This terribly sad case, a clear-cut example of incredible INJUSTICE, is over.
However, the battle between Michael Schiavo and Terri’s family is not finished. In addition to kicking out Terri’s family so he could be alone with Terri as she died (how unlucky for her), Michael Schiavo is accused of murder and wife-beating (possibly it was he who caused her brain damage in 1990). Michael wishes Terri to be cremated (not allowing a Catholic funeral ceremony with her body that her parents have asked for) and have her ashes be put in his family’s vault in Phillie. In short, the guy’s a total obsessive psycho and amoral thing, and frankly, he, his lawyer George Felos, and his mistress Jody can all go to hell for all I care, for all the suffering that Terri and her family have been going through all because of them.
EWTN had a beautiful “picture/video show” of Terri, with a song called “Beautiful Still.” It was so touching. I’ll tell you what: I can’t STAND to see innocents in danger. It makes my blood boil, when people take advantage of others for their own personal agendas or selfish desires. Especially when their victims are people like Terri and the unborn who physically can’t speak up and are at the mercy of others. It is our responsibility to speak for them, so things like this don’t happen, that we fight for them even though it may seem hopeless or things have already been played out. We can’t cop out on this responsibility – It’s our duty. Like I said, it’s hard dealing with this issue so much (without becoming desensitized to it, or having it bother you so much that you can’t face it), but it won’t go away if we ignore it. It’ll just get bigger. It takes more than a few days for these things to happen, so we need to be dedicated. I try to help out with a lot of political issues, but life issues trump everything for me. Every other non-life issue takes a seat on the back-burner because someone’s life is on the line, and I believe that to be more important than discussing gun rights or taxes (for example) at the moment.
Father Frank Pavone (a wonderful, outspoken pro-lifer) compared this case of Terri to the Third Reich, and how Hitler got rid of (what he called) the “useless eaters” (i.e. the mentally and physically disabled). I really don’t see this case as being any different. President Bush said that we should always err on the side of life, since we don’t know what’s going on upstairs for sure.
Speaking of which, I hope that many of you realize how necessary it is that the Senate change their filibuster (and pro-choice “litmus” test: anybody remember Priscilla Owen or Miguel Estrada?) to a simple majority, to allow President Bush to appoint some pro-life justices. It would be such a crime to have this case repeated again, by judges (and politicians) who don’t care about others’ lives. (However, when their own lives are threatened (as Judge Greer has police officers at his house, and several female Senators were crying on the Senate floor because their lives had been threatened), they turn tail and plead for mercy, the yellow-livered, cowardly scumbags.) This vote is coming up soon, so I encourage you all to contact your State Senators and tell them to get rid of the filibuster and “supermajority,” and go back to the simply majority, the way it’s always been.
Remember Terri.
Rest in peace, Terri– May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Terri Schiavo Dies in Florida Hospice
Article Summary
Terri Schiavo, 41, died Thursday morning at about 9:05 A.M. in her Pinellas Park, Florida hospice, after almost 14 days without food or water.
“Earlier in the afternoon, Felos disclosed for the first time that Michael Schiavo had been living in the hospice since March 18, when his wife's feeding tube was removed. He said Terri Schiavo's breathing became irregular and her heart weaker on Wednesday, signaling to doctors that she was "entering the final stages of the death process."
“After Schiavo died and a van from the Pinellas County medical examiner's office arrived, about 30 to 40 people gathered around her body as a hospice chaplain said a prayer. The group included Michael Schiavo, his brother Brian, Felos, another attorney, the hospice workers who had cared for her over the years, and the law enforcement officers who protected her in her final days.”
But it was clear the tug-of-war over her was not over. Earlier on Thursday, a representative for her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler…accused Michael Schiavo of barring their family from the hospice room where their daughter died.
"Unfortunately, just 10 or so minutes before she died we were told we had to leave the room because there would be an assessment of her condition and because her husband Michael wanted to be in the room," said Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life...
Pavone said Michael Schiavo would not allow Terri Schiavo's siblings to remain in the room, saying he wanted some time alone with her. A few minutes later, Terri Schiavo died.
"And so his heartless cruelty continues until this very last moment," Pavone said. He added: "This is not only a death, with all the sadness that brings, but this is a killing, and for that we not only grieve that Terri has passed but we grieve that our nation has allowed such an atrocity as this and we pray that it will never happen again."”
“Portuguese Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, head of the Vatican's office for sainthood, denounced Schiavo's death, saying that "an attack against life is an attack against God, who is the author of life."
Later, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said: "An existence was interrupted. A death was arbitrarily hastened because nourishing a person can never be considered employing exceptional means."…
President Bush opened a press conference by offering his condolences to Schiavo's "families," perhaps an intentional departure from other lawmakers' statements that exclude mention of her husband, Michael.
Bush said he hoped Terri Schiavo's death would lead to a better appreciation for a "culture of life, where all Americans are valued and protected, especially those who live at the mercy of others."
The president's brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush…said he was grieving and offered his condolences to her parents and siblings.
"I remain convinced, however, that Terri's death is a window through which we can see the many issues left unresolved in our families and in our society. For that, we can be thankful for all that the life of Terri Schiavo has taught us," the governor said in a statement. Gov. Bush has clashed with his state's courts over the years in his bid to keep Schiavo's feeding tube attached.
Legal analysts said to expect legislatures across the country to examine their end-of-life laws.”
Since the Pope’s health has been very unstable recently, I think this is important to “report on,” and let people know how he’s doing, since he is the head of the Catholic Church, not to mention a great man.
I heard some girl today in the cafeteria saying to her friend, “The Pope has no cognitive ability. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. How can he be the head of the Church?!” (Needless to say, later she said she wasn’t Catholic, thank God.) Just for the record, the Pope’s mind is fine – It’s his body that’s failing due to the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease.
Please keep him in your prayers.
Article Summary
The Pope is now getting his nutrition through his nose (by a liquid formula). This happened today, shortly after he appeared at his window, and managed only a rasp when he tried to speak.
“Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the step was taken to "improve the pope's calorie intake" and so he can recover his strength. It was unclear when the tube was inserted but it was not visible when John Paul made his appearance.”
This tube is not his only source of nutrition, said an anonymous Vatican source.
“Feeding tubes are common in patients requiring supplemental nutrition. A "nasogastric tube," which John Paul has, is threaded down the nose and throat into the stomach. Liquid food is then fed through it. While uncomfortable, no sedation or surgery is required.”
“Francesco Pierconti, a pathologist at Gemelli Polyclinic…in Rome who did not treat John Paul, said feeding tubes like the one used by the pope usually need to stay in place for "two or three days, then they get removed for disinfection."
The statement Wednesday said John Paul spends "many hours" seated in an armchair, celebrates Mass in his private chapel and has work contacts with his aides "following directly the activities of the Holy See and the life of the church."
It said the pope continues "his slow and progressive convalescence" and that public audiences remain suspended.”
The faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square cheered when they saw him appear at his window, and some had tears in their eyes.
“Kate Strauss, an American tourist in St. Peter's Square with her family, said, "We happened to be here by chance and we just had no idea we'd get a blessing from him and a blessing for the babies."
"He looks very frail but certainly very committed to seeing his people," she said.”
Sad to say, I read in the newspaper today that doctors believe Terri will most likely die by the end of this week. I can’t believe that she has lasted this long – It’s almost Day 13. God bless her. You know, if she had truly wanted to die, she would have passed on several days ago. People can will themselves to die, and when they want to die, it doesn’t take very long. Even though she can’t say anything and is getting weaker every day, I think this is her message to the nation that she wants to live.
