We need to demand from the Feds a proper investigation regarding the potential conflict of interest between Florida politicians and their state's Hospice industry. This is all funded by the Taxpayers of the United States, not just Florida!! It's all about follow the money. I say we should boycott Florida products and resorts until this is straightened out. These people only respect pocketbook politics. If they kill Terri, we can at least make them regret the day they ever heard her name. Maybe Judicial Watch will take this one on?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1002504/posts TERRI SCHIAVO TO DIE IN ATTORNEY'S "DEATH FACTORY"? SUNCOAST HOSPICE BOSS WAS GEORGE FELOS...
Becki Snow ^ | 10/16/03 | Becki Snow
Posted on 10/16/2003 4:13 PM EDT by dandelion
TERRI SCHIAVO TO DIE IN ATTORNEY'S "DEATH FACTORY"? SUNCOAST HOSPICE BOSS WAS GEORGE FELOS...
Man "finds" Wife unconscious.
Man keeps Wife unconscious.
Man gets malpractice money for Wife.
Man wants Wife's money.
Man wants Wife dead so Man can have money.
Man gets Lawyer.
Lawyer is/was Hospice Board Member.
Lawyer promises Man that Wife will die at the Hospice...
It reads like fiction, but it parallels the story of Michael Schiavo (the Man), Terri Schiavo (his Wife), and George J. Felos (the Lawyer/Board Member/Past Board Member of "The Hospice") - and unless some brave soul intervenes, it will end with the murder of Terri Schiavo.
Terri Schiavo, an incapacitated but warmly responsive young woman, is in the care of "The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast" ("Hospice House Woodside") at 300 East Bay Drive, Largo, Florida. But unknown to her advocates, all of Terri's medical care has been influenced by a Past Chairman of the Hospice's Board of Directors - George J. Felos, attorney for Michael Schiavo, and self- described "right-to-die" advocate.
Many of the Hospice nurses, volunteers, and doctors who are charged with the care, feeding, and unbiased medical evaluation of Terri Schiavo worked for George J. Felos, a man who has publically proclaimed that Terri must die.
The death Felos has prescribed for Terri starts with a ban on all but the most basic physical care - the once beautiful woman rots in her "Hospice of the Florida Suncoast" bed; Terri's advocates claim her teeth are unbrushed, her nails untrimmed, her infections untreated. This was not always the case - even after her brain injury, Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, kept her groomed and pretty. Terri was even starting to speak again - words like "yes" "no" and "stop that" - but that was before Michael Schiavo hired George Felos to help his wife "die with dignity". Now, Terri's parents have been safely removed so as to avoid "false hope". All media and medical access is tightly controlled by Micheal Schiavo and Felos; in response, Terri has at last physically and mentally degenerated to the level where she may be exterminated by polite society.
Terri's slow death will grind down to a brutal, final starvation, executed at Felos' request on Jan 3, 2003. Upon Terri's death, several hundred thousand dollars that were earmarked for Terri's long-term care and therapy will finally be released to her husband Michael Schiavo, his new lover and their baby, to his attorney George Felos, and quite possibly in turn to the Hospice itself. It is unknown if Felos would advocate quick death for hospice patients who do not have large sums of money lubricating their exit from life; evidently the Hospice has not been forthcoming with clients in regard to George Felos' true role at the Hospice.
"The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" has kept this information largely out of the public eye, but an investigation of the Hospice's annual reports reveals a new twist in the case of Terri Schiavo: George J. Felos was the official but unseen hand of the Hospice - and he advocates death for those in his care.
Neither George Felos nor "The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast" have openly disclosed the facts of Terri Schiavo's case to Terri's many advocates - that from February 13, 1997 until at least April 26, 2001, George J. Felos was listed as a member or recent member of the Board of Directors for "The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" on the non-profit's annual reports.
