of law, pleading with governors and presidents to commute death sentences in individual cases, including that of the now executed Timothy McVeigh in 2001. However, Your Holiness has not once intervened in the case of a person being starved and dehydrated to death by a family member.

Although you spoke in general terms about the immorality of the withdrawal of food and water prior to Hugh Finn's murder in 1998, you did not plead with the then Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, James Gilmore, to intervene to save his life. You never mentioned the name of Hugh Finn, as you have mentioned the names of men and women who have been convicted of heinous crimes.

Please, Your Holiness, intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo. Be concerned only about the fact that Terri Schiavo's only 'crime' has been her inability to speak in her own behalf. She has parents and family members and friends who love her; devoted to providing her with the care she may need if only they are allowed by the court to give her that loving care.

Terri Schiavo needs the help of her spiritual father on earth in her time of need. I plead with Your Holiness to extend your protective hand to her.

/s/

More to follow...........

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

FV, the letter's going back to Mary Jo with a few 'corrections'.

After dealing with so-called humanitarians who condemn our troops for freeing 24 million Iraqis from a torturer-mass-murderer, I am not suprised by anything from the blind left. They can kill each other. Leave the innocent and defenseless alone! (and stay away from everyone else's children!).

Thanks!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Robert, that is a wonderful post. Thank you for providing the Bishops' e-mail addresses, and the powerful letter.

Passing on the sentiment, if not the language. (^;

Tell them they're obliged to renounce the slow death by starvation decreed by a goose-stepping Hitlerite pig ( you might be the wiser to chose the term 'judge' ).

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Welcome to Free Republic!

R., the legalities are tricky. Euthanasia, I believe, requires action to precipitate death. Taking someone off of artificial life support, if they are unable to speak for themselves, is left to the nearest and dearest. Still, food is hardly 'artificial' life support or babies and many seniors and the disabled are in trouble.

If you stopped feeding Christopher Reeve, he would starve, but it wouldn't be euthanasia. Murder or criminal neglect by the guardian?

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

One thing longtime Freepers should know is to read the whole thread before responding. Some of us are slow, lol!

This case is frustrating because it is so wrong, yet somehow these weasels managed to find loopholes in the legal system to allow them to conveniently remove the 'burden of Terri' from their lives.

I agree with you. It is murder, criminal negligence at the least. If I were Jeb, I'd write an EO, grant guardianship to a neutral party, make sure Terri has access to her priest and family members, allow flowers and physical therapy, kick Judge Greer immediately off this case, scold the whole FSC and write a restraining order for her husband - heck, grant a divorce to the husband (or else his butt's in jail).

Some people made excuses for those who (legally) neglected or murdered their slaves (property) during the 18th century.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for your prayers and your perspective, oceanperch.

Prayers for your son.

Her husband is an idiot.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Brandon, through all of these years it is the husband and the Judge who have been making inhumane decisions on behalf of Terri. Her husband claims Terri gave him permission to make end of life decisions, ie a "Living Will". It has been pretty well established that that's not true. One of the witnesses was afraid to come forward, afraid of Michael Schialvo. He won't allow contact with her family, or her priest, won't allow flowers, physical therapy, basic COMPASSION. You tell me who is more trustworthy, Brandon?

[Lovergirl]

Ping me, please? Thanks in advance.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you, dandelion! You might want to check out fv's #153. Also, the post at #163 - the Judge's friend's sister is on the board of Hospice. You may also want to check out #165, the e-mail addees for the local Bishops and Robert's terrific letter.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Your #118 +++ excellent, fv! Thank you so much for all your work here.

I think we have enough cause to make a citizen's arrest.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

windchime, I can't believe the Catholic Church seems to be implying that since Terri's life is ending(??? since when? What do they say to Chris. Reeve?), withdrawing food is o.k.? Also, they blame the family and not the court, and blame both sides equally?

You might want to check out Robert's terrific response and e-mail contacts at #165.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

requesting a "stay of execution" for Terri Schindler-Schiavo.

Bottom line. Thanks for naming it and holding it up for those making the life and death decisions.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for your great contact info.

I would LOVE to see a movie called "Freddie Vs. Jason Vs. Michael Schiavo".

The documentary.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for posting the article. It is good to know so many are fighting FOR Terri:

If Michael Schiavo is worried that some people are trying to impose God's authority on the situation, I have news for him: It's already imposed."

Amen.

Check out Robert's post at #165!

[2timothy3.16]

Thanks, took a while, but I found it and proudly have added my and my wife's name.

[kimmie7]

I'm still looking for a link between Greer, Bushnell, and the Hospice. They are too dirty to begin with, and all decisions have been made in the Hospice/Husband's favor. There is much more to this decision than just Terri, and I feel like the business potential for "processing" people like Terri would be a potential goldmine. I think you are on to something....

I do too. Shouldn't it be enough that there is even the slightest whiff of foulness in the air that an inquest at least into the judges' motivations should be held?

Along the same line of doing our research, do any Freepers or their friends have access to WestLaw or a similar legal research tool so that we could look into the judges' rulings on any similar cases they may have had? Perhaps there have been other instances that have not been opposed.

I am available all night and every spare moment this weekend should we be able to brainstorm some research possibilities. If we can't get this directive stopped in Terri's name, or for humanity's sake, perhaps we can at least bring some shady dealings into enough light that we could get things put on hold.

At this point, don't you think buying time would help as well?