February 2005 Archives

The BlogsForTerri ad compaign continues....

Having just completed our first fire across the bow of the mainstream media via our BlogsforTerri ad in the Tampa Tribune, we are now preparing to place an ad in the "USA Today" on Friday week. That day has been chosen for both maximum readership and also timing within the narrow window of opportunity to contribute to the growing grassroots campaign at the nation-wide level to save Terri.

Several groups have already expressed an interest in joining with BlogsForTerri by co-sponsoring the ad that is expected to cost almost $20,000. We have already contacted USA Today and are working with the Schindler Media office and others, to prepare the content and layout of the ad. BlogsForTerri expects to be prepared to raise about one-third of the total cost.

Blogs are encouraged to help get the word out. Pledges are requested immediately in order to be prepared for the placement of the ad next Tuesday for the Friday, March 15, just three days before Judge Greer has scheduled Terri's execution to begin.

In related news on the BlogsForTerri campaign to draw attention to Terri's plight, we were interviewed by a journalist with the New York Times over the weekend. Details will be released on the interview by the NYT sometime in the next two weeks when the article is expected to run that weekend in one of their weekend features.

Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International (LID), today called on all Americans, especially those involved in the Terri Schindler Schiavo case, to refrain from being swayed by pro-euthanasia rhetoric and to keep in mind the facts of the case. "There are some basic facts that are getting lost in this case," Scott said. "It's time that we review the facts and keep them in mind as we determine Terri's fate."

In a shocking move, Judge George Greer ordered court-appointed guardian Michael Schiavo to begin starving and dehydrating Terri Schiavo on March 18, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. "This is not simply a court order removing a judicial stay and allowing the guardian to proceed as he sees fit," said Diane Coleman, President of Not Dead Yet, which was joined by sixteen other national disability rights groups in three amicus briefs filed in support of Terri Schiavo's right to food and water.

URGENT: Blogs please see that this gets swarmed!

Terri Schiavo’s life is hanging in the balance. Right now, the Justice Coalition is launching this EMERGENCY PETITION to rally grassroots support to save Terri’s life and affirm the value of life for all Americans.

As I’ve aged, I’ve become increasingly disgusted with the human race. As if it weren’t bad enough that we engage in the most absurd, wasteful and personally depreciating behaviors, there seems to be nothing we enjoy more than giving each other a hard time. People, it seems, can be stunningly unkind to one another.

Merriam-Webster defines the word prejudice as “an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge”. By that description, it appears that many of us live with prejudices and we rarely make effort to keep them under wraps.

SunnyeWriter is has asked President George Bush for an executive order that will "pardon" Terri Schiavo.

Mr. President, in swearing to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States surely you also assume the protection of those inalienable rights defined by our forefathers for the citizens of this country.

Therefore, we respectfully ask you to issue an Executive Order to stay the removal of Terri's feeding tubes and to remand her to the care of her parents.

President George W. Bush
(202) 456-1111
president@whitehouse.gov

Source: BlogsforTerri

Update 2(by Richard)

At 5:30 PM this afternoon, after earlier attempts had failed to reach me at a time that I that I could speak with him, I received a phone call from Mr. Eric Myers, National Sales Manager for the St. Petersburg Times. Mr. Myers told me that the St. Petersburg Times was prepared to run the BlogsforTerri ad exactly as it was originally presented, without the changes that they had earlier insisted upon(I received the required changes by email as did the Schindler's press office). I was told that they were not censoring the ad and that they didn't want the blogs using the word censorship when in fact they were now willing to run the ad, and definately wanted to run the ad this Sunday as originally requested by BlogsforTerri.

Judge Greer has given Terri Schiavo another three weeks. Here is the final paragraph of his order:

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that absent a stay from the appellate courts, the guardian, MICHAEL SCHIAVO, shall cuae the removal of nutrition and hydration from the ward, THERESA SCHIAVO, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2005.

MSM:

Judge Orders Florida Woman's Feeding Tube Removed

"We're happy that we have at least three weeks until they kill Terri [Schiavo]. We're unhappy that we don't have much time" for more legal maneuvers, said her father, Bob Schindler. - CNN

George Felos, the "right-to-die" attorney representing Schiavo told Florida Baptist Witness his client "deeply loves Terri" and cares about her despite cohabitating openly with his fiancée, Jodi Centonze, since 1995. The couple now have two children together.

"He simply is not gong to walk away from that promise he made to [Terri] when she said, ‘Honey, don’t keep me alive like that,’” said Felos, describing statements made to a guardianship judge after winning a $1.3 million malpractice settlement for his wife’s care.

A Vatican official launched an appeal to save Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman whose husband wants her off life-support care.

Thank you, Andrea, for being willing to expand on your prior comments. Your testimony dispels the widely held myth that those who are classified as PVS lack mental capabilities. It also confirms the benefit of rehabilitation and being placed in familiar surroundings; opportunities that Terri has not been given. Of course, the PVS classification seems to have been used rather liberally (or erroneously) on both Andrea and Terri Schiavo (more here and here).

I want to tell you all a little of what I remember after my brain surgery in 1984 when I was PVS, mute and paralyzed. My earliest memory was from late November- about two or three weeks after surgery. My aunt came to visit me and gave me a gift: a music box that played "It's a small world". She played the music for me and asked me if I knew the song. I knew it! I was so mad that I couldn't tell her.

How the nine Supreme Court judges voted on this is confidential information I’m not allowed to divulge. However I am able to share a few very telling details, directly from the attorneys representing Norma McCorvey:

Read more...

HT: AfterAbortion

Associated Press released a report penned by Vickie Chachere which cited an eating disorder as the cause of Terri Schiavo's mysterious collapse and ensuing brain injury on February 25, 1990.

Contrary to the account of writer Chachere, there was never a determination by any court nor the Florida Department of Health that Terri Schiavo ever suffered from any eating disorder, bulimia, anorexia or compulsive behavior that would lead to a heart failure at the age of 26.

While examining the takedown of Dan Rather, Hugh Hewitt wrote in his groundbreaking book, The Blog,

The destructive energy of the blogsphere is fierce indeed when focused.

Today David Limbaugh writes about the blogosphere's constructive possibilities, using THIS group of 200 or so pro-life bloggers as an example:

Nothing illustrates the constructive possibilities for blogging better than pro-life bloggers' concerted effort in defense of Terry Schiavo. As I've written before, blogging is a way to "electrify" the grassroots and that seems to be exactly what is in the process of happening here.

Others share the same vision. La Shawn Barber writes,

Bloggers caused enough ruckus to topple someone in Big Media, so let’s see what we can do to save a life.

Let's take the Blogosphere out for a spin and see what we can accomplish: I think we can do great things, starting with Saving Terri

Others Blogging: MyVastRightWingConspiracy

Washington Post, Feb. 23 -- The administration of Gov. Jeb Bush, already forcefully rebuked by the Florida Supreme Court for trying to override judicial orders and block the removal of a brain-damaged woman's feeding tubes, launched itself back into the case Wednesday by asking for a delay to investigate abuse allegations.

The surprise request by Florida's Department of Children and Families to intervene in the case of Terri Schiavo stirred an already emotional atmosphere. A woman broke with courtroom decorum and called out "Amen" when an attorney for Schiavo's parents, who are trying to stop her husband from removing the feeding tubes, announced in Pinellas County Circuit Court that the department has asked for a delay.

While the Post labels the events as a "legal maneuver" there are concrete reasons why the suspicious circumstances surrounding Terri's "incident" should be investigated.

For example, although Terri's brain injuries were thought to have resulted from heart failure,

Dr. William Hammesfahr, a world renowned neurologist wrote a complete report concerning the Schiavo case in September, 2002, revealing that medical tests conducted after her collapse did not show evidence of a heart attack.  In the emergency room, a possible diagnosis of heart attack was briefly entertained but then dismissed after blood chemistries and serial EKG's did not show evidence of a heart attack. ( Complete Report of Dr. William Hammesfahr)   Dr. Hammesfahr testified that she had sustained injuries consistent with abuse.

A bone scan, conducted in 1991 and hidden until 2002, revealed the following:

The bone scan report completed in March, 1991 by Dr. Campbell Walker was done to "evaluate for trauma " that may have been caused by a suspected "closed head injury". Walker wrote that "this patient has a history of trauma. The presumption is that the other multiple areas of trauma also relates to previous trauma". He listed apparent injuries to Terri to the ribs, thoracic vertebrae, both sacroiliac joints, both ankles and both knees.

Soure: The Perfect Murder and Empire Journal on Michael Schiavo.

CLEARWATER, Fla. Feb 23, 2005 — A judge Wednesday extended a stay keeping brain-damaged Terri Schiavo alive until Friday, saying he needed time to decide whether her husband, who wants to remove her feeding tube, is unfit to be her guardian.

Thanks, Tom McMahon, for writing about your son:

In February 1991 our son Ryan suffered a severe brain injury. He was in the hospital for 6 months, and has never regained the ability to walk or talk. He cannot answer Yes or No by any means. He is totally dependent on our care. When he came home from the hospital, he had a feeding tube to his stomach just like Terri Schiavo does now.