Certainly one would hope that if the true role George Felos had been revealed in court, Judge George Greer would have made a much different ruling concerning Terri Schiavo's fate. Without knowledge of this conflict of interest, the Sixth Circuit Judge would be forgiven if he seemed to believe that such a noble institution as hospice - caring compassionately for the dying - could be trusted to make an unbiased report regarding Terri Schiavo's medical condition and with her care. With the information regarding this conflict of interest, the courts will be remiss to believe any evidence that Felos OR his "Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" might proffer in reference to Terri. Considering this new evidence, it is the opinion of this writer that the courts of Florida would be complicit in Felos' duplicity should they not review this ruling.
Conversely, if Felos' chairmanship at the Hospice was indeed known to the courts during the trial, it would have been imperative that the court make this information known to the opposing council, Terri Schiavo's parents, and to the public. Suppression of information regarding the Hospice and Felos' conflict of interest would destroy the integrity of this court, considering that Judge Greer himself was declared by the court to be Terri's guardian ad litem by default. The guardian ad litem is required to act in the best interest of Terri Schiavo - not in the best interests of Mike Schiavo, the Schindlers, Attorney Felos or the Hospice. In the minds of many, no honest court could defensibly argue that Terri's best interests would be served by lawyers, individuals or entities who stand to profit from her death.
This information regarding lack of disclosure of conflict of interest by Felos and "The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast" should warrant appeal of the Court's Nov. 22 ruling, and should spur a call for further investigation into other cases of conflict of interest concerning the Hospice and Felos. The court's Nov. 22 ruling is based in part on medical information taken from Terri while she was in the care of the Hospice - information which may have been tainted by the lack of full disclosure regarding Past Chairman/Attorney George Felos.
According to The Hospice Patients Alliance Website and the Washington Post, ("Hospices Big Business, Thanks to Medicare; Exploitation of some patients is alleged" 06/14/98) this type of unethical activity is nothing new - it also may be illegal.
If "The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" is to cast itself as an ethical entity, it should rectify and resolve this conflict of interest regarding it's Board of Directors and Past Chairman, George Felos: It is this writer's opinion that:
- The Board of Directors of "The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" cannot justify their actions, or the actions of past Chairman, George Felos if The Hospice knowingly placed Terri Schiavo in the care of Felos and his paid/volunteer subordinates without disclosing his role at the Hospice to the court, the public, or the Terri Schiavo's parents.
- The Board of Directors of "The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" cannot claim to be advocates for their clients if they are not fully open regarding the past or present roles of George Felos with their donors, the courts, or the clients they purport to serve.
- The Board of Directors of "The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast", cannot state they are caretakers if Felos and the Hospice worked together to hasten Terri Schiavo's death from the moment she was clandestinely removed from her nursing home and brought to the Hospice by Felos.
These new insights into the Hospice's inner workings raise questions that must be answered.
- How many elderly or infirm persons have Felos and the Hospice possibly exploited for monetary gain?
- How many other impaired but recovering persons may have been brought into the Hospice's "care" without their explicit consent?
- How many other incapacitated or differently-abled people might have suffered or will suffer the same fate as Terri Schiavo?
-Under Florida law, do these human beings qualify for the basic guarantees of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, or are they only products to be mined by George Felos and "The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast"? -If Felos and the Hospice espouse that incapacitated people have no rights other than those assigned to them by the Hospice and it's agents, then is "The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" nothing more than a Death Factory?
It is the opinion of this writer that George Felos' "Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" is not an uninterested third party in this case, as they portray themselves to be. The Board of Directors hired Michael Shiavo's lawyer as their Chairman, then obscured Felos' role while bringing Terri under Hospice's care. "The Hospice of The Florida Suncoast" should come clean and come forward with any additional information they may hold regarding George Felos, Terri Schiavo, or any other hospice patients who may have been "represented" by Felos. The Hospice must also reveal any plans that they and their past Chairman of the Board may have for Terri's award money following her "facilitated" death.
For Michael Schiavo, George J. Felos and the Board of Directors of "The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast", it seems that Terri Schiavo's death cannot come soon enough - and unless the American public can persuade the courts to rule otherwise, Terri will die October 15, 2003.
