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Terri Schindler-Schiavo
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"The Hanging Judges"
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Schindler-Schiavo Aftermath
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Terri Schindler-Schiavo passed away March 31, 2005 at 9:05 A.M., EST
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April 30, 2005 An Eyewitness Account
Fr. Frank Pavone,
National Director, Priests for Life You may have seen on the news that I was at Terri Schiavo's bedside during the last 14 hours of her earthly life, right up until five minutes before her death. During that time with Terri, joined by her brother and sister, I expressed your care, concern, and prayers. I told Terri over and over that she had many friends around the country, many people who were praying for her and were on her side. I had also told her the same things during my visits to her in the months before her feeding tube was removed, and am convinced she understood. . . . I've known Terri's family for about six years now and they put me on the visitor's list. Terri was in a hospice but there were police officers stationed outside her room. If I were not on that visitor's list I could not get in that room beyond the armed guard because the visitor's list was kept very, very small and very well controlled. The reason? The euthanasia advocates had to be able to say that Terri was an unresponsive person in some kind of vegetative state, coma or whatever terminology they want to use to suggest that she was completely unresponsive. The only way to prove she was responsive was to see her for yourself. . . . I went down to see her in September 2004 and again in February 2005. . . . When her mom first introduced her to me, she stared at me intently. She focused her eyes. She would focus her eyes on whoever was talking to her. If somebody spoke to her from the other part of the room she would turn her head and her eyes towards the person who was talking to her. . . .Meanwhile, let us continue to commend Terri to the Lord, mindful of the equal value of every life, no matter how prominent or obscure, healthy or sick. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am in regular contact with Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, and her siblings, Bobby and Suzanne. They are strong Christians with a beautiful, gentle spirit. If you wish to relay a personal message to them, you can send it to terri@priestsforlife.org and I will pass it along to them myself. April 25, 2005
Two Women Who Fought To Survive: Sindelar & Schiavo
By Jill Cohen Walker, J.D., NewsWithViews.com I’ve asked myself many questions over the weeks that I prayed for Terri Schindler-Schiavo and her family. It’s not necessary to list those questions here and it may be years before I have the answers. Then again, I may have those answers now, but I want them to mature into clear thoughts that will produce sound research. I’m almost there . . . In the meantime, look again at these two women—Carla and Terri—and look at the folks who cared about what happened to them. Now look at those who didn’t care, wanted them dead, and/or believed that the sick, twisted, man-made “right to die” supersedes God’s words about Him “giving life and giving it abundantly.” Contrast those words with the Nazi-like, evil ideologies that had to permeate Terri’s case for judges to deny her right to due process, right to a fair hearing with all the evidence weighed equally, and the simple right to live. Read the legal documents, excerpts from legal transcripts and affidavits and you’ll find yourself shaking your head in disbelief at what was done to an innocent, handicapped woman. April 9, 2005 READERS' SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS Terri's Legacy: A World Deeply Changed The court-ordered death by starvation and dehydration of Terri Schiavo has profoundly affected people around the world — and many of them gladly shared their hearts with CitizenLink. . . . Following the death of Terri Schiavo on March 31, we asked you, our readers, to share your thoughts about the tragedy with us. What followed was an outpouring of thoughts, prayers, poems, songs, personal stories and heartfelt commentary — a greater response than we've received on any other issue for which we've solicited comment. . . . We received e-mails from people across the nation and around the world — mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, nurses, therapists, hospice care workers, politicians, people with disabilities and even an ex-judge. Many related intimate stories about family and friends. Most admitted to being profoundly changed by Terri's awful death and expressed an acute desire to affect change in the world as a result of it. . . . Thank you for trusting us enough to share your deepest thoughts — and what some even referred to as "personal ghosts." Your words are far better than mine, so here is a snapshot of what you had to say about how Terri Schiavo's death has affected you. Wendy Cloyd, Editorial Coordinator April 6, 2005
