Venom over Schiavo case imperils GOP solidarity

Palm Beach Post ^ | 3.19.05

[TheCrusader]

"How do you think those who wish death on their fellow Freepers are proceeding towards their striving for perfection?"

I have strong doubts that anyone in this forum truly wants other Freepers to die, or for that matter even other Americans whom they are at total political odds with. People say hurtful things in anger and frustration that they don't really mean all the time.

None-the-less, if the person designated to pull Terri Schiavo's feeding tube got struck by a lightening bolt on the way to the hospice, I wouldn't be shedding any tears for them. Would you?

[TheCrusader]

"exactly! Reporter Julie Banderas on FOXNEWS just reported that Terri was in a Hospice ".. at the mercy of a feeding tube." WHAT? the feeding tube attacked her all by itself?"

She was trying to create the illusion that people are forcing this food down Terri's throat, keeping her alive against her will and causing her harm.

The Pope said it accurately and succinctly long ago, America has become a "culture of death". We are fast learning to do away with things that are hard to face and make life challenging, like raising children, taking care of our elderly sick, our crippled, and our mentally ill. 'Just kill them and let's get on with the fun part of life' seems to be the modern philosophy.

[nv_independent]

So you think Jesus would refuse to feed Terri? Sick. Why is this so hard to believe if you've read the Bible. Anyone who's somewhat familiar with Old Testament can recall a grat many instances where God end the lives of humans and/or made them suffer. So why is this such a foreign concept? In fact, would you agree that Terri (or most of us for that matter) would want to pass into their next life with God? Is 7 to 10 days of suffering--although one can technically argue that she really can't feel the actual pain due to lack of brain activity--really that bad when you consider that after she passes, she gets to spend eternity with God? I'd take that in a second. And with her passing--her ultimate sacrifice--she will give closure and hopefully end the emotion suffering of those around her.

[longtermmemmory]

There is very little reason to fear a backlash. The only thing they have done is essentially give her the same right to a federal review as a mass murderer.

All the news channels are covering this, and even the LA Times is disdaining the attention this has obtained because it is another demonstration of conservative muscleflexing.

[Randjuke]

I have strong doubts that anyone in this forum truly wants other Freepers to die, or for that matter even other Americans whom they are at total political odds with. People say hurtful things in anger and frustration that they don't really mean all the time.

So if I understand you right, you don't care much if people say those things because you feel they don't actually mean them. That gets into the ethical differences between thoughts, words and deeds. I believe most religions would encourage people to control all three, not just one.

None-the-less, if the person designated to pull Terri Schiavo's feeding tube got struck by a lightening bolt on the way to the hospice, I wouldn't be shedding any tears for them. Would you?

I don't shed tears easily period, so that's hard to answer. I have no way to know what's in that person's mind. I have known many hospice nurses who would consider pulling a feeding tube as a kindness, if one of them were hit by lightning yes I would shed a tear.

[Williams]

No one said it was God trying to kill Terri Schiavo, the debate was over whether Jesus would have or approve of others having "righteous anger" or even approve of acting on that anger. I've already said I don't think Terri should be denied feeding.

[TheCrusader]

"I believe most religions would encourage people to control all three, not just one."

Mine would, but it would also be quick to forgive a word spoken in anger. The person who holds onto those words and obssesses over them has a far worse problem than the one who spoke them, in my personal opinion.

As for "most religions", I have very serious doubts that Islam condemns their members for speaking harshly of Jews and Christians, (or for that matter acting upon those feelings).

[Kretek]

There's nothing wrong with free speech, but if you're a Christian and you want your voice to be heard--and more importantly, to be taken seriously--then there's a right way and a wrong way.

Hear, hear!

[Kretek]

What I am saying is that this is an activist site...people with strong conservative opinions hang out here. It's easy to fall into the trap of assuming everybody thinks the way they do here....Dozens of Terri Schiavo threads, many with posts in the thoursands. Surely the whole country is up in arms, right? Well, not necessarily. That's all I'm saying.

The Echo Chamber effect. It's well-known, and it's definitely something to avoid.

[Randjuke]

As for "most religions", I have very serious doubts that Islam condemns their members for speaking harshly of Jews and Christians, (or for that matter acting upon those feelings).

Must be a lot of Muslims on these threads I guess.