The so-called “Terri’s Law” signed by Gov. Jeb Bush on October 21 might better be named “Terry’s Law”—in honor of rabid anti-abortionist Randall Terry, who played a key role in mobilizing Christian fundamentalists to pressure Jeb and the Florida legislature to intervene in the heart-wrenching case of Terri Schiavo. The case of the 39-year-old Schiavo, who has been in a persistent… return to article
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Reader Comments (31)Page 1 of 1 pagesI have to say that Barbara Miner’s prejudices come through loud and clear in her article. Hardly objective journalism.
Posted by Elaine Morrison on Nov 24, 2003 at 9:47 PM Ms. Miner -
It is truly disappointing that you would use a tragic case of abuse and neglect of a vulnerable woman as a means for crafting a piece aimed at discrediting what you see as the ìreligious rightî. The truth of the matter is that the story of Terri Schindler-Schiavo has affected so many people from all walks of life.
You fail to mention the masses of people within the disability community who have spoken out against the forced exit of this young woman. Please, read for yourself the reasons for their concerns here:
http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/schiavostatement.htmlYes, people from the pro-life movement have come forward for Ms. Schiavo. However, people who are not religious, not political, not motivated by any other reason - save Ms. Schiavoís safety - have also come forward. Nurses, doctors, private citizens, women, families, young people and people who take human rights and liberties seriously have all shared in the efforts to protect Ms. Schiavo from harm and wrongful death.
If you were to attend the continuing vigils at the Hospice where Terriís husband has inappropriately confined her, you would meet people from absolutely every representation there is. Sadly, you have chosen to write a piece that stimulates a debate over a climate that simply doesnít exist.
Were it me, I would have chosen to write a piece about the people across the globe who have come forward to support this woman. I would have made note about the virtual army of folks who have volunteered their time to her safety. I would have written about the people ñ as far away as New Zealand ñ who have placed lights in their windows and ribbons on their trees in a symbolic and sentimental show of compassion for Terri. Perhaps I would have penned an article about how the dehumanization of a disabled and vulnerable person only serves to dehumanize each and every one of us.
Itís probably natural that people from the pro-life front have taken up Terriís plight. But please make no mistake about it ñ they are only one slice of that pie. The pie itself is made up of every sort of person in the world ñ who sees abuse for what it is.
Posted by phenn on Nov 24, 2003 at 9:56 PM This article is representative of bias too extreme. Shame on you.
Just for the recordÖ I am not a member of any of those groups you mentioned. I have no personal agenda. Yet, I support the fight for Terri Schiavoís life
Posted by Carrie Hutchens on Nov 24, 2003 at 11:02 PM In response to your story about Randall Terry: I’m grateful for what Randall Terry did for Terri Schiavo because Terri is my cousin, and she was going to be starved to death before she was every given the chance to recover. Many people don’t realize that she has not received ONE SECOND of rehabilitation since her husband won his multi-million-dollar malpractice settlement in 1992. For more than a decade Terri’s family has fought to get her the help she needs, but it’s repeatedly been denied by her husband, for whatever reasons. Terri’s family never wanted this kind of publicity, believe me. They wanted her to receive help and recover what faculties she could. But when a Judge said, “We’re going to kill your daughter. We’re going to do it by starving her to death,” Terri’s parents asked for help. Randall Terry answered. Whether or not you agree with his ideas or convictions, don’t second-guess him for a moment on this one. He ABSOLUTELY did the right thing by helping Terri.
Posted by Katie Brown on Nov 24, 2003 at 11:31 PM See what Ms. Miner left out and participate in something worthwhile. Getting the word out about Terri and standing in the fray for her life and rehabilitation, etc.
http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/terri_schindler_life_ribbon_campaign.htm
By the way I’m not from the “religious right” or Republican. What does politics have to do with this anyway. I must say that I am disappointed with the Democratic Party on this but I digress. This is about humanity. I particpated in helping so that a Nigerian woman wouldn’t get stoned to death over in Africa. Does that make me a “right winger”? I think not and I believe that more Human Rights groups need to get involved in this as well. Comprehensive Thinking and Analysis? Also visit:
Posted by Juan Schoch on Nov 25, 2003 at 12:25 AM “In the GUISE of opposition to euthanasia”?? I assure you, the Schindler family and I are united in our oppostion to Terri’s euthanasia. We all believe the selective killing of disabled people such as Terri is nothing less than euthanasia, and there is no “guise” to it. A coalition of more than a dozen disability rights groups agrees with us, too.