[snip]

Right now the chess game in the courts continues. And when Terri Schiavo is put to death, you all will feel bad about it for a while, but it will slowly fade from memory as you move on to other things. But for us, a haunting question will remain: When Will They Be Coming For Ryan?

[more]

If the current battle were only about Terri Schiavo it would be worth waging. It's not. There are thousands of others who are watching in horror as the courts bestow the legal right to murder on Michael Schiavo. There were many victims who were not well known that preceded Terri. There were will be thousands more if this is not stopped here.

Knowing what we know and having seen the videos, the following partial transcript from "On the Record," (February 21, 2005) is outrageous.

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: A legal setback for a Florida family trying to keep their daughter alive. Terri Schiavo (search) has been in a vegetative state for 15 years. Her family lost an appeal Monday and now there are just hours until a court order could lead to the removal of the feeding tube that keeps Terri alive. Terri's husband has been steadfast in his effort to take her off life support. His attorney went "On the Record" last week:

Judge Greer Issues Temporary Stay till 5:00 pm tomorrow!

Attorneys for the Schindlers have just been notified that Judge Greer has granted their Emergency Motion for a Temporary Stay. The new Stay will hold over until after tomorrow's hearing and by its terms will remain in effect until 5:00 pm, February 23.

2nd DCA Issues MANDATE Without Further Instructions
As expected, the 2nd District Court of Appeals issued its Mandate this afternoon at 1:00. The stay protecting Terri's life has now expired by its own terms. A motion for a new stay is set to be heard by Judge Greer tomorrow at 2:45. [more]

Attorneys for the Schindlers have been advised that Judge Greer is in possession of the 2nd DCA's Mandate and their Emergency Motion for a Temporary Stay, and that he intends to rule on that motion this afternoon as soon as possible.

In the meantime, Terri is being fed. Her family is with her and she is doing well.

More info:

BlogsforTerri
TerrisFight

Not responsive? PVS?

You decide

Great thanks to the reader that sent it in.

Thanks to Chad from InTheBullpen, please find below the email addresses and contact information for most newpaper editors in the State of Florida. Now is the time to tell them about Terri Schiavo and the information published here and at BlogsforTerri.

Conveniently, WriteWingBlog provides an example and helpful information about how to write to editors.

US top court rejects bid to reopen Roe v. Wade

The article doesn't say who voted or how this time, only that three justices "have voted" (assumed to mean in the past) to overturn.

Please read more at AfterAbortion.

Today, Michael Schiavo has promised to withhold food and water from Terri Schiavo to bring about her death. Despite reports that show up in the Mainstream Media, we know that Terri is not a "vegetable" and not "brain-dead". We've seen the videos and have read the depositions.

We need to tell others. Here is what can be done in the time that we have:

1. Pray for Terri and her family.


2. Blog - communicate the truth about what is going on and rally support for Terri and the Schindlers.


3. Visit BlogsforTerri ( http://www.blogsforterri.com) for information and to join the team of blogs for Terri.


4. Deluge Gov. Jeb Bush with emails and phone calls. He has the power to intervene. Call him constantly. Here is his contact information:

   Governor Jeb Bush
   jeb.bush@myflorida.com
   850 / 488-4441
   850 / 487-0801 (fax)



5. Deluge President Bush - contact


6. Support HB701(click here).


7. Important - Bypass the Mainstream Media - pledge support a paid advertisement in the St. Petersburg Tribune to inform its 450,000 paid subscribers about what is really happening to Terri. [http://www.blogsforterri.com/pledge.php]

Here is the latest from LifeNews:

Terri Schiavo's estranged husband Michael plans to remove her feeding tube on Tuesday, even though a hearing on whether to renew a stay preventing him from doing so won't take place until Wednesday.

The current stay is in effect until Tuesday afternoon, when the Florida 2nd Court of Appeal is expected to finalize its decision against a claim by Terri's parents saying starving their daughter to death would violate her religious liberties.

Once the mandate in that decision is issued at 1 p.m. EST, Michael plans to remove the feeding tube.

[click here to read the rest]

by Pamela F. Hennessy

Michael Schiavo made a promise.

According to him, he promised his wife more than 20 years ago that he would never let her linger on artificial life support. He has said that he and his young wife were watching a television movie that depicted a dying man who was attached to a ventilator when she turned to him and said: “Don’t let that happen to me.”

“I promise,” responded Michael Schiavo.

Previously I communicated that Judge Greer barred Michael Schiavo from withholding food from Terri Schiavo until Wednesday based upon an Empire Journal article that was quoted by BlogsforTerri. Lifenews reported the same information. It now appears that the information is in error and that Michael Schiavo will have the ability to remove Terri's feeding tube tomrrow at 1 pm. Read on.

Michael Schiavo and his attorney, euthanasia advocate George Felos, have been barred from withdrawing the feeding tube from Schiavo's brain damaged wife until a hearing can be held Wednesday.

Sixth Circuit Court Judge George Greer ruled late Monday afternoon that Felos and Schiavo cannot implement their stated plan to withdraw the gastric feeding tube of Terri Schindler-Schiavo until a hearing is held to determine if the stay in effect from Greer's 2000 death order should remain in place while her parents, Mary and Robert Schindler Sr., continue with their legal options in trying to keep her alive.

Source: BlogsforTerri

Eric at Vince Aut Morire has more.

Today, the 2nd DCA denied the Schindlers' motion to withhold their mandate, which is expected to be issued tomorrow morning, Tuesday - February 22, 2005.

Upon learning of this, attorney George Felos contacted the Schindlers' attorney to inform him that he intended to instruct the staff at Hospice to remove Terri Schiavo's food and fluids at 1.00pm ET on Tuesday, February 22.

The Schindlers' attorney, David Gibbs, filed an emergency motion today for clarification and temporary stay, asking that the court direct no further action be taken until the rescheduled hearing on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at 2.45pm ET. Mr. Gibbs also asked Mr. Felos if he and his client would refrain from instructing caregivers to remove food and fluids from Terri. Mr. Felos refused, stating that he was under instructions from his client.

Judge George Greer has declined to rule on the Schindlers' motion for clarification and stay until 1.00pm tomorrow, the same time Mr. Felos has declared Terri's tube will be removed. It is the opinion of the Schindlers and their attorneys that Mr. Schiavo has no authority to instruct such an action without a specific court order that mandates the date and time of such action. Mr. Felos does not agree.

Mr. Felos also wrote to the Judge Greer, claiming he no longer had jurisdiction and that his client will have Terri's tube removed.

Related Documents:

Emergency motion for clarification and stay - http://www.terrisfight.org/documents/022105emmot.pdf
2nd DCA's denial of motion to withhold stay - http://www.terrisfight.org/documents/0221052dca.pdf
Felos' Letter to Judge Greer- http://www.terrisfight.org/documents/022105felos.pdf

Source: The Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation

What You Can Do:

HB701 - Action Alert

Support BlogsforTerri Ad Effort

Deluge with Phone Calls and Emails

Governor Jeb Bush (R)
Office of The Governor
Florida Capitol Building, PL-05
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
(850) 488-7146
(850) 488-4441
jeb@jeb.org

Richard announced that BlogsForTerri, on behalf of all 150+ blogs will place an ad in the Sunday edition of the St Petersburg Times (largest paid circulation in Florida - 450,000+). The ad will be an open letter to the residents of Florida from BlogsForTerri and their readers calling them to action that will provide significant attention to the truth about Terri where it is needed most, in Pinellas County and the State of Florida.

The contents of the ad have been derived from the work of our bloggers in pursuing the following points:

• Terri is not unconscious, brain-dead or in a PVS (videos at site).


• Terri has been treated with negligence and denied her own legal counsel.


• A proper evaluation of awareness in the presence of profound and complex neurological disabilities such as Terri's requires the skills of a multidisciplinary team experienced in long term management and tests. Terri has never had this opportunity.

To go forward we need funding, $10,000 to be exact (every cent will go into the advertisement). And, we desperately need the participation of every Blog for Terri to raise it quickly – time is of the essence.

Currently we are taking pledges through this page (http://www.blogsforterri.com/pledge.php). You can participate by doing the following:

• Pledge


• Call your readers to get involved by supporting the advertisement. Direct them to the pledge url.


• Call and email friends, family, organizations and business with a personal invitation asking them to fund the ad.


• Contact organizations and businesses or send us the contact information for organizations and business interested in sponsoring the advertisement through a substantial contribution (they will get their name listed in the ad).

Note: as you publish this information on your blog please trackback this post - no link is necessary.

Cross-posted at BlogsforTerri

Today, the 2nd DCA denied the Schindlers' motion to withhold their mandate that would clear the way for Terri Schiavo's feeding tube to be removed.

