Schiavo decision, one year later.
A large majority of Americans still oppose the right-wing campaign over Terri Schiavo. Fully 64 percent say her husband’s decision to remove her feeding tube was the right one, including 70 percent of moderates, 53 percent of conservatives, and 61 percent of evangelicals.
View Most Popular
Advertisement
Visit Our Affiliated Sites
What We're About
What We're Fighting For
What We're Fighting Against
Featured
Subscribe to the Progress Report
Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.
Reports
In depth studies on select topics
Topic CloudView topics sorted by popularity
Afghanistan
Beck
Big Oil
Bolton
Bush
Cheney
Civil Rights
Congress
Economy
Energy
Environment
Ethics
Fox News
GI Bill
Global Warming
Guantanamo
Hagee
Health Care
Immigration
Iran
Iraq
Justice
LGBT
Lieberman
Limbaugh
McCain
McClellan
Media
Military
O'Hanlon
O'Reilly
Obama
Palin
Politics
Race
Radical Right
RNC Convention
Rove
Surveillance
Terrorism
Third Bush Term
Torture
Veterans
Wiretapping
Women's Rights
ArchivesBlog Roll
AHHH!! who let this topic back into my head!!!
March 27th, 2006 at 3:53 pmno pun intended but it is time to lay this issue to rest.
March 27th, 2006 at 3:56 pmHer parents should be ashamed of themselves. I own my right to live or die. May parents do not. I expect them to abide by my wishes, no questions asked. If my parents cannot do that, then I will select someone else to make the decision if and when the time comes.
March 27th, 2006 at 3:59 pmThese statistics are amazing: “53 percent of conservatives, and 61 percent of evangelicals. ”
/sarcam on
Why do these people hate America? Why are they against a culture of life?
/sarcam off
March 27th, 2006 at 4:05 pmno pun intended but it is time to lay this issue to rest.
Comment by Krazny
No, this issue and every other republican screwup needs to be rubbed in their faces till the november elections.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:11 pmRest in Peace, Terry Schiavo.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:11 pmYour parents and siblings should be ashamed of themselves for making your life and death a circus.
This was not a “right to die” case. Terri Schiavo had no terminal condition. She was disabled. She was denied food and water until dead.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:16 pm#5 - Exactly. Just think, if the tables were turned, do you think the Republicans would abandon an issue they could use to beat their opponents with? Nope. They’d just hit harder and harder until people got sick of it, or believed their side of the story exclusively.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:19 pm#7 - I’d say a 50% degredation of the brain was a terminal condition. Her brain damage “was irreversible . . . no amount of treatment or rehabilitation would have reversed” Despite her parents arguments that her husband beat her or treated her badly, “A study of her organs, fluids, bones and cells, as well as voluminous medical records, failed to support strangulation, beatings, a drug overdose, complications of an eating disorder or a rare molecular heart defect. All had been offered as theories over the past 15 years.”
It was her husband who wanted to follow her decision to be taken off life support. It was her parents who wanted her kept alive in a vegetative state with no hope at recovery.
This was a political issue that so-called right-to-lifers wanted to push for all the capital they could garner from someone elses misfortune.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2005/ 06/ 15/ AR2005061500512.html
March 27th, 2006 at 4:25 pmWell Frist doesn’t want her name brought up. Ha, he cannot escape his video diagnosis. That alone will deny him his stay at the WH. Here in TN, where there are many elderly and many uninsured or underinsured eldery that are now being denied some of their meds because they chose the wrong plan, Frist has turned heads. The elderly here are worried that they will have to suffer what Terri went through because someone in Congress is worried about a vote.
Remember these old cats voted for Reagan AND Clinton. TN is upset about Schaivo, medicare “F”, electric bills that are double what they were last year and being lied into war. We have lost a lot of young men and women here in the Volunteer State and when Bush said retreat from Iraq would fall on other presidents, he screwed up. People here feel as though he has already passed the buck on Iraq.