Terri and marriage The Terri Schiavo case has been dissected and analyzed largely as a case testing the issues of life and death. . . . But, now that Terri is dead, and the urgency to save her life and give her a chance at rehabilitation is no longer, it's time to look at what this astonishing story has to reveal to us about another hot-button issue facing our society. . . . Marriage. . . . It seems that many of the forces intent on diminishing the meaning of the institution of marriage by turning it into a simple relationship between people – even members of the same sex – were those equally insistent that only her spouse could truly determine Terri's wishes about continuing her life. . . . In other words, those who don't believe in the sanctity of marriage are the same people who don't recognize the sanctity of life. . . . This should surprise no one. April 5, 2005 Lessons from Terri Schiavo’s Life and Death Note: This commentary was delivered by Prison Fellowship President Mark Earley. While the world’s attention is focused on saying farewell to John Paul II, a great man who died peacefully last weekend, the world is finding no peace in what it has done to Terri Schiavo. The controversy over the decision of judges to starve her to death is not going away anytime soon—and that’s a good thing. . . . Many commentators are suggesting that the legal fiasco surrounding Terri was foisted on us by Christian zealots. This view is totally untrue. . . . In fact, the most compelling argument for saving Terri was made, not by a Christian, but by Harriet McBryde Johnson, a disabled lawyer and self-professed atheist. . . . First, she says, Terri Schiavo was not terminally ill. This case was not about “end-of-life” decision-making; it was about intentionally killing a disabled woman by denying her food and water. April 3-4, 2005
John Paul II and Terri Schiavo April 2, 2005 Autopsy of Terri Schiavo Completed By Vickie Chachere, Associated Press Writer The autopsy of Terri Schiavo has been completed, and the body is ready for release to her husband, who plans to cremate her remains and bury the ashes in an unspecified family plot. . . . Results from the autopsy, which was completed Friday, were not be released for several weeks, according to the medical examiner's office. . . . Michael Schiavo has said he hopes the autopsy will settle questions about his wife's medical condition, but experts differ on whether that will happen. He declined to comment Friday. March 31, 2005
DEATH
DAY
– 13th DAY OF STARVATION © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com Terri Schiavo, the brain-injured Florida woman at the center of an intense euthanasia battle played out on a national stage, died shortly after 9 a.m. Eastern time. . . . The news came after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected yet another appeal by her parents, Robert and Mary Schindler. . . . The Schindlers had pleaded with son-in-law Michael Schiavo to allow them to be with their daughter in her final hours, but according to family spokesmen, they were not present when she died. . . . President Bush, who rushed back to Washington during a vacation last week to sign a bill giving federal courts jurisdiction in the case, addressed Terri Schiavo's death at the beginning of a press conference: . . . "Today millions of Americans are saddened by the death of Terri Schaivo. Laura and I extend our condolences to Terri Schaivo's families. I appreciate the example of grace and dignity they have displayed at a difficult time. I urge all those who honor Terri Schaivo to continue to work to build a culture of life, where all Americans are welcomed and valued and protected, especially those who live at the mercy of others. The essence of civilization is that the strong have a duty to protect the weak. In cases where there are serious doubts and questions, the presumption should be in the favor of life ... ."House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, who helped lead the legislative effort in Congress, said Schiavo's death "is a moral poverty and a legal tragedy." . . . "This loss happened because our legal system did not protect the people who need protection most, and that will change," he said. "The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior, but not today. Today we grieve, we pray, and we hope to God this fate never befalls another. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Schindlers and with Terri Schiavo's friends in this time of deep sorrow." March 30, 2005 STARVATION: DAY 13
They treated Jesus better Michael Schiavo is to the euthanasia movement what Norma McCorvey was to the abortion movement: a pawn. . . . Pro-lifers have warned for years that the next insurgency to expect from the culture of death was "mercy killing," and during Holy Week 2005 this was indeed thrust upon America with a vengeance. It was logical – the flip side of abortion, the condoned killing of unwanted born people. . . . Now, the pro-life movement will have to expand its teaching and actions to truly demonstrate love for those who have hated us, as Jesus said to do. Because the very people whose lives we will next be seeking to protect will include those who have been spitting on us for over 30 years. . . . Jesus. That reminds me. . . . Of all the inhumane orders I learned Judge George Greer imposed to speed Terri Schiavo's death, what ended up distressing me the most was learning he had gone so far as to disallow swabbing her parched mouth with anything other than a dry q-tip. He also prohibited ice chips to moisten her cracked lips. March 29, 2005
STARVATION:
DAY
12
COMMENTARY: Most media
reports claim Michael is ALLOWING the autopsy. The fact is that it’s
MANDATORY under Florida law when
someone is going to be cremated.