The Schindlers have filed today an emergency motion for clarification and temporary stay and are asking the lower court to ensure that the issuance of the 2nd DCA's mandate does not automatically permit the withdrawal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube. This was after being informed by Michael Schiavo's attorney that he intended to have Ms. Schiavo's assisted feeding and hydration discontinued tomorrow, February 22, 2005, by 1.00 pm ET (GMT-5).

A press conference is to be held at 2.30 pm today and an update will be sent following.

Crystal Clear does a great job exposing the clear bias against Terri Schiavo in the Orlando Sentinel’s article, Courts expected to settle Schiavo's fate this week. Not surprising, the article also contains reference to the feeding-tube myth:

Early this week, the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland or Pinellas Circuit Judge George W. Greer could end her parents' seven-year legal battle to keep their daughter alive, paving the way for her husband to carry out what he says were her wishes and remove the feeding tube that sustains her unconscious state.

The feeding tube inaccuracy, eluded to by both Crystal and Lilac Rose, is in the phrase "remove the feeding tube that sustains". This statement, used regularly in the mainstream media, makes it sound like Terri Schiavo is on life support that artificially sustains her.

Terri is healthy and is not on life support. She does need someone to feed her through a removable tube which experts testify would not be needed if she were given therapy. Terri is healthy but requires assistance eating. She currently might not be able to swallow (adequate tests have been blocked) although a nurse testified that she covertly fed Terri Jello and medical experts have stated their opinion that Terri is able to swallow.

This assisted feeding is a natural means of preserving life and not a medical act of life support. In addition, the feeding tube is detachable, only inserted during feedings. Michael will not have to cut the line or withdraw the tube. Rather, he will order health care workings to stop feeding his wife.

Many people, including small children and the sick and impaired, require someone else to feed them, often through feeding tubes. We never talk about this as if it were “unnatural” or an artificial means of sustaining life.

So, let’s call the “removal of the feeding tube” what it truly is: withholding food and water for the purpose of causing death. This latter statement is far more accurate and while strong, not strong enough.

Along these lines, it should be obvious that the only outcome of withholding food and water from Terri is death by starvation or dehydration. This is not "allowing death to occur" but causing it by not giving something that Terri’s guardians are morally obligated to provide.

Barbara Simpson has written an excellent article titled "The wonderful world of legal murder" for WND. Here are a few paragraphs that should make a difference:

The media conspire against Terri. Virtually every news report says she is "vegetative" and "brain dead." The media have so bought into the idea of the "right to die" that they are complicit in the false reporting of Terri's condition creating the impression she's on the verge of death

Uh – no.

She wakes and sleeps, responds to people, smiles, reacts to her family – especially her mother – and vocalizes, making sounds in response to statements and questions as though trying to speak.

[more]

Wittenburg Gate reproduces an article by Doc Washburn, a Florida radio talk show host who asserts that Gov. Jeb Bush has the right and authority to intervene and save Terri Schiavo's life right now. The meat of his argument is:

Florida’s state constitution says "All natural persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law and have inalienable rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, to pursue happiness...No person shall be deprived of any right because of race, religion, national origin, or physical disability." The fact that a Circuit Judge continues to ignore Florida statutes does not change the state constitution. Jeb Bush took an oath to uphold that constitution and yet (despite receiving 120,000 e-mails begging him to save her), he let Terri Schiavo starve (and dehydrate) for six days back in October 2003 until the Florida legislature passed a law that gave him political cover.

Jeb Bush
jeb.bush@myflorida.com
850 / 488-4441
850 / 487-0801 (fax)
Executive Office of the Governor
400 S. Monroe Street
The Capitol
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001

He is right, bloggers have shown proficiency in taking down hypocritical politicians (and journalists). Let's show that blogs can be effective in standing up for the life of Terri Schiavo.

The Terri Schiavo blog burst continues and is growing (rapidly). Dory from Wittenburg Gate has published a phenomenal collection of new posts by over 40 bloggers called "Bloggers' Best for Terri Schiavo". The diversity and quality of the entries is excellent and Dory has taken the time to categorize and describe each post for easy browsing.

Note: if you are blogging in support of Terri Schiavo please list it with BlogsforTerri. Many of our bloggers also join ProLifeBlogs so that their posts on Terri Schiavo can be aggregated here.

Posted by Richard on BlogsforTerri - spread the word.

We are in daily contact with those closest to the effort to save Terri, and they believe what we have outlined here is the most effective way that over 100 organized and motivated bloggers can help save Terri Schiavo.

Although a hard legal battle is being waged, our job is to work on the political and public-opinion side of the equation which is extremely important, and is the only thing that can save Terri should the legal fight fail. Much of the problem is related to political issues in Pinellas County and at the State Capital. We are aware of what they are and are working to address them. Now is not the time to divide further two opposing camps, we need both sides. That is what "BlogsForTerri" plans to do. We will take the high road and not get involved in vitriol. That doesn't mean though that we aren't going to attack, because we are - without quarter.

Rough outline of the "BlogsForTerri" attack plan:

On Sunday Wittenberg Gate will host a Bloggers' Best for Terri Schiavo . Any blogger may submit one best post on behalf of preserving Terri Schivo's life or closely related subjects such as care for the disabled or euthanasia. Anyone who does not write a blog may also submit an article or just a few quick lines by including the entire text in an email. Submissions should be sent to this email address by noon Saturday, EST. More details and submission instructions are available here .

TheBandWagon has updated the Terri Schiavo index of all of ProLifeBlog's aggregated posts grouped by blog. Thanks Jody!

To add your blog to the Pro-Life Blogs aggregator and database click here.

I have received a number of emails from individuals who can truly sympathize with the Schindlers because they have walked a similar path. Their testimony is powerful and reveals that Terri Schiavo's parents are not alone in their desire to care for and treat a loved one who has been classified by the medical establishment as in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) [see Hyscience for the truth about PVS in Terri's case]. In addition, the struggle over Terri Schiavo’s life has increased public awareness and enabled many to deal more effectively with difficult and trying situations.

Today the Supreme Court is beginning private deliberations to decide whether or not to hear the case of Norma McCorvey (the "Roe" of "Roe v. Wade"), who is now seekig to overturn the courts prior ruling which legalized abortion. [more from LifeNews]

AfterAbortion writes,

Please stop--today--and say a prayer or lift up a positive, encouraging thought, a wish, a hope, for the Supreme Court Justices, by name. Takes but 30 seconds.

Today's the day, folks. They're meeting to discuss Norma's motion right now:

William H. Rehnquist
John Paul Stevens
Sandra Day O'Connor
Antonin Scalia
Anthony M. Kennedy
David Hackett Souter
Clarence Thomas
Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Stephen G. Breyer

Congratulations to the BlogsforTerri Swarm! Last night we added our 100th member blog and are still growing fast.

Having met the milestone we have launched BlogsforTerri as a central point for future information and to promote and network with TERRI's Team of 100 Bloggers.

Most of my blogging related to Terri will be done at the new site along with Richard from Hyscience and Beth from MyVastRightWingConspiracy.

Are you committed to blogging regularly in support of Terri? Then join us in our fight for justice by adding your blog to the BlogsforTerri blogroll. [click here]

Most of our members publish the BlogsforTerri blogroll on their site by placing the following code among their links:

<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://rpc.blogrolling.com/display.php?r=1d56e37cbdc6ea945e3bf5be790faac9"></script><br />

In addition, hundreds of posts supporting Terri Schiavo and the Schindler family have been aggregated here and are updated several times per hour. If you haven’t added your site to the ProLifeBlogs.com aggregator please do it today by clicking here.

A former girlfriend of Michael Schiavo has revealed publicly that he believes his wife, Terri Schiavo, recognizes him and responds emotionally to him. This information is consistent with the testimony of health care workers, Terri's family and video footage which agree that Terri is not a "vegetable" as Michael has alleged in his bid to end her life.

Naaman puts Joni Eareckson Tada's quote in perspective.

The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' (Matthew 25:40)

Check it out here. Note that Hyscience is listed above DailyKos and Wonkette.

WriteWingBlog is writing. She just published a sample letter for newpaper editors that will also be useful when contacting Florida officials. At her request, I'm reproducing most of her post below.

A reader pointed me to this article in the National Ledger by L.A. Morris. He notes right away that popular blogs in the blogosphere seem to have forgotten or overlooked the danger to Terri Schiavo. As early as Feb. 22, her husband may have the legal right to starve her to death.

Well, the day of reckoning is at hand. You wouldn’t know it from scanning the mainstream media, digging through internet news, or even perusing the more popular blogs. But that fateful day has arrived nonetheless, my friends, and every single one of us better sit up and take notice.

Nevertheless, he is right about most of the bloggers who have the highest traffic ratings. I'm not concerned. We are close to 100 strong and growing rapidly. Our traffic and readership is highly distributed and Terri's Bloggers are making an impact. However, it might be a good idea to send our friends at the top a few invitations to join TERRI's swarm.

Update: I noticed that Joe Carter (Evangelical Outpost), a top blogger and favorate of mine, also recently posted on Terri and BlogsForBush's Mark Noonan picked up the story.

John has the master list. It's time to act!

