Since Terri is Catholic it is very important to contact some of the Church's top theologians to publicly address this issue and attack the misconceptions: I suggest Msgr. William Smith of the Archdiocese of New York and Dr. Germain Greisz of Mount Saint Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Posted by: Maria N. at March 20, 2005 9:43 AM

Gawd, Jim, you must be a real charmer. How lovely of you to come to a blog with Terri supporters just to leave a nasty comment. Is it this a habit of yours--finding places you don't like and hanging around just to make negative remarks? If so, may I suggest GETTING A LIFE?

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 10:02 AM

Let's see we have bills/laws protecting non-humans. We even trucked a whale to sea world several years ago and saved it by inserting a feeding tube in the fish who had beached itself, yet we complain if people try and save a non-dying human being. How dumb!

I guess Satan has infested himself enough in the mindset of modern man that he no longer can see the image and likeness of God in his fellow man, but sees himself and others as beastly. We need to pray for conversions!

Posted by: John kirkpatrick at March 20, 2005 10:10 AM

Wexler's voice mail is FULL already!

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 10:11 AM

Send e-mails! I've been sending them all morning.

Posted by: Peter at March 20, 2005 10:16 AM

Censorship? HAHAHAHAHAA That's such a tired old accusation. No one is keeping you from expressing your opinion--why are you obviously trying to "censor" mine?
What's the matter, if I think you're being a negative pisspot, I'm a "censor"? I'm evil, stupid, ignorant too?
Fascist.

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 10:17 AM

Jim, when corruption rules in any state, the federal government has a responsibility to step in on behalf of individuals affected by that corruption. Corruption is rampant with Greer-Rice-Felos-Schiavo, et al. and before an innocent woman is killed, this needs to be investigated. Since there's NOTHING WRITTEN by Terri to indicate her wishes, federal investigation should be allowed.

http://www.theempirejournal.com/03080534_medicaid_medicare_fraud.htm

Personally, I think we should keep track of all the folks who say they'd rather die in such a situation so if they have nothing written we can all present our testimony should they lose their ability to clearly communicate.

Posted by: Virginia at March 20, 2005 10:18 AM

Blumenauer's line is filled too.

Sending emails, FWIW!

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 10:18 AM

Jim, you have no regard for human life. You know no facts, and are speaking in ignorance. Please educate yourself on Terri's condition, and please think about what her murder could pave the way for.

Posted by: Amy at March 20, 2005 10:21 AM

Blumenauer's PORTLAND OFFICE LINE can still take messages!

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 10:23 AM

Wexler's email form

http://www.wexler.house.gov/emailform.htm

Posted by: Ruth at March 20, 2005 10:23 AM

Blumen.'s email form

http://www.blumenauer.house.gov/about/Contact.shtml

Posted by: Ruth at March 20, 2005 10:24 AM

I'll bet Jim the Troll would support government intervention if she were a criminal on death row! What a hypocrite!

To my FRIENDS here, please excuse my venom; I'm sick and tired of the disrespect shown here by some commenters. (I'm actually holding back from how I would respond at my own blog.)

I'm just going to ignore his existence. Trolls love to hijack comment threads for attention. ::rolling eyes::

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 10:27 AM

Has anyone read the real story surrounding this event? This is only about our individual rights!! This is only about bad politicians making bad decisions for you and me. Terri Schiavo has been declared in a vegatative state for years and years. When will we wake up as a nation and understand what really is happening to our rights? Our freedoms! We buy into their theory of not wanting BIG Government- what is this? SMALL government? The powers to be, the people with a lot of money, love when we get together and hold ourselves down. They sit back, smile and say, look how easy it is to keep control of sleeping masses of people! This entire "save Terri" is the same lame excuse we use when we protest "save the unborn fetus". It's not about saving the unborn fetus, it's only about the right to control us. Keeping our rights limited, and keeping the "control" of us in the hands of the most powerful people. My hope is that this newest disguse for "save Terri" will awaken our youngest Americans, and they will begin to read current events, begin to understand that we can not ever be governed by morality. We as a free society have different opinions, different sets of morals, and free people are capable of determining their moralality without the help of goverment, whether it's having an abortion in a dark, unclean back alley, or expressing the right not to have medical treatment.

