Judges Playing God

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara and Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court Judge George Greer have condemned Terri Schindler-Schiavo to die by starvation--a slow and torturous death. Though she has committed no crimes, is not accused of committing any crimes, and is no burden to the state, the two men have steadfastly refused to acknowledge Terri’s statutory and constitutional rights--including her 14th Amendment right to due process.

So, why must this woman die? Because when she was just 26, Terri collapsed in her home under mysterious circumstances and consequently suffered debilitating brain damage. Because, her husband, Michael Schiavo has convinced the courts that Terri, now 39, is incapacitated and ought to have her feeding tubes removed.

Terri, although disabled, is not in a coma. She is not in a vegetative state. She breathes on her on and maintains her own blood pressure. She laughs, and cries; she says yes and no. She does however, require a tube into her stomach for nourishment and hydration.

Over a dozen prominent doctors and therapists have stated under oath that Terri is not in a persistent vegetative state and that with therapy she could be substantially rehabilitated. Indeed, Terri herself has clearly communicated that she does not want to be starved to death.

Despite these incontrovertible facts, Judge Lazarra and Judge Greer have determined that the excruciatingly cruel state-mandated execution should commence at 2 PM this Wednesday.

Yesterday, Bob and Mary Schindler, Terri’s parents, issued a statement asserting, “We love our daughter very much and we want her home. Over the last 13 years, Terri has laughed with us, cried with us, talked with us, and even tried to get out of her chair. The accusations that Terri is in a coma or is a ‘vegetable’ are a lie. We beg Michael Schiavo, and those working with him to end our daughter's life, to let her come home to her family. We will sign any agreement you want, giving you all monies related to Terri's collapse and any insurance money that may be forthcoming. You take the money. We just want our daughter.”

As WorldNetDaily and other media outlets have reported, the Schindlers have been thrust into a nightmarish battle with their son-in-law over Terri's lack of care and therapy. The contentious family dispute escalated into a national euthanasia battle beginning in May 1998, when Schiavo petitioned the Florida courts for permission to end his wife's life by disconnecting her feeding tube, insisting that despite all evidence, she is in a “persistent vegetative state” and that in casual conversations she had told him she would not want to be kept alive “artificially.”

Today at noon (EST), Terri's family and friends will begin a 24-hour-a-day vigil outside the Woodside Hospice where Terri lives. Hospice Woodside is located at 6774 102nd Avenue N. (near 66th Street N. and 102nd Avenue N.) in Pinellas Park, Florida. The vigil will continue until Terri is rescued by intervening magistrates, or is executed.

Slippery slope? What slippery slope? Just ask Judge Lazarra and Judge Greer. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to tell you.

For Real

At least one jurisdiction within Christendom still takes the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality seriously! The Chapel of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God was torn down after local churchmen decided it had been "defiled" following an unauthorized ceremony celebrating a "homosexual union." The gay "marriage" in Nizhny Novgorod scandalized the Orthodox Church, which consequently defrocked the offending priest and then demolished the church. Rather shocking, isn’t it? Christians who actually believe what they profess and then practice what they preach?