Update: Governor Bush's office (850-488-4441) is receiving a substantial volume of calls today in support of Terri.

The army of Terri's bloggers is growing rapidly and gaining attention through-out the blogosphere thanks to each member of Terri's blogroll [if you haven't signed-up add your blog]. Minds are being changed and action is being taken.

Hyscience has written a brief description with pictures about yesterday's rally at Terri's hospice that is far from glowing [more here]. What is important about Hyscience's posts is that they provide a general framework for action:

1. Governor
   a) avalanche of phone calls and emails
   b) personal phone calls and meetings with respected leaders


2. The Legislature
   a) phone calls and emails in district and Tallahassee
   b) on-site lobbying in Tallahassee when Legislature opens


3. Michael Schiavo
   a) pickets at home and work - relentless


4. Judge Greer
   a) church connections
   b) public protests


5. Federal cause of action
   a) President Bush
   b) Department of Justice


6. Local Doctors and Hospitals
   a) protests and potential boycott


7. Local church recruitment

To his call I'll add that the work on the ground, such as lobbying and picketing, will not be publicized by the MSM but it can be uniquely reported by you and thereby be made more effective.

A significant amount of raw material lies waiting to be explored, connected or republished [here and here]. It is esstential that this material be digested and communicated in a manner that changes minds and motivates action.

The task before us is too big for one or even ten bloggers. I'm thankful we have close to 100 in the swarm. We've signed-up for a lot but our cause is good and the truth is on our side.

HT: MyVastRightWingConspiracy

Dory explains. And here she shines some light by writing, "Terri Schiavo is not being kept alive artificially. She is merely being fed. She is not dying. She is disabled."

Terri's bloggers have a lot of work to do. We need to do what we are doing which is organizing the largest telephone and email campaign this ole country's seen in a very long time. And we need to advertise in the St Petersburg times as a collective of over 100 bloggers and their readers - the message that Terri is alive now and she doesn't deserve to sit in a room with no stimulation or connections to those who love her until she is starved and dehydrated to death in a death camp in the middle of and under the protection of a political beast called the Pinellas county court system. - Hyscience

We are 78 bloggers strong and growing!

Hyscience has posted information about the event held in front of Woodside Hospice today. This is a must read for each of Terri's bloggers.

"Thousands of Americans with disabilities understand the gravity of Terri's situation. We know that if every last legal safeguard around this brain-injured woman is dismantled, if every option is exhausted, then all of us are exposed, all of us are left vulnerable. And all of us will have to swim against the mounting tide of public opinion that Terri's demise will reinforce, that one is 'better off dead than disabled.' We must not, we cannot let this happen." -- Joni Eareckson Tada, JAF International Disability Center

[Source: Christian Communication Network]

Here is the first report I've read about today's protest:

Standing outside the hospice where Terri Schiavo lives, family and supporters of the severely brain-damaged woman on Wednesday kicked off a campaign of lobbying and protests hoping to block her husband from removing the feeding tube keeping her alive.

The following Press Release is from a group called "Not Dead Yet" (HT: LifeSteward - LifeNews has more)

Disability activists have called for a nationwide moratorium on the
dehydration and starvation of people alleged to be in “persistent
vegetative state.” This would apply to individuals who do not have
an advance directive or durable power of attorney.

Marlowe's Shade comments on the Terri Schiavo blogburst:

Terri's case is significant because she is a human being. She was and is still dearly loved. Despite her serious impairment, she has intrinsic worth. I believe from her interactions with her family she is still aware and capable of feeling love. There simple shouldn't be a question of keeping her alive. So why is her life in danger?

[snip]

The same judicial activism that seeks to secularize our society, hampers the war on terror, and redefine marriage has now assigned itself a new and deadly role. - more

Check out thebandwagon's master list of Terri Schiavo posts, organized by Blog.

Ask Sarah Scantlin whether she is glad to be alive today. On second thought, don't insult her.

If you've ever wondered why relatives of some accident victims who wind up in comas with "permanent" brain damage never give up hope or abandon their loved ones to substandard treatment, meet Sarah Scantlin. More than 20 years after being struck by a car driven by a drunk, this Kansas woman is talking again. She piped up with "OK" during a therapy session in the nursing home where she stays and apparently has been expanding her vocabulary ever since. - More

Source: SpiritDaily via Hyscience

Nurses who tended to Terri Schiavo -- the Florida woman whose feeding and water tubes may soon be removed -- have stated in affidavits provided by her family that the 41-year-old has exhibited clear-cut behavior indicating she is conscious and aware of her surroundings.

Protesters from across the country including a number of Christian groups are gathering in Pinellas Park and Clearwater, Fla., in an attempt to save the life of brain-damaged Terri Schindler Schiavo.

Spread the word:
1:00 PM Woodside Hospice
6774 102nd Avenue N.
Pinellas Park, Florida
(near 66th Street N and 102nd Avenue N)
An indoor meeting at 4:00 PM will follow for all of Terri's supporters. Location of indoor meeting will be announced at the Hospice

Wittenberg Gate will be hosting a bloggers' round-up for Terri Schiavo on Sunday, February 20th. Anyone blogging for the protection of Terri Schiavo's life is invited to submit their one best post on her behalf by Saturday, noon EST. (EST is GMT minus 5 hours.)

This is a great opportunity for everyone on Terri's Blogroll (I hope Dory is ready for a flood of posts). Visit Wittenberg Gate for more information.

This is a remarkable public testimony by Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life. Father Pavone visited Terri Schiavo several times and interacted with her, saw her struggle to speak, smile and attempt to kiss her parents.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Terri Schiavo is not dying. She has no terminal illness. She is not in a coma. She is not on life-support equipment. She is not alone, but rather has loving parents and siblings ready to care for her for the rest of her life. She has not requested death.

Source: GOPInsight

By now you have probably heard about a young woman who is threatened with starvation in Florida.

That young woman is my daughter, Terri. In 1990, through circumstances which are shrouded in mystery (and may involve a criminal act by Terri's estranged husband), my daughter was left severely brain-damaged.

Great progress is being made toward the goal of 100 blogs who will stand-up for Terri Schiavo by publishing posts daily on her behalf. Four days ago Hyscience announced Terri’s Blogroll and only today (Monday) the call was made for the 100. The number of blogs currently stands at 45 50 68 78 90. If each of Terri’s Blogroll members invites two others, the goal will be reached in two days!

Add your blog to Terri's Blogroll by emailing Hyscience (or ProLifeBlogs).

Here is the code you need to place the blogroll on your site:

<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://rpc.blogrolling.com/display.php?r=1d56e37cbdc6ea945e3bf5be790faac9"></script><br />

Update: Why Blog? La Shawn Barber writes, "Bloggers caused enough ruckus to topple someone in Big Media, so let’s see what we can do to save a life."

Update: Encouragement from David Limbaugh: "I certainly want to encourage [your] efforts ..." Thanks!

In addition, hundreds of posts supporting Terri Schiavo and the Schindler family have been aggregated here and are updated several times per hour. If you haven’t added your site to the ProLifeBlogs.com aggregator please do it today by clicking here.

Note: Time is Short. Michael Schiavo is looking to Feb. 22 as the next date in which he attempts to remove Terri's feeding tube.

News and events will happen quickly during the next week. Make sure you check Hyscience regularly for updates and the Terri Schiavo Blog Aggregator at this site for the latest blog postings.

A major novel blog - media event is in the planning stages and will be announced very soon by Hyscience. This will be the first major challenge for Terri's Bloggers.

For a history of the fights to save Terri Schindler Schiavo's life, and/or to make a donation, visit www.TerrisFight.org

Activists are directed to visit www.TrueAndJust.com for updates on protests and other actions as they are planned for Tallahassee and Pinellas Park. Protests are happening this week on Wednesday and Thursday (click here).

A Supreme Court fax campaign has been called.

Today--contact the governor and the leaders of the legislature and politely insist that they write a new law to save Terri’s life. We need this to happen today, and we ask you to recruit your friends to do the same. And remember, phone calls are better than emails.

Jeb Bush, Governor
(850) 488-4441
jeb.bush@myflorida.com

Tom Lee, Senate President
(850) 487-5072
lee.tom.web@flsenate.gov

Allan G. Bense, Speaker
(850) 488-1450
speaker@myfloridahouse.gov

Christian News Network - Over and over Terri Schindler Schiavo's parents have asked that Terri be given speech therapy. Terri's parents filed an emergency motion for immediate therapy in October of 2003, asking for 8 weeks of speech and swallow therapy. Michael Schiavo objected and the court sided with him.

In the light of Sarah Scantlin's recovery of her speech after 20 years, why won't Michael Schivo reconsider?

Speech Language Pathologist, Sara Green Mele, M.S. CCC-SLP, swore under oath, "It is my judgment based on my training and clinical experience working with patients similar to Terri that she would, within a reasonable degree of clinical probability, be able to improve her ability to interact with her environment, communicate with others, and control her environment if she were given appropriate therapy and training as outlined above. These recommendations, in my opinion would greatly improve Terri's quality of life."