March 26, 2005
Network news 'against Terri' A study by a media watchdog group indicates television stories of the life-and-death battle of Terri Schiavo are slanted against the brain-injured woman. . . . The Media Research Center found the three broadcast network evening newscasts "have tilted their recent coverage of the Terri Schiavo case in ways that bolster her husband Michael's arguments that the severely disabled woman is in an irreversible vegetative state and had clearly expressed a desire to die."
As she lay dying I've yet to hear one liberal enunciate in the Terri Schiavo case the principle that moral law supersedes man's law. But whether they defer to reason or to revelation, I've heard scores of conservatives articulate the a priori truth in this case – which is: . . . Notwithstanding my own belief in the right to die, the only authority that has jurisdiction over Terri Schiavo is Terri Schiavo. In the absence of a living will or a clear directive from her, a court's decision – no matter which court – cannot be equated with her will. Ditto her husband's hearsay. We simply don't know – and can't divine – Terri's wishes, although it's reasonable to assume that if she wanted to die, she didn't wish for the death she's been dealt. By: Joseph Farah, © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." It wouldn't surprise me if Terri Schiavo died today. . . . It will be a tragedy. . . . I will be very mournful. . . . I suspect it will feel like losing a member of the family for many of us. . . . But it will not surprise me if she died on Good Friday, the day Jesus died. . . . I want to be optimistic. I want to believe there is still some virility, some manhood, some courage, some godliness, some morality and some intestinal fortitude in public officials who could save her life with the stroke of a pen, with a phone call. March 24, 2005
Starved for justice Democrats have called out armed federal agents in order to: 1) prevent black children from attending a public school in Little Rock, Ark. (National Guard), 2) investigate an alleged violation of federal gun laws in Waco, Texas (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms), and 3) deport a small boy to Cuba (Immigration and Naturalization Service). . . . So how about a Republican governor sending in the National Guard to stop an innocent American woman from being starved to death in Florida? Republicans like the military. Democrats get excited about the use of military force only when it's against Americans.
