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Topic: How do you feel about this? (Read 2430 times) |
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Sean_C
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PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (March 20) - The bitter feud over Terri Schiavo's fate has made its way to Congress, an answer to pleas from the brain-damaged woman's parents to have her feeding tube reinserted on her third day without food or water.
Congressional leaders from both parties hoped an agreement reached on a bill would allow the tube to be restored while federal courts review her case. The House and Senate were expected to take up the legislation by Sunday or early Monday. If passed, President Bush planned to sign it.
''Everyone recognizes that time is important here. This is about defending life,'' White House press secretary Scott McClellan said in Texas, where the president planned an early return to Washington to be able to sign the bill as soon as possible.
The development was the latest in a contentious right-to-die battle between Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, and her husband, Michael Schiavo, over whether she should be permitted to die or kept alive by the feeding tube.
Passage of the measure would require the presence of only a handful of lawmakers. Opposition waned after House leaders agreed to give up broader legislation and accept a narrowly crafted bill that applied only to Schiavo's case. The Senate convened briefly Saturday evening to give formal permission for the House to meet Sunday, when it otherwise would be adjourned for spring recess.
Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed Friday on a Florida judge's order. As supporters maintained a vigil outside her hospice, Schiavo's mother pleaded for the 41-year-old woman's life.
''We laugh together, we cry together, we smile together, we talk together,'' Mary Schindler told reporters Saturday. ''Please, please, please save my little girl.''
Schiavo could linger for one or two weeks if the tube is not reinserted - as has happened twice before. Doctors say she is in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery. Her husband has insisted she never wanted to live in such a condition.
Earlier Saturday, Michael Schiavo criticized House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who helped broker the congressional compromise.
''He's sitting up there saying that Terri wants to live. How does he know? Has he ever met her? No. He hasn't met me,'' Schiavo said on NBC's ''Today'' show.
Hamden Baskin III, one of his lawyers, also told CNN that Congress's move was an ''abomination'' that tried to overrule years of court decisions.
But Bob Schindler praised Saturday's deal after talking with supporters.
''We're elated primarily that they put politics to one side and they're concentrating on the issue of saving Terri's life,'' he said.
The bill would effectively take Schiavo's fate out of Florida state courts, and allow Schiavo's parents to take their case to a federal judge. DeLay, R-Texas, said that would likely mean restoration of the feeding tube ''for as long as this appeal endures.''
Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla., issued a statement late Saturday saying he will make an objection that would stop the vote Sunday. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., said he was trying to gather enough votes to defeat the bill Monday.
''This bill would have the federal government intrude into the most private, personal and painful family decision,'' Blumenauer said.
Meanwhile, emotions swelled as lawmakers took on the matter. Four people, including right wing leader James Gordon ''Bo'' Gritz, were arrested Saturday on trespassing charges when they attempted to bring Schiavo bread and water.
A spokesman for Schiavo's parents, Paul O'Donnell, later told reporters that they do not want supporters to engage in civil disobedience on their daughter's behalf.
''The family is asking that the protests remain peaceful,'' said O'Donnell, a Roman Catholic Franciscan monk.
A small group of supporters was congregated outside the hospice. New protest signs were put up Sunday saying ''Save Terri Schiavo From State-Sponsored Murder!'' and ''Free Terri, jail the rest.''
Guabe Garcia Jones, an attorney from Washington, said he's been on a hunger strike since the tube was pulled Friday, only drinking water for the roughly two days he has spent in a tent outside the hospice.
Early Sunday, less than a dozen supporters were still congregated outside the hospice. Some gathered in a circle of lawn chairs around a single candle, while others took to sleeping bags.
Some people have camped out for days, like Terry Butts, a medical assistant and mother of two teenagers.
''I've worked in the nursing field over 20 years, and never seen a tube come out without a living will,'' she said. ''It's not supposed to happen.''
Terri Schiavo suffered severe brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped briefly because of a chemical imbalance. She can breathe on her own, but has relied on the feeding tube to keep her alive.
In 2001, Schiavo went without food and water for two days before a judge ordered the tube reinserted. When the tube was removed in October 2003, Gov. Jeb Bush pushed through ''Terri's Law,'' and six days later the tube was reinserted. The Florida Supreme Court ruled in September 2004 that Bush had overstepped his authority, declaring the law unconstitutional.
