Michael Schiavo lawyer on board of directors of Terri’s hospice

Canada Free Press ^ | Friday, March 25, 2005 2:58 PM | by Judi McLeod, Editor,

[Grig]

Tragic that some of the most compelling facts in the Terri Schiavo case didn’t emerge before she reached death’s door.

While the mainline media was probing whether the world’s most famous hospice victim had really told husband Michael she would not want to live in a persistent vegetative state, it completely missed the ties of Michael Schiavo’s lawyer to the very hospice where the life-and-death drama played out.

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From February 13, 1997 to about April 26, 2001 Attorney George Filos was listed as a member of the Board of Directors for "The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast" on the non-profit’s annual reports.

Suncoast operates the hospice where Terri Schiavo has been held.

One doesn’t have to rely on the annual reports of the hospice where Terri Schiavo was left to die for proof of Filos’ board membership. It is stated in the author’s description in the George Filos book, Litigation as Spiritual Practice.

It was in the summer of 1998 when Filos filed the first lawsuit to withdraw food and water from the disabled Terri Schiavo.

The chronology of events is as follows: "Filos becomes Michael Shiavo’s lawyer and files the petition. Then the law in Tallahassee gets changed. The Schiavo case gets heard. In that order." (The David Allen Show).

Surely it’s important to look at who lobbied for changing the law on the books to make food and water be defined as "artificial" life support.

In 1999, House Bill 2131 was introduced for the Florida Elder Affairs and Long-Term Care Committee.

Representative Gus Michael Bilirakis, who also lists himself on the Suncoast Hospice Board of Directors, lobbied on Bill 2131.

It is difficult to understand why the mainline media did not bring these facts before the public in reporting on the Terry Schiavo case.

Perhaps these facts took a back seat in ongoing political battles between Right-to-Life and Right-to-Die factions. It may have been more important to Right-to-Lifers that Filos was a founding member of the National Legal Advisors Committee on Choice in Dying.

Choice in Dying, which has led the charge in promoting living wills, morphed out of the Euthanasia Society of America.

Considering that hospices are being identified as morgues by some, the hospice that became Terri Schiavo’s morgue rates a closer look.

It is reportedly the largest non-profit hospice in the world.

Hospice workers all over the country are routinely killing patients, says Ron Panzer, President of pro-life Hospice Patients Alliance (HPA).

"Families who report in to HPA tell us they’ve overheard nurses saying things like, `I’m just like Jack Kevorkian, only I do it with morphine.’" (Panzer, LifeNews.com). "And they get away with it week after week because it’s hospice!"

In operation in the United States since 1974, hospices have become a competitive industry that is favoured by the federal government and making millions with little accountability.

Death by Hospice is further compounded because local district attorneys will refuse to prosecute reports of hospice killings because they’re so-called expected deaths.

Not all hospices are death morgues and Panzer points out that the hospice industry had done much to earn its golden reputation as the best end-of-life care option available.

But Panzer believes that Terri Schiavo "was placed (in hospice care) as a test case for the right-to-die movement to establish a legal precedent to end the lives of the disabled using hearsay evidence (about her end-of-life wishes), which is very common in hospice settings and in cases where only one family member wishes to end the life of the patient."

Michael Schiavo says that his wife Terri told him about her end-of-life wishes after watching a movie when she was only in her 20s.

Some would argue that you can’t get much more hearsay than that.

That the lawyer who won the case to twice deny Terri Schiavo food and water was a member of the board of directors of the hospice where Terri was placed, begs an investigation by Florida State authorities.

[opinionator]

For some reason 'Soylent Green' popped into my head.

[ravingnutter]

That the lawyer who won the case to twice deny Terri Schiavo food and water was a member of the board of directors of the hospice where Terri was placed, begs an investigation by Florida State authorities.