Bush is so screwed and Frist looks just the same to folks here. Republicans have gone to GREAT lengths to be the party of agreement, the party that all sticks together, the party where no one disagrees and all say the same thing. I find it hilariously ironic that now when one republican says something, it is taken as all republicans have said it. They have just what they asked for. So whatever Frist says, whatever Hastert says, whatever Santorum says, it is just like it came from Bush.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:26 pm#7 So you would want that for your children or parents? Terri didn’t. It is none of your business and none of your concern what decisions a spouse makes for another. It is torture to keep someone’s body alive when their mind is gone and not coming back. If you were to ask, even here in TN, most MOST people say it is not anyone’s business, especially Congress’s, to dictate one’s most difficult life and death decisions.
It was Terri’s choice and she let her husband know what she wanted. I think we need to keep government out of our hospital beds. And, so do most here in redstate. Frist will not win this state because of his meddling.
People wish to trust their doctor and not count on Frist to give a video diagnosis. Which, if you remember, turned out to be WRONG.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:33 pmIt’s worth remembering, now that Katherine Harris wants your vote, that she was on the wrong side of this issue, and still is, and still bragging about it on her site.
“She (Harris) also voted for the emergency legislation aimed at prolonging brain-damaged Terri Schiavo’s life and against legislation to allow federal research on stem cells from human embryos.”
March 27th, 2006 at 4:35 pm#7 The autopsy showed that her brain was severely damaged. She may not have been terminal in the sense you mean, but she clearly had no quality of life either. Keeping her on life support was cruel and deranged.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:37 pmPolarization Tactics
March 27th, 2006 at 4:55 pmTaking her off life support was also a decision that she had made prior to collapse. It was testefied in court that she did not want to be kept alive artificially. Judge after judge agreed with MIchael Shivo and lower court rulings. If a similar thing were to befall me, my wife knows my wishes and the “culture of life” hypocrites can fuck off.
March 27th, 2006 at 4:58 pm#15 - That’s what a living will is for. My lawyer has mine ready to sign, and it’s because of the Terri S. case that I got mine down. I was afraid of doing it sooner because I felt that it was tempting fate, but now I’d rather be safe than sorry.
March 27th, 2006 at 5:04 pmTerri’s husband is releasing a book this week about the situation with him, Terri, herparents and the RepubliKKKans. If you remember, True Believers, Olbermann interviewed him a couple months ago. The president of NBC News was pissed because Lauer didn’t get to him first but an ex-sports anchor from ESPN.
Tommorrow, Lauer will get his chance to talk to Mr. Schiavo. MSNBC promised a full length version of the Olbermann interview when Lauer’s version is seen. Isn’t it safe to say that Olbermann scooped Lauer and yet the pretty boy looks like a journalist instead of Olbermann.
If anyone watches it tomorrow, see if there’s any agenda on the part of Matt Lauer. Even though I was proud of him for standing up to Tom “I know more about psychiatry, you don’t.” Cruise, I’m still doubtful if the questions will be respectful to Terri’s widower. Mr. Schiavo has suffered enough.
March 27th, 2006 at 5:10 pmRight wing is the wrong word. The entire senate agreed to intervene and there are 44 Democrats in that branch.
It must suck being a radical leftist. The Democrats too chickenshit to listen to their base. Now, if they try to use it, they’ll be painted as political hacks. (that will actually be a reflection of the people here at ThinkProgress).
March 27th, 2006 at 5:10 pmWhat was most interesting about the bill in Congress was that the initial version offered up by Martinez,Frist and Santorum included a clause that not only got the case into federal court but actually told the judge how to rule. This paragraph was so blatantly unconstitutional that Levin alone was able to have it stricken. The law that passed was defective as to its intent and so all the preening by the Frist-Santorum cabal was for naught. They not only engaged in a deceptive argument to pass the law,the law was utterly ineffectual. There is an almost cosmic comedic quality to the Congressional portion of that episode I still marvel at.
March 27th, 2006 at 5:15 pmHere in Pa.,Santorum will never be allowed to forget his role in that tragedy come November. The only downside to him losing will be where he goes next. He loses his Senate seat,Cheney resigns,Santorum becomes VP.
Thanks Danny
March 27th, 2006 at 5:19 pmIf the preview offered up on MSNBC dot com is any indication, Lauer’s take will be to deemphasize the role of right wing politicians and focus on the family conflicts. The only mention of the larger political battle in the interview released today is Michael saying he doesn’t know why the politicians took such a strong interest in his wife. No one is mentioned by name.