Posted by: Well Informed at March 20, 2005 10:48 AM

You're kidding, right? Have we read the real story? Uhh..YEAH.
I guess your "well informed" opinion only comes from one side though.
You know, there are a LOT of Terri supporters who thought differently until the "real story" (as in ALL SIDES of the issue) were studied. Most of us are about as "well informed" on the subject as you're going to find. Don't you think that people that are so passionate about an issue would be informed, even if by ACCIDENT? Puhleeeeze.

And BTW, this isn't about the "unborn fetus" or just the pro-life movement. Maybe you should look at the disability advocacy groups' position on this--and they're not exactly traditional conservative groups. There's a REASON why they are against Terri's execution too!

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 10:58 AM

Here's one: http://www.notdeadyet.org

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 10:59 AM

and more:
http://www.notdeadyet.org/docs/supporters.html

Posted by: Beth at March 20, 2005 11:00 AM

I have emailed or left messages asking not to hinder this bill because Terri's death is irreversable! Especially when fraud and abuse eventually will be proven! We will not stop!

Posted by: Caryn at March 20, 2005 11:15 AM

In the meantime, Terri is still being starved, TORTURED.

Why isn't Congress/Jeb protecting Terri, and what can we do?

I am asking this question in the hopes that we can stir Terri's supporters to take some additional action that will result in PROTECTING Terri NOW.

All of this last minute flurry at the US Capitol is commendable, but Terri is STILL STARVING TO DEATH, RIGHT NOW.

I see 2 things:

1. The Congress must enforce its subpoena and move to protect Terri right now until the hearings are held. That means US Marshals with medical teams need to place Terri under their care IMMEDIATELY. We should be flooding Congress and esp. Sen. Enzi with this demand.

2. Jeb Bush MUST invoke the "Emergency Protective Services Intervention" section of Florida statutes Chapter 415.1051(2). Note the term "Emergency".

In my mind, legislative efforts are all well and good, but they take time and may still fail yet. Terri needs protection NOW if she is going to be called before Congress to testify. There is no telling what the "caregivers" may do to her between now and the hearings to impair her testimony and destroy evidence.

This is where I think our IMMEDIATE efforts and action are needed.

Contact Jeb Bush and Congress. DEMAND THEY TAKE TERRI INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY NOW.

Bryan

Posted by: Bryan at March 20, 2005 11:59 AM

Just ignore the trolls. Let them talk to empty space. They can't change your mind, nor you change theirs. We've all read and heard the same "facts" and we interpret it differently. There's nor reason for trolls to be here (cause we won't change our minds), but nor is there any reason to respond to them.

Continue to focus on Terri and what you want to happen and what you intend to do to help it happen. Let the trolls talk to the wall.

Posted by: Ceci at March 20, 2005 12:18 PM

I've contacted my representative and senators several times already and am getting the distinct impression that they're tired of us. It appears that once elected they appoint themselves dictator and our opinions are irrelevent. So, their ideologies are hidden during elections due to the media focusing on PR sound bites and not issues, then to top it off they do what they want when they get into office.

I'll call/email again. But it appears they don't want to listen. They're utterly convinced that the one court and judge that heard Terri's case couldn't have made a mistake. In their opinion she's brain dead and nothing seems to convince them otherwise because "due process has been followed". They don't seem to understand that Cranford is the only doctor that the court has allowed to have an opinion on Terri and he has a history of declaring PVS. That appears to be his focus in life. The senators being contrary don't seem to be able to see the forest for the trees. They're focusing on process and irrelevent procedure...the letter of the law is supercedeing their individual moral compass.

Posted by: Ceci at March 20, 2005 12:26 PM

Ceci is exactly right. Some people are just against human life and nothing will change their minds.

Posted by: JWL at March 20, 2005 12:27 PM

03/20/05
Dear Senator Blumenauer:

I appreciate that you have made a public statement about the case of Terri Schiavo where few other senators have. In this way I can either be convinced you are right, or point out concerns I have in the way you think about this case.

