RIP Terri Schiavo

[pk500]

Regardless of who you think was right or wrong in this case, a 41-year-old woman died today. A husband lost a wife, a brother and sister lost a sister, and a mother and father lost a daughter.

Very, very sad.

But I am very, very troubled by reports that Michael Schiavo denied the Schindler family access to Terri during her final moments, allowing them to see her only after she had died. If that's true, then my suspicions about his dubious character are only reinforced.

Rest in peace in the eternal happiness of heaven, Terri. May perpetual light shine on you and all the souls of the faithfully departed.

Take care,
PK

[azmark]

Agreed.
RIP Terri. My prayers are with you . Agreed PK..no matter how you feel, she deserves dignity and our prayers.

[DivotMaker]

Regardless of who you think was right or wrong in this case, a 41-year-old woman died today. A husband lost a wife, a brother and sister lost a sister, and a mother and father lost a daughter.

Very, very sad.

Well said...hard to add anything of substance to those comments except to say that I agree with them.

But I am very, very troubled by reports that Michael Schiavo denied the Schindler family access to Terri during her final moments, allowing them to see her only after she had died. If that's true, then my suspicions about his dubious character are only reinforced.

This guy deserves whatever he gets in retribution. Something about loving and supporting your spouse "until death do us part" comes to mind. I realize that her chances for a normal life were virtually nil, but IMHO, he should have divorced her intead of pulling the plug on HER life.

If he indeed kept her family from seeing her until after she died, I do not hold her family responsible for their actions if they decide to go after this prick. Sorry, but this guy is no better than Scott Peterson with the exception that he did not brutalize his wife during the murdering process nor did he kill an unborn child. Michael Schiavo will get his...some day.

[Inuyasha]

he's probably partying and waiting to collect. He's complete scum. Maybe they should have tried to put more pressure on him to try to get a divorce during all this. seemed like it may have been the only way to save her.

[sportdan30]

It is my sincere hope that her friends and family will now try and remember her for more of who she was prior to the tragedy 15 years ago. Just from reading excerpts of the obituary, she overcame a lonely childhood and undoubtedly was probably self conscious about her weight growing up. But it also sounds as though she overcame these issues and was quite a happy woman. It will be a real tragedy if politics overshadow who she was as a person.

Rest in peace.

[F308GTB]

It's a hard deal all the way around. I'm sure Michael Schiavo was feeling it today. It's easy for those on the outside to judge, but unless we are in the same situation (and none of us want to be), you can't really know the emotions. I can say that if I were Michael Schiavo, I'd be feeling both incredible joy and sadness at the same time - joy that my ex-wife wouldn't have to endure another day in her state and sadness that she was gone forever. Plus you don't know what state of mind he had at the end. Emotions can certainly get the best of you and affect your ability to think rationally. Should he have let her parents in? You bet, but I'm willing to bet the guy was pretty stressed out and felt a compelling need to be alone. This situation is a FAR cry from the Peterson case.

I'm both happy and sad about this. Happy it is over for her but I'm also sad anytime someone loses a life.

[Jackdog]

It's a hard deal all the way around. I'm sure Michael Schiavo was feeling it today. It's easy for those on the outside to judge, but unless we are in the same situation (and none of us want to be), you can't really know the emotions. I can say that if I were Michael Schiavo, I'd be feeling both incredible joy and sadness at the same time - joy that my ex-wife wouldn't have to endure another day in her state and sadness that she was gone forever. Plus you don't know what state of mind he had at the end. Emotions can certainly get the best of you and affect your ability to think rationally. Should he have let her parents in? You bet, but I'm willing to bet the guy was pretty stressed out and felt a compelling need to be alone. This situation is a FAR cry from the Peterson case.

I'm both happy and sad about this. Happy it is over for her but I'm also sad anytime someone loses a life.

That about sums up my feelings as well.