STARVATION:
DAY
7 By Joseph Farah, © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com An eminent neurologist who evaluated Terri Schiavo for the Florida state Department of Children and Families yesterday concluded she has been wrongly diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state and urges immediate removal to another facility and the restoration of food and water to the dying woman who has become the focal point of the nation's attention March 21, 2005 President's Statement on S. 686, Allowing Federal Courts to Hear Claim of Terri Schiavo Statement By The President Today, I signed into law a bill that will allow Federal courts to hear a claim by or on behalf of Terri Schiavo for violation of her rights relating to the withholding or withdrawal of food, fluids, or medical treatment necessary to sustain her life. In cases like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws, and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life. This presumption is especially critical for those like Terri Schiavo who live at the mercy of others. I appreciate the bipartisan action by the Members of Congress to pass this bill. I will continue to stand on the side of those defending life for all Americans, including those with disabilities. # # # March 19, 2005 Congress agrees on Schiavo bill Brain-damaged woman's mom begs: 'Save my little girl' (CNN) -- Members of Congress have agreed on a bipartisan bill aimed at saving Terri Schiavo's life, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said Saturday. . . . "We are confidant that this compromise addresses everyone's concerns," DeLay said. "We are confidant it will provide Mrs. Schiavo a clear and appropriate avenue for appeal in federal court. . . . "And most importantly we are confidant this compromise will restore nutrition and hydration to Mrs. Schiavo as long as that appeal endures." . . . The Senate will meet in extraordinary session Saturday and the House will meet Sunday afternoon. . . . President Bush is expected to sign the bill. . . . Aides said earlier that the legislation would allow the Schindlers to take their case from state court and put it in federal court. March 17, 2005
Starving for a Fair Diagnosis ************ Among the motions Judge Greer denied was a request for new testing and examination of Terri by independent and qualified specialists. David Gibbs, attorney for the Schindlers, submitted 33 affidavits from doctors and other medical professionals contending that Terri’s condition should be reevaluated. About 15 of these affidavits are from board-certified neurologists. Some of these doctors also say that Terri could benefit from therapy. Judge Greer was unmoved March 16, 2005 Appellate Court Won't Intervene to Save Schiavo (AP) A state appeals court refused Wednesday to block removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube, ending another battle in the long-running right-to-die legal fight between the woman's husband and her parents. . . . The 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland turned down parents Bob and Mary Schindler on two key issues, leaving intact the scheduled Friday removal of the feeding tube. . . . The court refused to overrule Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer's denial of a stay while the parents pursued further appeals in the case. The court also declined to order a new trial, which the parents claimed was necessary because Terri Schiavo had not been given an independent attorney to represent her interests.
Lawmakers ready to save Schiavo Key members of the Florida House and Senate reached a deal yesterday on a bill to prevent Terri Schiavo from being allowed to starve to death under a court order requested by her estranged husband. . . . For the second time in less than two years, the state lawmakers are prepared to intervene in the case of the brain-damaged woman, who requires a feeding tube to keep her alive. March 15, 2005
DCF Appeals Schiavo Decision, Asks DCA for Stay Eyes across the nation are focused on the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Florida and how they will rule in the Terri Schindler-Schiavo case, the severely brain damaged woman who is scheduled to be executed by starvation with the removal of her nutrition and hydration at 1 p.m. Friday. . . . On Monday, Florida’s Department of Children and Families filed an appeal of last week’s decision of Sixth Circuit Court Judge George W. Greer who had denied the agency’s motion for intervention in the case in order to conduct a mandated investigation of some 30 allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation in the Schiavo case. . . . DCF has asked the appellate court to issue a stay in the death order until the matter can be heard and investigation completed. MCCULLOUGH: Schiavo's Weak Spot By Kevin McCullough
OPINION - The "love of money" brings out different elements in different people. . . . In some it brings tenderness and great generosity. In others, at least by appearances - something else all together. Robert Herring Sr. and Michael Schiavo are such men. But in just days it will be Schiavo who must decide, if his love for cold hard cash will free an innocent woman from a death sentence. And for what its worth - I hope he takes it and runs. . . . It's no secret that money is what gets Michael Schiavo's attention. When he suddenly realized that his wife Terri was due to reap great beneficial monetary awards for her pain and suffering, he began to deny her all reparative therapy. And this was just a matter of weeks after she had been diagnosed in 1993 as "improving" and had been prescribed a specific path of therapy that would lead to even more improvement. Terri Schiavo's case lands in Congress Republicans in Congress are working on bills to prevent the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube.