I think it’s incredibly ironic that the Pope now needs a nasal feeding tube (another sad case), even though it’s just a temporary thing. Could you imagine the reaction if someone suggested to take out the Pope’s feeding tube? There would be an enormous public outcry (well, I hope so, otherwise Catholicism is in REALLY sad straights). It’s just very ironic that this is happening the same time as Terri lay dying without her feeding tube.
Schindlers Appeal to Supreme Court
Article Summary
A federal appeals court declined to have another hearing on the reinsertion of Terri’s feeding tube. Jesse Jackson was with the family today.
““We ask God to sustain this family as they go through this gut-wrenching ordeal," Jackson said, surrounded by Schiavo's parents…and her brother and sister. "We know that the innocent do suffer and that you need not be guilty to be crucified."
Jackson was with the Schindler family for a second day on Wednesday. The onetime Democratic presidential contender broke with many fellow liberals in pressing for the reinsertion of Schiavo's feeding tube.”
Judge Stanley F. Birch Jr. wrote for the majority of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals that while the family has acted in a way that is both “fervent” and sincere,” “…the time has come for dispassionate discharge of duty,””
Birch Jr. dismissed the label of “activist judges,” reprimanding the legislative and executive branches for acting in a manner against the Constitution.
“The court is really saying to Congress, 'Don't tell the courts what to do,' and to the Schindlers, 'You've been here twice now, don't come back,'" [FOX News' Senior Judicial Analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano] said.”
“Dr. Alexander Mauskop, a neurologist and director of the New York Headache Center, said the chances are "close to zero" that Schiavo will survive, even if the tube is reattached.
Mauskop said that Schiavo's kidneys have probably failed, a condition that could not be reversed even if water supply to the body was resumed. And despite the Schindlers' claims, Mauskop said, Schiavo could not be conscious with such a severely eroded cerebral cortex.
"She's not suffering at all," he told FOX News, adding, "Maybe it would not be bad to let the parents have their child, even if it's just the body ... maybe they should have the right to come and watch her and think she's alive."
Schindler family spokesman Randall Terry angrily dismissed that assessment, calling Mauskop "Dr. Frankenstein."
"We have a moral obligation to continue to fight, even if it's all hope against hope," he told FOX News.”
On another note, Judge George Greer, some Congressmen, (and it is believed that the Florida courts as well) received hate mail and threatening phone calls for their position against Terri Schiavo.
With so much talk about the Terri Schiavo case, I thought it would be appropriate to call attention to a the first half of a paragraph in our 2004 Republican Party Platform, stating our official position on this matter:
“In signing the partial birth abortion ban, President Bush reminded us that “the most basic duty of government is to defend the life of the innocent. Every person, however frail or vulnerable, has a place and a purpose in this world.” We affirm the inherent dignity and worth of all people. We oppose the non-consensual withholding of care or treatment because of disability, age, or infirmity, just as we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide, which especially endanger the poor and those on the margins of society.”
As our party opposes abortion, so must we too oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide, to protect the weak and defenseless of our society. These are matters that should be high on ALL Republicans’ priority lists.
(This selection can be found on page 84 under the section “Promoting a Culture of Life,” of the downloaded version of this document, which can be obtained from the Republican National Committee website.)
Just when you thought that things couldn’t get any weirder…
I really don’t like Jesse Jackson, but I must tip my hat to the guy for coming out (admittedly, a little late, but late is better than never) and supporting Terri Schiavo. It’s gotta take some guts for coming out against his party, siding with this woman, and I’m impressed, and totally shocked, I might add.
I also have to say that Terri really is a trooper. She’s entering her 12th day without food or water, and still has her bodily functions. I really don’t think I could survive this long if I were in her condition. I think that this really shows her will to live, despite what the talking-heads say. You go, girl – Keep up the fight!! We’re with you until the bitter end!!!
Schiavo’s Parents Pray With Jesse Jackson
Article Summary
Jesse Jackson “…called Schiavo's impending death an "injustice" and said he would call state senators who opposed legislation that would have reinserted her feeding tube and ask them to reconsider.
"I feel so passionate about this injustice being done, how unnecessary it is to deny her a feeding tube, water, not even ice to be used for her parched lips," said Jackson, who has run for president as a Democrat. "This is a moral issue and it transcends politics and family disputes."
Also on Tuesday, first lady…Laura Bush said she thought the government was right to try to step in.
"I just feel like the federal government has to be involved," Mrs. Bush said. "It is a life issue that really does require government to be involved."”
Mrs. Bush added that she thinks it is a good idea that this case has prompted people to think about having living wills, as she said that she, her husband, and their parents all have them.
“Jackson telephoned black legislators on Tuesday in a last-ditch effort to bring back a bill that would prohibit severely brain-damaged patients from being denied food and water if they didn't express their wishes in writing. Lawmakers rejected the legislation earlier this month and appeared unlikely to reconsider it.
One of those contacted by Jackson, Democratic state Sen. Gary Siplin, said he told Jackson the issue had been "thoroughly discussed." Senate Democratic leader Les Miller added, "I have voted. It's time to move on."”
Bob Schindler visited Terri today, and said that she is failing. However, her bodily functions are still working, and he said that “…we still have her.”
“President Bush's aides have said they have run out of legal options.
At least two more appeals filed by the state seeking the feeding tube's reconnection were pending, but those challenges were before a Florida appeals court that had rejected the governor's previous efforts in the case.
Emotions were high among supporters. After Jackson's news conference, a man was tackled to the ground by officers when he tried to storm into the hospice, Pinellas Park police said.
Dow Pursley, 56, of Scranton, Pa., was shocked with a Taser stun gun and was arrested on charges of attempted burglary and resisting arrest without violence, police spokesman Sanfield Forseth said. The man had two bottles of water with him but did not reach the hospice door, police said. He is the 47th protester arrested.”
It’s been a long haul, folks. I know that probably a lot of you are sick and tired of hearing this case, but try to hang in there. As Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither are these cases over with in a day as well. We’ve got to be committed to what we believe in, and I know that it’s really hard dealing with such a depressing and frustrating case like this day-in and day-out. We’ve just got to keep at it. Please keep the prayers going even though it looks like Michael Schiavo’s going to finally get his wish. Let’s be with Terri through the final haul.
I would like to call attention to something that has been bothering me for several days now. I find it very hard to believe that one judge (on an appeals court, no doubt) has more power than all of Congress combined. Judge George Greer’s rejections stand, Terri’s bill or not. I don’t think that judges should have (or if they’re allowed to have) so much power individually. I mean there’s over 500 people in Congress (plus the president’s signature) who put forth that bill (some more willing than others) and one judge gets to make a ruling rejecting the reinsertion of Terri’s feeding tube, and we have to go by him alone. I’m no law student by any stretch of the imagination, but I always thought that all three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) had about equal powers and that that’s why we have the system of checks and balances – To keep one branch from getting more power over the others. I also thought judges were supposed to uphold the law, not make it (that’s what the legislative branch does). This sounds a lot like judicial tyranny – Something’s definitely not right here.
Terri’s Family Appeals to ‘Powers That Be’
Article Summary
Gov. Jeb Bush said that he’s talked with his legal counsel and has not seen any way the executive branch can get involved. He apologizes for not being able to do more for Terri.
At least two more state-filed appeals are pending, but they’re going up against the 2nd District Court of Appeals, which has rebuffed Gov. Bush’s efforts in the past.
“Bob Schindler, Terri's father, didn't mention Bush by name when he talked to reporters outside the Pinellas Park hospice, but he did offer a plea to the "powers that be" as he described his daughter as being "very, very, very weak."
