View Full Version : Terry Schiavo
Speaking of Political Correctness - what the hell is government doing in this matter? This is a private family matter, where lawmakers have no right to tread. They're so afraid of not doing the right thing, to make some kind iof a statement - tend to righting wrongs where people WANT you to be involved! I understand the parents' feelings, but does anyone REALLY want to live the life this poor woman is "living"?
I for one have a Living Will. So does MrD. I just hope that if and when the time comes that I need it, it's carried out. I'd hate to see MrD going to jail for the rest of his life because he had to carry out my wishes with a loaded gun or an overstuffed pillow.
GoingNova
03-22-2005, 11:10 AM
I understand the parents' feelings, but does anyone REALLY want to live the life this poor woman is "living"?
Me. So, if this situation were me, you would be killing me when I want to live. That is why no one has the right to determine when a life is not worthy of "living". If there was a living will, that would be different, and that is another debate, but under these circumstances where THERE IS NO LIVING WILL, and the family is split, I believe the government was RIGHT for intervening.
The government's job is to protect people. In a situation where the immediate family is at odds, they have an obligation to step in to save her life. It is wrong for people to determine which life is worth living, and which life is not worth living. In the absence of a living will, I say BRAVO for the government for choosing life.
SALly
03-22-2005, 03:16 PM
All I know is that if I were her, I would not want my picture all over the papers and tv news all the time. It should be a private issue dealt with by the family and court, not all over the news.
That's a whole other issue, I'm afraid, SALly - But the way - Welcome to the site! Thanks for posting!
And NO, Nova - I'd NEVER think to end the life of a person who I knew wanted to live. That's murder. According to Terry Schiavo's husband, they had discussed this subject and she told him she didn't want to live that way. This life is precious and worthy - she deserves dignity. That's where SALly's post is so important - get the media out of this girl's face, for chrissakes!! I'm not saying it's right to go around pulling people's plugs or anything, I'm just going by the information that I've read about this woman and her illness. The horrible thing here is she never made a Living Will. People don;t think about things like that when they're young and "healthy", but you never know.
GoingNova
03-22-2005, 05:20 PM
Well, the trouble is, he waited 7 years to mention that she did not want to live that way. Also, see the affidavit filed by one of her nurses, as well as the statement made by her BEST FRIEND, that stated Terry told her point blank, that she would want to live no matter the circumstances. The whole thing is very fishy.
The family, specifically Terry's Mother and Father, have offered to carry all expenses, they have offered her husband a divorce, AND, her husband has already had multiple children with another women since. With all of that being said, I stand by my original statement: without a living will, without credible evidence to suggest that the person wants to die (sorry but the husband's story under the circumstances is just not credible, and besides, when did HERESY become admitable in court), I think Congress SHOULD step in.
SALly
03-22-2005, 05:37 PM
The sad thing is that I still don't have any kind of living will. This story sure makes everyone think about it, but how many will actually get a will......
Nova - don't you freakin' SLEEP? When do you have time to do all this reading and research? Half the stuff you put in that post I'd never heard before. From what I knew, the husband has for years been trying to keep her wishes. I just can't believe that he would openly have her murdered - that is what your post is alledging isn't it? OK - lately there have been some very strange things happening in the world, but if it's true that he just wants her out of the way, he could get divorced, couldn't he? It's heresay on the part of the nurses and best friend, as well - what makes what they have to say any more poignant than what the husband says? I do agree, however that without written proof in the form of a Living Will, you just can't terminate a life. Having the Government get involved is obscene. Couldn't the hospital step in and have a say? Did it HAVE to go to Congress and the White House? These people are erring on the side of safety, NOT what may or may not be in the best interest of the patient.
You can actually devise your own Living Will without having to go through an attorney. I saw a story about it on a news program, but I can't remember what the form was called or where to get one. I'll bet if you Google Living Wills you'll find it.
Anyone know if much or any of the medical data on her case has been publically available? Especially the purported CT scans that were conducted a few years back?
GoingNova
03-22-2005, 09:34 PM
What is most upsetting about this whole case is that you have a husband and a lot of folks in the media, misrepresenting the facts. If I thought that the husband was genuine, as he is being portrayed, I could see how you could be annoyed about Congress intervening. The fact is, as I have said in previous posts, the husband's position, is AT BEST, suspicious.
The husband, after seven years, says that his wife told him she would never want to live like this. Considering the man has found a "new wife", and has had children with her, and OBVIOUSLY wants to move on, don't you think there is REASONABLE DOUBT to believe he is lying? Whatever you think, I would think it would fall under hearsay: a statement made out of court and not under oath which is offered as proof that what is stated is true. The nurse's statements ARE NOT hearsay, because she has sworn under oath that what she is saying is true.
This link (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1006944/posts) is to the nurse's affidavit, and this is from Fox News:
Carla Sauer Iyer, a registered nurse who provided care to Terri Schiavo from 1995 to 1996 at a convalescence home in Largo, Fla., told FOX News in an interview Tuesday that her patient would interact with staff, was alert and aware and could talk. "Her cognitive abilities including laughing, talking, letting you know she was in pain," Iyer told FOX News, adding that Terri Schiavo could say words like "mommy," "help me," "hi" and "pain."
She also said Schiavo had accurate reflexes on demand. Nurses also were able, at times, to feed Terri thickened liquids such as pudding and Jello with a baby bottle.
Iyer also claims that one time when she put a washcloth in Terri's hand to test her reflexes, Michael Schiavo would get upset and say, "that's therapy — take that washcloth out."
"I think a gag order has been put on all positive things that Terri has done," claimed Iyer.
Iyer said she was coming forward "to let the truth be known, to let the people know. I was one of the few people who was able to see Terri. She was able to talk, communicate with staff ... I want the public to know the truth."
Michael Schiavo has not responded to repeated interview requests from The Associated Press and FOX News Channel.
I feel as though I'm on a death watch. This girl could die any day now, and there is no decency, dignity or peace for her. I have been doing a lot of reading and listening about this story, and I think I may have changed my mind. I still don;t think the government has a place in the privacy of families and their decisions, but I think the husband has ulterior motives. I just found out how much money he's supposedly coming in to once she passes away and I'm surprised there isn't more of a CRIMINAL investigation being done here. I'm sick over watching this girl die. I just pray that she has no idea what's going on.
GoingNova
03-25-2005, 04:08 PM
I still don;t think the government has a place in the privacy of families and their decisions, but I think the husband has ulterior motives.
You said it better than me! I agree 100%! The only reason I think the government should get involved in this case is because of the lack of proof that this is what the poor lady wants. It is sad, and I am more annoyed at how, ONCE AGAIN, the media coverage is SO BIASED! It sickens me! They are presenting the situation wrong in two key areas:
A) they are presenting the situation as if Terri is on life support: SHE ISN'T
B) they keep saying that this is what she wanted, when there is no evidence to support this, other than her husband's word, and he has ulterior motives
GOD FORBID you ever starved an animal, you would have animal rights activists all over you. But a woman, that's fine. :mad:
If this woman had a living will, or if HER ENTIRE FAMILY, HER BEST FRIEND, AND DROVES OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO KNOW HER, weren't saying how she would never want to die, then you wouldn't be hearing a word from me. But under the circumstances, it's horrible. :(