Copyright November 24, 2002 - Becki Snow Disclaimer: This article is the opinion of Becki Snow, and makes no guarantee as to the accuracy or reliability of its sources although the sources have been verified as accurately as possible through public record resources.
This article may be copied and posted in accordance with fair use, in its entirety or excerpted, but only with full credit to the author and with notification to the author. Please notify the author by email at
beckisnow@yahoo.com http://www.becki-snow.blogspot.com also.........
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1002670/posts Posted by Ethan_Allen to MSCASEY; tutstar; MarMema; pc93; Theodore R.; JulieRNR21; All
On News/Activism 10/17/2003 2:58 PM EDT #131 of 153
I AM SORRY THE FOLLOWING IS SUCH A MESS. I AM FRANTIC TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING!!!! THEY CANNOT DENY!!!!!
HELP ME SORT THROUGH THIS FREEPERS/ SEE *******'s FIRST. [i don't know why, some of the *'s appear as straight lines] I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE THIS HOSPICE CAN BE INSPECTED FOR HEALTH VIOLATIONS, AND I ALSO THINK IT MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF LICENSING REGULATIONS. THE WAY I AM READING THE FOLLOWING IS THAT YOU HAVE TO BE IN GOOD STANDING FINANCIALLY IN ORDER TO BE LICENSED. *******SCROLL DOWN TO (12)(a). HOSPICEPATIENTSALLIANCE.ORG SAYS THAT SUNCOAST IS ALMOST $15 IN DEBT. TO THE FEDS, AND IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THEY HAVE A LEGITIMATE WAY TO PAY IT BACK. I WONDER IF THEY COULD BE CLOSED DOWN RIGHT NOW. PLEASE READ AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK.
The 2003 Florida Statutes
CHAPTER 400
NURSING HOMES AND RELATED HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0400/ch0400.htm Pressed for time here. Will try to delete all but what I THINK is the most essential:
**400.19 Right of entry and inspection.--
*****(1) The agency and any duly designated officer or employee thereof or a member of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council or the local long-term care ombudsman council shall have the right to enter upon and into the premises of any facility licensed pursuant to this part, or any distinct nursing home unit of a hospital licensed under chapter 395 or any freestanding facility licensed under chapter 395 that provides extended care or other long-term care services, ***** at any reasonable time in order to determine the state of compliance with the provisions of this part and rules in force pursuant thereto. The right of entry and inspection shall also extend to any premises which the agency has reason to believe is being operated or maintained as a facility without a license, but no such entry or inspection of any premises shall be made without the permission of the owner or person in charge thereof, unless a warrant is first obtained from the circuit court authorizing same. Any application for a facility license or renewal thereof, made pursuant to this part, shall constitute permission for and complete acquiescence in any entry or inspection of the premises for which the license is sought, in order to facilitate verification of the information submitted on or in connection with the application; ****** to discover, investigate, and determine the existence of abuse or neglect; or to elicit, receive, respond to, and resolve complaints. The agency shall, within 60 days after receipt of a complaint made by a resident or resident's representative, complete its investigation and provide to the complainant its findings and resolution.
(2) The agency shall coordinate nursing home facility licensing activities and responsibilities of any duly designated officer or employee involved in nursing home facility inspection to assure necessary, equitable, and consistent supervision of inspection personnel without unnecessary duplication of inspections, consultation services, or complaint investigations. To facilitate such coordination, all rules promulgated by the agency pursuant to this part shall be distributed to nursing homes licensed under s. 400.062 30 days prior to implementation. This requirement does not apply to emergency rules.
***** (3) The agency shall every 15 months conduct at least one unannounced inspection to determine compliance by the licensee with statutes, and with rules promulgated under the provisions of those statutes, ***** governing minimum standards of construction, quality and adequacy of care, and rights of residents. The survey shall be conducted every 6 months for the next 2-year period if the facility has been cited for a class I deficiency, has been cited for two or more class II deficiencies arising from separate surveys or investigations within a 60-day period, or has had three or more substantiated complaints within a 6-month period, each resulting in at least one class I or class II deficiency....... The giving or causing to be given of advance notice of such unannounced inspections by an employee of the agency to any unauthorized person shall constitute cause for suspension of not fewer than 5 working days according to the provisions of chapter 110.
