A Terri Schiavo FAQ

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, Courts/Law, Health CareLeave a Comment

THE FOLLOWING IS LIFTED VERBATIM FROM FOOTBALL FANS FOR TRUTH, WHO DID THE WORK SO I DON’T HAVE TO: Confused about the differing stories in the Schiavo case? Wondering about who to believe? Here’s some answers to common questions. I strongly recommend Abstract Appeal’s Terry Schiavo’s Information Page as an unbiased source of information from a Florida lawyer who has … Read More

“Why wasn’t letting Schiavo die a Christian option, too?”

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, Godstuff, Health CareLeave a Comment

It’s a damn fine question, asked by (among many others) the Rev. Frederick Schmidt, an Episcopal priest and theologian at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, according to this wonderful article in the St. Petersburg Times: "I think the religious right is captive to a medical, scientific description of life that equates merely to survival," said Schmidt, director of spiritual life … Read More

Terri and the GOP

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, RepublicansLeave a Comment

Finally finally finally it looks like Terri Schiavo is going to slip quietly into the great beyond, as she wished.  As I would wish for myself.  As most would wish for themselves.  By refusing to give the Schindlers yet another bite at yet another apple, repeating the same arguments already heard, the “little Eichmans” (as wackos on the Christian right … Read More

Supreme Court Sez No

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, Supreme CourtLeave a Comment

Breaking news . . . Supreme Court Won’t Hear Schiavo Case 18 minutes ago By HOPE YEN, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to order Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube reinserted, rejecting a desperate appeal by her parents to keep their severely brain-damaged daughter alive.

Dr. Cheshire Cat

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, Health CareLeave a Comment

Jeb Bush has found a neurologist who claims that Terri Schiavo’s diagnosis ha been wrong all these years.  He claims that Terri, rather than being in a "persistent vegetative state", is actually in what the medical profession calls a "minimal conscious state". That doctor’s name is Dr. Cheshire.  Let’s take a look at him, shall we? Perhaps one place to … Read More

What Would Jesus Do?

Ken AshfordCongress, Godstuff, Health CareLeave a Comment

Beautifully put by Heriod at The American Street Dateline Jerusalem, 29 a.d. — The ongoing controversy surrounding whether or not Jesus of Nazareth has the right to voluntarily die on the cross, took a dramatic turn yesterday. Roman Senator, Billius Fristus Felinocidicus announced that in a late night, weekend session, the Senate had passed an imperial edict, signed by Emperor … Read More

Schiavo Latest

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, Health Care, Supreme CourtLeave a Comment

Actually, there is remarkably little to say.  The debate rages on, and the debate about the debate rages on.  Meanwhile, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals panel affirmed the lower court’s decision to replace the feeding tube, and the Schindlers are now appealing to the full panel of the 11th Circuit.  The next stop after that, and probably the last … Read More

Revoke Frist’s Medical License

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, RepublicansLeave a Comment

Via The Left Coaster: Liberal Oasis provides today’s action item: help revoke Bill Frist’s medical license for gross dereliction of duty. Remember that Bill Clinton was stripped of his ability to practice law because he lied under oath. Well, Bill Frist has definitely betrayed his medical oath. Now once again, he has violated his pledge to “be honest in all … Read More

Kristian Krazies Have a New Target

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/SchiavoLeave a Comment

Late last night (early this morning), Justice James Whittemore denied the Schindlers’ temporary emergency motion to reinsert the feeding tube (his well-reasoned opinion, in PDF format, is here. From the Miami Herald (subscription required): Pity James D. Whittemore, next in line for unholy defamation via e-mail, eternal damnation through the Internet and vilification by postcard. Not to mention death threats … Read More

Tom Delay Lies

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, RepublicansLeave a Comment

From Tapped: House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said this yesterday about Terri Schiavo: "She talks and she laughs and she expresses likes and discomforts," he said Sunday evening. "It won’t take a miracle to help Terri Schiavo. It will only take the medical care and therapy that patients require." For those keeping score at home, that statement is a straight-up, … Read More

James Madison on Schiavo

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, ConstitutionLeave a Comment

"Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, and laws impairing the obligations of contracts, are contrary to the first principles of the social compact, and to every principle of sound legislation. … The sober people of America are weary of the fluctuating policy which has directed the public councils.  They have seen with regret and indignation that sudden changes and … Read More

Backfire

Ken AshfordAssisited Suicide/Schiavo, RepublicansLeave a Comment

The GOP majority stuck its nose into the Schiavo/Schindler family’s private affair, thinking they could score political points.  And they will reap some benefit from the religious right (who, I suggest, the GOP already have in their hip pocket. But as the Christian Science Monitor poll at the right shows, most Americans have a problem with Congressional "meddling". UPDATE:  This … Read More