The danger to Terri Schiavo's life is critical as Michael Schiavo will soon will be free to remove her feeding tube that has sustained her for 15 years, possibly as early as Feb. 22.

And Rightly So has written a graphic description of death by starvation based upon her experience. Read it and weep.

HT: MyVastRightWingConspiracy

By Daniel Webster, USA Today Editorial via GOPInsight

By any definition, Terri Schiavo is alive. She has now been issued a death sentence by the courts.

Breaking News from the Empire Journal:

Plans to discuss the rescue of Terri Schindler-Schiavo will be revealed at a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. in front of the Woodside Hospice where Terri is a patient.

Terri Schiavo, 41, is the brain damaged woman who is at the center of a tug of war between her parents, Mary and Robert Schindler, and her estranged husband, Michael Schiavo. The husband, who is engaged to another woman by whom he has two children, has sought and obtained a court order from Sixth Court Court Judge George W. Greer to withhold the feeding tube from Terri which will cause her death by starvation and dehydration.

The Hospice is located at 6774 102nd Ave., North Pinellas Park, Fla.

Terri's case is going to be presented for review to the US Supreme Court any day now. First the justices have to decide if they will consider it.

Let's all FAX the Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States and ask the justices to please review Terri's case. Don't hesitate to mention the fact that Sarah Scantlin is alive and well after 20 years in the same kind of "coma" that Terri is in.

Here's the FAX number: 1-202-479-3021.

Let's give Terri the same chance Sarah had.

Source: GOPInsight

SIGN THE PETITION! For a detailed description of Judge George Greer’s mis-steps of justice, see the petition and vote to impeach Judge George Greer HERE.

HT: MyVastRightwingConspiracy. The Opinion Times has more.

Michael Schiavo has publicly stated that his goal in withholding treatment from his wife and removing her feeding tube (leading to death-by-starvation) is in accord with her wishes. He has testified that he loves his wife and is doing what she wanted. However, both legal records and Michael’s actions seem to tell a different story.

Over and over Terri Schindler Schiavo's parents have asked that Terri be given speech therapy.  Terri's parents filed an emergency motion for immediate therapy in October of 2003, asking for 8 weeks of speech and swallow therapy. Michael Schiavo objected and the court sided with him.

In the light of Sarah Scantlin's recovery of her speech after 20 years, why won't Michael Schivo reconsider?

Speech Language Pathologist, Sara Green Mele, M.S. CCC-SLP, swore under oath, "It is my judgment based on my training and clinical experience working with patients similar to Terri that she would, within a reasonable degree of clinical probability, be able to improve her ability to interact with her environment, communicate with others, and control her environment if she were given appropriate therapy and training as outlined above.  These recommendations, in my opinion would greatly improve Terri's quality of life."

Sara Green Mele's complete affidavit is available online at:  www.earnedmedia.org/mele.htm

A history of the fights to save Terri Schindler Schiavo's life, and/or to make a donation, visit www.TerrisFight.org

Activists are directed to visit www.TrueAndJust.com for updates on protests and other actions as they are planned for Tallahassee and Pinellas Park.

HT: Hyscience

Dr. William Hammesfahr
Dr. Alexander Gimon
Dr. Jacob Greene
Dr. Richard Neubauer
Dr. William Russell
Dr. Jay Carpenter
Dr. James Avery
Dr. John D. Young
Dr. William Maxfield
Sarah Green Mele – Speech Pathologist
Myra Stinson – Speech Pathologist

A major novel blog - media event is in the planning stages and will be announced very soon [Terri Schiavo Blogburst - Update 3].

In preparation, a minimum of 100 blogs are needed on Terri's Blogroll who will also write at least one Terri Schiavo post every day, preferably more - with encouragement to readers and other blogs to participate by writing, phoning and emailing contacts, MSM, and other blogs. Especially the St. Petersburg Times. Considering make an announcement of Hyscience's 100 Blog Challenge your first Terri Schiavo post of the day.

Thirty-three blogs are listed already! Check them out here.

Add your blog to Terri's Blogroll by emailing Hyscience (or ProLifeBlogs).

Here is the code you need to add the blogroll to your site:

<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://rpc.blogrolling.com/display.php?r=1d56e37cbdc6ea945e3bf5be790faac9"></script><br />

"I just can’t stop the bleeding. I can’t see what I’m doing and I want her out of here," – abortionist Martin Ruddock told a 911 operator during a "complication" that occurred during an abortion procedure performed on a 30-year-old woman.

During his latest ruling against the family of Terri Schiavo Judge George Greer said that a "guardian ad litem would tend to duplicate the function of the judge, would add little of value to this process and might cause the process to be influenced by hearsay or matters."

However, Judge Greer is statutorily prohibited from being the guardian of Terri Schiavo and the 2nd DCA has no discretion to allow him to violate Florida Statutes.

Section 744.309(b) specifically states “no judge shall act as guardian after this law becomes effective, except when he or she is related to the ward by blood, marriage or adoption or has maintained a close relationship with the ward or the ward’s family and serves without compensation”.

Source: Schiavo Judge Prohibited From Being Guardian, The Empire Journal

Based on public record, there exists sufficient cause for Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature to take immediate steps for the impeachment and removal of Sixth Judicial Circuit Court judge George W. Greer, the judge who has been acting in the prohibited dual role of judge and guardian in the Terri Schiavo case.

Terri Schiavo, 41, is the brain damaged woman who is at the center of a decade long court battle in Clearwater, Fla., between her estranged husband Michael Schiavo who wants to end her life, and her parents, Mary and Robert Schindler Sr. who want to care for her.

According to the Florida Constitution and Florida Statutes, cause exists to impeach and remove Greer from judicial office without further delay.

Although there is evidence that he has violated numerous provisions of the guardianship laws of the state, there is also documentary evidence that Greer has allegedly committed a misdemeanor and possibly felonies by allegedly filing false documents with Florida’s Division of Elections and by allegedly improperly withholding information pertaining to the alleged abuse of Terri Schiavo.

While it is indisputable that he violated judicial canons by acting in the prohibited role of judge and guardian, refusing to appoint her an independent guardian ad litem to represent her interests, public records and documents establish that Greer allegedly violated Florida election laws and did not qualify for office.

The Empire Journal

Bloggers, please post this and email it to others, ask boggers and readers to HELP SAVE A LIFE by attending these TWO events.

Hyscience will be "LiveBlogging" the events, just to keep the media honest!

People are planning to attend from all over the country. The "Events" themselves are intended to get media attention, possibly even the anti-life St. Petersburg Times.

As you are all aware, Terri's days are numbered and she NEEDS our help BEFORE Schiavo and Felos try to pull her feeding tube and starve her to death (for the third time)

This week there are TWO important events THAT WE WILL NEED AS MANY SUPPORTERS AS POSSIBLE, IN SUPPORT OF TERRI, TO ATTEND!!!

Please join Terri's parents and other supporters at Woodside Hospice this week where Terri is presently kept as a hospice patient.

EVENT #1

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

1:00 PM
Woodside Hospice
6774 102nd Avenue N.
Pinellas Park, Florida
(near 66th Street N and 102nd Avenue N)
An indoor meeting at 4:00 PM will follow for all of Terri's supporters. Location of indoor meeting will be announced at the Hospice.

EVENT #2

Thursday, February 17, 2005

1:00 PM
Clearwater Courthouse
315 Court Street
Clearwater, Florida 33756

We will be meeting Thursday in front of Judge Greer's courthouse for a Press Conference.

Your physical presence is needed at both of these events to help save Terri's LIFE!

Please consider how a few hours of your time this week may actually help SAVE the LIFE of a precious human being.

Please bring your "Save Terri" signs.

Contact Number Only:

Cheryl Ford RN

813-695-0870

Fight4Terri@aol.com

Blogs for Terri Aggregator

I've been tracking postings about Terri Schiavo by pro-life blogs here and here. However, with the Terri Schiavo blogswarm gaining speed, this has become a difficult task and I'm sure many excellent entries have been missed. As a result, a Terri Schiavo blog aggregator has been put online here and is updated approximately every 15 minutes. For your posts to be included you simply need to add your site to the ProLifeBlogs aggregator.

Related posts on Blogging for Terri:

• A letter to Governor Bush - thebandwagon (Feb. 12)


• Terri Schiavo Blogburst - Update II - Hyscience (Feb. 12)


• Why Blog for Terri Schiavo? - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 12)


• Terri Schiavo Blogrolling Link List - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 12)


• A Blogosphere Firestorm for Terri - MoFiZix Gr4FiX (Feb. 12)


• Contact Numbers for the Terri Schiavo Case - WriteWingBlog (Feb. 11)


• Terri Schiavo Blogburst - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 10)


• Notice to Bloggers on Terri Schiavo Blogburst - Update - Hyscience (Feb. 10)


• A few Questions for Michael Schiavo - Hyscience

From the Associated Press: A judge in a contentious right-to-die battle has refused to reconsider his ruling allowing a man to remove the feeding tube keeping his brain-damaged wife alive.