So does this:

Doctors for Michael Schiavo have said that an MRI and PET are not necessary for Terri because PVS is primarily a “clinical” diagnosis, that is, one arrived at on the basis of examination of the patient, rather than by relying on tests. And the neurologists I have spoken to agree on the clinical nature of the diagnosis, while insisting that advanced tests nonetheless are a necessary part of it. But the star medical witness for Michael Schiavo, Dr. Ronald Cranford of the University of Minnesota, has repeatedly dismissed calls for MRI testing, and his opinion has prevailed.

Dr. Cranford was the principal medical witness brought in by Schiavo and Felos to support their position that Terri was PVS. Judge Greer was obviously impressed by Cranford’s résumé: Cranford travels throughout the country testifying in cases involving PVS and brain impairment. He is widely recognized by courts as an expert in these issues, and in some circles is considered “the” expert on PVS. His clinical judgment has carried the day in many cases, so it is relevant to examine the manner in which he arrived at his judgment in Terri’s case. But before that, one needs to know a little about Cranford’s background and perspective: Dr. Ronald Cranford is one of the most outspoken advocates of the “right to die” movement and of physician-assisted suicide in the U.S. today.

In published articles, including a 1997 op-ed in the Minneapolis–St. Paul Star Tribune, he has advocated the starvation of Alzheimer’s patients. He has described PVS patients as indistinguishable from other forms of animal life. He has said that PVS patients and others with brain impairment lack personhood and should have no constitutional rights. Perusing the case literature and articles surrounding the “right to die” and PVS, one will see Dr. Cranford’s name surface again and again. In almost every case, he is the one claiming PVS, and advocating the cessation of nutrition and hydration.

More at:

National Review

[Grampa Dave]

"Panzer believes that Terri Schiavo "was placed (in hospice care) as a test case for the right-to-die movement to establish a legal precedent to end the lives of the disabled using hearsay evidence (about her end-of-life wishes), which is very common in hospice settings and in cases where only one family member wishes to end the life of the patient."

Once again we see the work of George $oro$ in the Eugenics of America or as he has labeled it: "Project on Death In America".

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Open Society Institute Examines Impact of $45 Million Press Release OSI's Project on Death in America published a special report, Transforming the Culture of Dying, which reviews nine years and $45 million devoted to improving care available to patients and their families at all stages of serious illness. more Project on Death in America: January 2001–December 2003 Report of Activities This final three-year report describes the 2001–2003 grantmaking program of OSI's Project on Death in America.  more more publications

About This Initiative The Project on Death in America completed all grantmaking in December 2003, having distributed $45 million to organizations and individuals working to improve care for dying patients and their families. PDIA's mission was to understand and transform the culture and experience of dying and bereavement. more International Palliative Care Initiatives International Palliative Care Initiatives focus on enhancing hospice and palliative care programs in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. more more focus areas

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[the invisib1e hand]

it's coming together in all its stinking truth. does hospice not stand to gain? yeah, I know hospice is a sacred cow, but they do like to get themselves written into people's wills, don't they?

the old saw fits again: follow the money.

guess if money is your god, then you really don't care what God thinks, or that all life is made in his image.

[Cecily]

The only other thing Schiavo and Felos needed was a judge to thwart Terri's parents at every turn, and they sure got one.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

ping

[GloriaJane]

Looks like they bought one. Looks like Greer sold his soul to the devil for campaign contributions.

[shrinkermd]

Terri's death will make someone a world class opportunity to write the definitive book on this case. Contrary to courts, hospices, doctors and experts the author of this book will lay it all out regardless of where the blame lies.

Anticipate shocking revelations. The expert from Minnesota is well known as an advocate of mercy killing and that is what happened here. That Terri's families lawyers did not impeach his testimony on the basis of political bias, is equally shocking.

[Calpernia]

Actually, he was CHAIRMEN of the Board.

That is higher than BOD.

Annual Reports

[over3Owithabrain]

That's why this case is so much more than some poor Joe Schmoe trying to grant his wife's last wish. It has become the testing ground of every pro-death nutter in the country.

[MeekOneGOP]

bump!

[smoothsailing]

This sets the stage for a national chain of euthanasia mills funded by Soros, with Crandon staffing, and Felos providing legal protection.

Nice and neat with court precedent to rely on.