"She has just incredible strength to live," Schindler said, telling those unnamed powers, "Don't give up on her. We haven't given up on her and she hasn't given up on us."”
“…The chief medical examiner for Pinellas County, Dr. John Thogmartin, had agreed to perform an autopsy. He said her husband wants definitive proof showing the extent of her brain damage. Michael Schiavo contends his wife told him years ago she would not want to be kept alive artificially under such circumstances.
An attorney for Schiavo's parents, David Gibbs III, said her family also wants an autopsy. "We would certainly support and encourage an autopsy to be done with all the unanswered questions," Gibbs said.”
“Schiavo's mother did not visit her daughter on Easter, emotions keeping her from the hospice for the first time since Terri's feeding tube was removed 10 days ago, O'Donnell said.
"If she goes in there again, we might have to take her to the hospital," O'Donnell said.”
During Easter at about 4:00 P.M., Terri received a drop of Christ’s blood (wine), but could not take the tiny piece of His body because her tongue was cracked and too dry. She was also anointed with holy oil, and absolved of her sins by Rev. Thaddeus Malanowski.
(I would like to apologize again for the delayed reply and hope that everyone had a nice Easter, even though a fellow American is dying needlessly and in a horribly painful way as well.)
Please keep praying for Terri.
Schiavo’s Parents Out of Legal Options
Article Summary
As the title says, Terri’s parents are out of legal options to save their dying daughter. According to the article, they appeared quietly resigned to watching their daughter die on Easter Sunday.
On an up note, Terri WAS permitted to receive communion today.
“Schiavo's husband, who a day earlier denied a request from his wife's parents that she be given communion, granted permission Sunday to offer the sacrament.
The Rev. Thaddeus Malanowski said he gave Schiavo wine but could not give her a fleck of communion bread because her tongue was dry.
The priest's announcement drew applause and cheers from the crowd, which spent most of the day heckling police and protesting loudly. The noise prompted Schiavo's brother, Bobby Schindler…, to come out and ask protesters to tone down their behavior.
"We are not going to solve the problem today by getting arrested," he told the restless crowd. "We can change laws, but we are not going to change them today ... You are not speaking for our family."”
“A spokesman for the Schindlers denied a report from David Gibbs III, their lead lawyer, who told CBS's "Face the Nation" Sunday that Schiavo has "passed where physically she would be able to recover."
That statement "was not made with the family's knowledge. In the family's opinion, that is absolutely not true," family spokesman Randall Terry told reporters.
Felos declined to comment on Schiavo's condition.
At Michael Schiavo's home in Clearwater, about three dozen protesters dropped roses and Easter lilies on his lawn in a peaceful demonstration. His fiancee's brother picked up the flowers and handed them to a bystander to take away.”
About 100 protesters gathered outside the hospice today, even though Terri’s parents requested that they go home and spend Easter with their families. Terri’s father told the protesters that they were welcome back on Monday.
(Please excuse the delay of this post.) Terri not being allowed to receive Holy Communion is absolutely absurd. (Frankly, this whole battle is absurd, but seeing as legal options have been repeatedly rejected, this is simply outrageous.) This is most likely the last time she will receive this sacrament, and I think that it’s a travesty that she should be denied this, seeing as its Christ’s actual body and blood (according to Catholic belief), its not just wine and a piece of bread.
Terri’s Parents Plan New Court Battle
Article Summary
Seeing that their daughter’s life is nearing an end, Terri’s parents seek permission for her to be given Holy Communion. They decided not to file a motion with a federal appeals court.
“But at least three more appeals loomed by the Schindlers and Gov…Jeb Bush. Schindler attorney David Gibbs III appealed an unfavorable ruling Saturday with a last-ditch plea to the Florida Supreme Court to get the feeding tube reinserted.
"Time is moving quickly and it would appear most likely ... that Terri Schiavo will pass the point that she will be able to recover over this Easter weekend," Gibbs said. He filed an emergency petition arguing that a Pinellas County judge ignored new evidence of Schiavo's wishes and her medical condition.
Paul O'Donnell, a Roman Catholic Franciscan monk, said the family is urging Schiavo's husband to allow his wife to receive the sacrament of communion at sundown Saturday, when Catholics begin celebrating their holiest feast of the year. Schiavo, who cannot swallow, would have a minuscule piece of bread and a drop of wine placed in her mouth.”
The latest appeal (that Terri had tried to communicate that she wanted to live soon after the feeding tube was removed) was rejected by Judge George Greer
““She's doing remarkably well under the circumstances," said Schiavo's father, Bob Schindler, after visiting her inside the hospice Saturday afternoon. "She has put up a tremendous battle to live. She's not throwing in the towel."
Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, denied reports by the parents' attorneys that her tongue and eyes were bleeding.
"She is calm. She is peaceful. She is resting comfortably," Felos told reporters Saturday as four sheriff's deputies stood by to protect him.
Terri Schiavo's brother, Bobby Schindler, called that "absurd" and challenged Felos to allow videos and photos to be released, so the public can see Terri's condition. "They're mischaracterizing the condition today, just as they have been ... It's sick. It's heinous," he said.””
Earlier, Felos said that allowing video cameras to be recorded in Terri’s room while she was dying would violate her privacy rights.
The fact that the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, and Florida Judge George Greer has also refused Governor Jeb Bush’s request to take custody of Terri Schiavo – Things look very bad for Terri now. Soon she will go into a severe decline that will cause irreversible damage to her. Then it will be too late for her tube to be reinserted.
I am still trying to figure out how this can be happening in America. I want to share with you an example from one of my areas of history that I am very interested in: the Holodomor (the Ukrainian collectivized forced famine under Stalin from 1932-1933). To briefly sum it up, because the Ukrainians refused to participate and give up their privately-owned farms and join collectivized kolkhozes, Stalin ordered Soviet troops to take away the Ukrainians’ food supplies, money, and valuables. He let them starve to death in order to force them to join the kolkhozes. Robert Conquest’s The Harvest of Sorrow gives accounts of huge piles of rotting food surrounded by Soviet guards who were ordered to shoot anyone who tried to take the food. The Ukrainians suffered horribly in the Holodomor. Whole villages were wiped out and black flags were placed at the entrances of villages to indicate that everyone in the village was dead. I’ll never forget an account I read online of a starving mother who saw a turkey in the yard, ran out, killed it and made a stew out of it. Afterwards, she realized that the “turkey” was her own daughter and she ran out of the house screaming and cursing the Soviets, who shot her to death. A woman was shot down by troops for stealing just a few potatoes for her starving children. These are the images that come to my mind when I hear Terri Schiavo’s mother Mary pleading to the politicians and judges to save her daughter’s life, and when I hear of people getting arrested solely for trying to sneak in some water, etc. for Terri. I also think of the (mostly Democratic) Congressmen and the judges who say they are merely upholding the law, and how similar their arguments sound to those of the Soviet guards during the Holodomor, arguing that they were just following orders to justify themselves in letting the Ukrainians starve to death. How scary it is, that Terri’s case echoes the Holodomor.
Where are the people at Seton Hill talking about this? Where are our Catholic professors and administration? Why haven’t/aren’t they saying anything about this? It’s not like they haven’t spoken out about other political/religious issues. Isn’t SHU a Catholic university? Why are so few students talking about this? This is a monumental case – Not only is this woman’s life in immediate danger, but this case opens the can of worms for euthanasia. Where is the Catholic Church? Today during the Good Friday mass (and yesterday during the Holy Thursday mass, too) we prayed for about everyone in the entire world: the Church, the Pope, those getting baptized, Christian unity, the Jews, those in public office, those who don’t believe in Christ, those who don’t believe in God. We also prayed for those who need special assistance, but never named Terri Schiavo publicly. (Although in the past, we’ve prayed for the victims and families of other tragic cases, such as the Wilkinsburg shootings a few years ago, Columbine, etc.) Where the heck IS everyone????