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vig
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #1 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 8:54am » |
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I thought it was a despicable showing of politics...
"We should investigate every avenue before we take the life of a living human being," said House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a Texas Republican.
unless they happen to be muslim...
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| « Last Edit: Mar 20th, 2005, 8:57am by vig » |
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E-Double
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #2 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 8:58am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 8:54am, vig wrote:| I thought it was a despicable showing of politics... |
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I couldn't agree more!!!
I tend to stay out of political/religious threads and will continue to do so, however, if/when my time comes.......
Leave me alone and let nature run it's course.
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Bethany1
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #3 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:01am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 8:54am, vig wrote:I thought it was a despicable showing of politics...
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Right on Paul.
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Sean_C
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #4 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:12am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 8:58am, E-Double wrote:| Leave me alone and let nature run it's course. |
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Thats the way I feel about "myself" too, and my family knows it because we've talked about it. Have you talked to your family about this subject? If not what would your family do god forbid something accidently happened?
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E-Double
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #5 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:17am » |
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Maybe it's because I'm relatively young (31) that certain things are not discussed further/deeper than philosophy regarding such issue.
I guess now that I am married (tomorrow 4 months WOW) and we talk about starting a family in the near future that this is something that should be truly discussed.
Either way.....I'd want the government out of my family's decision.
Damn it Sean! You dragged me into the thread 
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| « Last Edit: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:18am by E-Double » |
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catlind
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #6 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:17am » |
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How I feel about this is that we are going to the JAG office and updating our wills and living wills.
Cat
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nani
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #7 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:44am » |
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Yes...a Living Will....put your wishes in writing. I shudder to think that my husband would have to go through all of this just trying to honor my wishes.
Republicans say they want less government?... 
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Hirvimaki
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #8 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:56am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 9:44am, nani wrote:| Republicans say they want less government?... |
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Do you people really think there is a significant difference between the two parties?
Barnum was right... 
Hirvimaki-Isi
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"What makes us discontented with our condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others."
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floridian
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #9 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:59am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 9:56am, Hirvimaki wrote:
Do you people really think there is a significant difference between the two parties?
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Yes, in many respects, I think there are significant differences. One is for freedom in boardroom, the other for freedom in the bedroom (and doctors office/hospital). Neither perfectly agrees with my philosophy of freedom and responsibility, but you can expect very different policies from a Repub or Demo government.
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Bethany1
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #10 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 9:59am » |
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Yes
WE PEOPLE do.
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Redd
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #11 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:02am » |
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This is a subject very close to my heart and life. I have DPOA over my mother, and many years ago she and I sat down and talked about shat she would and wouldn't want done as far as measures go. If it were up to other members of my family, Mom would not be a DNR staus resident at the nursing home right now.
There would be no question of ever removing a feeding tube, as it would never be placed to begin with.
I think that says it all.
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Sean_C
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #12 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:16am » |
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If any of you do get the chance to discuss this openly with your family you might be surprised at some of your famlies responses like I was. Not everybody's choice is the same as yours. My father who I thought would be like "yank that plug" insisted he stay on life support. Now if something happened to him I would have thought the opposite. So we joke around and if I ever need anything he always says "Seanboy, you were gonna pull the plug remember" Then I always have to reply "I still might"
Mom, who I thought for sure would want to live no matter what, said to yank it. Shocked, I asked why and she said when its over its over, let me go, I'll see you on the other side  .
These are real disicions guys, we all might face them. So I definately agree on the living will, or at least a family discussion if you can.
Love to all
Sean.........................
Sorry if this is a touchy subject, but it becomes more touchy for your loved ones later.
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Hirvimaki
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #13 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:21am » |
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So if you are a Democrat, the declines in our society are the fault of the Republicans? And if you are Republican, the declines are the fault of the Democrats?
Between 1976 and 1980 the Democrats controlled the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. From 1980 to 1986 the Republicans controlled the White House and the Senate, while the Democrats controlled the House of Representatives. Between 1986 and 1992 the Republicans controlled the White House while the Democrats controlled the Senate and the House of Representatives. From 1992 to 1994, the Democrats controlled the White House, the Senate and the House of representatives. During this whole time both parties have also controlled the state and local governments across the country.
For a bill to be passed in Washington, it has to be passed through the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. This means that both parties are responsible for all those things you dislike about about this country.