[dannyboy72]

I believe I heard the Greer's wife or he, himself, was on the board of this Hospice. Any truth to that?

[dfwgator]

At the rate we're going, it's more like "Logan's Run."

[Cicero]

As Calpernia says, Felos was the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD of the hospice where she was imprisoned for fifteen years.

Moreover, this fact has been known for years. The MSM have not reported it, nor have they reported the numerous campaign contributions given by Michael Schiavo and his associates to Judge Greer and other Pinellas Country officials involved in this case. But anyone who gets his news from the MSM these days has to be retarded or just not interested in what is going on in the world.

If the Canada Free Press is only just now finding out these facts, then they need to rethink their news gathering methods. It's not enough to read the NY Times and The Washington Post.

[Calpernia]

We had the website posted here: http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1008215/posts

With Greer's name on it. All the caches have since been scrubbed now though.

cpforlife may still have it on her hard drive though.

[monkeywrench]

Maybe their lawyers are part of the same agenda. Seems like that country is filled with the hemlock society.

[dannyboy72]

so I did remember seeing it. Isn't this a conflict of interest that should have allowed Greer to be removed from this case? I'm starting to think that the Schindler's attorney is in over his head.

I was listening to David Boise on Fox News and although I am not necessarily a fan of Boise's politics, there is no doubting he is an excellent attorney. He made several statements about arguments that should have been made, but weren't, etc...

[beaversmom]

It's just one big happy death orgy in Florida!

[Calpernia]

Greer:

1) Refusal to hear credible testimony

Judge Greer refused to acknowledge testimony of 10 doctors and 3 nurses who have cared for Terri and who testify that:

a) Terri is not in a persistive vegetative state

b) Terri is able to be rehabilitated with care and therapy

c) Terri’s original injuries are questionable and consistent with spouse abuse and attempted strangulation

d) Terri has been abused and neglected by her husband; denied treatment for infection and possible attempted murder while in nursing home care (discovery of empty insulin vial and temperature in room set at 64 degrees)

Jude Greer instead chose to believe contrary testimony by two of Michael’s representatives who are:

a) A doctor who rarely sees Terri (Dr. Gambone who has now resigned as Terri’s doctor)

b) Ronald Cranford, Hannipeg County Medical Center , Minnesota who makes an avocation of testifying in cases such as Terri's throughout the country, always on the side of dehydration and starvation.

Example of testimony ignored:
Dr. Alexander T. Gimon, Clinical Neuro-psychologist, presents evidence that Terri Schiavo does indeed have cognitive function and should receive therapy: "Given the neglect which Terri has suffered...it is striking that her current cognitive functioning is as strong and varied in expression as it is. This indicates that sufficient brain structure exists for further cognitive and behavioral progress to be made. Terri is an excellent subject for a variety of cognitive treatment protocols designed to improve her neurological function, including neuroaerobics, physical therapy, recreational/occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy."

2) Judicial Canon violation – motion to dismiss Greer

a) Greer revealed information about the case, predisposition as to how he would rule, merits of the case, testimony he had received to local reporters without counsel present.

b)Judge Greer advised Tampa Atty General office that if Gov Bush was a lawyer, his letter to the judge would be a grievous offense under Fl Bar rules; statements made without counsel present.

c) Motion to Disqualify Judge Greer filed on Fri. Sept 5th at which time Judge Greer contacted Deputy Atty General John Carassas and Sheriff Rice in an attempt to attack the factual basis of the motion and affidavits.

3) Conflict of Interest and Prejudice

Judge George Greer is not impartial. He has worked side by side as county commissioner with Barbara Sheen Todd (county commissioner) for eight years. Barbara Sheen Todd is on the board of the hospice. Also, Judge Greer's fellow judge, Judge John Lenderman is the brother of Martha Lenderman, also on the hospice board. Greer accepted as the basis of his rulings, the questionable testimony of Michael Schiavo that Terri would wish to be killed, yet Michael never stated this until he had received the 1.2 million dollar settlement. Greer also accepted as the basis of his rulings, the "opinion" of a third doctor who is the brother of a close associate of George Felos, right-to-kill attorney, and very significantly, former Chairman of the hospice board.

