RIP Terri Schiavo

[bdoughty]

I have no idea what it is about people dying and the insensitivity of some people here at DSP. Leave the political rants for another time. There is a time and a place for everything. RIP = "REST IN PEACE" not "Republicans I Praise".

Oh and to Sudz, yes the South Park episode was very good and showed the folly of all the people involved. I am sure that most here are too "Grey Pupon" to have watched it.

[reeche]

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...

I hear ya. We are polar opposites politically but I understand that some people come to their views through geniune belief and heartfelt intent. I just don't think most politicans do. I believe the average citizens who wanted Terri Schiavo to survive deserve respect without necessarily holding that opinion myself. Like I said, this was always a very personal family issue to me.

[GridIronGhost]

Dear God,

If you were alive, you know we'd kill you.

[vinny-b]

prior to her death (within the past couple days), the sack of sh*t denied her brother accompanied with a priest, to give communion/administer the sacraments.

gents, you can spare me the 'other side' on this one.

[ruscosi]

It is a hearbreaking, sad, sad day in our nation. If our government cannot protect the most innocent of lives from being starved to death on national television, we are in deep, deep trouble.

Our government exists for the primary reason of protecting innocent life. Our constitution gives us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is not a private, personal issue. The very foundations of the constitution are being challenged.

If we as a society continue down the path of the healthy making decisions on who has the right to live and who deserves to legally die, we are going down the same path that Nazi Germany traveled that ultimately ended with extermination of those deemed unworthy to be a useful part of society.

Life is valuable and all innocent human life on whatever level it exists has value and must be protected. Whether you realize it or not, we are all vunerable and the value of life in this country has taken a huge tumble.

I could care less about politics, I just value human life and think that no human being has the right to make a judgement whether another person's life is worth living or whether an innocent life should be taken because it doesn't live up to somebodies standard. Life is the most precious commodity we have and if our country is not protecting innocent life one of the foundations for it's very existence has been severly damaged.

[Leebo33]

Dear God,

If you were alive, you know we'd kill you.

I don't get it.

[Jared]

prior to her death (within the past couple days), the sack of sh*t denied her brother accompanied with a priest, to give communion/administer the sacraments.

gents, you can spare me the 'other side' on this one.

That's wrong.

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0305/216435.html

"Pinellas Park, Fl. (AP) - A priest has been allowed in to a Florida hospice to bring Terri Schiavo communion.

He said the brain-damaged woman's mouth was too dry to receive the communion wafer, though she did receive sacramental wine. He conveyed the news to the crowd gathered outside the hospice, drawing applause and cheers."

---------

I really don't think I've seen an issue where so many lies and misinformation has been passed around (and I'm not saying that vinny is lying...he probably got the information from some source).

[FatPitcher]

"It's not right to starve a disabled woman to death"
"The court said it's OK, so it's OK"

If you want justice, get a good lawyer. If you want to avoid justice, get a good lawyer. Because morals and ethics mean nothing, as long as you have judges ruling in your favor.

[Boltman]

To me..........

She's been in this state for some 15 or more odd years!!


Why is this still news?


Because now she died?


O.K. then,.....I understand.

What I do not understand here (and I was for her being put to sleep in some form, 15 years is insane) is.....why let her die a death worse than some criminals?

Starve and Dehydrate to death? C'mon, that is sick and unfair to her.

If you are going to put her to sleep, at least do it humanely (weather doctors agree or not) and give her a leathal injection.

At least that way, she goes quickly, and not 14 or so days later.

Just my 2.

[snaz16]

I've decided to weigh in on this in an attempt to clarify some issues brought up on this subject. Having buried 3 family members in the last year,and a younger brother in 1998,I've dealt with these issues personally. First ,be assured that Terri did not suffer. My Dad died in December,as we brought in Hospice for the final 3 weeks. They administer drugs that keep the patient comfortable,and sedated. Dad had Alzheimers and the disease just eats away until you forget how to do anything,i.e. eat,swallow,so basically you starve to death. Having been with him the last 3 days I can assure anybody that she did not suffer. Hospice was involved in all 3 members and to say the least,they are a wonderful organization. They councel loved ones,stay in touch after the death,providing support. Fortunately,we had living wills for all in regards to this.
For those of you willing to judge the husband,until you have had to wipe an a$$,spoon feed, get woke up at all hours of the night,when they holler,and generally watch a love one deteriorate before your eyes,you will never realize the burden that one carries. I strongly suggest that each one of you discuss with your wife,mom,and dads,etc. and take care of what you want to do to avoid that situation.
Lastly, I would ask each and every one of you.if you were Terri, would you want to put your loved ones through 15 years of agonizing hell,knowing there is absolutely no chance of existing as anything more than a vegetable? I think we all know the answer to that.
May you finally Rest In Peace Terri.