If Frist is mentioned by name tomorrow, I’ll donate $10 to his pres. campaign.
Ok, no I won’t. But you get the point.
March 27th, 2006 at 5:20 pm#19 Isn’t Martinez backtracking? When I was looking up Cruella for my post above I thought I read that Martinez had changed his mind on this issue.
March 27th, 2006 at 5:21 pm#16 Yes, it is funny how there was a HUGE explosion of living wills during the Schaivo fiasco. Let’s see, I wonder why?
Stupid trolls should have their diaper changed by someone making minimum wage. Of course, the method the repubs have is by transferring all of their money into their children’s banks so that the government, who they constantly complain of giving too much away, ends up fitting their old age.
Yep, I’ve seen it done in nursing homes all day long. Rich ladies and men that have suddenly become broke and needy and suck off the government’s medicare teet. That sounds republican; always bitching about what others have but will sure take advantage when they can.
March 27th, 2006 at 5:25 pmi had to force my self to watch the schiavo family - mom,dad,sis,bro - on abc this morning … diane sawyer “interviewed” them … she is sooooo respectful … the brother repeated the line “they killed terry” numerous times … it was pathetic … i can’t imagine why they are doing this … it’s past time to let is go … can’t say this book will help the husband either…
March 27th, 2006 at 5:27 pm#16 - A surprising number of people think they are tempting fate if they sign a will or living will.
Nobody is getting out of here alive! Everybody, go to your attorney and sign a living will. You might even be able to get a free form from your local hospital or online. You won’t be sorry you did. And don’t keep it a secret!! Give copies to your alternate agent, your doctor, and take one to the hospital if you’re staying for any time at all.
March 27th, 2006 at 5:42 pmThe family has lost reality. Terri wasn’t killed - she died a long time ago.
March 27th, 2006 at 8:36 pmThey seem to be unable to deal with their grief because of the trauma associated with her extremely long comatose condition, exacerbated by the media attention, not to mention the political machinations.
I could be angry with the family for their stubborn and relentless denials, but I think I feel more sorry for them. Michael did the right thing. Even if Terri had not spoken her wishes to him long before she was struck, he made the best decision.
Remember that for the first years of her illness, the family and Michael were totally united in her care and supported Michael’s efforts. They encouraged him to get a life outside of his devotion to Terri. Something happened to that relationship after the money was settled — it brought out the worst in the family.
1. Yes, Martinez flipped flopped on the whole Schiavo thing. Terri’s mom came out publically to denounce Martinez for doing that.
2. Katherine Harris is a nut job. Welcome to Florida. But I WANT her to stay in the race because she will squander her 10 million dollar legacy from her Dad and not allow the Reublikkkans to run another horse.
3. Not only did Terri Schiavo not have any brain activity but she had a urinary tract infection that was not being treated. Ladies, you know what I am talking about.
4. Never stop bringing this up. As soon as I do people get a real mean, cross look on their face and do the “oh yeah” thing. Suddenly they hate Bush & Co. all over again. It works every time.
March 27th, 2006 at 8:47 pm#27
Let’s not forget that Sen. Frist, allegedly to be a doctor, said that he diagnosed Terri’s condition from a video monitor in Washington DC. A VIDEO MONITOR! If Bill Frist was to do an operation on me, I’d stand up and jet on out of the hospital before he touches any part of me.
P.S. Did anyone watch Olbermann tonight? Repeats at 12 midnight e.s.t. The Schiavo interview. More tomorrow on Countdown.
March 27th, 2006 at 11:11 pmIt’s been said that the wisdom of men is foolishness with God. What kind of benighted live-for-today madness would allow Michael Schiavo to congratulate himself on putting his wife “out of her misery”? She was sacrificed to the gods of materialism, whose followers acknowledge no reality they can’t grasp in their little pea brains.
Since he can have no idea why God created Terry and what His plan for her was, Michael can have no notion whether or not that mission was fulfilled. But in all likelihood, if it were, God would have withdrawn his breath from her body.
