What do u guys think?, Keep her alive or let it go? Options

[BlackCelicaGT94]

I hope all of you have heard of the case of the lady who is brain dead and her family is fighting to keep her alive where as her husband says that his wife said she would never wanna be kept alive artificially.

What do you guys think?

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Heres a news story about it



PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — The presiding judge in the case of Terri Schiavo ruled Friday that the feeding tube keeping the brain-damaged woman alive can be removed despite efforts by congressional Republicans to block the move by seeking her appearance at hearings.


AP Photo

Terri Schiavo, right, gets a kiss from her mother, Mary Schindler, in this Aug. 11, 2001, image taken from videotape and released by the Schindler family on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in Pinellas Park, Fla.
Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer refused a request from U.S. House attorneys to delay the removal, which he had previously ordered to take place at 10 a.m. PDT. Greer determined that removal must go forward about an hour after another judge issued a temporary delay blocking it.

"I have had no cogent reason why the (congressional) committee should intervene," Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer told attorneys in a conference call, adding that last-minute action by Congress does not invalidate years of court rulings.

There was no immediate word on when the tube might be removed. House attorneys said they would immediately appeal the decision.

Outside the hospice where Terri Schiavo lives, about 30 people keeping vigil dropped to their knees in prayer when word spread of Greer's ruling.

U.S. Senate and House committees in the Republican-controlled Congress issued subpoenas for Schiavo, her husband Michael Schiavo and her caregivers to appear at hearings later in March, with the House Government Reform Committee planning its for March 25 at the hospice.

The Senate Health Committee set its hearing for March 28 in Washington.

There was no immediate comment from Michael Schiavo or his attorneys.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, told reporters in Washington that removal of the tube amounted to "barbarism" that the hearings would at least temporarily prevent. House and Senate lawyers contend that Terri Schiavo would be protected by the subpoenas from anyone attempting to prevent her appearance.

"Terry Schiavo is alive. She's as alive as you and I. As such, we have a moral obligation to protect and defend her," DeLay said . "This is not over."

Rep. Henry Waxman of California, senior Democrat on the Government Reform Committee, called the subpoenas a "flagrant abuse of power" and amounted to Congress dictating the medical care Terri Schiavo should receive.

"Congress is turning the Schiavo family's personal tragedy into a national political farce," Waxman said.

The hospice where Terri Schiavo lives received subpoenas late Friday morning, spokeswoman Louise Cleary said. Officials there did not disclose their next steps.

"At this time, we are monitoring developments and consulting with legal and ethical advisers to determine what to do," she said.

Michael Schiavo has waged a yearslong court battle with his parents-in-law, contending his wife, who has been in a persistent vegetative state since 1990, would not want to live that way. The tube has been removed twice in the past and then reinserted as the battle continued.

"It is a contempt of Congress to prevent or discourage someone from following the subpoena that's been issued," David Gibbs, the attorney for her parents, said. "What the U.S. Congress is saying is, `We want to see Terri Schiavo.'"

"The family is prayerfully excited about their daughter going before the United States Congress for the whole world to see how alive she is."

He said that despite her brain damage, she would be able to travel. A statement from the office of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., on Friday said the purpose of the hearing was to review health care policies and practices relevant to the care of non-ambulatory people.

Frist's statement noted that it is a federal crime to harm or obstruct a person called to testify before Congress.

Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Florida office, said his group's attorneys were working with Michael Schiavo's attorneys to determine if the subpoenas would block the scheduled removal of the tube.

"This is clearly an effort to circumvent a lawful court order by a state judge," Simon said. "I am not sure how a subpoena, which is ordinarily done to produce records or somebody to testify, can essentially have the effect of an injunction overriding the orders of a court."

Terri Schiavo's father, Bob Schindler, went into the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park at about 9:30 a.m. to visit his daughter. Outside, about three dozen people prayed and wept.

"What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus," they sang. Messages on protest signs included "Impeach Greer.com," a reference to a judge in the case, and "Execution - It's Not Just for the Guilty Anymore."

In Tallahassee, the Florida House on Thursday passed a bill 78-37 to block the withholding of food and water from patients in a persistent vegetative state who did not leave specific instructions regarding their care. But hours later, the Senate defeated a different measure 21-16. The sponsor of another state Senate didn't bring it for a vote because it didn't have enough support.

Gibbs also has said he would ask a federal judge in Tampa to block the removal and review the actions of state courts. Such habeas corpus appeals seek to require the government to justify its actions.

At the White House, President Bush left little doubt where he stands, saying, "those who live at the mercy of others deserve our special care and concern." His brother, Gov. Jeb Bush, long has supported the parents' efforts and urged lawmakers to act before it was too late.

Schiavo suffered severe brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped because of a chemical imbalance, and court-appointed doctors say she is in a persistent vegetative state. Her husband says she told him she would not want to be kept alive artificially. Her parents dispute that, and say she could get better.

[saleeka]

This is SOO stupid to me... I remember seeing a story on this in HS as well. First off, this woman hasnt had a life for the past 15 years already. she is completly bed ridden, she cannot move, or speak, and in all medicaly available options, has no chance for recovery. She lost brain cells because they died from lack of oxygen- you cant regain that, and science cant help that in this day and age... her parents say that they can see emotion with her when they visit her, and to me its all the MORE reason why they sould let her be able to pass humanley. If that IS the case (which i dont believe), can you imagine the hell that poor lady must have, knowing that she cant express herself but her mind still works? thats how people go crazy... and on top of all this, the courts have ruled over and over again that the husband DOES have the final say, and that they see no purpose to keep her alive. the news artice posted isnt the best, but in others it tells you that the US supreme court has refused to hear the case, and that her tube has already been removed... On a legal staindpoint, the house and senate has OVERSTEEPED their legal power by issuing a supenoia (sp) in this situation for the simple fact that that power is reserved for witnesses and their testimony... this woman cannot communicate... and being that the tube has already been removed, its not like its going to help in this situation anyways... yes, there is legal money involved, but it wasnt on the table when terry was lost by the brain damage, and it wasnt caused by foul play... not to mention i can see why the husband would want to move on, his life WITH her ended 15 years ago. I know if it were me, by ALL means, let me die... I personally think her parents are sick and selfish people for wanting their daughter to go through this because they can keep her alive, even though all she does is lay there

EDIT- ok, not only all that- but the state courts have made their ruling again in appeal, and the US supreme has already refused to hear the case. Why the F is the house trying to intervine? They CANT!!!! Sorry but the legal system already turned its wheels and the last say was the final... Seriously its like for some people if they dont get they answer they want they whine all the Fing time like the system failed, when in all reality, it worked exactly the way it should, just it did not say what they wanted to hear... Thank god the forefathers thought up the checks and balances... all I have to do is repat what the judge said - "I have had no cogent reason why the (congressional) committee should intervene," Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer told attorneys in a conference call, adding that last-minute action by Congress does not invalidate years of court rulings.

This post has been edited by saleeka: Mar 19, 2005 - 12:07 AM