By Anita Kumar, Times Staff Writer March 10, 2005 Terri Schiavo Deserves the Same Rights as Ted Bundy To: National and State desks Contact: Genevieve Wood of the Center for a Just Society, 202-465-5259 WASHINGTON, March 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Ted Bundy, the BTK killer and others like them currently receive more protection under the law than Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who has been sentenced to death by starvation and dehydration by the Florida Courts. However, if Congress passes "The Incapacitated Persons Legal Protection Act," they can rightfully change that. Ken Connor, Chairman of the Center for a Just Society and former legal counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush and the state of Florida in defending "Terri's Law," released the following statement: "The outrageous outcome of court rulings surrounding this case is this -- a convicted capital felon in Florida receives more due process protection than a disabled person at risk for starvation or dehydration because they have become burdensome to their family. "Capital felons in Florida are entitled to a trial by jury, independent counsel, competent representation and automatic review of their death penalty by the Supreme Court of Florida. By contrast, Terri Schiavo has received none of these protections. Perhaps even more ironic is the fact that if the most heinous of mass murderers were to receive a sentence of death by starvation or dehydration, the courts would overturn that sentence as a violation of the Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. "Although capital felons are recognized as 'persons' within the language and meaning of the constitution, it is obvious that, in the courts' view, those who share Terri Schiavo's disabilities fall outside the pale of 'personhood.' For years, disability advocates have lamented that they were not treated as 'whole persons' worthy of the full protection of the law. The courts' decisions in Bush vs. Schiavo prove they are right. "It's outrageous that people like Ted Bundy and the BTK killer have more legal protections than someone like Terri Schiavo. Serial killers are entitled to counsel. They are entitled to effective representation. They are entitled to trial by jury. But Terri Schiavo has not been afforded such legal protections. Her mom and dad have had a lawyer. Her husband has had a lawyer. But Terri Schiavo, whose life hangs in the balance in these judicial proceedings, has never had a lawyer to represent her interests. "This bill is desperately needed and we applaud Sen. Mel Martinez and Rep. Dave Weldon for their efforts on behalf of Terri Schiavo and thousands of others like her who cannot speak for themselves."
Original story published by:
http://www.usnewswire.com/ /© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/ March 8, 2005
Federal bill introduced to save Terri Schiavo Two Republican lawmakers from Florida introduced legislation in Congress today they hope will save the life of Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged woman whose parents are battling a court order to remove her life-sustaining feeding tube. . . . Sen. Mel Martinez and Rep. David Weldon say the Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act will give Schiavo, and others in similar situations, the same constitutional protection of due process as death-row inmates. March 7, 2005 Okay…I have to write about Terri Schiavo…Twice!
by JB Williams March 5, 2005
Judge to hear abuse claims in Schiavo case A Florida judge will hear arguments next week on whether the state's social services agency will be allowed to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case with an investigation of alleged abuse by her estranged husband. . . . Michael Schiavo won a court order in 2000 to have his severely brain-damaged wife's life-sustaining feeding tube removed, claiming she had expressed a wish not to live in such a condition. The order is to be carried out March 18 at 1 p.m. . . . But the Department of Children and Families has filed a petition, made public yesterday, that contains 30 new allegations of "abuse, neglect or exploitation." . . . If neglect or abuse can be proved, the state can take over guardianship from Michael Schiavo. March 4, 2005
DCF doc mentions abuse allegations in Schiavo case Click to read the DCF Petition alleging abuse in pdf format March 2, 2005 Advocacy Center Attorney: Michael Schiavo Thwarted Probe By June Maxam and Ginger Berlin, The Empire Journal An attorney for the Florida Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities, (ACPD) the federally funded non-profit group which opened an investigation into alleged abuse and neglect in the Terri Schiavo case in October, 2003, says the agency was stymied in efforts to conduct its investigation in the case by her estranged husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo and his attorney, George Felos. . . . The attorney said that the duo thwarted the agency’s probe by refusing to allow a medical expert to examine the disabled woman. He said that the agency continues to make its resources available in the Schiavo case. March 1, 2005
Schindler Family: Terri's Judge 'Afraid of the Truth' February 26, 2005