[Leebo33]

It's a hard deal all the way around. I'm sure Michael Schiavo was feeling it today. It's easy for those on the outside to judge, but unless we are in the same situation (and none of us want to be), you can't really know the emotions. I can say that if I were Michael Schiavo, I'd be feeling both incredible joy and sadness at the same time - joy that my ex-wife wouldn't have to endure another day in her state and sadness that she was gone forever. Plus you don't know what state of mind he had at the end. Emotions can certainly get the best of you and affect your ability to think rationally. Should he have let her parents in? You bet, but I'm willing to bet the guy was pretty stressed out and felt a compelling need to be alone. This situation is a FAR cry from the Peterson case.

I'm both happy and sad about this. Happy it is over for her but I'm also sad anytime someone loses a life.

That about sums up my feelings as well.

Me too.

[Sudz]

anyone see south park?

kick ass episode!

smartest show on tv.

[DivotMaker]

This situation is a FAR cry from the Peterson case.

Guess we will agree to disagree. I can see the reasons why you stated what you did, but at the end of the day, it was HIS decision to cut her life short. Period. There are other ways to deal with his situation and I cannot disagree more with the way he handled it.

I'm both happy and sad about this. Happy it is over for her but I'm also sad anytime someone loses a life.

We agree...

[AcemanPR]

I'm keeping my opinions about this whole ordeal to myself, but I will at least say...I certainly hope the media will back off now, and allow her family to have some time to themselves. They are certainly allowed that, and I am really getting sick and tired of the media sticking their noses into cases like this. To me, it is completely ridiculous to see how this got ballooned to big. That's all.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Schiavo family.

[Jared]

I'd wait to see if this stuff about Michael Schiavo is true before piling on him. It seems like they were all with her, then they were supposed to do tests where Schiavo asked to be alone with her, and then she died a few minutes later. There doesn't seem to be any evidence that they knew she would die any minute and that he kept them out for that purpose. I'd wait to see if there are any other reports on this...considering all the misinformation on the topic, I wouldn't be surprised if this was exaggerated as well.

[DivotMaker]

I'd wait to see if this stuff about Michael Schiavo is true before piling on him. It seems like they were all with her, then they were supposed to do tests where Schiavo asked to be alone with her, and then she died a few minutes later. There doesn't seem to be any evidence that they knew she would die any minute and that he kept them out for that purpose. I'd wait to see if there are any other reports on this...considering all the misinformation on the topic, I wouldn't be surprised if this was exaggerated as well.

If this is the case, then I will retract my comments about him not having her family with them at the end.

In retrospect, I realize that this is a very emotionally charged subject with a great deal of "grey area". With that in mind, I think I will choose to refrain from posting further on this. I do not feel that any of us will benefit from a prolonged or heated discussion about an issue that many of us might see from very different perspectives, none of which can truly be labelled as "wrong".

[Leebo33]

Speaking of misinformation, I just saw in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., issued a statement today saying Schiavo had died a "slow, painful death."

Any evidence to support that statement? Everything I've read said that it is highly likely that Schiavo felt no pain.

[Brando70]

Speaking of misinformation, I just saw in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., issued a statement today saying Schiavo had died a "slow, painful death."

Any evidence to support that statement? Everything I've read said that it is highly likely that Schiavo felt no pain.

From what the doctors said, probably not. They don't really know for sure. Of course, that doesn't stop Rick "man-on-dog sex" Santorum from being a grandstanding butthole.

It's terrible what happened. The decision, the media circus, etc.. But I hope that maybe this event triggers a real debate on medical ethics and the right of people to choose their fate.

As for Michael Schaivo: if his wife really did tell him she wouldn't want to go on like this, then he did the right thing. I would have fought like hell to make sure my wife's wishes were honored, too. If she never said that, then he will eventually get his judgment. Sadly, the only other person who could answer that passed away. I hope she's at peace now.

[Badger_Fan]

It's unfortunate that the whole thing had to come to this. By that I mean that the woman should have been able to live her final days in peace, and not as a pawn in a big political ploy by both sides to try to capitalize on the case to advance their own agendas.

As far as Michael Schiavo keeping the family out of the room when she died. As has been stated this is in dispute as to whether it was intentional or not, but let me pose a question. If she really did tell him that she didn't want to live this way and he was just trying to carry out her wishes I would understand him keeping the family out of the room. If the above is true that means that the man spent the last 13 or 14 years trying to do what his wife would have wanted. The man has been through hell and lately the family has been making accusations of possible abuse and doing whatever they can to discredit him. Would any of you want to be with them?

