Terri Schiavo's Fight

e3mil.com ^ | 11/15/03 | Tim Drake

[nickcarraway]

We face a modern paradox that's difficult to reconcile. Animals are treated like persons, while human beings are treated as non-persons. We have only to look at the battle taking place for Terri Schiavo's life in Florida to see that this is true.

Because of her disability, Schiavo's husband and the Florida courts decided that it was permissible to end a woman's life by starving her to death. Right-to-die advocates say that in the case of Terri Schiavo, the courts have spoken. In the nick of time, Gov. Jeb Bush, a Catholic, was able to intervene.

Sometimes it seems our culture treats our pets more humanely than we treat our fellow human beings. We could never imagine starving an animal to death. So, why is it okay to starve a human being?

Sadly, our culture's attitude towards life and the actions of the Florida court are frighteningly similar to the attitudes and court actions taken by another culture 70 years ago. That culture, too, had elevated the treatment of animals while at the same time demonstrating a tremendous lack of respect for human life.

In 1933, at the same time the German courts were passing laws against cruelty to animals, they were calling for the sterilization of all psychiatric patients and codifying laws that would eventually lead to the deaths of 275,000 handicapped and mentally disabled patients. And we know what that was the prelude to.

How painfully similar the scene looks today. We have certainly elevated the status of animals.

Pet owners can now purchase health insurance for their animals, even while 42 million people in our country are still without health insurance. In one case I recently came across, a family chose their dog's health ahead of the health of their own two preschool children. They bring their cancer-ridden dying dog to the vet for weekly chemo-treatments, even though it means the animal's toxic excrement will end up in their yard.

Pet owners concerned about their pets' behavior can hire a pet psychologist or psychic to explore the animal's psyche. Pet owners who are on vacation can have pet limousines pick up their pets for a week-long stay at a pet spa where the animals are treated to three-course meals and piped-in music.

On the Animal Planet, television programs such as "Animal Precinct" and "Animal Cops" follow animal cruelty investigators as they track down animal abusers and bring them to justice. Princeton's Dr. Peter Singer goes furthest: He wants to grant apes the same basic moral and legal protections afforded human beings.

Meanwhile, in Pinellas Park, Florida, without the benefit of a human cruelty investigator, a disabled woman would have starved to death if the governor hadn't intervened. The moral: When you try to raise animals to be equal to people, you only succeed in lowering the status of people below that of animals.

Secular media reports describe Schiavo as being in a "vegetative state." But she's a human being, not a cabbage.

In his 1995 book, Dehumanizing the Vulnerable: When Word Games Take Lives, St. Louis University professor William Brennan outlined how the "semantics of oppression" have been used to justify the killing of Native Americans, African Americans, European Jews, women, the unborn, and dependent or disabled persons.

The same terminology is being used today. As an example, Brennan quotes philosopher John Lachs who said, "I cannot make myself believe that the unconscious vegetables in our hospitals are in any sense human."

Applying such language "to humans whose bodies are damaged or unconscious can change our whole willingness to care for and give to them of our best," said Dr. R. Lamerton, a medical officer with St. Joseph's Hospice in London.

Disabled activist Mark Pickup, of Human Life Matters, told of a telephone call he recently received from an aged Canadian woman who was born in Germany in 1940.

"I've been disabled all of my life," she told Pickup. "My parents had to hide me for three years before they snuck me out of the country. The government would have killed me."

"Nothing has changed," she continued. "The only thing that has changed is the country. It's no longer Germany, but the U.S."

Thankfully there are heroes in the United States, too. They have been willing to confront the Florida courts, and they include the prayerful protestors, the pro-life and anti-euthanasia advocates and attorneys, Florida speaker of the house Johnnie Byrd, and Gov. Jeb Bush.

Their presence calls to mind the words of another hero, Count Clemens August von Galen, the Bishop of Munster, Germany.

In remarks delivered on Aug. 3, 1941 in the Cathedral of Saint Lambert, von Galen spoke out for the handicapped and mentally ill.

He explored the reasons "that these unhappy patients are to be killed" and concluded: "It is simply because in the opinion of some doctor, in the view of some committee, they are 'unworthy to live'... and that they are like old machines which can no longer work, like an old horse which has become incurably lame or like a cow which can no longer give any milk.... We are not here dealing with machines or horses or cows.... We are speaking here of human beings, of our neighbors, our brothers and sisters, poor people and invalids."

Tim Drake is features correspondent with the National Catholic Register and editor of Saints of the Jubilee available at 1stbooks.com. He resides in St. Cloud, Minnesota. This article originally appeared in the National Catholic Register.

[nickcarraway]

ping

[Theodore R.]

Dickens defined that "modern paradox" as "the best of times, the worst of times." Its still liberalism in the modern parlance at war with the human spirit! Too many people are so liberal, however, that they are blinded to what is happening to the human being and the culture. They don't even believer that there is a "culture war" underway.

