Bad news, kids. The press seems to be taking a very negative slant this weekend and is churning out quite a few "yay for death" articles and opinion pieces that are inaccurate and false. I suspect (though I could be wrong) that End of Life Choices has indeed launched their Florida campaign and this has something to do with that. If I'm right about that, there is probably more of this "death is cool" nonsense to be shoved down everyone's throats very soon.
The public arena has been pretty important in Terri's case. For years, press and media and misreported her condition. They've practically sided with those who want inconvenient people hurried out the door. They've overlooked (time and time again I might add) some pretty monumental irregularities in the court proceedings and, perhaps most inhumane, have totally ignored evidence that Terri maintains a far greater level of awareness and ability than her guardian and his lawyer would like the world to believe.
You decide for yourself if they are attempting to protect the court or furthering the Hemlock Society's agenda. I would assess that it's a bit of both.
We need letters to the editors and feedback. Please consider writing one and circulating the below to your email lists. Let your voice be heard.
Sister Sojourner Truth said it best: "Truth burns up error."
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Miami Herald - Public Backs the Right to Die
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/7433131.htm >>Gov. Bush acted to keep Schiavo alive after thousands of e-mails and phone calls engineered by antiabortion activists, who view the case as a legal foothold in their quest to undo the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling.<<
BY LESLEY CLARK AND PETER WALLSTEN
lclark@herald.com Feedback page:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/contact_us/feedback_np1/ Herald Tribune - A persistent state On Terri Schiavo's birthday, 'enmity between the parties'
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031207/OPINION/312070825/1030 >>No such miracle happened; they rarely do for people in a "persistent vegetative state" -- Schiavo's diagnosed condition since she suffered cardiac arrest in 1990. Despite therapy, she cannot even swallow food or water; a feeding tube sustains her. <<
No Author given
Letters to the editor:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?CATEGORY=OPINION04 Jacksonville.com - Schiavo case makes King revisit past (Older article)
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/110203/woo_13937081.shtml >>It will be his last year as Senate president. And he clearly wants to protect the legislation he sponsored years ago, the legislation that remains very personal.<<
Author:
mark.woods@jacksonville.com. (Mr. King's email addy is
king.james.web@flsenate.gov)
Bradenton.com - Gephardt says he opposed Bush's involvement in Schiavo matter
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/7431485.htm >>"I don't think that legislatures and governors ought to be inserting themselves in these questions," the Missouri congressman told reporters. "I think the court has a made a ruling in this case and it's a matter that courts ought to decide."<<
Associated Press
(Mr. Gephardt's headquarters -
info@dickgephardt2004.com)
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Yes, I noticed the tilt toward death being almost an obligation - one anonymous columist (maybe Felos doing a guest piece?) went so far as to tell readers that he/she would opt out from artifical feeding.
The message seems to be: anyone who would want to have a feeding tube is selfish, and taking too long to die.
Spare me...
Next they will push for people who don't meet some as-yet-unknown standard, as those who should 'bow out gracefully.'
BTTT/Thanks for the ping.