4) Denial of Guardian appointment to Ensure Medical Care

Judge Greer refused to allow a non-biased guardian to be appointed for Terri’s care, despite numerous citations of the violation of Terri’s rights under State and Federal Law for disabled persons, including assignment of guardian as a requirement under Fl Law, Section 744. Moreover, in the state court proceedings initiated by defendant Michael Schiavo, Terri Schiavo, a severely disabled individual, had no guardian ad litem and no lawyer for the majority of the proceedings. Attorney Pearse who was assigned by the court in 1998 was dismissed from the case by the state court on motion by Michael Schiavo’s attorney George J. Felos.

[Smartass]

FREE JACK KEVORKIAN...

Based on the Courts being EXECUTIONERS,
why is Jack Kevorkian in jail?

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Michael Schiavo lawyer on board of directors of Terri’s hospice

PING

[Brad's Gramma]

bttt

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"FREE JACK KEVORKIAN...

Based on the Courts being EXECUTIONERS,
why is Jack Kevorkian in jail?"

Here is a poster that would love this!

"Rush said ABC, today, interviewed DR Kavorikn (sp?) in prison

to get Dr Death's view on Terri.

The culture of death has gone insane!"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1370047/posts?page=1112#1112

"Jack Kevorkian is the last man I'd want to hear from."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1370047/posts?page=1113#1113


"I'd rather have him as my spokesman than Randall Terry."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-backroom/1370047/posts?page=1118#1118

---

Why would anyone choose,
someone who is a convicted killer,
and in prison,
to be their spokesperson!

[smokeyb]

Oh my! I thought of it also! I wondered how many people remembered that!

[Spunky]

"For some reason 'Soylent Green' popped into my head."

That's what keeps popping into my head, but weren't those people put in a comatose state and kept there? Been so long ago I don't really remember.

[Spunky]

I have posted this before and I will keep posting for all those who may not have seen it.

This tells you exactly what kind of person Michael's lawyer, Felos is.

Excerpts from George Felos's book, "Litigation as Spiritual Practice" (Blue Dolphin Publishing, 2002) with page numbers About the Jews, George Felos wrote, "The Jewish people, long ago in their collective consciousness, agreed to play the role of the lamb whose slaughter was necessary to shock humanity into a new moral consciousness. Their sacrifice saved humanity at the brink of extinction and propelled us into a new age." (pg 240)

"If our minds can conceive of an uplifting Holocaust, can it be so diffucult to look another way at the slights and injuries and abuses we perceive were inflicted upon us?" (pg 240)

Describing the period he was separated from his ex-wife, "that weekend I experienced rage. Savage, unadulterated, and murderous rage." (pg 6)

Felos wrote about his ex-wife, "To her, I seemed unattractive, sexually unexciting, balding, boring, and just not enough fun to be with....she didn't need me anymore. For her, marriage to me inflicted a fate worse than death. She admitted that for the past year or so she had wished for my death, and whenever I flew hoped the plane would crash." (pg 7)

About his anger towards his ex-wife, "I was on fire, fueled by thoughts of bludgeoning and tearing her apart." (pg 23)

Describing the period he was recuperating from his divorce, "it consisted mostly of dreams of being tormented in some inferno." (pg 27)

Mrs Browning, do you want to die? Do you want to die? - I nearly shouted as I continued to peer into her pools of strikingly beautiful but incognizant blue eyes. It felt so eerie." (pg 63)

"Whatever your opinion about tube feeding, the hard fact was it now stood between Mrs. Browning and her death." (pg 64)

About Mrs. Estelle Browning "...I carried with me the resolute determination to sever the artificial cord that bound Estelle Browning to this earthly realm. Her agonized cry for release ran though my mind over and over again, and I felt our spiritual bond." (pg 76)

"With my son as catalyst, I felt stirrings of my own early childhood, which was less than idyllic. I unconsciously blamed myself for permitting myself to be abused, and I believed I was, as a child. At some point early in my childhood I self-divided into a protector and the inner essence I was protecting." (pg 48)

While on a plane trip, Felos thought "I wonder what it would be like to die right now?" (pg 181)

Felos wrote that God told him, "You are more powerful than you realize." (pg 182)

About the Estelle Browning case, "I still got a kick that evening seeing myself on the TV news, notwithstanding my frequently displayed countenance in the media of late."