[Cold Heat]

In my humble opinion, the "Terry" case is not a very good example of a culture war or anything of the sort.

This matter is a family squabble that has turned vicious and now, with a large amount of interference, has become a national story.

This poor girl is now a commodity in a battle between pro-lifers and anyone who should have the misfortune of making their countervailing opinions known.

This issue will now take the path it has taken before, a path well beaten, and go full circle back to the beginning, back to the logical but unfortunate knowledge that there is no Terry anymore. And never will be.

So what is the point of all this? What is the point of using this girl, this family, and this tragedy?

What contribution to "right to life" principles does this "fight" make?

In my humble opinion, it does nothing. I see a family tragedy that should be over and healing, but now will go through the entire spectacle again.

I see forces interfering with something that should have remained sheltered and personal. I see government extending it's power to a place that it was previously forbidden to meddle in at the urging and facilitation of so called conservatives.

In summary I would say that since Terry can not feel, think or understand anything at all and is essentially unaware of her own existence, she is not suffering, but her dignity has been taken away. One might ask what is the value of dignity? One might look for the answer to this question before interfering in cases of this kind.

[ArneFufkin]

So what is the point of all this?

These folks are buy-uy-ing a sta-air-way ... to Heaven.

[isrul]

Great article. I remember Heinrich Himmler proudly proclaiming that Germany was the first country to pass comprehensive laws for the protection of animals.

Placing animals above people is alarming but nothing new.

Historically, humans, in their darkened awareness have even elevated animals to the level of gods worthy of worship and sacrifice..

Several modern day movements place animals, even insects, above humans.

I've always had a crazy theory that Walt Disney, perhaps unwittingly, contributed to this by giving animals human characteristics. I'm not laying the responsibility for human darkened awareness on him. But I don't think that particular contribution to human culture was positive or helpful, especially given the the cosmic ignorance and stupidity of humanity.

[pc93]

Try to get organizations to get lots of people to vigil for Terri.

Hospice Woodside
6774 102nd Avenue North
Pinellas Park, FL
33782-2909, US

[Future Useless Eater]

>>...a path well beaten...

Thank you for your caring opinion. You almost got this above phrase correct, except it was
    "...a young WIFE well beaten..."

I've skimmed your last 100 posts on ALL subjects, and I see that are new to this subject, and you are just not well informed yet.

Please do a little more research, and I think you may come around to realizing Terri really IS alive, responsive, and worth saving. (and her 'husband' is an attempted murderer)

      "Where there's life, there's hope."
      -Terri Schiavo ( arguing with her best friend Diane Meyer ) angrily PROMOTING LIFE FOR the comatose
-Kate Adamson ( former vegetative patient nearly starved to death ) "Its VERY painful... Its SHEER torture!"
-Michael Schiavo (teaching Terri she can NEVER DIVORCE him) minutes before her 'collapse'
-Michael's 1993 girlfriend ("he can be the most INCREDIBLY MEAN person!")
-link to latest TV coverage/interviews           Contact FoxNews

[pc93]

Coming to your from outside Hospice Woodside
via wireless.

[Coleus]

In 1973 two things happened: The Endangered Species Act was enacted where animals, trees and scum in rain puddles became protected under law and Roe vs.. Wade, where babies created in God's image were allowed to be slaughtered.  Since then, humanity, the USA,  spiraled in a downward trend.

Mess with a turtle egg, Canadian goose or a spotted OWL and get a yr. in jail and a $50K fine, and don't cut down certain trees or fill in that puddle! abort a child, get paid $750.00. And we wonder why there is NO respect for HUMAN life created in God's image.

This is why we need to inculcate a culture of life in our society in general and in churches and schools (starting in kindergarten) . People tend to think of children as disposable items.

http://www.cpforlife.org/pro_life_education.htm

It's a grievous sin that animals and turtle eggs are afforded more protections and rights than a human fetus and baby created in God's Image with a soul.

Genesis 9:3
Every creature that is alive shall be yours to eat; I give them all to you as I did the green plants.

Man:
Kill the humans (abortion) and save the Bears, the spotted owls, the Canadian Geese and the whales and don't crack that turtle egg!!

You can get fined up to $10,000 for messing with those eggs and baby-killing physicians get paid government and private money $$$ to kill humans! Go figure.

http://endangered.fws.gov/esa.html#Lnk11
http://endangered.fws.gov/esa.html
http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html#Species
http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/785378/posts 
http://endangered.fws.gov/


The Endangered Species Act of 1973
http://endangered.fws.gov/esaall.pdf

Page 4 Sec 3 (c)(8) don't crack those eggs, one might end the "life" of a bird, fish or turtle. I guess certain "mammals" (humans) do not apply.

http://profs.lp.findlaw.com/endanger/endanger_6.html

The Govt. recognizes that a fertilized egg from an animal is "alive" and protected by LAW (The Endangered Species Act of 1973) and when an "alive" person created in God's image is growing and living in his mother, he's termed and given the moniker of just a blob of "unlive" protoplasm or tissue which can be aspirated if it's the mother's "choice" to do so with no protections under the 5th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for EVERY careless word they have spoken."--Jesus (Matt. 12:36)

 

 

Quanta Cura
CONDEMNING CURRENT ERRORS

THE SYLLABUS OF ERRORS CONDEMNED BY PIUS IX
I. PANTHEISM, NATURALISM AND ABSOLUTE RATIONALISM

LIBERTAS
ON THE NATURE OF HUMAN LIBERTY

Naturalism

 

[isrul]

Nothing contradictory here. It's just the thought process of darkened awareness.