This isn't a form letter, it's a well thought out response to your statement dated March 15, 2005 and while I realize you do receive 1000s of letters, this one is rare because I have taken the time to provide a well thought out response to you that took considerable time.

1) Please do not fall into the trap that most politicians do by making this a democrat vs republican issue. Terri Schiavo's case is uniquely Terri's case, it doesn't relate to gay and lesbian rights or assisted suicide and it's not necessarily a constitutional issue. Your statements seem more to be like a reaction against what you perceive as interference by President Bush, rather than an unbiased consideration of each case based on it's own merit. Perhaps this way, you may not automatically balk and vote on the side of prohibiting federal government interference; perhaps you'll look at the whether there may actually be a need for it.

2) The fact in this case is that the appropriate tests needed to provide a definitive diagnosis for Terri were never performed. In a case like this where a life is at stake, I believe it is criminal not to do so. There appear to be a few too many loopholes that need to be cleaned up and a law is needed to make things less ambiguous. For example if the next of kin wants a specific outcome or diagnosis made, it is not illegal for him or her to 'shop' around until they find the doctor who agrees beforehand to make that particular diagnosis or he has a series of doctors look at Terri and only choses the two reports he wishes to keep. Unfortunately as you may be aware, many doctors do necessary use ethics when practicing medicine and it is not legally required for them to do so. Laws are needed to protect individuals from "stacking the deck" or seeking out or obtaining the outcome/diagnosis they want to have. We don't know how often this may be happening, because if unchallenged, it goes unnoticed. Even if this happens only rarely, when it is challenged, just as Terri's parents are doing, we need to have a clear plan (i.e. law) about how to handle it. We don't 'criminalize' the practice of medicine by questioning "the intent of physicians in these most personal matters", we simply acknowledge that physicians are fallible, they do struggle with ethical and moral issues or even issues of carelessness. We haven’t established that is the case here, so even said except to say it is within the realm of possibilities. and that this is by no means criminalizing the profession I’m a physician myself). Again this sounds more like an emotional reaction rather than a logical one and may I suggest a little vacation time perhaps?

3) Saying there are "probably fewer suicides" when people are given control about a choice over their own destiny is a weak agreement, which first of all doesn't apply in Terri Schiavo's case, there are no definitive stats to verify this and the fact is we have a choice everyday whether we want to live or not and it doesn't require a physician's assistance if one is truly empowered. I don't even know why you brought this up. We're not trying to counter a written living will here. Just as your saying "probably fewer suicides" is not concrete, hearsay from a family member about what Terri said her wishes were and not voicing them for years until after she stated them is not concrete enough either, especially since there's also evidence that she would not want to starve and dehydration because it is against the tenants of her Catholic faith. I've heard four versions of what Terri allegedly said, but they didn't refer specifically to withholding nutrition and hydration. DNR (do not resuscitated) is much different then DNF (do not feed).

4) The points made in Article 2) regarding the fallibility of humans also refers to judges. If on the rare occasion a state court proclaims a decision which is unjust, without the safeguard of the federal court inference, an unjust state ruling remains. With access to federal courts to consider the case, there is more of a chance that less unjust rulings will be final. The part that appears to annoy you Mr. Blumenauer is that more state issues come to Washington then they should. I agree, but am of the opinion, better too many than too few. This has been a case of unusual circumstance after unusual circumstance, certainly much many unusual circumstances than the average case, but these type of complicated instances do come up and that's why you are hearing about it. Don't try to fit it into the box of just another human rights issue that Bush must be defeated on.

This isn't a 'drumbeat to take away the authority of citizens to deal with these most person matters' . I'm not sure how you even draw that conclusion. We are attempting to set a precedent for deal with cases where a) the person's medical status and prognosis has not been properly determined and b) the person's wishes have not been definitively established and c) a legal dispute and questionable criminal activities have not investigated at the state level. The Bush administration, including Jeb, did not go to Terri Schiavo's situation, Terri Schiavo's family came to the Bush administration. Do not blame this on the Bushs. Listen to the logic and reason presented by Terri's parents and other facts of the case not ordinarily disclosed in the public media.