The use of the word “guise” in this article is offensive and insulting. A better use of the word might be “in the guise of objective reporting, Ms Miner showed up for work.”
Pat Anderson
Schindler family attorney
Posted by Pat Anderson on Nov 25, 2003 at 1:07 AM Barbara Miner is still using the same old tricks of “loaded lingos” rather than “neutral adjectives”. That’s a dead giveaway of bias. How about you simply do the reporting, and let us do the thinking, as it should.
Posted by Mike on Nov 25, 2003 at 1:16 AM Let me start off by saying I am a pro choice [meaning it’s not MY business what another woman does], Democrat , Catholic single mom and one of my children is severely physically challenged.
That said…I do not usually agree with the Randell Terry/Flip Benham’s of this world BUT I do not care. If their activism and headline grabbing chutzpah ALLOWS Terri Schindler Schiavo to escaped unscathed from the horrible judicial, medical,ethical and total lack of morals situation that has gone on far too long then three cheers for them!
Terri Schindler Schiavo has come to the forefront of the media and that is ALL that counts. If it takes Neanderthal’s like Terry and Benham to do it..then so be it…that’s your problem.
You journalists need to look in the mirror and ask yourselves WHY you didn’t report this story with less bias for who brought it to your attention rather than compassion for the woman he’s trying to save…shame on you! Spend your time investigating her husband and his motives ..there’s your real story…now GET TO WORK!!!!!
Posted by Melissa Geralds on Nov 25, 2003 at 2:06 AM Ms. Miner, you article brings new meaning to the phrase Yellow Journalism. How about that bone scan with the multiple fractures, and history of trauma diagnosis? The Forensic Pathologist Dr. Michael Baden from New York, discounts the cardiac arrest from a"potassium imbalance” theory. The Association of Physicians and Surgeons and the Catholic Medical Association have condemned this death by starvation. 14 doctors have sworn affidvaits that say she is not in a PVS. George Greer ruled on some hearsay evidence, “remembered” after a huge monetary settlement. Ms. Miner, since you area a journalist you cannot diagnose Terri. When the left can’t debate with facts, they resort to name calling & character assasination. Randall Terry showed up after 130,000 citizens had written to the Governor. While everyone is appreciative of his support, this fight is much bigger than Randall Terry. It is about the fundamental right to life guaranteed to citizens of the United States under the Consitution, and Florida statutes protecting disabled. This case has support from rich,poor, black, white, agnostic, jewish, catholic, republican and democract. If you knew the party affiliations and religions (or lack there of) of the people defending Terri you would see how diverse this support is. At least Terri’s attorney has not written a book like George Felos, who wrote: “he believes he has the POWER TO CRASH AN AIRPLANE.” (just by thinking about it.) Check out: Litigation and Spiritual Practice folks. A great book for Halloween. Felos also states in this book that “the mid-section of my body opened and he encountered the soul of Mrs. Browning in mid-air.” I am not making this up, as Dave Barry says! And they call right to lifers the wing-nuts. HAH! Perhaps Shirley McClaine can assist George in his next book. In closing I wanted to respond to the baseless accusations about Father Frank Pavone; a world renown respected priest who politely and respectfully presents the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. I don’t know what Miner’s religion is but her remarks are biggoted, the only thing “exteme” about Father Pavone is his holiness and adherence to the Magisterial teaching of the Holy See. By the way, Ms. Miner don’t forget to fill out you “death by starvation” living will tonight; I am sure you wouldn’t mind going to meet your Creator in a way not allowed under Florida Law for a dog, cow, felon or laboratory mouse. Nancy Peek McGowan Jacksonville, Florida
Posted by NancyPeekMcGowan on Nov 25, 2003 at 2:12 AM Having wasted time reading through misused ink, the byline gave me a hearty laugh.