InterestingTwisted wording, "right-to-die", by the Mainstream Press. Terri and her family are fighting for her "right-to-live". [updated: this is why blogs must make her story known]

See LifeNews for the true story.

Update: Following her comment below, Janette has written an exceptional post titled, "This Is Not A 'Right To Die' Case". She also gives contact information for officials in Florida who can intercede on Terri's behalf. However, they are going to need encouragement, lots of encouragement.

AfterAbortion takes a look and, as expected, it is grim. Here is Annie's final observation: And probably the most fascinating statistical juxtaposition of all: PP delivered 3,097,597 ways of preventing pregnancies in 2003 (birth control, EC, reversibles for men and women), yet also delivered 6.1% MORE abortions and did 9.6% FEWER adoption referrals than the year before.

The danger to Terri Schiavo's life became critical after the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland last Friday denied a handful of motions filed by her parents. This means, according to Michael Schiavo's attorney, that their son-in-law soon will be free to remove the feeding tube that has sustained his wife for 15 years, possibly as early as Feb. 22.

Whose blogging about Terri Schiavo and the Schindler's fight for her life? (most recent on top)

Update: now tracked via the Blogs for Terri Aggregator

• Hey Mr. Schiavo, are you listening? - Anywhere But Here (Feb. 12)


• Don't Kill Terri Schiavo - Prosecute Michael Schiavo Instead - My Vast Rightwing Conspiracy (Feb. 12)


• Judge rules against Terri Schiavo's life - My Vast Rightwing Conspiracy (Feb. 12)


• Blog's for Terri - My Vast Rightwing Conspiracy (Feb. 12)


• This Is Not A "Right To Die" Case - Common Sense Run Wild (Feb. 12)


• A letter to Governor Bush - thebandwagon (Feb. 12)


• Judge Geer Rules Against Terri Schiavo, Again - ProlifeBlogs (Feb. 12)


• Testimony from Michael Schiavo's Former Girlfriend - WriteWingBlog (Feb. 12)


• Join the Blogstorm for Terri Schiavo - WriteWingBlog (Feb. 12)


• A Case for Criminal Investigation of Michael Schiavo - WriteWingBlog Feb. 12


• Charging Michael Schiavo - LifeSteward (Feb. 12)


• Michael Schiavo's former girlfriend speaks: Excerpts From Cynthia Shook's May 8, 2001 Deposition given in fear - Hyscience (Feb. 12)


• Dr. Dobson enters Schiavo fray - The Black Kettle (Feb. 12)


• Terri Schiavo Blogburst - Update II - Hyscience (Feb. 12)


• After 20 Years in 'Vegetative State' Woman Wakes--Schindler Family Encouraged - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 12)


• Speaking from Experience for Terri Schiavo - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 12)


• A "Painless" Death? - Hyscience (Feb. 12)


• Why Blog for Terri Schiavo? - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 12)


• Terri Schiavo Blogrolling Link List - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 12)

Late last year, Hugh Hewitt wrote in The Blog,

There was no shared plan of attack among the blogs. There was no coordination between them and their allies in talk radio and a few corners of MSM such as FOX News. There was, however, a network and there was an understanding of what mattered - facts - and a desire for speed and, crucially, a target. The destructive energy of the blogsphere is fierce indeed when focused.

Not to seem irreverant but just last night a bunch of bloggers were celebrating their power by causing the resignation of a man who said some terrible things, just think if the bloggers could come together and save a life. - TheBandWagon

I had the same throught. Let's keep blogging for Terri ... and for life.

Thanks to a comment in a prior post I found this story about a Kansas woman who awoke after 20-years in a coma.

Kate Adamson is the mother of two who suffered a double brain stem stroke and was in a coma for 70 days. She was completely unresponsive to stimuli and was diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state. Doctors finally pulled her feeding tube and, for eight days, she lay dying. Instead of being unconscious as the doctors believed she was aware of everything.

During an interview on the O'Reilly Factor in 2003 she recounted the dehydration experience:

O'REILLY: When they took the feeding tube out, what went through your mind?

ADAMSON: When the feeding tube was turned off for eight days, I thought I was going insane. I was screaming out in my mind, "Don't you know I need to eat?" And even up until that point, I had been having a bagful of Ensure as my nourishment that was going through the feeding tube. At that point, it sounded pretty good. I just wanted something. The fact that I had nothing, the hunger pains overrode every thought I had.

1. Kate was completely paralyzed and obviously no where near as responsive as Terri Schiavo who laughs and interacts with her family.


2. Kate had Steven Klugman who loved his wife and wanted to her to live. Unfortunately, Terri has Michael Schiavo who has always refused to allow his wife to have the tests and rehab that she needs. He is fighting to let her die.

David Limbaugh draws attention to a Kansas woman who has been unable to talk since she was hit by a car 20 years ago. The news reports that she is regaining her memory and beginning to talk. "I find this very interesting, especially when coupled with a news item I saw yesterday concerning a study indicating that disabled patients like Terri Schiavo: might have more awareness than we have suspected."

It would be interesting to know how her original condition compared with this video of Terri.

HT: CommonWealth Conservative

The following items are among many very frustrating circumstances that Terri Schiavo’s parents, brother, and sister consider to be abuses of Terri on the part of Michael Schiavo. As a parent, can you imagine having to just be a bystander while these abuses are inflicted on your child? All of these have been condoned by Judge Greer and the Pinellas County officials.

Denial of Therapy, Rehabilitation and Necessary Services

• FS 744.3215 Rights of persons determined incapacitated


• FS 837.021 Perjury by contradictory statements

Contrary to Michael Schiavo’s testimony, medical records indicate that after receiving the proceeds of the 1992 Medical Malpractice Trial totaling close to one million dollars not a single day of proper therapy or rehabilitation has been administered to Terri Schiavo, and Terri has been confined to a bed.

In fact, the spring of 1993, just several months after Michael Schiavo promised to provide life-long therapy and care for his wife, Michael revealed his first attempt to end Terri’s life testifying that he instructing caregivers not to treat Terri’s life-threatening infection. In 1995, Michael Schiavo again attempted to end Terri’s life in this manner by refusing Terri proper medical treatment.

In 1998, with close to eight hundred thousand dollars in Terri’s fund, Michael Schiavo petitioned the court to remove Terri’s feeding and hydration tube so that she would die.

Michael Schiavo is the inheritor of Terri’s Medical Trust.

Janette at CommonSenseRunsWild alerted me to this video which shows Terri Schiavo interacting and laughing. She is not in a vegetative state.

Here are video clips clearly showing that Terri Schiavo is responsive and not in a "permanent vegetative state" as claimed by her husband, Michael and his attorney:

• Terri watching a balloon


• Terri's alert eyes


• Terri responds to cold


• Terri responds to her mom


• Terri responds to music


• Terri responds to touch

What can you do? Spread the word and check here for contact numbers.

Source: Hyscience

Phone Numbers from CommonSenseRunsWild:

Please contact the following people and help save Terri. Your phone call or e-mail could be the one that makes a difference. And don't forget to say a prayer for Terri and her family.

Governor Jeb Bush (R) Office of The Governor Florida Capitol Building, PL-05 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 (850) 488-7146 (850) 488-4441 jeb@jeb.org

Attorney General Charlie Crist Office of Attorney General State of Florida The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 (850) 414-3990 Fax: (850) 487-2564 ag@oag.state.fl.us

A call to bloggers: The following documents have been collected from case evidence, testimony and other sources in the public record. These items give significant illustration that the circumstances surrounding Terri's collapse may be suspect. [HT: Hyscience]

For those who haven't noticed, there is currently a Terri Schiavo blogburst. Hyscience is putting together a blogroll of bloggers who support Terri by commenting and publishing information. Follow this link to sign-up.

For the second time in less than a year, the U.S. Supreme Court will be asked to consider an appeal related to Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman whose plight has pitted pro-life supporters against euthanasia advocates in a case drawing worldwide attention. [BPNews, HT: Jack Lewis who adds commentary]

H.J. Res. 4: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the right to life. - Stacy Harp, Media Soul

No unborn person shall be deprived of life by any person: Provided, however, That nothing in this article shall prohibit a law permitting only those medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother of an unborn person: Provided further, That nothing in this article shall limit the liberty of a mother with respect to the unborn offspring of the mother conceived as a result of rape or incest.

The danger to Terri Schiavo's life has become critical after the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland late Friday denied a handful of motions filed by her parents. This means, according to Michael Schiavo's attorney, that their son-in-law soon will be free to remove the feeding tube that has sustained his wife for 15 years, possibly as early as Feb. 22.

Update II: now tracked via the Blogs for Terri Aggregator

Update: The latest Terri Schiavo posts are now being tracked here.