Since you truly believe in having an assisted suicide law and allowing a person a right to control their own destiny, then have the maturity to deal with the difficult issues and problems that inevitably arise when these types of laws are in place. It's your responsibility to do so.

Sincerely, Anna Nordin

cc: Terrisfight.org

Posted by: Anna Nordin at March 20, 2005 12:50 PM

Ceci and everyone:

FAX THEM A LETTER.

Bryan

Posted by: Bryan at March 20, 2005 12:54 PM

RE: "CENSORSHIP" (so-called)

While I think everyone is entitled to express his/her opinion, that doesn't mean that the owners of this blog have a duty to post it. You want your point of view made known: go start your own blog.

Bryan

Posted by: Bryan at March 20, 2005 12:57 PM

Does anyone know Congressman Wexler's office's email address? I do not have access to a fax machine. His phone lines are full. If you go to the email form on his site, it's really just for Florida residents, specifically his constituents. I do not want to use that form. I have to be honest and indicate that I do NOT live in FL and as such, it may be discounted if I fill out that form. Therefore, I would like to send a direct email.

While I hate to throw politics into this, those representatives (note: Wexler and Blumenauer are CONGRESSMAN, not Senators) are both Democrats. Some call the Democratic party "the abortion party," "the anti-life party," etc. Since there are some Republicans who are in favor of legalized abortion (Arlen Spector, Condoleeza Rice, Arnold Schwarzenigger, Rudy Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg, etc.) and some Democrats who are pro-life, I do not like to use those labels. But others will. Wexler and Blumenauer's actions will only serve as more examples for such labels. Attorney Felos complained about how Senators Clinton, Leahy, and Harkin voted. Urge Congressmen Wexler and Blumenauer to follow the lead of Clinton, Leahy and Harkin.

Posted by: cw at March 20, 2005 1:38 PM

Jim, if you want to talk about tax money, what do you say about tax money wasted on:

- abortion
- contraception
- porn education (some call it "sex ed")
- annual raises for Congresspeople and Senators, even during recessions
- all sorts of pork barrel projects
- tax money going to election campaigns (Bush and Kerry each received millions of dollars in taxpayer money for their Presidential campaigns)

Jim, if you are so concerned about tax money being spent, please do take time and contact your representatives with opposition to government funding of the above. If you will not, then it is my opinion that it is quite hypocritical to object to anything related to the fight to keep Terri alive from a tax money point of view.

May the peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you through the intercession of His and our Most Blessed Mother, the Ever-Virgin Immaculate Mary.

Posted by: cb at March 20, 2005 1:46 PM

I am outraged that Terri's feeding tube was removed and this country is going to let her starve to death!! If this is the case where does it end? Dog's Tree's and even our cars are treated better then this. This is not a free country! It is Hitler all over agin!!!! And someone needs to stop this slaughter imediately!!! Or are you going to wait until it is too late? Do something NOW!!! Terri is an innocent human being and NO ONE has the right or the say to put her to her death!! She needs extra attention yes but in NO WAY does she deserve death!!! May GOD help her and the people who agree with the MURDER of Terri....

Posted by: Sharon Johnson at March 20, 2005 4:01 PM

By the way, do any of you out there realize that Terri's parents are ready to cut off her arms and legs if necessary to keep her on her respirator? This information in recorded in court documents. Think about that for a while. Why can't we allow her the right to die? What are we afraid of? Oh yes, one more thing, she won't Feel anything...that part of her brain already died! The story of Terri is out there, don't refrain from doing some research to find out about her.

Posted by: Well Informed at March 20, 2005 7:54 PM

Let Terri Live

Posted by: Lois at March 23, 2005 10:14 AM

Where's Peta - if this was a horse they were starving to death - they would be all over it. Please save this poor girl - do what God would do - Let her live !!! This is Easter !!!!!!!

Posted by: Brenda at March 23, 2005 10:34 AM