"If I had to urinate, I didn't wait until the next commercial, I immediately got up and went. On the first urge to defecate, I left for the bathroom rather than making one more phone call." (pg 292)

"I can truly say my wife was enamored with me. I suppose power and success really are potent aphrodisiacs - as my spouse had made particularly evident our previous night at the Governor's Inn." (pg 246)

From Here: The Whacky Whacky World of George Felos

[Lurking Libertarian]

it's coming together in all its stinking truth. does hospice not stand to gain?

The Hospice stands to gain as long as Terri is alive. They lose when she dies.

[Libloather]

Wow. Another one of my many questions - the so-called husband waited seven years to express Terri's desires. It's been seven years since. What if she's changed her mind? I say ask her...

[self_evident]

The Hospice stands to gain as long as Terri is alive. They lose when she dies.

That's what I don't understand about the line of reasoning most are taking here. Does the hospice get some kind of "death bonus"?

[self_evident]

It is reportedly the largest non-profit hospice in the world.

Doesn't it being non-profit minimize the chance that they are doing this primarily for the almighty buck?

[the invisib1e hand]

They lose when she dies.

Is this a fact or an assertion? Because I suspect, very strongly, that the dirty little secret about the Hospice that everyone loves to love is that the quid-pro-quo is a spot in the will.

[JLO]

Michael Schiavo lawyer on board of directors of Terri’s hospice

I hadn't heard or read of that before! That adds a whole 'nother level, doesn't it.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Is this a fact or an assertion? Because I suspect, very strongly, that the dirty little secret about the Hospice that everyone loves to love is that the quid-pro-quo is a spot in the will.

Terri has a will?

[tutstar]

Tonk
The Empire Journal has discovered lots of corruption.

A little background...The Advocacy Center for the Disabled is headed by Richard LaBelle and the group will do investigations when there are allegations of abuse. About 2 wks ago LaBelle was quoted as saying that The Advocacy Center couldn't complete their investigation because Michael Schiavo wouldn't allow their doctor to examine Terri.



Something we found this week....
Judge Greer was represented in federal court this week by Barry A Cohen, a search at sunbiz.org shows he's part of an Pasco Association for Challenged Kids and guess who else is part of that association?

Richard LaBelle

Then today on Hannity's show they said that the other day DCF was en route to get Terri with medical personell and police. Some police officer tipped off George Felos and he got Greer to issue the restraining order against DCF.

It's a huge mess here. However, TEJ reported today that Mark Dubina who previously attempted to conduct an abuse investigation re Terri was told twice to shut it down, and Dubina reportedly will tell what he nows if he a subpeona is issued so that his job will be protected.

Shame on Florida!

[al baby]

what did janet reno know ? and when did she know it

[tutstar]

Notice this is written by the man who is supposed to be able to audit guardian accounts in the court, Greer's court.

"Dirty Tricks of Guardianships ‚ The Need for Change."
by Robert W. Melton, Chief Auditor, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pinellas County

Pinellas County Internal Auditor Robert W. Melton recently lectured at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg on: "Dirty Tricks of Guardianships ‚ The Need for Change."

Here are just 10 of the "dirty tricks," as outlined by Pinellas County Internal Auditor Robert W. Melton:

1) Guardian creation of a trust: Remove all oversight by the court as a provision of the trust agreement; guardian becomes trustee; provide that the trustee can do whatever they want at their sole discretion.

2) Sell real estate at lowball price: Use "lowball" valuations as a benchmark; don't list property with Realtors; sell to a land trust, where nobody knows the beneficiary; watch property resold a few months later for a huge increase.