I am asking all Catholics, pro-lifers, and Republicans to mobilize. Pray for her and her parents, pray to the very end that a miracle could be granted and that divine intervention could come on behalf of this poor woman. Don’t forget Terri, don’t forget this case – This is merely a precedent of things to come. If (this case goes as it looks like it will go) we stay quiet and let this case go by without any protest, Terri’s death will be on each of our hands, and in the future, we will be battling the scourge of euthanasia in addition to abortion. Innocents like Terri will be put to death, because they can’t speak for themselves – We see it each day with abortion, we see it now. We must stand up for them! We have voices – We MUST use them!!
I would like to share this poem (with which I’m sure most of you are familiar) by Pastor Martin Niemöller (written in regards to the Holocaust) and which I have constantly been thinking about because of poor Terri’s case:
First they came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the communists
And I did not speak out –
Because I was not a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out –
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me –
And there was no-one left
To speak out for me.
***
This is just the beginning…
The spiritual counselor of the Schindlers previously that Mary Schindler would join another Mary this week who stood and helplessly watched her child die a horrible, and painful death.
This afternoon, Catholics around the world gathered to remember the crucifixion of Christ.
It’s been more than a week since Terri Schiavo has had anything to drink or eat. Her parents have desperately been doing everything in their power to get legal intervention to save her life. Supporters of Terri continue their protests outside the hospice in which she’s in, while the rest of us (too far away to do anything), can only pray for a miracle before it’s too late.
Another Legal Blow to Schiavo’s Parents
Article Summary
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to order the reinsertion of Terri’s feeding tube, having stated that it already ruled on most of the issues raised in the latest appeal and that the other issues raised in the case did not apply to the case.
This is the third time in four days that the court has rejected Terri’s parents’ emergency request. Terri’s parents have said that they planned to appeal to the full appellate court.
“Dehydration has taken its toll on the 41-year-old woman, producing flaky skin, dry tongue and lips, and sunken eyes, according to attorneys and friends of the Schindlers.
"Terri is weakening. She's down to her last hours. Something has to be done and has to be done quick," said Bob Schindler, who visited his daughter Friday morning. After a later visit, he added: "I told her that we're still fighting for her, and she shouldn't give up because we're not. But I think the people who are anxious to see her die are getting their wish."”
This 11th U.S. Circuit Court is the same court that ruled against Terri’s parents this past week.
“Another legal maneuver included a late afternoon filing asking Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer to order the reinsertion of the tube, claiming Terri Schiavo tried to say "I want to live" when her tube was removed. The motion said Schiavo was asked to repeat that phrase and responded: "AHHHHH" and "WAAAAAAA."”
This was based on a claim a lawyer for the Schindlers made.
““Doctors who have examined her for the court case have said her previous utterances weren't speech, but were involuntary moans consistent with someone in a vegetative state. Greer, who had ordered the tube removed, was expected to announce a decision by noon Saturday. Greer also denied a new request by the parents to remove himself from the case.
In a hearing, Schindler attorney David Gibbs III urged Greer to act quickly because he expected "Terri to step into eternity this Easter weekend." George Felos, the attorney for her husband Michael Schiavo, said the belief Terri Schiavo can speak was "crossing the line" into an abuse of the legal system.””
“Outside the hospice, eight more people — including a 10-year old boy and 13-year-old twin girls — were arrested Friday for trying to bring her water.
"I don't want her to die," Joshua Heldreth, 10, from North Carolina, said before his arrest. "I'm not afraid because God is with me."”
First off, I apologize for now posting anything yesterday (although I put it in under yesterday’s category). Here’s the post for Thursday, March 24, 2005:
Schiavo’s Parents Await Federal Judge’s Ruling
Article Summary
Terri’s parents waited for the ruling of a federal judge in Tampa (Judege James Whittemore, who refused the previous request made by Terri’s parents) as they made another emergency request that Terri’s feeding tube be reinserted, pursuing their claims that Terri’s religious and due-process rights were violated.
“While waiting for that decision, the Schindlers learned that the Florida Supreme court refused to overturn a circuit court judge's decision to deny the state's request to take custody of their daughter.
Gov. Jeb Bush wants the state Department of Children & Families to take custody of Schiavo, presumably to reinsert her feeding tube, and to investigate allegations that she has been abused and prove that she's not in a persistent vegetative state.
Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer earlier in the day denied Bush's request.”
The Supreme Court refused to hear the case made by Terri’s parents.
“The Schindlers' filing also argued Congress intended for Schiavo's tube to be reinserted, at least temporarily, when they passed an unprecedented bill last weekend that gave federal courts authority to fully review her case.
In its conclusion, the request suggested that the case has implications for the protection of the disadvantaged.
"It has taken our nation many years to make good on its commitment to equal justice for persons with profound, cognitive disabilities," the request read. "Unless the state of Florida retains the power to protect the rights of its most vulnerable citizens ... the 14th Amendment's guarantees will apply only to those who are capable of defending them on their own."
It added: "Without a stay from this court, Terri will die a horrible death in a matter of days."”
As judges continue to refuse requests made by Terri’s parents for their daughter’s life, hope begins to dwindle that Terri’s life will be saved.
This simply keeps getting worse and worse. I can’t believe this is happening, in America no less. (Sounds more like a case you’d hear in some place like the Netherlands or even our neighbor upstairs, Canada). My mom and I have been exchanging updates on the case (she through Fox News on the tube, and I through the Internet), and I’m with the news reporters on Fox (on TV), being on the verge of tears. I never thought this would be possible. As one of the reporters said, “This is the price we pay for allowing activist judges to infiltrate the benches.”
You know, if this case were about some horrible, psychotic killer (like the BTK guy), all the Dems would be up in arms and protesting so loudly they’d wake the dead (and any dinosaurs left we haven’t extracted). You know you’re in sad straights when people support murderers over innocents like Terri Schiavo. And I mean, the “right to die?” Gee, you can mark that on my list of “rights” I wish I never had (including the “right” to kill my unborn child and my “right” to whore-around on the birth control pill). A big unenthusiastic “yay” for “progress.”
Schiavo’s Parents Running Out of Options
Article Summary
[The author of this post would like to say that she moved parts of the original article around, although the content remains the same. And she would like to say that Gov. Jeb Bush is an awesome person for what he has to done for Terri.]
Terri’s parents lost another legal battle today as the Florida state Senate rejected a bill that would have kept Terri alive. This bill would have prohibited patients like Terri from being denied food or water if they didn’t express their wishes in writing. The vote was 21-18.
Governor Jeb Bush has filed a petition to a state court take custody of Schiavo, so her feeding tube could be reinserted. This petition cites new allegations of neglect and challenges Schiavo’s diagnosis of being in a persistent vegetative state (based on the opinion of a neurologist working for the state who observed Schiavo, but did not do an examination of her.
“Shortly after the state Senate's vote, however, a state judge issued an emergency order to keep the Department of Children & Families from taking any action on the opinion of the neurologist.”
Earlier today, the U.S. 11th Circuit court refused to quickly review a previous decision that didn’t allow Terri’s feeding tube to be reinserted. Before that ruling, a three-judge panel from the same court voted 2-1 against reinserting the feeding tube. The court didn’t give an explanation for its second decision. (The dissenting judges (who supported the reinserting of the feeding tube), however, did make statements.)