Those who think this way believe in nothing. They see no particular reason for their being. In their pathology, they actually view humanity as an unnatural scar upon the land while viewing other species as something perfect and pristine.

[Coleus]

`

[Wheee The People]

Well said....There seem to be a cult of Terri "savers" here that try to browbeat anyone that might suggest that Terri died 13 years ago and that the loving thing to do is "let her go".

I remeber seeing a Fox(?) poll that suggested around 80% of the people thought that Terri should be left alone. Not that life and death should be decided by polls, but good grief, the pro Terri side are looking like whack jobs IMHO. There is another side to the debate but you wouldn't see it if you just read FR.

[Cold Heat]

Please do a little more research, and I think you may come around to realizing Terri really IS alive, responsive, and worth saving. (and her 'husband' is an attempted murderer)

Sorry engineer, but I have gotten this same response about not being informed on other occasions.

I have had adequate time for research and have come to exactly opposite conclusions.

This attempted murder stuff is made up. The so called responses are not possible, based on what I saw of the brain scan and this entire sordid mess is the result of a long court battle that has been propped up by people who have absolutely no business in this matter.

These are my opinions on this issue after processing the information. This matter should have remained private.

The goverment has no business in it nor, does anyone else. I have stated what I wanted to say about it in my previous post.

[Coleus]

Sign Conservative Petitions.com Here

 

ReadCatholic Petitions.com Anyone Can Sign CatholicPetitions.com Here
Sign Friends of Terri.org Petition

Today's Update

Judge W. Douglas Baird allows Schiavo case to proceed.
.
ACPD Investigation continues. 

Family attorney, Patricia Anderson speaks to Glenn Beck about this case.

Terri's Law Who is Terri Schiavo?

[Future Useless Eater]

Very interesting observation....

If you damage a fertilized sea turtle egg, you are called a "FELON" and given a $10,000 fine.

But if you deliberately kill a beautiful 39 year old woman,
* who smiles at her parents,
* who tracks people around the room,
* who laughs at her father's jokes,
* who CAN swallow, but is NOT ALLOWED to be fed by spoon,
* who can sometimes say small words, and at times tries her best to reply,
* who cries when she sees her parents are leaving,
* who sits up un a chair during the day, and signals to her caregivers when she is tired and ready for bed,
* ...
...... If you deliberately KILL HER, you are called "YOUR HONOR" and paid $150,000 per year.

[Cold Heat]

Heeeerrrrreeeee we go!

Sorry bub, but I don't play like that.

My momma taught me better manners!

Buh bye!

[sweetliberty]

"Its still liberalism in the modern parlance at war with the human spirit!"

Liberalism is far too mild a word for what this is.

[supercat]

I remeber seeing a Fox(?) poll that suggested around 80% of the people thought that Terri should be left alone. Not that life and death should be decided by polls, but good grief, the pro Terri side are looking like whack jobs IMHO. There is another side to the debate but you wouldn't see it if you just read FR.

Did the poll question ask:

• Should the government spend $500,000,000/year in court and care costs keeping alive all coma patients, even those who have filed living directives?
  or
• Should the government allow a woman to be starved and dehydrated to death by a husband who is living in open adultery, has two children by his mistress, and has kept her locked up for over ten years?

I wouldn't be surprised if the first poll picked up an 80% "no" [pull the plug] response, but the latter would probably also pick up an 80% "no" if asked as written. So what was the exact wording on the Fox poll you're citing?

[supercat]

This attempted murder stuff is made up. The so called responses are not possible, based on what I saw of the brain scan and this entire sordid mess is the result of a long court battle that has been propped up by people who have absolutely no business in this matter.

Perhaps you can refresh my memory: what exact evidence is there that Terri wished to be denied food and water? Even though I happen to believe Michael invented Terri's statements out of whole cloth, the most I've heard her claimed to have said is that she did not want artificial life support of the type depicted in a movie about Karen Ann Quinlan, i.e. a respirator. I have heard no claimed statements by her that would suggest that she would simultaneously want to be denied all efforts at oral feeding and hydration along with gastrostomic feeding and hydration.

Deny any person both oral food/liquid and gastrotomic food/liquid and they will die, no matter how healthy they are. I'm unaware of anyone having ever survived more than 41 days without fluids.