****** (4) The agency shall conduct unannounced onsite facility reviews following written verification of licensee noncompliance in instances in which a long-term care ombudsman council, pursuant to ss. 400.0071 and 400.0075,.....
***** .....has received a complaint and has documented deficiencies in resident care or in the physical plant of the facility that threaten the health, safety, or security of residents, or when the agency documents through inspection that conditions in a facility present a direct or indirect threat to the health, safety, or security of residents.....
PART XII
HEALTH CARE SERVICES POOLS
400.980 Health care services pools.
400.980 Health care services pools.--
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) "Agency" means the Agency for Health Care Administration.
(b) "Health care services pool" means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association engaged for hire in the business of providing temporary employment in health care facilities, residential facilities, and agencies for licensed, certified, or trained health care personnel including, without limitation, nursing assistants, nurses' aides, and orderlies. However, the term does not include nursing registries, a facility licensed under chapter 400, a health care services pool established within a health care facility to provide services only within the confines of such facility, or any individual contractor directly providing temporary services to a health care facility without use or benefit of a contracting agent.
******* (2) Each person who operates a health care services pool must register each separate business location with the agency. The agency shall adopt rules and provide forms required for such registration and shall impose a registration fee in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of administering this section. In addition, the registrant must provide the agency with any change of information contained on the original registration application within 14 days prior to the change. The agency may inspect the offices of any health care services pool at any reasonable time for the purpose of determining compliance with this section or the rules adopted under this section.
(3) Each application for registration must include:
(a) The name and address of any person who has an ownership interest in the business, and, in the case of a corporate owner, copies of the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and names and addresses of all officers and directors of the corporation.
(b) Any other information required by the agency.
(4) Each applicant for registration must comply with the following requirements:
(a) Upon receipt of a completed, signed, and dated application, the agency shall require background screening, in accordance with the level 1 standards for screening set forth in chapter 435, of every individual who will have contact with patients. The agency shall require background screening of the managing employee or other similarly titled individual who is responsible for the operation of the entity, and of the financial officer or other similarly titled individual who is responsible for the financial operation of the entity, including billings for services in accordance with the level 2 standards for background screening as set forth in chapter 435.
(b) The agency may require background screening of any other individual who is affiliated with the applicant if the agency has a reasonable basis for believing that he or she has been convicted of a crime or has committed any other offense prohibited under the level 2 standards for screening set forth in chapter 435.
(c) Proof of compliance with the level 2 background screening requirements of chapter 435 which has been submitted within the previous 5 years in compliance with any other health care or assisted living licensure requirements of this state is acceptable in fulfillment of paragraph (a).
(d) A provisional registration may be granted to an applicant when each individual required by this section to undergo background screening has met the standards for the Department of Law Enforcement background check but the agency has not yet received background screening results from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A standard registration may be granted to the applicant upon the agency's receipt of a report of the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation background screening for each individual required by this section to undergo background screening which confirms that all standards have been met, or upon the granting of a disqualification exemption by the agency as set forth in chapter 435. Any other person who is required to undergo level 2 background screening may serve in his or her capacity pending the agency's receipt of the report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, the person may not continue to serve if the report indicates any violation of background screening standards and if a disqualification exemption has not been requested of and granted by the agency as set forth in chapter 435.
(e) Each applicant must submit to the agency, with its application, a description and explanation of any exclusions, permanent suspensions, or terminations of the applicant from the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Proof of compliance with the requirements for disclosure of ownership and controlling interests under the Medicaid or Medicare programs may be accepted in lieu of this submission.
(f) Each applicant must submit to the agency a description and explanation of any conviction of an offense prohibited under the level 2 standards of chapter 435 which was committed by a member of the board of directors of the applicant, its officers, or any individual owning 5 percent or more of the applicant........
[****** Ethan Allen note: there are two convicted felons working in the Hospice's financial office.]
