| Author | Message | ||
     dave23 Citizen Username: Dave23 Post Number: 207 Registered: 5-2001 |
The unsigned GOP memo describing Schiavo's plight as a "great political issue" pretty much tells you all you need to know about the hullabaloo. And did anyone else see the 'exlusive' Fox interview with Schiavo's parents yesterday? The interviewer thought she detected 'something different' (hope, presumably) in the mother's face. She was clearly angling for a ‘the Republicans and the president are giving us hope’ line, but the parents were just baffled and, eventually, agitated. | ||
| tjohn Citizen Username: Tjohn Post Number: 2968 Registered: 12-2001  |
If I were to extrapolate from King Solomon's handling of the case of the two women, both of whom claimed to be the mother of the same child, I would say that those who really care about Terry Schiavo would let her go. But this case, like a funeral, is about the living, not the dead or dying. | ||
| apm Citizen Username: Apm Post Number: 240 Registered: 5-2001 |
Why would her parents want her to live like this unless they thought she was viable somehow? Her husband let go of her years ago. | ||
| tjohn Citizen Username: Tjohn Post Number: 2969 Registered: 12-2001 |
Well, I can easily imagine that as a parent, I would cling to some hope that one of the miracle recoveries we read about from time to time would occur. | ||
| Robert Livingston Citizen Username: Rob_livingston Post Number: 969 Registered: 7-2004 |
From AP: "In cases like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life," President Bush said in a statement after signing the bill. Immediately after, President Bush bombed the holy crap out of four Iraqi cities, sent more American troops over there without proper armor, and, for old times sake, ordered the execution of several Texan prisoners. | ||
| LibraryLady(ncjanow) Supporter Username: Librarylady Post Number: 2330 Registered: 5-2001  |
The Right are truly pro-life... only before birth adn after death. During one's lifetime, they really couldn't give a crap. | ||
| steel Citizen Username: Steel Post Number: 648 Registered: 2-2002 |
It seems to me that congress is not deciding this issue but simply allowing another higher court to examine the dispute. In such a case if you were party to an unfavorable decision in a lower state court you would welcome the possibility of such relief. In that regard whether or not congress is "grandstanding" or "infringing" is irrelevant to me. It seems to me that the rights of the patient are paramount. Those rights include a patient's wishes. In the absence of clear wishes, who gets to decide for a person who cannot speak for themselves? I do not believe that there should be an automatic court declaration in favor of either parent "guardian" or spouse "guardian" in cases such as this. There are parents and their are spouses whose interests may not be entirely respectful of the best interests of the patient. That's why we have courts to review all evidence and examine the law. Speaking as a parent I believe that after all these years, that the parents should let her go. I believe that they are incapable of doing so. I know of parents who lost a daughter to suicide and when they moved to another state they had her body dug up and moved to a cemetery near their new home. There is no bond stronger. Perhaps too the husband should let go of what he apparently believes is already gone, -the consciousness of the women he knew as his wife. "Teri" as such no longer exists. If he believes as he says, as three neurosurgeons have stated that "Teri", (if you measure a person as brain activity) no longer exists, then "Teri" no longer suffers. In his realm of "diagnosis" it should matter not what he promised his wife because she is already gone. She doesn't know what he does or does not do on her behalf. She does not even know what her world should be, has been or will be. There seem to be others who desire to soothe what suffering and encourage what joy may or may not exist within. -perhaps he should let them. It would be so much better if someone could let go in advance of a court verdict and not have the issue decided for them by strangers. PS: I would like to thank "las" for the post well above in this thread. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 511 Registered: 9-2004 |
Anon - Pander to the Christian Right? Like these legislators really care about Terri Schiavo. DITTO! It's all political. I thought we were living in a democracy? What happen to the "states" rights and honoring a husband's decision? My family was in a somewhat similar position whereas my Dad was on life support in order for him to survive. He did not state in his will whether or not to "pull-the- plug", but "we" as a family knew he would not want to go on living like this. The sign came to us when he was semi-conscious and tried to pull-out his feeding tubes. The doctors heavyly sedated hm and tied down both arms to his bed. After that, he never recovered and was left with a feeding tube and respirator to help him survive. We as a family decided the "suffering" had to stop and we decided to to take him off life-support. It's a shame that this is more of a "political" move to satisfied the "Christian Right." Even more sickening, some of the democrats are agreeing about this issue under pressure. | ||
| Taylor M Citizen Username: Anotherusername Post Number: 398 Registered: 8-2004 |