Whose blogging about Terri Schiavo and the Schindler's fight for her life? (most recent on top)

• A Painless Way to Die? - The Bandwagon (Feb. 12)


• Fighting to Save Terri Schiavo - CommonSenseRunsWild (Feb. 12)


• Terri's Blogs - thebandwagon (Feb. 11)


• Terri's Life Counts - My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (Feb. 8)


• The Mysteries of Life - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 10)


• Updates on Terri Schiavo and the Battle for Her Life - bLogicus (Feb. 11)
• Evidence Surrounding Terri Schiavo's Collapse - Daily Inklings (Feb. 11)


• More info on Terri released - IntolerantElle (Feb. 11)


• More on Terri Schiavo - Musing (Feb. 11)


• Schiavo's Feeding Tube May Be Removed Feb 22 - Black Kettle (Feb. 11)


• A Mother's Torment - Abuses of Terri Sciavo by her husband Michael - Hyscience


• A Family's Torment - Terri Schiavo - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 11)


• Medical Miracle - Hyscience (Feb. 11)


• Documented Evidence Against Michael Schiavo - WriteWingBlog (Feb. 11)


• Contact Numbers for the Terri Schiavo Case - WriteWingBlog (Feb. 11)


• Your Crime: You Need Help Eating - MediaCulpa (Feb. 11)


• How is Feeding Someone "Artificial Life Support?" - JivinJehoshaphat (Feb. 11)


• Video Shows Terri Laughing, Responding [Updated] - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 11)


• Fight to Save Terri Schiavo - CommonSenseRunsWild (Feb. 11)


• The Terri Schiavo That Her Husband Doesn't Want You to See - The Dawn Patrol (Feb. 10)


• The Videos Michael Schiavo Doesn't Want You to See - WriteWingBlog (Feb. 10)


• Another Shot at the Supreme Court? - LifeSteward (Feb. 10)


• Terri's Life Matters - IntolerantElle (Feb. 10)


• Terri Schiavo - Neophyte Pundit (Feb. 10)


• Terri's Fight - Musing (Feb. 10)


• Terri Schiavo videos - Musing (Feb. 10)


• He Loves Her Not - LifeSteward (Feb. 10)


• Terri Schiavo Responds - The Senescent Man (Feb. 10)


• Blogging for Terri - LifeSteward (Feb. 10)


• Schiavo Update - WriteWingBlog (Feb. 10)


• Video Shows Terri Schiavo's Responsiveness - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 10)


• Last chance? Terri Schiavo case to be appealed to Supreme Court once again - Pro-Life News (Feb. 10)


• The Video Michael Schiavo Doesn't Want You To See: Terri Schiavo is responsive to stimuli - Hyscience (Feb. 10)


• Documents regarding the suspicious nature of Terri Schiavo's collapse - John Bambenek (Feb. 10)


• Websites on the Terri Schiavo case - John Bambenek (Feb. 10)


• Terri Schiavo Blogburst - ProLifeBlogs (Feb. 10)


• Important Terri Schiavo News - bLogicus (Feb. 10)


• Notice to Bloggers on Terri Schiavo Blogburst - Update - Hyscience (Feb. 10)


• Terri's Life - PowerBlog (Feb. 10)


• Op-ed: Johnny got his gun but Terri Schiavo just had Michael - Hyscience (Feb. 10)


• Terri Schiavo: the battle continues - Jack Lewis (Feb. 10)


• Terri Schiavo the Person in the Middle of the Euthanasia Battle - The Great Separation


• MICHAEL SCHIAVO’S ATTORNEY STATEMENT GIVES FURTHER CAUSE FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION - Hyscience


• Terri's Fight - PowerBlog


• Study Reveals Disabled Patients Like Terri Schiavo Show Awareness - Real Choice


• Mysterious Neck Injury Found in Terri Schiavo's Medical Records - John Bambenek


• Apeals court turns a deaf ear on Terri Schiavo's parents - Jack Lewis


• Neurologist on Terri Schiavo's neck injury: What Michael Schiavo can't explain - Hyscience


• Terri Schiavo Parent's Foundation Harrassed - The Senescent Man


• Criminal Investigation of Greer for Prejudice ... - Justice for Terri Schiavo


• Terri Schiavo - Wittenberg Gate


• Terry Schiavo's Situation Critical - Daily Inklings


• 2004, Psychiatric Expert Witness profiles Michael Schiavo - Hyscience


• Was Terri Schiavo attacked by her husband? - John Bambenek


• Terri Schiavo's Case Reaching Critical Point - Naaman the ex-Leper


• Michael Schiavo Insults Institution of Marriage - Justice for Terri Schiavo


• Schiavo's parents lose appeal bid - Justice for Terri Schiavo


• Brain-damaged patients may hear all - Hyscience


• Signs of Awareness Seen in Brain-Injured Patients - Justice for Terri Schiavo


• The Suspicious Circumstances Surrounding Terri Schiavo's Injuries - ProLifeBlogs


• Judge May Rule on Terry Schaivo's Life This Week - Stone's Cry Out


• The Perfect Murder: Michael Schiavo Could Face Criminal Charges - Hyscience


• Empire Journal on Michael Schiavo - Hyscience


• More on Terri Schiavo - She could be helped to talk again - John Bambenek


• Questions for Michael Schiavo - Musings


• Information Packets About Terri Schiavo - ProLifeBlogs


• More Questions for Michael Schiavo - Hyscience


• Florida Legislators can still act to save Terri Schindler-Schiavo - Hyscience


• We Need the Governor to Save Terri - Justice for Terri Schiavo


• Terri Schiavo's Father Calls Legal Fight With Michael a Spiritual Battle - Justice for Terri Schiavo


• Christian Groups Rally Support for Terri Schindler Schiavo - Justice for Terri Schiavo


• Nurse Testifies that Terri Schiavo Speaks - ProLifeBlogs


• Terri Schiavo is in Need of Help - bLogicus


• A few Questions for Michael Schiavo - Hyscience


• Nationwide Campaign to Save the Life of Terri Schiavo - Hyscience

Dolly Scientist Gets Human Cloning License [Associated Press via From the Morning]

The British government on Tuesday gave the creator of Dolly the Sheep a human cloning license for medical research.

It is the second such license approved since Britain became the first country to legalize research cloning in 2001.

Annie at AfterAbortion posts the real-life quandry of a person who used a fertility clinic to artificially conceive 12 embryos and now understands more clearly the implications of believing that life begins at conception.

She wants the world to know so that no one will go through what she’s going through: that her heartbreak is as real as ours, if not more compounded. There are 12 babies she mourns, some still alive that she cannot save.

The scientists have testified under sworn oath: the human being’s life begins at fertilization, not implantation, not 8 weeks gestation, not 24 weeks, not at birth.

And we’re messing with it. We’re "playing God" when we should never have begun to do so. This story is just one of the reasons why.

Terri Schiavo’s time is running out and Hyscience is attempting to keep her story alive with the release of two additional posts related to the suspicious circumstances surrounding Terri Schiavo’s collapse that led to her brain damage.

The Perfect Murder: Michael Schiavo Could Face Criminal Charges

Empire Journal on Michael Schiavo

The posts quote an article from the Empire Journal describing the various discrepancies surrounding Terri Schiavo’s medical condition in 1991, shortly after her collapse. A bone scan, ordered March 5, 1991, revealed that Terri had extensive injuries previously unknown by her family. Dr. Campbell Walker, who conducted the scan wrote that "this patient has a history of trauma." His analysis determined injuries to the ribs, thoracic vertebrae, both sacroiliac joints, both ankles and both knees.

On Friday, February 4, the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeals denied all of the remaining motions filed with that court by the Schindlers in the "Papal Appeal." While the 2nd DCA had originally denied the appeal back on December 29, 2004, the Schindlers had petitioned for a rehearing en banc in order to give the full court an opportunity to hear the merits of the case.

Once again, the court denied the motions without providing a written order, effectively limiting the Schindler's ability to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court. It appears at this point that the Mandate will now return to Judge Greer in approximately 15 days from the issuance of the court's decision--an event that will expire the current Stay that preserves Terri's life.

Source: Terri's Fight

The Empire Journal has more.

Hyscience has more on the Terri Schiavo information packets. He suggests that they contain "documented medical information that will call into question Michael's right to decide Terri's fate, the veracity of his story of what happened on that morning of February 25, 1990, and indeed, if Terri dies, should he remain free." Also, he is offering copies of them to the first 50 bloggers interested in publicizing their contents. Check it out.

Affidavit of CARLA SAUER IYER, R.N. (HT: Sounding the Trumpet)

Terri’s medical condition was systematically distorted and misrepresented. When I worked with her, she was alert and oriented. Terri spoke on a regular basis while in my presence, saying such things as "mommy," and "elp me." "Help me" was, in fact, one of her most frequent utterances. I heard her say it hundreds of times. Terri would try to say the word "pain" when she was in discomfort, but it came out more like "pay." She didn’t say the "n" sound very well. During her menses she would indicate her discomfort by saying "pay" and moving her arms toward her lower abdominal area. Other ways that she would indicate that she was in pain included pursing her lips, grimacing, thrashing in bed, curling her toes or moving her legs around. She would let you know when she had a bowel movement by flipping up the covers and pulling on her diaper.

