Will Terri Schiavo Be Allowed A Dignified Death?
Finally, maybe this poor woman will be allowed to die in peace. That is my wish, but for some strange reason I have a feeling the rabid members of the RTL movement (Randall Terry etc.) will not let this rest. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to intervene in the case, it looks like the right wing extremests along with their enabler Gov. Jeb Bush are still not going to let well enough alone. Instead of letting Terri have some dignity he instead filed a request seeking custody of Terri and tried to convice Penellas Circuit Judge George Greer (who had previously ruled in favor of Michael Schiavo in regards to the removal of the feeding tube), with new allegations of neglect and challenges the diagnoses that Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state, claiming a new diagnosis of "Minimally Conscious State". But thank goodness, Greer wasn't convinced and declined to hear Bush's arguments saying in his decision: "The requested intervention ... appears to be brought for the purpose of circumventing the courts' final judgment and order setting the removal date in violation of the separate of powers doctorate" . Jeb Bush said he was expecting this ruling from Greer, BUT he planned to appeal. When are members of the Bush family ever going to realise what the word "NO" means and that they are not above the law? He says he won't violate the ruling by Greer but watching how this bunch operates, nothing would surprise me. I guess we will just wait and watch to see what these extremists come up with next. UPDATE (approximately 30 minutes ago) Terri's parents, who I DO NOT include in the term "wingnuts" have submitted yet another petition to the court to have the feeding tube re-inserted. They and their lawyers appeared before U.S. District Judge James Whittemore Thursday evening to make another emergency request that the feeding tube be reattached while the parents pursue their claims that Schiavo's religious and due-process rights were violated. Whittemore previously rejected a similar request, and pointed out to the Schiavos' attorney David Gibbs III that he should stay on the legal issues because he was aware of Terri Schiavo's declining health. How I pray that they will come to terms with the reality of the situation and let her go peacefully. Michael Shiavos' lawyer George Felos said "We believe it's time for that to stop as we approach this Easter weekend and that Mrs. Schiavo be able to die in peace," and I agree with those sentiments. I realize that a child is just not supposed to go before their parent(s), and this has got to be tearing them apart but I still believe that if the RTL crowd would just leave them alone, they would come to terms with the reality of the situation, and not only will Terri be at peace, but so will they. |
Comments on "Will Terri Schiavo Be Allowed A Dignified Death?"
I'm not taking sides on this issue, mainly because I am not personally involved. I just have a question regarding your post.
What 'dignity' is there in starving to death?
From what I have read on this issue, there is no pain involved because the stroke resulted in such damage that there is no activity in the Cerebrum nor in the Neo-Cortex. Thus, what remains is a body that once contained the living brain of Terri. It takes brain activity for a body to recognize pain.
What "dignity" is there having your body maintained because others cannot face up to reality?
Regardless of individual opinions on this issue, many people are now making their wishes known to family members should they be in a similar position. That, at least, is a positive result of this sad situation.
andrea, welcome to my blog and thanks for your comment. Terri is experiencing no loss of dignity by witholding nutrients that have been forced on her. Actually, all hospice workers and Oncologists will tell you it is a very peaceful death without pain.
This is more than she has been or will be given if all these RTL wacko's have their way.