Regarding Terri Schiavo: Facts Should Trump Emotions and Activism

The National Ledger ^ | March 22, 2005 | Frank Salvato

[Coastal]

So it has come to this, a true test to see if the American political system, judicial system and the American public as a whole have the ability to set aside emotion and activism in deference to the facts. So far the jury is out on this question. Just as it is out on the question of whether or not Terri Schiavo will live or die. Personally, I think we can do better, much better.

I find it reprehensible that in an age when gathering facts has never been easier or more convenient, most among us prove delinquent in doing so, even in matters of life and death and especially in those that will set precedent for future actions. It is grave evidence that our society is in a “persistent vegetative state” where the overbearing voice of the activist agenda trumps not only the good of the people but common sense. Our failure to ascertain facts or even be tempted by unanswered questions renders us neutered by political correctness.

[TigersEye]

MedBlog Doc debunks and questions Terri's CT scan. Other docs comment on other problems with it. Great read!

[kcvl]

One of the dumb*ss congresscritters from Florida (woman with frizzy hair) who was making a big deal of "getting involved" is famous for saving the Manatee. She even won an award for it.

[TigersEye]

Wonder what her next life will be? (thump thump) "Hey, turn the boat around, Earl. I think we hit a big 'un!"

[patriciamary]

My 9 year old daughter has said it best,Why did God have to create Democrats!

[ppaul]

[Moxie18]

Excellent article.

Not familiar with the National Ledger, but I see Democrat ads.

Is this actually written by a Democrat?

[Shery]

This whole case is a total outrage of mishandling and "smoke and mirrors". Especially after reading the other day an article by an RN who used to give care to Terri and all the writings about her awareness were later changed by the husband. That is illegal! The only person who can change a document is the writer of that document and then you have to state why there were changes made and resign them. I heard somewhere that Michael is an RN. If that is true, then he has broken the law, and he knows that. Not even the patient's "kin" can change anything written in the patient's chart!

[expatguy]

Oh! I love facts!

Here are some:

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

Terri Schiavo is alive.

Terri Schiavo is innocent of any crime.

Terri Schiavo cannot speak for herself.

Terri Schiavo has been sentenced to death by starvation.

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

And one of my favourite FACTS is:

Terri Schiavo has been afforded to legal representation!

"Tod Macht Frei"

[California Patriot]

The courts are not where the action is, in this case. The federal courts are likely to stiff us, just as the state courts did.

If there is to be any real action, it will come from the Florida legislature or Governor Jeb Bush.

Go to www.rightmarch.com for a list of Florida state senators who need to be nudged. Word is we're only three votes short.

[Texasforever]

I have stayed out of this debate until tonight. In fact I have stayed away from FR for a while but this issue is gut wrenching. I can intellectualize all of the high minded constitutional arguments and the "right to die with dignity" arguments. In an academic sense it is possible to come down on the side of the husband in this case.

However; there comes a time when common humanity and decency outweighs all of the legalize and philosophical musings and one has to ask himself if It is always wise to be just a "nation of laws" without regard to the human cost to one helpless woman who has harmed no one, is not a burden to anyone but her husband and has a family that only wants to be allowed to care for her. When someone can show me who is being harmed by the continued existence of Terri Schiavo I may change my mind. So far no one has made that case.

[Smokin' Joe]

Jeez, I actually read the whole article before posting comment. The writer has the sand not only to take the media to task, as well as the questionable circumstances regarding the development of 'facts' in the case, but to imply some potential for wrongdoing. Refreshing, imho, thanks.

[Smokin' Joe]

She is probably going to need it when he gets tired of her.

I doubt he will make that mistake again...I wonder if her potassium levels spiked right after one of his visits?

[HiTech RedNeck]

hino is claiming that it harms terri to keep her alive. that's the size of the bull.

[Pajamajan]

"I hope his fiance has a living will."

It wouldn't matter if she did, michael will destroy it and have her starved , or God forbid if one of their children ever becomes disabled, he'll have them starved. He gets off on it.

He's already starved to death his mother, father, I believe his new wife's mother, he's in the process of starving his old wife, so starving one of his children wouldn't bother him. She better hope with all her might that her children stay healthy and are never injured, lest she has to walk down the road the Schindler's are on now.

She will come to rue the day that she ever got involved with him. That is a mathematical certainty.

[tessalu]

Dictionary Definition: Murder

akin to Old High German mord murder, Latin mort-, mors death, mori to die, mortuus dead, Greek brotos mortal
1 : the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought


This is murder, folks! Call it by it's right name.

[Texasforever]

hino is claiming that it harms terri to keep her alive

But according to him, she is a vegetable that knows nothing, feels nothing and is just an animated corpse. If that's the case she is not being "harmed" at all. He can't have it both ways.

[poobear]

I have said all along that this guy's motivations are VERY questionable. He's been considered scum for many years by those following this case. Not until the infamous MSM interviews when he spewed his lies did he receive ANY sympathy. He's wanted her dead for 15 years and in fact may have caused her 'stroke'.

[Pajamajan]

agreed. It's murder. Where is the judge, has he gone home, is he asleep?

[jonrick46]

This article needs to be sent to the Wall Street Journal. Thank you so much.

The last paragraph bodes ill for all of us if this euthanasia kick takes hold. I know, if my memory was fading, someone could tell me that many years ago, I signed a living will stating that I wanted to go if it required artificial life support. I would in my pain and feeble mind resign myself to the fate I thought I had sealed many years ago.

What is so outrageous is that the next step is certainly going to be made where people will merely get an overdose of morphine and that will be the end of it for millions of lives in the future. People will get as much consideration as a cat and will be "put down" for the sake of the selfish whim of a family member.

Here is that last paragraph:

Image that when you arrive at old age you become afflicted with a debilitating disease, your mouth doesn’t want to do what you want it to and your speech isn’t what it used to be. Your arms and legs aren’t as quick to react as they once were. You are incontinent and as your body begins to wear out you require the aid of a feeding tube for nutrition and therapy to help you maintain any semblance of mobility. Your memory is fading but you are aware and appreciative of your surroundings, your family and your friends.

Now imagine Michael Schiavo is your guardian.

Sleep well, we all get older.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Of course, 'tis so. It's the conundrum he faces: why kill a "dead" person?