Elevating Barbara Miner to ìjournalistî is a bit generous, donít you think? Inflating journalistism to accommodate
rank hype may please revisionists, but is that your intent? Consider helping Goebbels shed stigma of the propaganda ministry with epitaphs like “visionary failed cultural publisher of the Thirties.”You see? You thought it was about Miner, and I discuss Nazis. Miner practices such contextual adultery, before climaxing at the zenith of aspirations, names.
Pavlone, Mohler, Terryódizzyingóan orgasmic conspiracy. Minerís lips quiver as she moans “donít they know their leaders when they have meeeee to tell them?”
No fan of ideologies, Christian, Lesbian, whatever, I’m also not anti anything (except Miner’s insulting my intelligence). I visit websites discussing Terri. Minerís theocratic conspirators never came up.
I won’t argue that those on whom Miner grinds her axe have not seized the controversy. My own observation tells me however that bogeymen are peripheral at best.
Your so-called journalist may indulge in Christian, Republican
or whatever fantasies excite her. We resists human rights violations of a disabled woman.Without leaders, we’re unaffiliated with political parties or religious businesses. We’re neither dogmatically pro-life, nor actively anti-abortion. Get it?
We’re fed up with a handful of post-retirement Republican judges and a visibly disturbed euthanasia lawyer who believes God warned him about bringing down airplanes by visualization. We’re ticked off at cultural retrogrades presuming upon the fate of a brain damaged woman, whom they falsely imprison in a hospice rip-off operation in which they have or had board seats.
Your hapless would-be journalist is out of her league discerning what it’s about. I pity her manifest deficit. Stupidity. I question her over-sized bullhorn spouting nonsense about us, our agenda and alleged leaders.
If you insist, send her to journalism school. It’s your money to waste. Shelve the hormonal confabulations. Give her a filing job. Send someone else into the field.
Better, leave Terri alone. Your readers will appreciate remaining uninformed rather than taking on teenage ferment of identity issues.
Posted by terrasol on Nov 25, 2003 at 3:06 AM Could this article be any more biased?
“But if religious extremists get their way, living wills may not be worth the paper they are written on.” You forgot to mention the fact that Terri never wrote a living will. Come to think of it, you forget to mention any of the facts concerning Terri. You’re clearly attempting to paint a picture of a brain dead woman who would want to die, and the people forcing her to live are bunch of whackos. I guess that’s why you didn’t include any facts. A lot of people start out believing the garbage you just spewed, but as soon as they read a few court documents they realize Terri deserves to live.
Posted by BykrBayb on Nov 25, 2003 at 5:40 AM This article is disgraceful. The next time you are writing an article - especially one on a topic as serious as the life of another human being - please research the facts. Death by starvation is an awful way to die. Perhaps you could write about that. Or perhaps you could write about what Florida law says about people who don’t have a directive but are still sentenced to die. or how about how her husband wanted her cremated the minute she died from his court-sanctioned starvation of the one he pledged to love through sickness and health? Or about how he remembered she would want to die after he got the money from a jury to keep her alive. I bet those jurors that gave him a million dollars to care for Terri would be glad to know that his definition of care is death by starvation. If you want some controversial angle about this story there are plenty - you have embarassed yourself by creating one that betrays your attempt at journalism as full of hate and contempt for those who just want Terri to have a chance to live and recover. I can only hope that your friends and family would love you enough to want the best for you.
Posted by Texan on Nov 25, 2003 at 6:15 AM this story STINKS !!! Terri’s law is about a brain DISSABLED young woman
Posted by Barbara on Nov 25, 2003 at 6:20 AM This isn’t about Terri’s wishes for Michael. It’s all about spite. What a way to spite someone huh? If this doesn’t answer the question as to what we are dealing with here (can you say attempted murder of a disabled woman) then I don’t know what will. I can assure you there will be plenty more than this to come.
http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/c/pc93/Depo MS 092799 - Guardianship.pdf
Posted by Juan Schoch on Nov 25, 2003 at 1:47 PM * By and large, religious extremists lost their fight against living wills legislation. But Schiavoís case appears to have re-energized the movementís opposition to living wills, in the guise of opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide.*
The only “living will” which exists for Terri is her husband’s hearsay testimony…the husband who has fathered numerous children by other women while still “legally” married to Terri.