Yeah, I see the difference.
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"What makes us discontented with our condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others."
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pattik
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #14 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:26am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 8:54am, vig wrote:| I thought it was a despicable showing of politics.... |
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Thanks, Vig. I couldn't have expressed it any better. These bottom-dweller politicians are really giving America a black eye around the world. It's sickening and embarassing.
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nani
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #15 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:30am » |
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Hirvi...politicians are all the same. My reference to Republicans here relate to this case. Starting with Jeb Bush, it has only been Republicans who have interfered with this woman's issues. What bothers me most, is that it is politically motivated, with little concern for the actual outcome for her or her husband.
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Bethany1
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #16 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:32am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 10:30am, nani wrote:| What bothers me most, is that it is politically motivated, with little concern for the actual outcome for her or her husband. |
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 Your right nan
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Jonny
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #17 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:36am » |
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If your able to talk when you get to the hospital you can give your own DNR order and they will honor it (at least in this state they will)
My old man went to the ER having a heart attack, gave the DNR and was dead two hours later, I nearly killed the Doc for letting him die 
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
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Sean_C
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #18 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:44am » |
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That sucks jonny, I'm wicked sorry bro 
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Bethany1
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #19 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:45am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 10:36am, Jonny wrote:
My old man went to the ER having a heart attack, gave the DNR and was dead two hours later, I nearly killed the Doc for letting him die |
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Im sorry Jonny.
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Jonny
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #20 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:54am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 10:44am, Sean_C wrote:| That sucks jonny, I'm wicked sorry bro |
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Its what he wanted, he was in the first stages of Alzheimers and he knew it. No way was my old man going to become a babbling idiot, he saw an out and took it.
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It is up to YOU to educate yourself and then help your doctor plan your treatment. If you just sit down in front of your doctor and say "make me better" you are setting yourself up for a great deal of pain.
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nani
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #21 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:54am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 10:36am, Jonny wrote:If your able to talk when you get to the hospital you can give your own DNR order and they will honor it (at least in this state they will)
My old man went to the ER having a heart attack, gave the DNR and was dead two hours later, I nearly killed the Doc for letting him die |
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I'm so sorry, bro... 
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floridian
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #22 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 10:54am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 10:21am, Hirvimaki wrote:
Yeah, I see the difference.
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This thread was opened by asking what we think about the Schiavo case. There is a clear difference between the Democratic and Republican camps on this issue.
The Dems generally feel that there are policies in place to decide these things. They feel that when someone gets married, a spouse has the power of attorney, not the parents.
The Repubs do not like the existing laws. They have appealled the matters to the courts (all the way to the supreme court) and were unable to find an activist judge to overturn the law. So they have rushed to re-write the laws in a way that will interfere with the privacy of tens of thousands of people, taking the matter away from the designated family decision makers if that decision is not in agreement with their so called 'pro-life' agenda.
Yeah, that IS a big difference.
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| « Last Edit: Mar 20th, 2005, 11:01am by floridian » |
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Redd
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #23 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 11:06am » |
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Quote:| The Dems generally feel that there are policies in place to decide these things. They feel that when someone gets married, a spouse has more say in the power of attorney than parents do. |
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Parents have no rights after a child reaches the legal age of majority. Not in any matter whatsoever. Why should a parents selfish desires ever override that of the child or the child's legal choice in partnership? Political or otherwise, any change in the law to grant a parent the right over over-rule the decision of an adult child or their legal partner would open flood gates to change other privacy laws.
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floridian
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Re: How do you feel about this?
« Reply #24 on: Mar 20th, 2005, 11:17am » |
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on Mar 20th, 2005, 11:06am, Redd715 wrote:
Parents have no rights after a child reaches the legal age of majority. Not in any matter whatsoever. |
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That is ordinarily true, but when an adult child is 'incompetent' then the parents may be able to exercise authority if they wish - if the parents die or become incapacitated, for example, the grandparents are generally seen to have a 'claim' to be custodians of the grandchildren. But if the parents are alive and competent, there are no grandparent rights (and when a person reaches adulthood, they are ordinarily their own person).
We agree that giving the parents a veto over the spouse is going to open a new can of worms.
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| « Last Edit: Mar 20th, 2005, 11:24am by floridian » |
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