“The second attempt with this appeals court came after the Schindlers considered taking their case directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. But because the high court previously refused to hear the case, lawyers thought the appeals court may be their best hope.”
“"When I close my eyes at night, all I can see is Terri's face in front of me, dying, starving to death," Mary Schindler said outside the hospice. "Please, someone out there, stop this cruelty. Stop the insanity. Please let my daughter live."”
“In court documents filed Tuesday, the Schindlers said their daughter began "a significant decline" late Monday. Her eyes were sunken and dark, and her lips and face were dry.”
“Jeb Bush said Wednesday that he "could not be more disappointed" in the court's decision.
"Terri has been without sustenance for almost five days now. Time is of the essence and I hope all who have the ability and duty to act in this case will do so with a sense of urgency," Bush said in a statement. "Terri Schiavo — like all Americans — deserves our protection and respect. I will continue to call on the Florida Legislature to pass legislation to honor patients' decisions about end-of-life care, protect all vulnerable Floridians, and spare Terri's life."
“Meanwhile, the Florida State Department of Children and Families was also back in court Wednesday morning.
Lawyers for DCF asked Judge George Greer to unseal probate records in the Schiavo case. The state hopes those financial records will allow it to further investigate allegations of abuse of Terri by her husband. Greer has in the past rejected these requests. The judge is expected to decide that issue later Wednesday afternoon.”
It’s now Day 4, and things are looking grim. I wrote in my blog earlier on the absence of Catholic clergy, however, I am glad to see that at least an editorial in L’Osservatore Romano and Monsignor Elio Sgreccia slammed Judge Whittemore’s ruling rejecting the reinsertion of the feeding tube. (It’s about time.)
Schiavo’s Parents Appeal Removal of Feeding Tube
Article Summary
Terri’s parents filed an electronic appeal to 11th U.S. Circuit Court this afternoon. David Gibbs III, attorney for Bob and Mary Schindler (a.k.a. Terri’s parents) stated, “Terri is fading quickly and her parents reasonably fear that her death is imminent.”
This move came after Judge Whittemore’s ruling this morning. He said that “…the Schindlers, had not established a "substantial likelihood of success" at trial on the merits of their arguments.”
“"That would be a horrific intrusion upon Mrs. Schiavo's personal liberty, and the status quo should therefore be maintained until this court issues its final ruling," said the filing by Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos. The status quo -- with the feeding tube removed -- could continue for a couple of days without harming Terri Schiavo, the filing argued.”
Felos said that if the tube were reinserted (even on a temporary basis), he’d appeal directly to the Supreme Court.
The Atlanta court appointed a three-judge panel to review the appeal by Terri’s parents, and would then decide whether or not they should hear the oral arguments. They said they’d go late into the night, if necessary, to make a ruling. The court was already reviewing to see if Terri’s rights of due process had been violated.
“Whittemore wrote that Schiavo's "life and liberty interests" were protected by the process of the Florida courts and found that a state court judge did not compromise the fairness of the proceeding or the impartiality of the court with his decision to allow the feeding tube to be removed.
"Even under these difficult and time strained circumstances, however, and notwithstanding Congress' expressed interest in the welfare of Theresa Schiavo, this court is constrained to apply the law to the issues before it," the ruling reads.”
But Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida…praised the ruling: "What this judge did is protect the freedom of people to make their own end-of-life decisions without the intrusion of politicians." [The author reiterates (as she has done on numerous occasions) that the ACLU is a completely leftist and biased organization.]
“After the congressional bill applying to her specifically was signed by Bush early Monday morning, Michael Schiavo said it was a "sad day for Terri."
"But I'll tell you what: It's also is a sad day for everyone in this country," he added, "because the United States government is going to come in and trample all over your personal, family matters."” [The author refrains herself from an improper spew of Spanish, French, and Russian profanity in regards to what she thinks of Michael Schiavo.]
All we can do is pray and put it in God’s hands.
Note: When I published this entry, I thought that Fr. John Corapi asked these questions. I would like to correct that statement, because it was not him who asked these questions. I apologize for the mistake. ~The Management, 4/14/05
A speaker on EWTN asked these questions in regards to the Terri Schiavo case: Where are all of the Catholic clergy? Why aren’t they coming out and supporting this woman?
These are questions that I too, am wondering. I find it odd that no one’s talking about this case at all on campus, considering this is a Catholic university (well, it was last time I checked).
I decided to pick up a copy of the Tribune-Review this morning (instead of solely doing my usual Internet rounds for news coverage), and came across an article in the A-4 section, that said “Bishops renew drive against death penalty” (by Justin Dickerson, LA Times). Even though it was 7:30 A.M. and I was still a little groggy, I felt like I had just been slapped in the face. On the news, I haven’t heard a peep out of higher Catholic clergy or the Vatican on Terri Schiavo, but according to this article, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops “…announced a renewed campaign on Monday, launching an education program in parishes, schools, universities and seminaries and expanding its advocacy efforts in Congress and state legislatures.” They’re busy launching a new campaign against the death penalty (supporting the lives of MURDERERS), while an INNOCENT, HELPLESS woman is DYING at the hands of the U.S. government! What’s wrong in this picture?!
Look, there’s a time and place for this campaign to take place. Now is NOT the time. I mean folks, they announced this YESTERDAY. Terri Schiavo is getting weaker every day, her parents weren’t even allowed to see her until about a day and half ago, they get frisked every time they visit her (because, God forbid, they might be carrying something like an ice chip to soothe her thirst), an armed policeman stands guard outside of Terri’s hospital room, her parents are pleading for her life, and Congressmen who are opposed to the reinsertion of the feeding tube are merely saying they’re just doing their job (yeah, that’s what the Soviet “blue caps” and Nazi officials at the labor camps also said) – And these Catholic bishops have the nerve to talk about a campaign against the death penalty WHILE ALL OF THIS IS GOING ON???
Just for the record, the Catechism (section 2277) states:
“Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden or excluded.” (emphases mine)
I’m not slamming all of the clergy. I know that there are many clergy members and religious out there doing their best to help Terri Schiavo and pray for her and her family. I commend them on their efforts, and their dedication to being pro-life. It’s a shame and a disgrace that these APOSTASTIC head-honchos of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops aren’t doing SQUAT to come out and say anything, because (gasp!) they might be viewed as “not politically correct.” Heaven help us all if we’re not freakin’ politically correct and might happen to offend someone. Good grief.
The Catholic Church used to stand up for what it believed in, whether people liked it or not (of course, that was before Vatican II). Each day it becomes more and more soft and “wussy,” shutting up while these atrocities are going on. Not only are they letting this poor woman die, in their silence they are permitting the Pandora’s box for things to come on euthanasia (and also assisted suicide) to be opened. So much for “promoting a culture of life.” In the article, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick said that “we cannot teach that killing is wrong by killing…We cannot defend life by taking life.” Yeah – You and the rest of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (as well as “pro-life” Catholics who have decided to look the other way on this case) have done a ‘wonderful’ job at defending life with your silence toward Terri’s life. Michael Schiavo
should send each of you “thank you” notes for your aid in killing his wife.
(I must admit that I am guilty of all of the following.)
15) Soviet history makes you feel giddy and happy (not because the subject
matter is, but because you enjoy it so much).
14) You try to tweak all of your research papers (or as many as you can) to
cover some aspect of Soviet history.
13) You’re so into Soviet history that you try to relate readings and projects for
your language major/minor to Soviet history.
12) Most (or all) of the books in your personal library pertain to the Soviet
history in some way (and you ask your parents for bookstore gift
certificates for your birthday, Christmas, etc. so you can add more to your
collection).