****** registration may not be granted to an applicant if the applicant or managing employee has been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or has entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, any offense prohibited under the level 2 standards for screening set forth in chapter 435, unless an exemption from disqualification has been granted by the agency as set forth in chapter 435.....
**** The agency may deny, revoke, or suspend the registration of any applicant or registrant who:
**** 1. Has falsely represented a material fact in the application required by paragraph (e) or paragraph (f), or has omitted any material fact from the application required by paragraph (e) or paragraph (f); or [ EA: Hospice moved these two felons to new positions in the hospice???? I don't remember the details, no time to check right now.]
***** 2. Has had prior action taken against the applicant under the Medicaid or Medicare program as set forth in paragraph (e). [ THIS IS WHERE, I BELIEVE, THE HOSPICE OWES THE US GOVT. $$$$$$$$$ ]
***** 3. Fails to comply with this section or applicable rules.
Commits an intentional, reckless, or negligent act that materially affects the health or safety of a person receiving services.
(5) It is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable under s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person willfully, knowingly, or intentionally to:
****** [EA - I believe the Hospice knew!!!]
(a) Fail, by false statement, misrepresentation, impersonation, or other fraudulent means, to disclose in any application for voluntary or paid employment a material fact used in making a determination as to an applicant's qualifications to be a contractor under this section;
(b) Operate or attempt to operate an entity registered under this part with persons who do not meet the minimum standards of chapter 435 as contained in this section; or
(7) It is unlawful for a person to offer or advertise services, as defined by rule, to the public without obtaining a certificate of registration from the Agency for Health Care Administration. It is unlawful for any holder of a certificate of registration to advertise or hold out to the public that he or she holds a certificate of registration for other than that for which he or she actually holds a certificate of registration. Any person who violates this subsection is subject to injunctive proceedings under s. 400.515.
(8) Each registration shall be for a period of 2 years. The application for renewal must be received by the agency at least 30 days before the expiration date of the registration. An application for a new registration is required within 30 days prior to the sale of a controlling interest in a health care services pool.
(10) A health care services pool shall document that each temporary employee provided to a health care facility has met the licensing, certification, training, or continuing education requirements, as established by the appropriate regulatory agency, for the position in which he or she will be working.
(11) When referring persons for temporary employment in health care facilities, a health care services pool shall comply with all pertinent state and federal laws, rules, and regulations relating to health, background screening, and other qualifications required of persons working in a facility of that type.
(12)(a) As a condition of registration and prior to the issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration, a health care services pool applicant must prove financial responsibility to pay claims, and costs ancillary thereto, arising out of the rendering of services or failure to render services by the pool or by its employees in the course of their employment with the pool. The agency shall promulgate rules establishing minimum financial responsibility coverage amounts which shall be adequate to pay potential claims and costs ancillary thereto.
[ EA: SUNCOAST HOSPICE OWES ALMOST 15 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE US GOVERNMENT. DO THEY PLAN ON PAYING IT BACK BY OPERATING A SLAUGHTERHOUSE FOR THOSE THEY CONSIDER 'USELESS EATERS'?????????]
(b) Each health care services pool shall give written notification to the agency within 20 days after any change in the method of assuring financial responsibility or upon cancellation or nonrenewal of professional liability insurance. Unless the pool demonstrates that it is otherwise in compliance with the requirements of this section, the agency shall suspend the registration of the pool pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57. Any suspension under this section shall remain in effect until the pool demonstrates compliance with the requirements of this section.
(c) Proof of financial responsibility must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the agency, through one of the following methods:
1. Establishing and maintaining an escrow account consisting of cash or assets eligible for deposit in accordance with s. 625.52; [!!!!!!! ESCROW ACCOUNT????????? DO THEY HAVE A LIST OF NAMES TO BE TERMINATED AS AN ESCROW ACCOUNT?????????]