Vatican warns of consequences in Schiavo case As a Florida judge considers the fate of brain-damaged Terri Schiavo, a top Vatican official is appealing to save her life, warning of broader consequences if estranged husband Michael Schiavo is allowed to have her feeding tube removed. . . . "If Mr. Schiavo succeeds legally in causing the death of his wife, this not only would be tragic in itself, but would be a grave step toward the legal approval of euthanasia in the United States," Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, told Vatican Radio. February 25, 2005
Nat Hentoff asks: There is a new dimension in the fierce battle over whether Terri Schiavo's life is worth saving. A federally funded investigation has begun into certain medical judgments made by her husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, including decisions in recent months. But more important is whether the inquiry will discover what actually caused Terri Schiavo's alleged cardiac arrest in 1990, which is said to be the reason her brain was deprived of oxygen, resulting in her condition for the past 13 years. . . . The degree to which this investigation is widely reported by the media may help determine whether Terri Schiavo lives or dies. Her husband is in court again to demand that her feeding tube be removed once more. . . . If the courts continue to support the husband, she may die before the investigation is completed. But even in that case, the results may lead to a change of state laws that could save other lives. February 24, 2005
Schiavo Judge Recusal Demanded The student body at the University of Florida in Gainesville, has called for the immediate recusal of Sixth Judicial Circuit Court Judge George W. Greer in the guardianship case of Theresa Marie Schindler-Schiavo. . . . Greer has extended the stay of his 2000 order to cause the death of Terri Schiavo by starvation until Friday until 5 p.m. . . . He has said that he will issue a decision by fax Friday whether or not to continue the stay. He said he will issue his decision by fax without a hearing because he does not want another display in his courtroom such as the room that occurred Wednesday. February 23, 2005
Terri Schiavo and the soul of America It is often said by abortion supporters that a fetus is not a baby until it can survive independently outside the mother's womb. This is, of course, a specious argument since this "survival" is not possible without the care and nourishment of others, either pre or post birth. . . . This is true not only of infants and children, but of the sick, disabled and elderly as well. But if certain right-to-death groups get their way this week, you can add Terri Schiavo's name to the growing list of disposables for whom the simple act of feeding would make her life otherwise viable. February 14, 2005 Family of Terri Schiavo Asks Randall Terry
to
Lead Efforts to Rescue Her Saving Terri's Life in Fall of 2003 Contact: Gary McCullough, 202-546-0054 PINELLAS PARK, Fl., Feb. 14 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Bob Schindler Sr., Father of Terri Schindler Schiavo has released the following statement: "Our family has asked Randall Terry and his staff to once again coordinate the efforts to rescue Terri from the clutches of death by judicial homicide. We ask you to help my daughter, Terri, by following Randall's lead, and cooperating with and supporting the efforts we have asked him to undertake. We thank you with all our hearts for your concern for our daughter, and for your help in trying to save her." February 11, 2005 New Study Could Reverse PVS Determination Gov. Bush Could Intervene In Schiavo Case By Invoking Protective Custody © The Empire Journal By June Maxam and Ginger Berlin A new brain imaging study which indicates the possibility that brain injured people such as Terri Schiavo, treated as though they are unaware of their environment and labeled in a persistent vegetative state (PVS), may in fact hear and understand what it goes on around them but be unable to respond. . . . James Bernat, professor of neurology at Dartmouth College, said the study findings would be relevant to the Schiavo case and that a brain image test could determine if she is in a persistent vegetative state, PVS. . . . Such a determination would . Schiavo Right-To-Life Case Headed To Supreme Court Again Lawyers representing the parents of Terri Schiavo, the disabled Florida woman who is the center of a decade long right-to-life court battle with her estranged husband, will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to consider a religious liberties issue based on a statement made last year by Pope John Paul II. . . . The case has drawn world wide attention and will set an important nationwide precedent in the right-to-life debate. . . . Mary and Robert Schindler contend that their daughter, a life-long practicing Catholic, would have obeyed the Pope in his statement that people in a persistent vegetative state have a right to hydration and nutrition and to deny it would be a sin. They say that their daughter would not want the feeding tube removed that provides her life support and maintain their daughter has the right to free exercise of her religion. February 7, 2005 