11) You’ve most likely been red-flagged by the FBI for contacting AT LEAST one
communist organization.
10) You look at the City Paper and see the initials CP and immediately think
“Communist Party” (until you realize it’s the City Paper) because you’ve
spent so much time researching Soviet communism.
9) You stubbornly stick to studying the Russian language and Soviet history
even though people rag on you because they say the Soviet Union is "dead,"
and tell you that you should study a “worthwhile” language like Arabic or
Chinese.
8) You never hesitate to inform people on how ignorant they are when they
make statements such as “the Soviet Union didn’t have that much influence
on the world,” “Soviet communism really wasn’t that bad,” etc.
7) Your idea of the perfect two week summer vacation is going to Russia, and
locking yourself in the national archives with a two-week supply of food and
water, and a bed. (Don’t forget the paper, pencils, and laptop!)
6) People groan whenever you mention anything to do with the Soviet Union
because you’ve gained a reputation among the people in your major(s)
because of your love of Soviet history.
5) You give anyone willing to listen (and enjoy!) periodic (or even daily)
updates on all the interesting stuff you’ve learned from your research for
your research paper that of course, deals with the Soviet Union in some way
(until you’re either a) finished, or b) people run screaming out of the room
because they’re so sick of hearing about the subject)
4) Your idea of fun is spending six hours a day, five days a week for eight
weeks, studying the Russian language in the summer so you can read
primary sources in the original language.
3) You consider the apex of your college career to be your summer internship
you managed to obtain with a REAL Sovietologist.
2) You’re doing all of this stuff even though your school doesn’t have a Russian
department or a specialization in Soviet history.
And the number one reason you know you’re a college student obsessed with Soviet history:
1) When people tell you that you’re obsessed with Soviet history, you consider
that to be one of the highest compliments you could ever receive.
It’s wonderful that Congress passed Terri’s bill and that our awesome president signed it. I wish that Judge Whittemore would be that speedy. (Activist judges totally bite, I’d like to add.) While Congress manages to convene in an emergency session, this Judge only hears the case for 2 hours (so impressive….NOT!).
On a better note, I would like to say a personal “thank you” to everyone who went online to e-mail their Congressmen or call them in regards to Terri’s life. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to do that.
Federal Hearing in Schiavo Case Over
I got this message from Mary Lou Gartner at PCUC (People Concerned for the Unborn Child) in regards to Terri’s bill:
To concerned pro-lifers: I thought you would like to have the results of last evening's historic vote to save Terry Schiavo's life. The Senate passed the legislation by a voice vote and President Bush flew home to be able to sign the legislation to move her case to a Federal Court. The House passed it 203-58. The Legislators from southwestern Pa Congressman Mike Doyle and John Murtha, who usually vote pro-life, voted against this legislation. To contact them toll free in DC 1-877-762-8762. I have called both Doyle and Murtha office to confirm their vote. Thank you Mary Lou
If you would like to call them (both are Democrats) and give them a piece of your mind, you are strongly encouraged to do so.
Article Summary:
A federal hearing from 3:00-5:00 P.M., EST) ended this afternoon on whether to impose an injunction to restore Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube. U.S. District Judge James Whittemore was considering an appeal filed today by Schiavo’s parents, but would not make an immediate ruling or give an indication on when he would make a ruling (it’s a good thing nobody’s life is on the line, the author of this post says sarcastically and with great contempt).
“"In cases like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life," President Bush said in a statement after signing the bill, which he did at 1:11 a.m. EST Monday.
Gov. Bush, praised the actions of Congress. "We in government have a duty to protect the weak, disabled and vulnerable," he said in a statement Monday. "I appreciate the efforts of state and federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who have taken this duty to heart."”
***
Somebody please refresh my memory on which political party is the pro-life party? Oh right – That would be the REPUBLICAN party.
Thanks to some people who gave me some updates this morning (I was getting ready for mass, and then went out to brunch with my family), so here’s the latest scoop on what’s happening with Terri’s bill on Capitol Hill.
House Delays Vote on Schiavo's Fate
Article Summary:
The House convened this afternoon, but quickly recessed after it became clear that the bill (to push Schiavo's case into federal court) would have to face a congressional debate. The House will reconvene tomorrow (at 12:00 A.M.). House Speaker (Dennis Hastert), Majority Leader (Tom DeLay), and Majority Whip (Roy Blunt) have trekked off to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s office to come up with a bill that the Democrats would not oppose. After Terri's tube was removed on Friday, Congress quickly tried to move the case into another venue on the chance that a federal court would slap an injunction on the order to remove the feeding tube until it could be determined whether Terri's husband Michael Schiavo or Terri's parents have the authority to starve her/keep her alive.
“Opposition over the bill declined Saturday 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.”
The House wanted to make a unanimous vote (meaning without a roll call), but several Democrats wanted it to be a recorded vote. The House will need 218 members present to make a roll call vote, and will attempt tomorrow to pass the bill.
If the legislation reaches his desk, President Bush has stated he will sign it.
I was reading blurbs on top movie lists, and I noticed that one movie had used the improper form of “fiancé(e).” I thought I ought to write a short post clarifying how the word is spelled. The word “fiancé(e)” (pronounced fee-ahn-SAY) is taken from the French word. If it’s used referring to a man, you spell it “fiancé;” If it’s used referring to a woman, it’s “fiancée.” (Since everything is gendered in French (masculine or feminine) including adjectives, the extra “e” (in this case) is used to make it clear that it’s referring to a woman.) I wanted to clarify this.
Today is the first day that Terri Schiavo has not had anything to eat because has been denied her feeding tube. I am urging all Republicans and pro-lifers out there (if you are TRULY what you say) to contact your Congressmen and let them know that you want them to save Terri Schiavo.
Please check out HelpTerri.com, for more information, and how to contact your Congressmen.
This website is very easy to navigate, and correct letterhead and format of the letter are PROVIDED FOR YOU, FREE OF CHARGE, and TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES. I already sent a message to Rep. Murphy. Please help save this woman. It is our duty to stand up for our fellow Americans.
I wish to remind all Republicans of our 2004 Republican party platform (under the section "Promoting a Culture of Life"), which states (verbatim):
"We affirm the inherent dignity and worth of all people. We oppose the non-consensual withholding of care or treatment because of disability, age, or infirmity just as WE OPPOSE EUTHANASIA and assisted suicide, which especially endanger the poor and those on the margins of society" (emphasis mine).
Judge George Greer has refused to change his permission and has allowed Terri Schiavo’s husband, Michael, to have her tube removed as he requested.
Schiavo feeding tube reported removed
GOP lawmakers have been working frantically (including our own Senator Rick Santorum) to pass a law to save Terri’s life. As per the article, Terri suffered severe brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped working because of a chemical imbalance. Her husband Michael has repeatedly argued that his wife would not want to be kept alive by artificial means. On the other hand, Terri’s parents disagree, saying that she is a good Catholic and would not have wanted to die. They have been desperately trying to keep her alive.
Terri left nothing in writing indicating that she wished to die. Meanwhile, Michael Schiavo has a girlfriend, and two children with her (one is on the way). Terri’s parents have been asking him to divorce their daughter so they can take custody of her and keep her alive. He has refused.