3) Maximize your (or your crony's) profit from investments: Hire money manager for "financial expertise" and let the manager select an investment broker; invest in volatile stocks and trade frequently to generate commissions; if you run up a large gain, don't selectively liquidate over time to pay the taxes but hold a "fire sale" to raise funds all in one day.

4) Undervalue beginning inventory: Have a used-furniture "friend" value a house full of antiques for $3,000; "forget" to put some of the more expensive items on the inventory; "forget" to include a $40,000 certificate of deposit.

5) Pay yourself first: Make payment of guardian and attorney fees the highest priority; disregard mortgage payments and let ward's home go into foreclosure; squirrel away money in the attorney's escrow account for possible future expenses.

6) Maintain guardianship at all costs: Keep family members uninformed; if family members try to become guardian, accuse them of stealing; use the ward's assets for legal fights to retain guardianship.

7) Improper financial reporting: Bury asset-management and brokerage fees as aggregate capital losses "due to market fluctuations"; don't classify disbursements separately; file incomplete or incorrect safe-deposit box inventories.

8) Forced incompetency: Visit assisted-living facilities and establish employee contacts; obtain voluntary limited financial guardianship; if there is money in the estate, do paperwork to force an evaluation of competency; get control over everything and the ward loses all rights.

9) Pay your attorney well: Let attorney bill full rate to shop for a computer and set it up for the ward; let attorneys bill their full rate, even if work is done by a paralegal or assistant.

10) Forget to file federal tax returns: Ensure there is a refund; wait till the ward dies; get check without oversight.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I say ask her..."

I agree...we keep seeing this old footage of Terri, but I also hear she is very expressive...there must be some way she can communicate her wishes. Why doesn't someone get a live camera in her hospice room and actually ask the question, "Do you wanna DIE?!"

FReegards...MUD

[Cecily]

This man is insane.

[tutstar]

There was no doctor signature on the paperwork admitting Terri to the hospice. Patient paperwork has to be redone every 6 months. The hospice owes $14,800,000 to the government for fraudulent claims.

Google Mary Labyak and medicare medicaid fraud.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

...A Free Press that does not fulfill its duty to give the People...

...Just the FACTS, Ma'am...

...will soon lose its Right...

...to do so =

...ALOHA RONNIE-1999

.

[PhilDragoo]

[ntnychik]

Kevorkian is starting to look principled. He prepared the provisions for others to end their own lives. At least he didn't starve a handicapped woman with a lying cad of a husband, who may well have caused the damage to her in the first place.

[FBD]

Good post. I heard this Felos character was a pro-euthanasia fanatic.
These Kevorkian types have a real sick mentality.
They are actually fascinated by death: (OPD)
Other Peoples Deaths, that is...

[wagglebee]

Kevorkian is starting to look principled.

At the very least he is more humane than the Florida judiciary and he has videotapes to establish that his victims were willing participants who saw his method as an end to their suffering.

[tertiary01]

Wow, Hospice has really changed since I was in nursing school. It was in it's infancy then and was originally intended as an attempt to help family members take care of terminal patients so the patients could be around loved ones at the end. I went around with a Hospice nurse to visit and manage the care of various terminal patients in their homes and some in nursing facilities. We mainly performed assessments, checked IV's, did ordered treatments like dressing changes, made sure prescriptions and supplies ordered were current and on hand, and talked with the family members about the care and any problems they were having. There were many patients on pain meds but we made sure they were not over dosed, and we were especially alert for slow respiration rates which could cause acidosis.

Even at that time though there was discussion of building facilities for those without homes or family.

Then 15 years later we end up with little gulags of death. Glad I'm retired.

[VietVet]

Intersting set of relationships exposed here.

Now I have a question, which I have not seen the MSM even ask: Who is this guy, Michael Schiavo? Where does he work? Who does he know? Why are not the most obvious questions about his competence to act as his legal wife's guardian even brought up? Twice, I have heard, his suspicious behavior towards his wife was reported to the police, yet no investigation seems to have been carried through.

VietVet

[windchime]

Bump!

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!