Shortly after midnight last night, the US House passed a measure -- which was quickly signed by President Bush -- which asked a federal court to step in and consider whether or not to reconnect Terri Sciavo's feeding tube.
I mentioned Friday that I was not comfortable speaking out on this case, but, as you would imagine, I took the time this weekend to learn more about Terri's tragic plight.
Michael Schiavo (and by extension Judge Greer, the original judge adjudicating this case) has not permitted outside doctors from examining Terri. Michael Schiavo has an outside relationship with another woman.
The magic questions are plenty. Among them, if Michael Schiavo wanted a relationship with someone else, why hasn't he sought a divorce from Terri? Given her condition, a divorce court in Florida would quickly grant it, freeing him to galivant with whatever woman he wishes.
Also, why wouldn't he want to have any other physicians examine Terri? Why wouldn't he want a CAT scan taken to see if there were any medical advances that might help her? Why wouldn't Judge Greer mandate that any additional medical resources be brought to bear in this case?
After all -- if you are not 100% sure that she is completely and inescapably in a hopeless state, even given medical advances from the finest medical minds on the planet, why not err on the side of caution?
First term US Congresscritter Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Moonbat-FL) has been loudly vocal in support of the starvation of Terri, stating on television appearances all over the dial this weekend, "It is not the Congress' place to say 'yes' or 'no,'" about Schiavo's fate.
But the larger question is that if Congress "does not have the place," as Wasserman Schultz claims, why not err on the side of caution until and unless all the other medical questions have been answered?
I've noticed a disturbing trend in the roll call vote yesterday...
Of course, McKinney voted for death. Probably the only time she's ever done so in her life. But consider the circumstances. *shrug*
Posted by: Laurence Simon at March 21, 2005 09:36 AMI’ve been following the Schiavo case, but not writing sbout it, simply becaue the whole affair literally makes me sick to my stomach! The idea that this man, who took a vow to be with this woman through sickness and health, is trying to murder her so he can marry his girlfriend that he has two illegitmate children with is disgusting.
I watched the debate last night on C-span, it was almost surreal to see the Democrats arguing passionately for her starvation. As an African American, even worse was seeing black democrats arguing against saving her life and throwing veiled racist inuendos around that all this effort by Republicans is for one (white) person, while blacks are suffering from inadequate healthcare. One Black female member from Indiana even mentioned the cost($5 million dollars) of having this special session of Congress. How can you put a price tag on human life?
What has our society become when men murder their preganant wives on Christmas Eve, chilfren are abducted and murdered, and a United States Congressman mentions cost on the floor of the House when debating life and death?
Posted by: New Leadership at March 21, 2005 09:55 AMThe legislation does not ask a federal court to step in and reconnect Terri Sciavo's feeding tube. It only creates a cause of action in federal courts.
Posted by: Joshua Claybourn at March 21, 2005 10:06 AMHelpful links:
Understanding and misunderstanding persistent vegetative state
Posted by: Anomalocaris at March 21, 2005 12:20 PMMichael, This last friday,Larry King aired an interview with Michael Schiavo that was contradictory and scary. First the husband is talking about "honoring' Terri's wishes,but then later on in the interview he's talking about not what Terri wanted,but what he wanted. I find it very hard to believe that Schiavo didn't remember her death wish until after 7 years of Terri being in a hospice. Something is not right here. I agree the action taken.
Posted by: Eric at March 21, 2005 12:47 PMSo now if Terri now dies because the feeding tube was removed.
What will the doctor write on the death certificate as the cause of death?
Think!
Terri is alive.
Terri has comitted no crime.
Terri is unable to speak for herself
Terri has been sentenced to death by starvation.
and.
Terri has had no legal representation.
An American Expat in Southeast Asia
Posted by: LHM at March 22, 2005 04:48 AMWHY THE GOVERTMENT CAN"T DO NOTHING FOR TERRY,WHY DECIDE AND ORDER KILL TERRY FOR NO GIVE WATER AND FOOD,IN HEAR FLORIDA ANIMAL CONTROL COME FROM MY HOUSE AND SEE NO FOOD AND NO WATER FROM MY DOG I GO DIRECT FROM JAIL BECOUSE SUPOURTO IS CRUEL,WHAT HAPPEN WHITH TERRY SHE IS HUMAN AND NEED LIVE,WHY THIS GOVERTMENT IS SO CRUEL PLEASE IS ONE HUMAN NEED SOMEVARRY HELP IS INPOSIBLE IN U.S.A THE JUSTICE ORDER KILL (HOMICIDE) TERRY FOR NO GIVE FOOD AND WATER IS HORRIBLE THIS CRUELTY,IS INDIGNANT
Posted by: TAMARA ECHEVARRIA at March 26, 2005 07:23 PMWhy is this woman being allowed to die when she can turn her head, and she seems to be crying out for help. We give our pets more compassion than she is being given. She is an innocent human being who appears to want to live, and she is being denied the cheapest commodities on our planet, food and water. This is as unreal as Christ's execution. Will someone rescue her before she dies needlessly.
Posted by: Lula Orsby at March 27, 2005 02:38 PM