This case (which is so sad) is merely the beginning of a much larger issue: euthanasia. People like Terri Schiavo are only the beginning. Then this will move on to the elderly. I mean, look at the example of abortion. At first, it was only legal for cases in which the life of the mother is at risk. Now you can get abortion on demand. My senior History research paper was on judicial bypass (how minors can obtain abortions by going through the court system, without their parents’ knowledge). Believe me, the process is simple (I have a copy of the paperwork used for this in court), and it’s used for any minor who WANTS an abortion. It’s only a matter of time that euthanasia will become the same. Take a look at the Netherlands, and how little regard for life doctors have there (I read an article in Reader’s Digest about a Dutch doctor who killed eight elderly people in the hospital he worked. His reason was that he needed the bed space, so he pulled the plug on them.)
Democrats claim to be so tolerant. If they are so “tolerant” as they say, why is it that the weakest people in our society (people like Terri Schiavo, and also the unborn) suffer at the hands of others? Why do they allow that? Ronald Reagan once said that in the case of abortion it is better to err on the side of caution. The same should be said of people like Terri Schiavo and the elderly. Since we don’t know if she’ll get better or nor, why can’t we give her the benefit of the doubt?
I commend the GOP lawmakers who have been trying to get this law passed. I am so thankful to see all of these people fighting for Terri’s life. I can tell you that I feel more secure knowing most Republicans would fight for my life if I were in her condition, than Democrats who would let me die. In our party platform, the reason why the Republican party is opposed to abortion is that we believe that unborn are individuals of our society and deserve protection from the law. This goes for other cases of life, too. (FYI, the Democrats don’t have a section on respecting the culture of life like we do. Of course, their party platform is about half the size of ours.)
Here are two separate stories I’d like to share with you all relating to this subject of euthanasia.
The Terri Schiavo case has been all over the place, including the Catholic channel EWTN. There was a program on which a lady was being interviewed. She was in a similar state as Terri for several years, and managed to recover. She said that she did not show any signs of recognition (unlike Terri, who does), although she could hear everything the doctors said (including taking her tube out). She was being fed through a tube, and the court (believing she had no hope for recovery) removed it for about four days. She related how she was slowly starving to death. She said it was so excruciatingly painful and said that her tongue got so dry it literally cracked. Her husband had to fight the court to get it to reinstate her tube. When they did, she was almost at the point of death.
I was watching a program on the Discovery Channel about black mambas (one of the most deadly snakes in the entire world) a few years ago. In the program, there was a man and his partner who participated in a kayak race in Africa. Their kayak got tipped over, and they went to the bank of the river to make sure they were okay. Needless to say, they were in mamba territory. This man was bitten by a mamba (he couldn’t see it because the grass on the bank was so tall). This was especially dangerous as mamba poison is a nerve poison, and spreads very quickly. This man was flown to a hospital after having waited for forty-five minutes. He was in critical condition and could not respond to the doctors at all. He said that he could hear everything the doctors said but couldn’t move at all as the poison had paralyzed his nerves). He said that he heard the doctors debating – They didn’t think he would make it. They were trying to decide whether to take him off life support. He heard all of this. He said afterwards, it was the scariest experience he had ever been through because his life was totally at the mercy of these doctors. He didn’t want to die. Miraculously, he made a FULL recovery.
Even if you aren’t Catholic, please look at this section (2273) from the Catholic Catechism on respecting life. This can be in regards to Terri Schiavo, the elderly, and everyone else on why they have a right to life:
“The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation:
"The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard every human being's right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death."80
"The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined. . . . As a consequence of the respect and protection which must be ensured for the unborn child from the moment of conception, the law must provide appropriate penal sanctions for every deliberate violation of the child's rights."”
Thank God we Republicans get this. As far as Terri Schiavo goes, please keep your thoughts and prayers with her and her family.
You know, I really get excited when someone posts a comment on my blog (even when it’s an opposing viewpoint). What I don’t get excited about is when they post a comment for an advertisement, especially on my “welcome” entry as someone did earlier this evening.
Just in case visitors didn’t get the memo: My blog’s not the freakin’ classified ads section. You want to advertise? Put your stuff in the newspaper. I don’t mind people who try to argue and debate with me (bring it on!), but don’t waste my time (or yours) putting up an advertisement that makes you look like a freak because you put it on a totally inappropriate place.
This is part of a bigger picture that irks me to no end – People who post comments that have nothing to do with the subject. The other day, I was checking out one of my favorite blogs, the SHU College Republicans, and our Chairman, Mike, put up an entry on a nine-year old whiz kid who’s going around the country pressing for Social Security reforms. (Nothing wrong with that.) I noticed someone posted a comment (and for once, it wasn’t me), so I read it. And what was it about? Something that briefly mentioned the words “Social Security,” but really focused on the economic inequality of blacks and “No Child Left Behind”…After reading that, I was like: WHAT??? Again – NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SUBJECT. It was well written, but it COMPLETELY missed the mark (and he was lucky he didn’t shoot himself in the foot, since that comment missed its target so much). So, please – Stop wasting comment space arguing like John Kerry answering questions in the 2004 presidential debates (who started off by repeating the question (and promising to get around to it) and then ended up on a totally different subject, never even touching the question during his whole answer session). You want to get up on your soapbox and preach? Dude, get your own blog.
One of my goals over break was to try my hand at playing Halo 2 online. My brother plays it constantly (and is really good at it, I might add), and it looked like fun, so I wanted in on the action. Fortunately, he found a free 2-month subscription in the game box, so I got my own gamertag and I’ve been playing daily with him (for a few hours) since Friday.
I find playing online to be really cool. You can talk to your teammates using the headset (well, I can’t ‘cuz I don’t have one of my own), and you meet some very…unique people. And some have some really funny gamertags.
It’s taken me a while to get used to the style of playing. My brother and I have played the first Halo, beaten it, played it on Legendary (also beaten it), played Halo 2 (beaten it), did Heroic (beat that), and played Legendary (also beat that). I’m getting better at totally relying on my radar screen, and I’m learning not to use my favorite way to go about killing people (i.e. going in a crowded room, creating mass chaos, and seeing if I come out alive). (Although that’s really fun to do on certain campaigns, especially if I survive.) I’ve also learned the value of charging people with both guns blazing, and running them down.
My brother and I like Ascension, Beaver Creek, and Colossus the best. Zanzibar isn’t too bad either, and I’ve managed to do an adequate job sniping (sometimes). Coagulation is just too vast (although splattering people with vehicles is certainly satisfying), Midship is like running around in circles, and once people find the rockets on Foundation, it just gets to be one big explosion. Burial Mounds is okay – Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. (However, we seem to lose more on Ivory Tower than we win.) Today was my first time playing Lockout, and that was a neat layout, but very easy to fall off the edge and die.
It’s never the same game twice, and sometimes things get very amusing. For example, one guy on the other team kept saying stuff like “I’m drunk and I’m playing Halo 2 online!” So, a little while later, my bro makes the comment, “I think the drunk guy’s piloting the Banshee.” And I turned to him and said, “No – That’s me! Thanks a lot!” Or today, when we were on Ascension, and I was guarding my bro (who’s sniping) with only 2 rockets in my launcher:
Him: Em – Some guy’s coming up the stairs!
Me: (Pull the trigger and kerplow!) Nope, I got him.
Him: Em – Another guy’s coming up the stairs!
Me: (Pull the trigger and kerplow!) Nope, got the other one.
Him: Em – A third guy’s coming up the stairs!
Me: Aw, shoot! I’m out of rockets!
So I go up and hit the guy with my empty rocket launcher. (Hey, I managed to kill him and get a medal for assassination.)