Bush is a hypocrite Bob!!! The Court is going to hear this at 3pm. CNN will cover it. Michael will be on LArry King 9pm tonight. For those who are falling for the lies Mary and Bob are spreadin, and all the smoke screens they are trying to throw into this, remember this -Bob Schindler has stated even IF he knew for sure and even IF Terri TOLD HIM she wouldn't want to exist in this condition, he STILL WOULD NOT REMOVED the tube!!! Also remember he has stated he would cut off her arms and legs if they became infected. And that if her kidneys failed he'd have her put on dialysis. This is such bull!!! It's not right! Bush is a bully! I hopew when the Federal Courts agree with ALL THE OTHER Judges that the tube should be removed, Michael forbids Bob and Mary from getting within 10 feet of Terri!!! | ||
| Lucky13 Citizen Username: Lucky13 Post Number: 29 Registered: 2-2005 |
phoenix- "some of" (the democrats) is regrettably quite an understatement. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3622 Registered: 9-2001  |
The United States Congress has spoken... I find it upsetting that some people are saying the courts have already spoken. Really, many good people have disagreed on this matter, so forget for a minute the Terry Schiavo issue and look at our Democratic system. There are different important levels of government and separation of powers. Now look at our justice system. The fact is the federal courts exercises their power over the state courts, not unlike the way the state court is over the county court, and the county court is over the municipal court… Why shouldn’t we avail ourselves of the highest levels of our system? What more important purpose is there than to decided difficult issues of live and death? If we do it for criminals, we must also do it for our sick and disabled. God works in mysterious ways…. This matter is serving a valuable service to everyone. No one has anything to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Time and money has no bearing. One way or the other, Terry Schiavo’s life has touched the moral conscious of millions and millions of people throughout the world. Many more millions will now file “written” living wills who other wise wouldn't have. Finally, the United States Congress has also shown the world our incredible compassion and concern for even one life. This being said, it would be a shame now to just allow her to starve to death... | ||
| Robert Livingston Citizen Username: Rob_livingston Post Number: 970 Registered: 7-2004 |
From Drudge: President Bush was asleep, came out in hallway, signed Schiavo bill and went back to bed Wow, the president's compassion runs so deep, he almost (almost!) was totally awake when he signed this life and death issue. In response to ajc, I'm guessing most of the world has seen the product of our "incredible compassion" in photos of Iraqi rubble, and our "concern for even one life" in all those pictures of dead Iraqi civilians. Pretty sure the world knows where we stand on compassion. Also pretty sure this issue was more red meat for the Red states. If you really think the policians actually cared one way or another, you're even more naive than the average FoxNews viewer. | ||
| LibraryLady(ncjanow) Supporter Username: Librarylady Post Number: 2331 Registered: 5-2001 |
https://www.legaldocs.com/docs/living_will.d/nj-livw3.mv For those needing one, and we all do, here is a link to a living will form. Please, please print and complete it before you too are subject to the political whims of Congress | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 512 Registered: 9-2004 |
phoenix- "some of" (the democrats) is regrettably quite an understatement. Lucky, Your correct.  | ||
| Dr. Winston O'Boogie Citizen Username: Casey Post Number: 1110 Registered: 8-2003  |
I have no idea who the GOP think they're pandering to on this issue. Every poll out there, ABC, CNN, state polls in FL, and yes - EVEN FOX! - shows that huge majorities of people (at least 2/3) believe it's a spouse's decision to make in these cases. Almost 90% would leave instructions to have their own feeding tube removed if they were in Terry Schiavo's condition. Time to fill out the living will. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 513 Registered: 9-2004 |
From AP: "In cases like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life," President Bush said in a statement after signing the bill. Serious questions and substantial doubts? I wish he felt the same way about the Death Penalty. What IF a person was found to be innocent after the fact. Bush a pro-lifer, but yet, support the Death penalty. Who's playing God then? | ||
| cjc Citizen Username: Cjc Post Number: 3303 Registered: 8-2003 |
The death penalty deals with the guilty, and abortion deals with the innocent. Big difference. There's a question of who the republicans are pandering to if the polls are running against them on this. If they continue to hold their position, it must be one of principles. | ||
| Robert Livingston Citizen Username: Rob_livingston Post Number: 973 Registered: 7-2004 |
This I find absolutely unbelievable: The demented neo-cons won the election -- and are still fighting strongly for a constitutional amendment -- based on the concept of a sanctified heterosexual marriage. Now, though, the sanctity of the Schiavo marriage, and the husband's interpretation of his wife's wishes, are being rethought. Consider this just one more bone for the far-right Christian nutbags. It's a sad day for this country. | ||
| alindsay Citizen Username: Alindsay Post Number: 81 Registered: 5-2001 |
CJC - Life is life. If it's to be valued at all costs then guilt or innocence are irrelevant. Be consistent. | ||
| tjohn Citizen Username: Tjohn Post Number: 2972 Registered: 12-2001 |
..and incorrect findings of guilt leading to the death penalty deal with the innocent. But I'm told that only happens in Illinois and not in Texas. |