2. Obtaining and maintaining an unexpired irrevocable letter of credit established pursuant to chapter 675. Such letters of credit shall be nontransferable and nonassignable and shall be issued by any bank or savings association organized and existing under the laws of this state or any bank or savings association organized under the laws of the United States that has its principal place of business in this state or has a branch office which is authorized under the laws of this state or of the United States to receive deposits in this state; or
3. Obtaining and maintaining professional liability coverage from one of the following:
a. An authorized insurer as defined under s. 624.09;
b. An eligible surplus lines insurer as defined under s. 626.918(2);
c. A risk retention group or purchasing group as defined under s. 627.942; or
d. A plan of self-insurance as provided in s. 627.357.
(d) If financial responsibility requirements are met by
maintaining an escrow account or letter of credit, as provided in this section, upon the entry of an adverse final judgment arising from a medical malpractice arbitration award from a claim of medical malpractice either in contract or tort, or from noncompliance with the terms of a settlement agreement arising from a claim of medical malpractice either in contract or tort, the financial institution holding the escrow account or the letter of credit shall pay directly to the claimant the entire amount of the judgment together with all accrued interest or the amount maintained in the escrow account or letter of credit as required by this section, whichever is less, within 60 days after the date such judgment became final and subject to execution, unless otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the parties. If timely payment is not made, the agency shall suspend the registration of the pool pursuant to procedures set forth by the agency through rule. Nothing in this paragraph shall abrogate a judgment debtor's obligation to satisfy the entire amount of any judgment.
(e) Each health care services pool carrying claims-made coverage must demonstrate proof of extended reporting coverage through either tail or nose coverage, in the event the policy is canceled, replaced, or not renewed. Such extended coverage shall provide coverage for incidents that occurred during the claims-made policy period but were reported after the policy period.
(f) The financial responsibility requirements of this section shall apply to claims for incidents that occur on or after January 1, 1991, or the initial date of registration in this state, whichever is later. [ OHIOAN
FROM FLORIDA - YOU SAID TERRI WAS ADMITTED IN 1991 ]
(g) Meeting the financial responsibility requirements of this section must be established at the time of issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration. [******WERE THEY???????? !!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE IN DEBT TO THE US GOVT 15 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!! HELP ME HERE, FOLKS, CAN THEY BE CLOSED DOWN RIGHT NOW FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ALONE??????]
(13) The agency shall adopt rules to implement this section, including rules providing for the establishment of:
(a) Minimum standards for the operation and administration of health care personnel pools, including procedures for recordkeeping and personnel.
(b) Fines for the violation of this section in an amount not to exceed $2,500 and suspension or revocation of registration.
(c) Disciplinary sanctions for failure to comply with this section or the rules adopted under this section.
Here is what I ahve done. The FAmily Research Council is the one who put out a press release stating that Jeb Bush was calling upon the legislators to vote on Terris bill. he was then appaulded in the release for acting. I called them and told them our trails and tribulations witht he various senators who do not seem to know what is going on. I told them I was told from one Senators office that per the Speaker it was not on the agenda at all. I directed her to this site for info.. and asked her to look into it.
Very nice lady. FI anyone wants links to press release or contact for Family Research Council let me know.
It was acutally the lawyer himself (Felos) who secretly took Terri out of the Palm Gardens facility and moved her to Sunrise on the order of Michael Schiavo.
Byrd, not Bird. And he's a House member, the Speaker. Honeygrl caught that on another thread, & wants to know if we've been e-mailing & calling the wrong people?
Byrd is running for the Graham Senate seat, and one of his primary opponents is Larry Klayman. Klayman has been quiet since he filed his brief -- another that Bush ignored.
I can send it definitely! Do you want me to send the whole thing? At the bottom are links for all relevent websites and video.
Ready ... incoming FReepmail ...
Some moron named Sheryl McCarthy posted this article for New York Newsday. I sent her a nasty e-mail. Here are both.
However Hard, Terri Schiavo Has to Be Let Go
Oct 20, 2003
In the video taken two years ago, Terri Schiavo looks straight into the camera. Her eyes are wide, her mouth hangs slightly agape, and the hint of a smile plays about her face.
She's been heard to grown and moan, has appeared to smile or grimace, has had her eyes tear up, all of which her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, say are signs that she's responding to them.