I’d also like to add that playing online is like a totally different culture (because most players are guys). The language around me gets to be pretty foul, and sometimes (as on my second day of playing, some guy on the other team said I “sucked.” (Always a very nice thing to say to someone.) I won’t deny that it can get pretty frustrating when people keep killing you and you get the lowest number of kills on your team. It also is annoying when people quit right in the middle of the freakin’ game or cheat by glitching and whatnot. My bro and I have played a good number of games just the two of us versus three or four other people (because of quitters). I’m not good at it, but I’m improving (and at least I won’t leave people in the lurch by quitting).
As far as weapons go, I like the standard stuff, although I’m okay at rockets and sniper rifles. The Energy Sword is still a complete mystery to me (I can’t do the blitz/slash thing), and I avoid shotguns at all costs. I like flying the Banshee (twice, I’ve accidentally ejected myself from it in midair on Coagulation and not died, thankfully) and doing flips, gunning on the Warthog, or simply driving the Warthog around by myself trying to run people over. Ghosts are ALWAYS awesome to use. Although I’ve played Team Skirmish, I prefer Team Slayer because it reminds me of playing GoldenEye on N64 with my dad and bro. (I find going around and shooting/blowing people up to be fun.) And, for the record, I prefer the regular styles of Team Slayer (not Team Phantom or Team Rockets, for example). (Ugh, Team Phantom is going to wear out my already bad eyes even more.)
So, in conlcusion, if you have the game but haven’t played online, try it! If you don’t have the game – Dude, you don’t know what you’re missing! Get your butt to Best Buy and buy it! The graphics are terrific and it’s a really challenging game. Plus, it’s a nice bonding experience with your sibling(s). Nothing brings siblings together like teaming up and killing other people. The only downside of the whole thing is that the game tends to take up time for doing schoolwork. Speaking of which, I have to go read for Spanish now…
Just so everyone knows, Afghanistan is NOT part of the Middle East. (I found this out this morning from my Middle East professor - It's actually part of central Asia.) This was of course after I'd spent all of yesterday evening doing more research on the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (and had even found a few resources in Russian). (Sigh)...Back to the ol' drawing board...
I would like to point out the accurate stance of the Catholic Church’s view on the death penalty.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (online index, section D)
The above-mentioned link is to the Catechism of the Catholic Church put online. This link goes to the index in the Catechism. If you check out “death” and head down to the sub-section on “punishment of” it takes you to article 2267, which states:
“Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.
If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.
Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically nonexistent."68”
The key statement here is “…the traditional teaching of the Church DOES NOT EXCLUDE RECOURSE TO THE DEATH PENALTY…” (emphasis mine). Although preserving the life of the individual is preferred (to say the least), the Church is NOT ENTIRELY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY. This is very different from, say, the Church’s clear-cut stance on abortion (section 2270): “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.“ (emphasis mine) Another example is the Church’s position on homosexuality (section 2357): “Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex…Under no circumstances can they be approved." (again, emphasis mine)
Both abortion and homosexuality are NOT permitted under ANY circumstances, but the death penalty IS. I am merely correcting this false assertion, as many people argue that the Church is TOTALLY opposed to the death penalty. As I stated before, it is only reserved for cases of extreme gravity, but saying the Church is TOTALLY opposed to it is NOT accurate and therefore, needs to be corrected.
I’ve noticed that a few of my fellow Catholic students here at SHU seem to have fallen away from the Church to other denominations. This is saddening to find out, because they used to attend mass regularly and frequently helped out, either with cantering, lectoring, etc. This causes me to wonder why this has happened, and I offer the following argument as an answer to that question, in relation to some of my own experiences with my faith at SHU.
SHU offers a variety of theology classes, ranging from Hebrew Scriptures, Christian or Protestant Traditions, Third World Theologies, Sages, Saints, and Mystics, as well as others. Every Sunday here at SHU the Laurel Highlands Church of God holds services in Lynch Hall, and this semester we’ve had a lecture and even a class on Islam (thanks to our current visiting Fulbright scholar from Egypt). There is only ONE course offered in Catholicism, which comes around every other year, usually in the fall semester. While this variety of theology classes is nice, I’ve wanted to take a class Catholicism (ever since freshman orientation) to find out more about my faith. After all, SHU IS a Catholic university. While I was college-searching, SHU (then SHC) seemed to be the most “religious” of the three Catholic institutions I looked at (more so than Duquesne University and Mercyhurst College). The other two are very nice, but in my opinion, they seemed to be too secular: Catholic as an afterthought. To me, Seton Hill was more open about being a Catholic college (now university) and the community (in general) seemed to participate more actively in mass (as well as have some Catholic-oriented activities, such as: Opening Liturgy, Christmas on the Hill Mass, and the Baccalaureate Mass) than the other two institutions. I was hoping that by coming here, I would have the opportunity to learn more about my faith.
So, fall of 2003 came around, and “Contemporary Catholicism” was finally going to be offered again. I begged and pleaded with my advisor to take the class (because I had a conflict due to the time of the class), but he said I absolutely HAD to take the “Research Seminar” for my History major. Grrrr. And since I had a problem in my schedule last semester, I had to take my theology requirement last semester. Although Hebrew Scriptures was really interesting, and Dr. Leap is an absolutely top-notch, awesome professor (as always), I really had my heart set on “Contemporary Catholicism.” Unfortunately, I don't have any room in my schedule for any elective classes for the rest of my time here, so I won't be able to take another theology class.
I would like to propose the following suggestion: The university should nix the “Faith, Religion, and Society” class that is now required for all incoming and current students (except old hats like myself, who came in the year before it was required), put in an “Intro. to Catholicism” course, and make it mandatory, as part of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Personally, I see nothing wrong with requiring all students (Catholic or not) to take such a class. Other colleges/universities of other religious denominations require their students to take at least class in that particular religion, and some institutions require ALL students to attend worship services certain days of the week. Besides, it’s not like the institution is forcing anyone to convert, anyway. This way, people of other religions can gain an appreciation of Catholicism, even if they don’t agree with it. Last week we had a lecture on “Nostrae Aetate:” a document from Pope Paul VI (in 1965) concerning Catholicism and its interaction between other religions, (specifically) the Jewish and Muslim religions. However, that lecture focused on interfaith dialogue and the importance of social justice. Catholic social justice is a pervasive theme on this campus (as far as theology classes and even certain senior seminars go). However, there’s more to Catholicism than social justice teaching (and social justice teaching, in several ways, does contradict certain teachings of the Catholic faith). There’s the doctrine (for example: the Catechism). When I have time, I like to peruse through my copy of the Catechism because it gives explanations on why the Catholic Church believes in the things it does. The Catholic Church has sound explanations, but so many Catholics have simply only heard the position statement from their experience in CCD, etc. and not the answer to the “why is it this way?” question. I think many of us (myself included) feel so weak as far as knowledge of our faith is concerned, that when people of other religions make seemingly convincing arguments, we’re left looking ignorant because we have nothing to say. This is the point where many people start to doubt their faith and fall away. It is my personal opinion that if Catholics knew more about their faith, they wouldn’t be so likely to fall away from the Church. If they wish to change, it should be an educated switch (meaning that they know what they’re leaving behind and to what they wish to change), not a switch out of persuasion.
As far as the course content in this “Intro. to Catholicism” would be concerned, it should be more doctrinal/catechesis-oriented. I also think it would be nice to learn about the significance of the rosary (and how to pray it), the Baltimore catechism, and other more traditional aspects of Catholicism, not just changes after Vatican II or a history of Catholicism.
Although I believe it’s our duty to learn more about the faith on our own, it would be helpful to first have a solid grounding. Being part of particular religion without knowing why or what the religion entails, is similar to the parable of the house built on sand: As soon as the rain comes, it collapses. And I don’t think that the founders of Seton Hill would have wanted that to happen to their Catholic students…