[snip]

Throughout my time at Palm Gardens, Michael Schiavo was focused on Terri’s death. Michael would say "When is she going to die?," "Has she died yet?" and "When is that bitch gonna die?"

[snip]

When Michael visited Terri, he always came alone and always had the door closed and locked while he was with Terri. He would typically be there about twenty minutes or so. When he left Terri would would be trembling, crying hysterically, and would be very pale and have cold sweats.

Breaking news about Terri Schiavo from Hyscience. Apparently, Hyscience was able to obtain a significant amount of information that has "never been released previously in the MSM." He writes that "Blogs will have it first" and the material sent to him has "startling information that hasn't been previously made available to the public."

The information actually originated from the attorney of Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, who provided it the Schindlers (Terri’s parents). Given the significant volume of information it was expected to be overlooked and not uncovered until after Terri had been euthanized by her doctors.

However, recently it was "discovered, complied, checked, reviewed and packaged." It is presently is in the hands of Hysicnece who is going through the material and releasing it via his blog.

Twelve Questions for Michael Schiavo by Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express, International Disability Rights News Service (October 23, 2004).

1. Why has [Michael] refused several recommendations for Terri's continued therapies?

   In April of 1991, about a year after her collapse, therapists at Bradenton Mediplex Rehabilitation Center determined that Terri's condition was improving and recommended Michael have her transferred to Gainesville Rehabilitation Center to receive advanced therapy so she could continue her recovery.

   But by July, Michael had instead moved her to Sable Palms Nursing Home, with no such therapy.

   Later, he refused to allow therapies that her parents believed might have allowed her to swallow, so she would not have to rely on a feeding tube.



2. Why did he not mention his wife's wishes during one of two malpractice cases?

   In late 1992, one of Terri's doctors settled a malpractice suit out of court for $250,000. The following January, a Pinellas jury awarded about $1.4 to Terri and $600,000 to Michael in a suit filed because her gynecologist failed to ask about her medical history while treating her.

   Michael had asked the jury to grant $20 million to pay for Terri's future medical and neurological requirements, based on her life expectancy, which he and his attorneys estimated at 51 years. Michael also told the court he wanted to become a nurse so he could help his wife for as long as she lived.

   His attorney told the court about Terri: "She can't respond much but she can respond, and she does respond a little bit, not much. But enough to give him hope."

   The following month, February 1993, Terri's parents had a 'falling out' with their son-in-law, because, they claim, he refused the therapies that professionals had recommended.



3. If Michael expected Terri to live to at least age 51, why did he order her caregivers not to treat her for a potentially life-threatening infection in August of 1993, and another in late 1995?


4. Why did he invoke a "do not resuscitate" order just a few months after the jury award?


5. Why, in 1997, did he announce his engagement to another woman, while still married to Terri?


6. Why, also in 1997, did he hire George Felos, an attorney with a reputation for fighting "right to die" cases, to represent him?


7. Why did he petition the court, also in 1997, to have Terri's feeding tube removed so she would starve and dehydrate to death.


8. Why did several nursing home workers swear that Terri's demeanor changed after he was in the room with her?


9. Why did nursing home workers swear that he at times stormed into the facility asking when "that bitch" would die?


10. Why did he have Terri, who does not have a terminal illness, moved to a hospice in 2000, even though hospices are designed for people who are expected to die within six months? According to his earlier calculations, she still had at least 15 more years left to live.


11. Why won't he allow Terri's parents and siblings to take over her guardianship?


12. Why did Michael not allow Terri, a Catholic, the holy sacraments of Communion and last rites when her feeding tube was removed last October?

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.

Dory at Wittenberg Gate has written an excellent piece titled, "A Conversation About Choice". Here is a snippet:

Man: It may surprise you that I agree with that hierarchy as well. Now let's consider your reproductive choices in light of the rights of another person: the child. We have established that protection from violence is a right that supersedes other people's reproductive choices, right?

Woman: Yes, but an unborn fetus is not a person and not protected from violence.

Man: Obviously, in a biological sense she is an individual of the species Homo sapiens, so what you are saying is that you do not recognize that this individual is a person in the legal sense, am I right?

A frozen embryo destroyed in a Chicago fertility clinic was a human being whose parents are entitled to file a wrongful-death lawsuit, a Cook County judge ruled Friday. Judge Jeffrey Lawrence II said "a pre-embryo is a 'human being' ... whether or not it is implanted in its mother's womb" and the couple is entitled to seek the same compensation awarded to other parents whose children are killed. [source: Covenant News, Chicago Sun Times, ABC News]

Friday, Judge Jeffrey Lawrence II said "a pre-embryo is a 'human being' ... whether or not it is implanted in its mother's womb" and the couple is entitled to seek the same compensation awarded to other parents whose children are killed.

"Philosophers and theologians may debate," he wrote, "but there is no doubt in the mind of the Illinois Legislature when life begins. It begins at conception."

Updates:

• This judge, and biologists in general, agree the embryo is fully human. Even John Kerry said he believes human life begins at conception. The question is whether or not as a society we believe in the intrinsic God given value of the individual or whether we are willing to discriminate on the basis of maturity and/or other characteristics. The former has driven the civil rights movements. The latter is a frightening development.


• Wittenberg Gate has an insightful analysis of this story and concludes:

  There are only two available positions for the pro-abortion crowd.

  As those who value the lives of their own children continue to demand that the law recognize and protect them, expect to see more opposition from those who assert abortion rights. They will be forced into one of either two positions. Either they will have to look these mothers and fathers in the eye and coldly tell them their dead children deserve no recognition or justice, or they will be forced to legally define two groups of unborn people: the wanted and the unwanted. God help us.



• Modblog, Espresso Roast, Commonwealth Conservative and Mark Nicodemo add more.


• WorldnetDaily picked-up the story today (Feb. 6)


• The Truth Peddlar and Stone's Cry Out weigh-in.


• LifeNews reports the story.


• Okie on the LAM writes, "Finally, A Judge in His 'Right' Mind".

Here’s my assessment: An unborn baby is human only if the mother wants it. If she doesn’t, at any stage up to the legal limit of 32 weeks, she can have the child killed in her womb and get on with living. From 20-32 weeks, "partial birth abortion" is available. I won’t make you ill by describing the "procedure" here.

PajamaHadin provides an interesting analysis as well, adding

So it seems we have a peculiar (and philosophically nonsensical) situation here. The death of the victim is a crime (intentional homicide, voluntary manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide) for which a law suit may be filed. However, if the mother wants the unborn child to be killed, no crime has been committed.

While the blogosphere is lightening fast and highly flexible, the targeted location for the Christian Blogosphere Convention is not. As a result, the conference I wrote about here will be hosted at some other facility or postponed.

However, the conference WILL happen, eventually, and as a result I'm moving forward with the initial steps for the pro-life bloggers workshop. For your review here is a tentative description of it:

The Pro-Life Blogging workshop will cover the strategic use of the blogosphere and weblog technology to communicate a Christian pro-life message that will engage the non-Christian culture, heal the broken hearted, catalyze change and motivate action. Potential topics include blogosphere networking, collaborating with pro-life organizations and ministries, taking-on the Mainstream Media, providing Christian answers to difficult questions, covering pro-life activism and motivating pro-life oriented legislation. Special emphasis will be placed upon blogging activities that reach and impact the local or grassroots level.

As a predecessor to the conference and as a means of helping our bloggers network and reach a wider audience I plan to begin a Pro-Life Carnival in the next few weeks [Emily at AfterAbortion made the suggestion]. Email me if you are interested in hosting it.

Finally, I'm currently working on a significant upgrade to this site. Now would be a great time to comment or email me regarding your ideas for improvement.

Thank you for your participation in this site and for respecting and standing-up for life! I'm truly amazed at the quality and effectiveness of your blogs.

Check out the many quality posts on euthanasia published as this week's Vox Apologia Carnival at Revenge of Mr. Dumpling.

Sixteen months ago, Andrea Brown, 24 years old and unmarried, was desperate for an abortion, fearing the disappointment of her parents and the humiliation she might face.

While searching the telephone book one day, she came across the Bowie Crofton Pregnancy Center and Medical Clinic, a church-financed organization that provides counseling and education about sexual abstinence. The receptionist told Brown that the facility did not perform abortions or make referrals but that she could come in for an ultrasound to make sure her 6 1/2-week pregnancy was viable. When she did, everything changed.

"When I had the sonogram and heard the heartbeat -- and for me a heartbeat symbolizes life -- after that there was no way I could do it," Brown said recently as she revisited the clinic and watched her now 9-month-old daughter, Elora, play at her feet.

[more]

Updates:

Opinion Times and Hispanic Pundit have more. Also, check out Hyscience.

Of the 123 Planned Parenthood affiliates nationwide that manage nearly 850 "health centers," they can only point to one lone office as providing adoption services, and this as a separate agency that is simply allowed under Planned Parenthood's roof. - FRC via Mark Nicodemo