When did we so completely lose our moorings? Floating on a sea of relativism is a dangerous place to be. Will we float back to shore or will the winds carry us out to sea?
Rest in peace, Terry.
March 28th, 2006 at 12:03 amMargaret God Bless you.
If we withdrew nutrition and hydration from a dog we would go to jail and rightly so.
If we withdrew nutrition and hydration from Charles Manson or Saddam the whole world would rise up to denounce that crime but the nuts on the side of starving Terry to death were chomping at the bit to see it finished.
I think her parents had a legitimate interest. Terry was only married a short time and her husband stood to gain monetarily from her passing, he should have had to recuse himself as many of you think Scalia should on the gitmo thing. In addition their was some concern that her husbands abuse contributed to her condition in the first place. So to use his testimony regarding her desires was questionable as well.
It was all a big mess that is being used by the extremest on both sides. It is sad.
RIP Terry
March 28th, 2006 at 7:24 amMargaret, your concern is touching, but since God refused to make his plan known during all those court appearances, I think his wishes will have to be ignored.
And troll,
>If we withdrew nutrition and hydration from a dog we would go to jail and rightly so.
Providing food and water to a dog without a functioning brain is hardly animal abuse, and in fact, most people and vets would arrange for a quick and painless end, in the presence of loved ones.
Why does it matter how long Terry was married? She was an adult. Unless she had designated her parents to make decisions for her, they lost any legal interest when she turned 21. Despite the accusations of her parents made long after the legal settlement, there was no indication of abuse by her husband, ever. And the money that you think he stood to gain was almost entirely devoted to her ongoing care.
March 28th, 2006 at 9:25 amTroll: what a stupid comment. I am 72 yrs old and have had many dogs, some I had to put down at the vet’s with pain in my heart and tears. Depriving a healthy dog of food and water is inhumane and criminal. Any comparison between a terminally ill dog and a healthy one is disengenuous. No one wants to be in a vegetative state, squandering resources and care if terminally ill, at the expense of family. Most rational people would refuse life support and care. Why would any one after years of suffering and wasted resources elect otherwise. Get a living will.
March 28th, 2006 at 10:10 amDid I say the dog was healthy? No. Depriving a sick dog food and water is inhumane also.
March 28th, 2006 at 10:49 am“And the money that you think he stood to gain was almost entirely devoted to her ongoing care.”
Comment by Kaethe — March 28, 2006 @ 9:25 am
And the proceeds from the book will go where?
“Not only did Terri Schiavo not have any brain activity but she had a urinary tract infection that was not being treated. Ladies, you know what I am talking about. ”
Comment by Florida Mom — March 27, 2006 @ 8:47 pm
Um we usually dont kill people who have a urinary track infection.
March 28th, 2006 at 12:52 pmFor #30. Margaret, since when does the length of a marriage determine its sacredness or validity? What do you mean, that Terri and Michael were married a “short time”? So what?
Michael did not “gain monetarily” from Terri’s collapse. The money that he won in a lawsuit went to her care. The parents wanted half the money. I’m sorry, but I feel personally that, for myself, once I was married I entrusted to my husband any decisions that I could not make on my own behalf. I would want him to get the money he would need. My parents don’t “own” me anymore.
Terri’s parents admitted smugly that when Michael did not share the money with them, they told him they would make his life hell. And they kept their word. They lied about him. They know he didn’t abuse Terri. What did they want with the money? They had no right to make decisions about Terri’s care, so they would have to spend the money on a better car or house or who knows what, poor things. Michael and Terri needed that money for her care.
And I know about terminating care when it no longer does any good. Therapists stopped giving rehab to my demented MIL when she no longer made any progress. Insurance wouldn’t pay anymore. And she still had the mental capacity of a six year old child.
The Schindlers are arrogant hypocrites. They wanted Michael to dump Terri. But he didn’t. He’s the one with my sympathy. The Schindlers are horrible people.
March 28th, 2006 at 5:23 pmRight on, Carolyn!
March 28th, 2006 at 6:07 pmP.S. My comment probably should’ve been addressed to troll.
March 29th, 2006 at 11:31 amWho were those fat effeminate ‘monks’ hanging around her parents?
March 31st, 2006 at 7:00 pm