Disabled Individuals Deserve to have Their rights Protected Janice Sanford "The most sacred of the duties of a government [is] to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens." --Thomas Jefferson: Note in Destutt de Tracy, "Political Economy," 1816. ME 14:465 "Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual." --Thomas Jefferson to Isaac H. Tiffany, 1819. The United States of America in her first century underwent many conflicts. There were wars, catastrophes, assassinations, plagues of disease, and injustices. But our nation endured, because of the moral fabric that were woven together with the durable threads of moral truths. Then, as now, societal ills, like slavery, infanticide, and killing the disabled, were recognized for what they were: crimes of injustice. To the first Americans, it was self-evident that the "Creator" had endowed "men" (mankind) with "Certain inalienable" (absolute) rights: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."- The Declaration of Independence (July 4,1776) When opponents of slavery criticized the owning of slaves, slave owners argued that thousands of factory workers were no better off than slaves. But to many Americans, the existence of bad conditions in factories did not justify slavery. When those in the antislavery movement criticized slavery on grounds that it was morally wrong for one human being to own another human being. That it was wrong to rob an individual of his rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and of his right to think and act for himself.........slave owners put forth arguments based on the doctrine of "inequality among men." Today, when those opposed to starving Terri Schiavo to death criticize the killing of the disabled, who have no written directive, those in the pro-death movement argue that the right of a state judge to sentence a disabled person to death supersedes any rights a disabled person might have. They also claim that the lives of people who have been diagnosed as PVS are not of value to the severely disabled person himself or to society as a whole. Our Democracy rests on the belief in the fundamental dignity and importance of the individual, in the essential equality of human beings, and in the individual's need to be free. The emphasis on the supreme worth of the individual has run unbroken through democratic thought for over 200 yrs. The doctrine of equality among men demands that as Americans we speak out against the injustice being bestowed on Terri Schindler Schiavo because of her disability. What has Terri Schiavo done to deserve her very 'personhood' being stripped from her? Some have excused the action of the state judges in the Schiavo case on grounds that if every person suffering from a severe disability were allowed to live out their lives naturally, that nursing homes and hospitals would be packed, and the disabled class of Americans would be nothing more then a burden on an already strained economy system. Others argue that starving Terri Schiavo to death is more humane than allowing her to go home with her Mom and dad because they have stated publicly that they would do anything to save their daughter's life. To those in Michael Schiavo's corner, the quality of ones life, whether one is disabled or not, dictates the value of a person's life to society. To Americans, such as myself, Terri Schiavo's right to life, liberty, and justice should be treated as being as important as those of any other individual-because no human being should be treated as a slave or tool by others. February 5, 2005 Christian Organizations Announce Nationwide Campaign to Save the Life of Terri Schiavo if Feeding, Hydration Tube is Removed To: City and Assignment desks Contact: Rev. Pat Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, 540-373-8099, or Rev. Rob Schenck of the National Clergy Council, 202-546-8329 WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Christian organizations today announced a nationwide campaign to save the life of Terri Schiavo if feeding and hydration tube is removed. Groups will encourage all those who cherish the culture of life to come to Florida and stand in solidarity with Terri and her family should the courts order food and water withheld from her. Organizers hope scores will come from around the nation to pray, lobby and peacefully intervene on Terri's behalf. Below are quotes from some of the organizations that will be participating: Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council, stated, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Terri and her family. The National Clergy Council calls upon the State of Florida to stand with Terri Schiavo to ensure her basic civil rights are protected. Terri, and all those who are in similar condition, deserve compassion and mercy. Not punishment and violence." Troy Newman, director of Operation Rescue, commented, "As a nation, we are judged not by how we treat the powerful and strong. Rather, we are judged by how we treat the weakest and most vulnerable in our society. Operation Rescue will do all within it's power to see that Terri Schiavo is treated with dignity and respect and her right to life is protected." Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, |
