Terri Schiavo: Why can't we feed her?
Despite a last minute Congressional subpoena to delay her killing, the judge in the Terri Schiavo case ordered her feeding tube removed and it was in fact removed by doctors sometime yesterday afternoon. Terri is now set to die of starvation and dehydration within the next week or so.
Here was Michael Schiavo's attorney George Felos's response to the Congressional effort to save Terri's life:
Felos called the congressional subpoenas "nothing short of thuggery," repeatedly lashing out at lawmakers at a news conference.
"It was odious, it was shocking, it was disgusting and I think all Americans should be very alarmed about that," he said.
What I find alarming is this. Sometime during the afternoon today Terri Schiavo likely felt hands upon her and an uncomfortable, perhaps tickling sensation in her throat. What thoughts or feelings flashed upon her still discerning mind at that moment will never be known. What is certain, however, is that she could not have fathomed that such a sensation was, in fact, an act of brutal indifference carrying death in its wake. What she couldn't have fathomed is that the hands of the doctor upon her which once swore an oath to preserve life, had intentionally removed her only hope for life and left her for dead. What she cannot know as I type this, most likely lying in the darkness, is that she is now being monitored by the stewards of a cold and dark apathy. What she cannot know is that the shadows moving about her are facilitating and hastening her slow descent into death. And when she begins to feel pain, hunger and thirst she will receive no comfort.
And we who are capable of comprehending this horrific, prolonged execution masquerading as sterile mercy are left to ponder just how this is all taking place in the name of the law and despite the pleas from those who love her. How has our system contorted itself into something that not only allows but orders the destruction of such a life in such a manner? Why such vehemence to sanction the denial of food to one who is hungry?
It is not often that I quote scripture. But, as a Christian, it's perhaps high time I did. Here goes.
From Matthew:
'For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
Here was Michael Schiavo's attorney George Felos's response to the Congressional effort to save Terri's life:
Felos called the congressional subpoenas "nothing short of thuggery," repeatedly lashing out at lawmakers at a news conference.
"It was odious, it was shocking, it was disgusting and I think all Americans should be very alarmed about that," he said.
What I find alarming is this. Sometime during the afternoon today Terri Schiavo likely felt hands upon her and an uncomfortable, perhaps tickling sensation in her throat. What thoughts or feelings flashed upon her still discerning mind at that moment will never be known. What is certain, however, is that she could not have fathomed that such a sensation was, in fact, an act of brutal indifference carrying death in its wake. What she couldn't have fathomed is that the hands of the doctor upon her which once swore an oath to preserve life, had intentionally removed her only hope for life and left her for dead. What she cannot know as I type this, most likely lying in the darkness, is that she is now being monitored by the stewards of a cold and dark apathy. What she cannot know is that the shadows moving about her are facilitating and hastening her slow descent into death. And when she begins to feel pain, hunger and thirst she will receive no comfort.
And we who are capable of comprehending this horrific, prolonged execution masquerading as sterile mercy are left to ponder just how this is all taking place in the name of the law and despite the pleas from those who love her. How has our system contorted itself into something that not only allows but orders the destruction of such a life in such a manner? Why such vehemence to sanction the denial of food to one who is hungry?
It is not often that I quote scripture. But, as a Christian, it's perhaps high time I did. Here goes.
From Matthew:
'For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
Let's feed Terri Schiavo.
posted by Wonderdog | 1:34 AM | Permalink
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5 comments
5 Comments:
Check out BlogsforTerri.
I heard Kate Adamson, mentioned on that blog, call in to Sean Hannity's radio show on Friday. She was thought to be in a persistent vegetative state and better off dead. Nobody but her husband knew she was trapped inside an unresponsive body. (The staff was warned that the husband was a "religious nut" because he wanted his wife kept alive and treated.)
Kate described the horrible pain she felt when they ripped the feeding tube from her -- the "experts" said she could not feel pain and did not require any pain killers. Her eight days without food were horrible. Thank God, her husband stood up for her and she recovered from her "hopeless" state. May God bless Terri and rescue her!
Here's another interesting blog, on Catholic Apologetics of America.
There's a section, FACTS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT TERRI SCHIAVO'S CASE, that's worth reading. Did you know that it isn't known if Terri needs a feeding tube because Michael won't allow a swallowing test? Can you imagine? SHE MIGHT BE ABLE TO EAT!
What is wrong with that man?
Thanks for those links, C.I.V. -- lots of great information there. Just over the last few days, I've learned things that I didn't know about this case -- that Michael Schiavo hasn't allowed Terri's teeth to be cared for for several years (and she has had to have several removed); that he doesn't allow her to go outside; that he doesn't allow her to have animal therapy visits; that he has not allowed her to have rehabilitation therapy for years; that he won't authorize an MRI or PET scan (which she has never had);and it goes on. I don't understand how someone who is essentially an estranged husband (with a common law wife and children)has been allowed to retain guardianship.
I'm glad Barry Goldwater isn't around to see Republicans acting like Democrats, passing a law that is constitutionally questionable, that erodes conservative philosophy that is the foundation of the party. Bad facts make for bad law. The shoe will be on the other foot some day. I'm not alone in this thinking on the case, as there are many conservatives whom I have hear speak out against this action.
The husband is a creep. I don't agree with what Florida did, but this is a family law issue that is to be decided by the state of Florida.
As to Kate's questioning of how I would react if they wanted to sterilize me out here. .the precident for federal jurisdiction over reproductive issues is well settled thanks to judicial activism on the left. It is equally well settled, and up to now supported by conservatives, that matters of family law are left to the States.
I'm sorry, but the ends don't justify the means.
I'm not keen on laws being drafted in a hurry. Even well thought out ones have unintended consequences. But I can't get past the fact that an American is being forced by a court to starve to death.
As one who cannot even keep the very loose fasting requirements of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, I just can't stand the thought of Terri being starved and dehydrated to death...
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