[reeche]

Speaking of misinformation, I just saw in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., issued a statement today saying Schiavo had died a "slow, painful death."

Any evidence to support that statement? Everything I've read said that it is highly likely that Schiavo felt no pain.

Does it really matter to any of these people? They are too busy trying to put their own political spin on it and gain a few more votes. Republicans and Democrats should have both kept their nose of out what is essentially a private family battle which the courts should decide but neither could resist (with Republicans leading the charge). The one thing I'm glad about is that the judicial system was the final arbiter and not pandering politicans. It was certainly a sad situation that should have remained a private one imo and hopefully both sides can get on with their lives now.

[ScoopBrady]

They are certainly allowed that, and I am really getting sick and tired of the media sticking their noses into cases like this. To me, it is completely ridiculous to see how this got ballooned to big. That's all.

People can blame the media all they want as they merit some blame but people often forget that the people are just as guilty when cases like this get so much media exposure. Media outlets will run stories to death when the public craves more. Almost everybody had an opinion on this story and a lot of people readily talked about them with one another. That's why this case got to be so big. If the public didn't react so strongly this story would have disappeared within a day or so. I certainly don't want to take this thread off track so I'll end my little rant about this now.

As far as Terri is concerned, I'm glad she no longer has to suffer and I truly hope she is at peace now. Someone on the OS boards started a thread that linked to a Terri Schiavo Web Log and it made me sick to my stomach when I read how many people there thought it was funny. It made me question the country I lived in when I read some of the comments left on the blog. It's a shame that Terri will be remembered as she no doubt will be instead of as a person. I'm glad this whole sad event is behind us and most of all I'm glad Terri no longer has to suffer.

[Teal]

The one thing I'm glad about is that the judicial system was the final arbiter and not pandering politicans.

Yeah, we all know there are no politics or personal ideologies in the judicial system...

[JackB1]

Terry was just a pawn in all of this. I'm glad she can finally rest in peace.
The sad thruth is that the husband's character really isn't at issue here. He is the closest next of kin, so he gets to decide what should happen to her. Agree or disagree, that is the system we have in place. Hopefully stuff like this can stay out of the media's headlines and out of the government's hands and let us decide our personal, family matters ourselves. If the families can't decide, then battle it out in local courts......NOT the Supreme Court.

[reeche]

The one thing I'm glad about is that the judicial system was the final arbiter and not pandering politicans.

Yeah, we all know there are no politics or personal ideologies in the judicial system...

Hmmm.. I sense sour grapes.

At least the judicidal system was doing its job. The politicans weren't. And all those denied appeals didn't come from 'crazy' liberal judges. Any step along the way somebody could have overturned it including the supreme court which ain't exactly a liberal hotbed currently. Most of those judges also if not all of them aren't beholden to voters so I'll take their slight pandering to an imagined public over the blatant political one's any day.

[Teal]

Hmmm.. I sense sour grapes.

Over the forced starvation death of a woman whose only supposed wish to die came as hearsay from the "hubby" (loosely translated), and even then didn't come until seven years into it? Over a judicial system that was told to do a new review, and thumbed its nose at the US Congress, which, regardless of what kneejerkers in here think, had every Consititutional right, not to mention olbigation, per Article III, to do what it did?

Over a man who, rather than divorcing a woman he has long since abandoned emotionally, partners with a lawyer and fights like a cornered wolverine to get her gone, refusing to even consider her parents' desire to continue to care for her? Over judges who act more like kings, with little to no objection on the part of a people who are largely apathetic to it?

Nah...no sour grapes here. Whatever is there to be sour about?

Nah...no sour grapes here.




God Bless you, Terri. I'm sorry that you had to endure what no criminal will ever have to. Rest in Peace, and enjoy your new accomodations...

