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Freepers call to action re. Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Make a complaint against Judge Greer:
Various ^ | August 28, 2003

Posted on 08/28/2003 5:20:42 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

Freepers, we may be able to help Terri:


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


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."


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."


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)


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


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


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



TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: ada; california; catholiclist; constitution; deathbystarvation; euthanasia; felony; felos; floridasuncoast; floridian; frontpage; governor; greer; hemlocksociety; hospice; legalmurder; schiavo; schindler; suncoast; suncoasthospice; suncoastsoftware; terri; terrischiavo
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To: Theodore R.
And who should play Michael Schiavo?

How about Claus von Bulow?

He could play the role of an elderly Mike Schiavo, reminiscing about his major contibutions towards the legalization of euthanasia in the US.

The movie could begin with some searchers trying to find some melted gold that Michael had lost.

3,641 posted on 09/13/2003 10:03:00 AM PDT by syriacus ( Prankin' Al Franken says---My letter to Ashcroft was not a lie...it was a prank. 9/7/03)
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To: syriacus
Your imagination is much keener than mine on that. I have forgotten about Von Buhlow. He was from RI or MA, right?
But they will need a younger version of Schiavo too? What about John Travolta, but Travolta may be too "nice" to play Schiavo.
3,642 posted on 09/13/2003 10:06:25 AM PDT by Theodore R.
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To: All
Bob Marshall is doing things since the death of Hugh Finn. Look at this page.

We should all become grassroots fighters in the same war.

Some examples...

"Patients' Rights Under HB 871 health insurance policy holders will have a right to: external independent review of adverse decisions; a care advocate for coverage disputes; patient notification of benefit changes; extended care for a covered person by a provider who is no longer a participating provider; standing referrals and access to specialists as primary care physicians; nonformulary prescriptions drugs; and 24-hour authorization of medical treatments. It also bans provider contracts that allow incentives for refusing health care. Del. Marshall supported HB 871."

"Protecting Patient Decision Making Del. Bob Marshall introduced HB 2540, which directed Virginia's Secretary of Health to appoint a task force of physicians, nurses, clergymen, family members, and medical experts who manage coma and "vegetative" patients, and patients in a "minimally conscious state" for MCS. The task force would collect data on: the extent of persistent vegetative state (PVS) patients in Virginia; the ability of institutional patients to give informed consent; guidelines for diagnosis of PVS and MCS, including unique attempts to communicate; ensure, as Illinois does, that decisions to withdraw or withhold food and fluid will not be the direct cause of death; look at alternative therapies and measures to prevent PVS. The measure lost 12-10 in committee."

Note that the last measure LOST, but not by much.

3,643 posted on 09/13/2003 10:07:53 AM PDT by MarMema (KILLING ISN'T MEDICINE)
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To: syriacus
Being a health "nut," I would imagine that "Judge" Greer does NOT eat hot dogs. But he wouldn't hesitate to order the starvation of the disabled.
3,644 posted on 09/13/2003 10:12:27 AM PDT by Theodore R.
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To: kimmie7
Please add me to your ping list. I am "freeparoundtheclock".
3,645 posted on 09/13/2003 10:14:54 AM PDT by freeparoundtheclock (http://www.terrisfight.org/)
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To: syriacus
Well, the bodyguards aren't for Terri's protection. They are merely there so that nobody kidnaps her to save her life.

It is pretty sick.

3,646 posted on 09/13/2003 10:19:57 AM PDT by freeparoundtheclock (http://www.terrisfight.org/)
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To: freeparoundtheclock
They are merely there so that nobody kidnaps her to save her life.

Did you ever read the story of the people who tried to do that in the Cruzan case? It's kind of sweet.

3,647 posted on 09/13/2003 10:32:29 AM PDT by MarMema (KILLING ISN'T MEDICINE)
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To: Theodore R.
This may also yet be said of the Cold War: the U.S. prevailed, but the Soviet "protocols" became the norm in America thereafter

Very true. The Russians have much more freedom in their daily lives than we do. It is simply amazing to see the freedoms they have...I was constantly in awe.

3,648 posted on 09/13/2003 10:35:18 AM PDT by MarMema (KILLING ISN'T MEDICINE)
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To: syriacus
"Is it true that he would really "automatically" loose legal guardianship if he were no longer her husband?"

He is guardian now, because he is, under law, her husband. Removing himself from that marital status would give the court NO MORE WIGGLE ROOM in denying Terri's parents guardianship status. They are next of kin after her 'husband'.

