The autopsy conducted on the late Terri Schivo was intended to definativly answer the lingerring questions of her family. The autopsy revealed was Schivo was irrevesibly brain damaged and blind. This should have been consoling to those who cared about Schivo. Instead members of her family and undaunted conservatives decided to raise more questions, and disrespectfully drag-out this ordeal.
Schivo's sister, Suzanne Vitadamo, took the stage at the National Right to Life annual convention in Bloomington, Minnisota and plead ignorance about Terri's bulemia, and instead hinted that abuse by Michael Schivo, Terri's husband, could have caused the collapse 15 years ago. Governor Jeb Bush claimed a front page headline (Tallahassee Democrat 6/17) with a pledge to, "...investigate wether her husband took too long to call for help on the night she collapsed..." (Democrat 6/17 A1)
The family's willful ignorance of Terri's condition while in a vegitative state is probably indicative of their behavior when she was struggling with bulimia. What would have happened if they had been as supportive then, before money and publicity were involved?
The continued politicalization of this poor woman's death is repulsive. Why hasn't anyone made an effort to use this tragedy in a positive way and publically address the growing problem of bulimia and anorexia? That would be a cause worth keeping Terri Schivo's memory alive for.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Once again, Facts Don't Concern Conservatives
Posted by Thure at 4:55 PM
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2 Comments:
It is the policy of most Law Enforcement agencies to not comment on open investigations, because it could jeopardize the case. Since the announcment of the autopsy results our governor has commented quite publically about his intent to investigate Michael Schivo. If he were truly concerned with the investigation it would be appropriate to excercise more discretion. If he is attempting to make headlines and pander to the Religious Right his actions are appropriate.
The autopsy found that Terri Schivo's Barin damage was severe and irreversable and that she was blind. Our knowledge of brain anatomy has advanced to the point that a qualified doctor can accuratly validate those claims. However, it is always prudent to seek a second opinion.
Either way, Michael Schivo was finally able to carry out what he believed his wife's wishes were and Terri has passed away. The autopsy was intended to bring closure to this issue. Does anyone, even Governor Bush, expect that this investigation will help anyone recover from their loss?
In the future, I fear that this could cause undo hardship for anyone that tries to carry out the last wishes of a loved one. If I have to carry out the living will of a member of my family, or they have to do so for me, I hope that the Government will not become inappropriatly involved as they did with the Schivo family.
End of life, and beginning of life, decisions are deeply personal and should not be meddled in by an uncaring party - the courts, legislature, and governor included.
Josh makes an interesting point about the time difference, but how many of us walk around each day noting, exactly, what we are doing and when. I'm sure that Mr. Shiavo was more worried about his wife than about checking the clock.
That said, let us not be confused about why this matter was brought up. Gov. Bush was, as we all saw, embarassed by the results of this entire event. It seems that he thought he could bully and/or force a decision from the Supreme Court (both FLA and US) that he could not do. In fact, it appears that the issue interrupted one of the many vacations of Pres. Bush. And yet, it failed when examined by legal minds, unclouded by the rhetoric and emotion that this case obviously evoked.
I hear what you are saying, Josh, but I don't agree with your side. The best that we had was hearsay from the husband, but that is enough in a case like this. We trust that when 2 people marry, they have these kinds of discussions. One of the rights of passage of marriage occurs when the father gives away the bride. This would be the point where the father needs to back out of any and all future decisions about the daughter.
And, although I'm not aware of a "Drop your son off at the chapel" ritual that is equivalent for Moms and sons, the idea is the same. Both he and she were adults and their marriage supercedes the desires of the parents.
Honoring one's parents is not the same as doing their bidding.
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