A cast of doctors say these are only involuntary reflexes and that Schiavo is trapped in a permanent vegetative state from which she will never recover. And, after a legal battle that has gone on for five years, last Wednesday a Florida court gave the go-ahead to remove the feeding tube that has sustained Schiavo for 13 years. It was disconnected, and doctors say Schiavo will be dead within two weeks.
Since then, protesters have gathered outside the hospice where she's being kept. They pray, carry signs, and they and others who are outraged by the decision have appealed to Gov. Jeb Bush to intervene and restore the feeding tube. Last week, Bush said he was looking for a legal way to reverse the court's decision.
What's happening in Florida resembles the vigils we often see prior to an execution. This isn't an execution though. This is the rational ending to a human being who all the medical evidence says can no longer meaningfully participate in or appreciate life.
Rulings like the Florida court's provoke strong emotions because they involve hard decisions. It's similar to the debates over abortion, assisted suicide and capital punishment because it requires us to balance important interests and clarify what our values are, in addition to deciding how we feel about life and how we define what life is.
In Schiavo's case, the question is whether being maintained in a twilight state - the cause of which is unknown - where she's unable to move, communicate or receive communication, feed herself unaided, make choices, think, remember and feel emotion amounts to living and, if she had the choice, would choose to continue in this condition.
Her parents understandably are clinging to the hope that one day their daughter can be revived and can be taught to eat and swallow on her own. There have been cases where people emerged from comas after 19 years and progressively got better.
The Schindlers have charged that Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, harbors ulterior motives for wanting to let his wife expire. They include greed for the proceeds of an old legal settlement, his alleged culpability in putting her into her disabled state and the desire to move on with his life with his current girlfriend.
But these arguments have been taken into the courts 20 times, and all of them have been rejected. Michael Schiavo, who at this point stands to gain no money from ending his wife's life and who presumably could have divorced her long ago if he had wished, says he's merely respecting her wish not to have her life artificially sustained.
Terri Schiavo is brain-dead. Doctors have repeatedly testified that her condition is irreversible, their only debate being over whether she has a small amount of isolated living tissue left in her cerebral cortex, or whether she has none. And the question is whether keeping her in a permanent unconscious state, with no hope of improvement, is a worthwhile goal.
When the people closest to someone in this condition disagree, the best way we have to resolve it is in the courts, and they've repeatedly sided with allowing Schiavo to expire peacefully.
This doesn't mean that as a society we condone murdering people because they're severely physically handicapped or mentally incompetent. Each individual case has to be decided according to its facts.
But while the Schindlers' supporters may rally in support of life and against what they charge is "judicial murder," Terri Schiavo's existence bears no resemblance to life as we know it. She's in a form of limbo, and ought to be allowed to pass peacefully from it.
Email:
mccart731@aol.com Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.
My e-mail to her:
Sheryl:
You really are pathetic. Someone most likely doesn't love you enough to keep you alive.
You are part of the "death culture" that tries to make ridiculous claims that a feeding tube is life support.
Terri Schiavo is not in a coma or a vegative state. It is only the word of her adulterous murdering husband, his sleazy lawyer, and a judge who refuses to look at any evidence of her ability to recover that she is in the position she is in today. You make me sick.
What comes around, goes around. You've earned a place in hell Sheryl for your complete lack of empathy and supporting a system that plays God. Who the hell
do you think you are? Explain it to God. Oh, you probably are an athiest scum sucker.
Carla Carter
Bradenton, FL
I haven't gotten a freepmail from you. Did you try to send it already? Make sure you use honeygrl and not honeygirl.
see my 225...maybe this helps...haven't had a reponse...maybe everyone is eating.....
I am utterly disgusted beyond comprehension.
HOW on earth these lowlives could sit there cracking fillibuster jokes, laughing it up about hollywood and horror movies and money money money money, when they KNOW that millions of people are WATCHING, HOPING they will save an innocent woman who is BEING MURDERED even as they whoop it up in "the hallowed halls".
Is there not a SINGLE conscience among that bunch?
I guess not.
I think I'm finished voting, period. No matter who you vote for, the politicians always win.