3,649 posted on 09/13/2003 11:04:56 AM PDT by Robert Drobot
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To: All
including unique attempts to communicate; ensure, as Illinois does, that decisions to withdraw or withhold food and fluid will not be the direct cause of death

OK I am hoping someone here can help me out with this... I am trying to find this Illinois bill(?) that ensures that withholding fluids and food will not be the direct cause of death. Who here doesn't wish this were in place right now in Florida?

Who here, for that matter, doesn't wish this were in place in every state?

Before I email Bob Marshall again, can anyone help me try to find it? I don't know a number..

And after we find it, who wants to begin a grassroots effort to get it in place in their state? I think this might be the best way to stop this unhumane killing from continuing. All feedback is welcome.

3,650 posted on 09/13/2003 11:26:21 AM PDT by MarMema (KILLING ISN'T MEDICINE)
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To: Robert Drobot
Thanks for the news.
3,651 posted on 09/13/2003 11:35:34 AM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah
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To: MarMema
Found it!

ILLINOIS LIVING WILL ACT

http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/ilcs/ch755/ch755act35.htm


from Section 2:d

Nutrition and hydration shall not be withdrawn or withheld from a
qualified patient if the withdrawal or withholding would result in death
solely from dehydration or starvation rather than from the existing
terminal condition.
3,652 posted on 09/13/2003 11:39:12 AM PDT by Deo volente (God willing, Terri will live.)
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To: Theodore R.
What about John Travolta, but Travolta may be too "nice" to play Schiavo.

Maybe Travolta can make a suggestion for someone to play the role...like John Wayne suggested Jim Arness for Gunsmoke.

3,653 posted on 09/13/2003 11:46:45 AM PDT by syriacus ( Prankin' Al Franken says---My letter to Ashcroft was not a lie...it was a prank. 9/7/03)
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To: freeparoundtheclock
Well, the bodyguards aren't for Terri's protection. They are merely there so that nobody kidnaps her to save her life.

It is pretty sick.

I agree.

3,654 posted on 09/13/2003 11:56:55 AM PDT by syriacus ( Prankin' Al Franken says---My letter to Ashcroft was not a lie...it was a prank. 9/7/03)
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To: Deo volente; All
Ah, you are my freeper of the day! Thank you so much...
I am going to try to get some legal commentary on this.
And after we finish seeing Terri to rehab and eating baby food, how about we work together on this one, here on FR, and put this baby into place in every state we can?
Let me know if you are interested..
I have a source for legal assistance, or two...
3,655 posted on 09/13/2003 11:58:47 AM PDT by MarMema (KILLING ISN'T MEDICINE)
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To: MarMema
The Russians gave up the "security" of communism for "freedom." Americans will willingly give up "freedom" for the "security" of a Social Security check, a Medicare card, a farm subsidy, an unemployment check, an AFDC payment, a rent subsidy, help on a utility bill, etc.

Franklin said that those who would sacrifice "essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
3,656 posted on 09/13/2003 12:34:50 PM PDT by Theodore R.
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To: MarMema
How odd, it looks like the disabled have more rights in "liberal" IL than in "conservative" FL.
3,657 posted on 09/13/2003 12:36:31 PM PDT by Theodore R.
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To: Theodore R.
Pretty soon, "Judge" Greer is going to become an embarrassment to himself as well as the Republican Party of FL.
3,658 posted on 09/13/2003 12:37:45 PM PDT by Theodore R.
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To: syriacus
So I am confused about the Schindlers' visiting rights. Have the bodyguards been able to keep the Schindlers out of Terri's hospice room? Were they also there in a nursing home? Isn't it highly extraordinary for a patient in a nursing home or hospice to have bodyguards.

Stressing the bodyguards could be what compels Court TV to carry the hearing. I doubt that they will be ready to cover it by Monday, however.

It would be interesting to know how much the bodyguards are paid.

Also stressing the COLD room might prompt Court TV to consider covering the hearing and future hearings if there are any.

I surely hope that "Judge" Greer does not sentence her to death on Monday afternoon.

If FL is a close state again in 2004, Jeb had better realize that the Republicans could lose FL if Greer is left unchecked.
3,659 posted on 09/13/2003 12:46:28 PM PDT by Theodore R.
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To: Deo volente
It's so sad that this IL statute is not in the FL law. There should be a push to get this IL language in the laws of other states. Alas, what might happen if Terri is starved though is that IL will instead repeal the protection that it offers for the disabled?
3,660 posted on 09/13/2003 12:47:59 PM PDT by Theodore R.
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