[Leebo33]

Over the forced starvation death of a woman whose only supposed wish to die came as hearsay from the "hubby"

I thought there was also testimony from Michael's brother and sister-in-law that was deemed "credible and consistent" by the courts? Apparently they referenced specific conversations that were "at or proximate to funerals of close family members who had been on artificial life support."

I guess it's *possible* that there could be collusion between the family members (I highly doubt though that my sister and brother-in-law would commit perjury for me in such a case), but just the fact they had family members on life support probably adds some credibility that those conversations actually took place.

[reeche]

Hmmm.. I sense sour grapes.

Over the forced starvation death of a woman whose only supposed wish to die came as hearsay from the "hubby" (loosely translated), and even then didn't come until seven years into it? Over a judicial system that was told to do a new review, and thumbed its nose at the US Congress, which, regardless of what kneejerkers in here think, had every Consititutional right, not to mention olbigation, per Article III, to do what it did?

Over a man who, rather than divorcing a woman he has long since abandoned emotionally, partners with a lawyer and fights like a cornered wolverine to get her gone, refusing to even consider her parents' desire to continue to care for her? Over judges who act more like kings, with little to no objection on the part of a people who are largely apathetic to it?

Nah...no sour grapes here. Whatever is there to be sour about?

Nah...no sour grapes here.




God Bless you, Terri. I'm sorry that you had to endure what no criminal will ever have to. Rest in Peace, and enjoy your new accomodations...

Well I disagree with your comments about the politicans. Like I said I think it's a private matter that should have been handled in that manner which Republicans are normally all for. (That isn't directed at you. Just all the politicans who were grandstanding).

I'm not sure who should have won the custody struggle myself. I don't demonize either side as I don't have all the facts. The only different thing I would have done is given her a morphine or drug injection to finish this off once the issue had been decided rather than ostensibly starve her to death although in her state I'm not sure what exactly what difference was....It was more of an issue of what kind of society we are.

The analogy is bizzare but we don't allow cruel and unusual punishments for criminals. We would never allow someone to starve to death on death row, we would give them a lethal injection because it's more humane in that bizzare sense of the word. Unfortunately the way cases like this operate is that it forces the worst possible solution on all parties. I have empathy for both the parents and the husband.

[Teal]

Hmmm.. I sense sour grapes.

Over the forced starvation death of a woman whose only supposed wish to die came as hearsay from the "hubby" (loosely translated), and even then didn't come until seven years into it? Over a judicial system that was told to do a new review, and thumbed its nose at the US Congress, which, regardless of what kneejerkers in here think, had every Consititutional right, not to mention olbigation, per Article III, to do what it did?

Over a man who, rather than divorcing a woman he has long since abandoned emotionally, partners with a lawyer and fights like a cornered wolverine to get her gone, refusing to even consider her parents' desire to continue to care for her? Over judges who act more like kings, with little to no objection on the part of a people who are largely apathetic to it?

Nah...no sour grapes here. Whatever is there to be sour about?

Nah...no sour grapes here.




God Bless you, Terri. I'm sorry that you had to endure what no criminal will ever have to. Rest in Peace, and enjoy your new accomodations...

Well I disagree with your comments about the politicans. Like I said I think it's a private matter that should have been handled in that manner which Republicans are normally all for. (That isn't directed at you. Just all the politicans who were grandstanding).

I'm not sure who should have won the custody struggle myself. I don't demonize either side as I don't have all the facts. The only different thing I would have done is given her a morphine or drug injection to finish this off once the issue had been decided rather than ostensibly starve her to death although in her state I'm not sure what exactly what difference was....It was more of an issue of what kind of society we are.

The analogy is bizzare but we don't allow cruel and unusual punishments for criminals. We would never allow someone to starve to death on death row, we would give them a lethal injection because it's more humane in that bizzare sense of the word. Unfortunately the way cases like this operate is that it forces the worst possible solution on all parties. I have empathy for both the parents and the husband.

I like the tone of your disagreements, reeche, even if we are on opposite ice caps over this. I appreciate it, and I tip my hat. Sorry if my last one was a little terse. I'm all for shaking hands (virtually, of course) over this, walking away from it, and mourning the passing of this dear woman...