[wabash97]

She didn't suffer. Or at least suffered as little as possible. And she didn't starve. She dehydrated. There is a vast and crucial difference.
This is the preferred way in which Hospice allows people to let go. A friend's father went through Hospice and passed much in the same way. It is considered by Hospice to be The most humane and painless way in which to die. It is the way most animals, and most humans eventually die. The body, once the major organs fail, does not crave food or water. Of course, all of this information and practice comes from the minds and experience of doctors and workers experienced with death and dying - so it cannot be as valuable a resource as a truckload of bug-eyed f*cking religious zealots who ought to be home minding the shop instead of out in the street slandering some poor man whose wife effectively died 15 Years Ago. And some people have the audacity and callousness to question him because he has a damn girlfriend. What should he have done, plunged a knife into his chest? He had nothing to gain. Any money he received went into her care and legal bills brought about by her parents, who viciously slandered him, accused him of abuse and treated him like a damn criminal for no good reason. He should be commended for not Pimping himself on TV, and for keeping his cool.

B

[kicko]

i would like to drop my 2 cents but this is a topic that people will ALWAYS disagree on! see also do you believe in GOD, ghosts, ufo's, should gays marry, and why does trump fire all the hot girls!!!

[Boltman]

I've decided to weigh in on this in an attempt to clarify some issues brought up on this subject. Having buried 3 family members in the last year,and a younger brother in 1998,I've dealt with these issues personally. First ,be assured that Terri did not suffer. My Dad died in December,as we brought in Hospice for the final 3 weeks. They administer drugs that keep the patient comfortable,and sedated. Dad had Alzheimers and the disease just eats away until you forget how to do anything,i.e. eat,swallow,so basically you starve to death. Having been with him the last 3 days I can assure anybody that she did not suffer. Hospice was involved in all 3 members and to say the least,they are a wonderful organization. They councel loved ones,stay in touch after the death,providing support. Fortunately,we had living wills for all in regards to this.
For those of you willing to judge the husband,until you have had to wipe an a$$,spoon feed, get woke up at all hours of the night,when they holler,and generally watch a love one deteriorate before your eyes,you will never realize the burden that one carries. I strongly suggest that each one of you discuss with your wife,mom,and dads,etc. and take care of what you want to do to avoid that situation.
Lastly, I would ask each and every one of you.if you were Terri, would you want to put your loved ones through 15 years of agonizing hell,knowing there is absolutely no chance of existing as anything more than a vegetable? I think we all know the answer to that.
May you finally Rest In Peace Terri.

Thank you, I have learned something.

I now know that she died just as she would have through lethal injection. Fair enough.

As long as it was painless.

[JackB1]

I've decided to weigh in on this in an attempt to clarify some issues brought up on this subject. Having buried 3 family members in the last year,and a younger brother in 1998,I've dealt with these issues personally. First ,be assured that Terri did not suffer. My Dad died in December,as we brought in Hospice for the final 3 weeks. They administer drugs that keep the patient comfortable,and sedated. Dad had Alzheimers and the disease just eats away until you forget how to do anything,i.e. eat,swallow,so basically you starve to death. Having been with him the last 3 days I can assure anybody that she did not suffer. Hospice was involved in all 3 members and to say the least,they are a wonderful organization. They councel loved ones,stay in touch after the death,providing support. Fortunately,we had living wills for all in regards to this.
For those of you willing to judge the husband,until you have had to wipe an a$$,spoon feed, get woke up at all hours of the night,when they holler,and generally watch a love one deteriorate before your eyes,you will never realize the burden that one carries. I strongly suggest that each one of you discuss with your wife,mom,and dads,etc. and take care of what you want to do to avoid that situation.
Lastly, I would ask each and every one of you.if you were Terri, would you want to put your loved ones through 15 years of agonizing hell,knowing there is absolutely no chance of existing as anything more than a vegetable? I think we all know the answer to that.
May you finally Rest In Peace Terri.

very well said........I agree 100% of what you said. Everyone wants to look at this as a "black & white" issue and it's never as simple as that. It's not a case of to starve or not to starve a person.

[Teal]

This is getting really ridiculous...


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7293186/


Barred my ass, if I'm the woman's father. I'd be more likely to stick a bar UP Shiavo's ass than to adhere to that stupidity...

[kicko]

just make it law that upon marriage you should have to have a living will or health proxy, end of story. if you don't your state decides what to do with you.............. "Is the tank full of sharks Russell?" "Yes Curtis!" "Well then, put the numb fool in, we got 3 of these today and i want to go home so i can catch Oprah the aftershow"

[pk500]

I'm still torn over who is right and wrong in this case, but these comments from Tom De Lay show why Republicans are drunk out of their mind with power these days in Washington and are a terribly dangerous force:

<<<<<

Senior Republican Tom DeLay, who leads the House of Representatives, attacked the US courts for allowing Mrs Schiavo to die, calling them "out of control".

Mr DeLay promised continued support for Mrs Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, who led the campaign to keep their daughter alive.

"We will look at an arrogant, out-of-control, unaccountable judiciary that thumbed their nose at Congress and the president."

<<<<<

News flash, Tommy boy: The three branches of government are supposed to be somewhat independent in a system of checks and balances. The list of Bush and GOP Congressional "yes men" doesn't extend to the bench of the Supreme Court, thank God.

This was an issue for the courts, not the White House or legislature. And the courts made their decision.

The Republican party is reminding me more and more of a Central American junta every day.

Take care,
PK

[Teal]

I'm still torn over who is right and wrong in this case, but these comments from Tom De Lay show why Republicans are drunk out of their mind with power these days in Washington and are a terribly dangerous force:

The list of Bush and GOP Congressional "yes men" doesn't extend to the bench of the Supreme Court, thank God.



The Republican party is reminding me more and more of a Central American junta every day.

Take care,
PK

So, when did Tom DeLay, a man who before was little more than a blip on the radar, suddenly become the Republican Party? Central American junta?? What in the world are you talking about?

This is just like the dumb idea that Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell ARE the Christian community. C'mon, PK...

[pk500]

Let's see, Teal: Tom De Lay is the majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. He's a leading voice in the Republican Party because of that position.

But you want me to believe he's just some freshman congressman running his mouth? And you don't find it one bit rich that De Lay is ripping the judicial branch because it's not rolling over and kow-towing to Bush's every whims, like the Legislative branch has done because it's under GOP control?

Come on ...

And I stand by my junta remark. If Bush had his way, he would assert total control over the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the U.S., just like the leader of a junta.

Take care,
PK

[Brando70]

So, when did Tom DeLay, a man who before was little more than a blip on the radar, suddenly become the Republican Party? Central American junta?? What in the world are you talking about?

This is just like the dumb idea that Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell ARE the Christian community. C'mon, PK...

From DeLay's own Web site:

"Tom DeLay serves as majority leader, the second ranking leader in the United States House of Representatives."

Gee, I guess he has a little bit of influence.

And it's not like anyone has ever said all liberals are like Michael Moore or Bill Clinton.

Maybe if a Christian moderate would, I don't know, grab the f***in mic once in while, people wouldn't have these impressions. When Joe Lieberman talks, you don't see MoveOn.org shoving his ass in a box. Every moderate Republican since Bush took office has been castrated by their party. Powell, Joel Hefley (the guy who got removed for blowing the whistle on Dirty DeLay), Arlen Specter, to name a few.

Before I get labeled as a partisan Dem, I a) am a registered independent and b) have voted for a Republican representative for the last 2 elections. I am just not a big fan of the personal-life-invading, science-denying theocrats attempting to run this country. Whatever happened to the rational religious beliefs espoused by our founders? Do you think Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin would have been standing outside that hospice with tape on their mouths? Not. Bloody. Likely.

[bdoughty]

Greed...

This one is for Teal... You have worked hard to attack the husbands character. I just thought you might check out what the parents are up to.

Did you donate to the Terry Schiavo Fund? If so the parents are not only taking your donation but selling your e-mail address and information.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... mg/2648050

Yea that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

[bdoughty]

The extended version of the story.

NY Times article...

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.ph ... ode=nested

Privacy experts said the sale of the list was legal and even predictable, if ghoulish.

[J]

Too many unanswered questions and conflicting evidence that was never considered by the courts. It's unfortunate that we couldn't err on the side of life and rehab in this case. Not saying that euthanasia is always wrong, but I think it was wrong to kill her and especially to starve her to death. As usual, the most frustrating part of this case was the hatchet job done by the media (for example, the poll numbers were misleading and many of the facts were not reported).

[Leebo33]

Too many unanswered questions and conflicting evidence that was never considered by the courts.

Do you have any specific examples of items that weren't considered? It just seems to me that it would be almost impossible for there to be items that weren't considered based on how many times this was case was heard and how much scrutiny it was under. There is a difference between not considering evidence and considering the evidence and drawing a different conclusion than some desired.

What difference does it make how the media covered the story in the grand scheme of things? This was a personal and legal matter that was turned into a political circus. What do poll numbers have to do with the facts of the case? Give an example of a fact that wasn't reported.

If anything, the media coverage probably kept Ms. Schiavo alive much longer than she would have been otherwise. I can't imagine this stuff doesn't happen all the time, but the Governor/Congress only try to intervene when there is ample news coverage and political opportunity.

[J]

The testimony of her nurses was never heard by the courts. If you haven't read it, do check it out.

The doctors who investigated her were unqualified, and only spent about 40 minutes each with her. You have to spend a certain number of hours and perform the correct tests in order to come to the conclusion that she was in a persistive vegitative state.

There was no investigation into foul play on the part of Michael in causing her condition.

The judge may have had a conflict of interest since he is on the board of directors for the hospice.

GW Bush did have the power to keep here alive. Balance of power doesn't mean that we live under judicial tyranny. The courts (which are the weakest branch of our government) were ingnored when they decided blacks aren't as human as whites.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.