Why do you bring up living wills as what is being attacked rather than the absence of one in this case?
Why do you not write about Michael’s incredulous hearsay testimony is what Judge Creer claims is “clear and convincing?”
Perhaps it is you with an agenda to limit the constitutional rights of the disabled.
Posted by Lori Chiovare on Nov 25, 2003 at 2:39 PM Why bother having a living will when anyone can come forward and say"by the way, he/she didnt want to live this way” and THAT holds up in court!!
Posted by Judy De on Nov 25, 2003 at 3:41 PM barbra, sounds like george is taken you out to a big lunch, anything else?
Posted by keith on Nov 25, 2003 at 4:08 PM I had a severe head injury in 1975. I was in an auto accident and a log hit me in the back of the head. I was paralyzed for about a year. The Dr.‘s said that if I lived, I would be a vegetable, retarded or partially or fully paralyzed. Luckily, my parents did not turn off my life support. I have since graduated from grade school, high school and college, with awards from grade school after my head injury and college awards, also. I also carried a child full term and he is a junior in high school. All this happened because I received good therapy and I was allowed to live. I have many friends from the local Brain Injury Association who were in situations like Terri’s. One just learned to walk again. Think of what would happen if we were all left in nursing homes, deprived of all social contact, and deemed vegetables.
Posted by Catherine E. Critz on Nov 25, 2003 at 5:40 PM What is she talking about? This article is totally bigotted. Terry Schiavo was not in a vegetative state, her husband was in it for the money, and starving to death is by no means a way to “die with dignity.” I am not a member of the religious right whatsover, yet I don’t believe it would be right to starve this women to death. How would Ms. Miner feel if she got sick and we just decided not to feed her. Sometimes I think people on the left disagree with the right just for the sake of disagreeing, regardless of the facts. The left is supposed to be about open mindedness, fighting for human rights, and seeing through a world full of bigotry and division, and I wish Barbera would open her mind to this, or stop writing for a usually excellent news source.
Posted by Ed on Nov 26, 2003 at 1:08 AM a crazy president is ordering the slaughter of the people of middle east. a strong evil central government is taking shape in usa that is leaving no room for democracy & rule of law. but our left wing journalism is busy monsterizing fringe religious leaders who in this case, have stood up for a good cause.
get a grip. wake up from your liberal dreamworld. do not confuse people with false liberal & progressive issues. theres more important things to do than to portray terri’s case as a crusade.
shame on you! (i am an atheist muslim, so stop right now seeing me as another terry’s freinds ordered to make a comment here.
just curious, what is your position on the facist/jewish state of isreal?
Posted by jimbo on Nov 28, 2003 at 7:39 PM Ms. Miner,
Please don’t forget to mention that Democrats are more than willing to align themselves with the likes of unreligious and Godless, pro-death, pro-abortion characters such as Michael Schiavo, George Felos, Scott Peterson and George Tiller.
I resent your lie suggesting that Randall Terry condones violence, especially when your pro-abortion, pro-death liberal heroes commit the most despicable and inhumane acts of violence imaginable against the weakest, most innocent and most vulnerable members of our society. Unlike, you and your unreligious leftist friends, we do not condone violence.
More people are now seeing the light, Ms. Miner. People are tired of being hoodwinked by so-called “journalists” such as yourself.
Be a responsible journalist/columnist, Ms. Miner.
Write more about the truth for a change.
Posted by Jon Campbell on Nov 29, 2003 at 4:40 PM The Left has really dropped the ball on the Schiavo case. In These Times should be doing a story on the facts of the case instead of accepting without question the assertion that Ms. Schiavo is in a “persistent vegetative state.” BTW, I am pro-choice, anti-death penalty and no supporter of the misnamed Religious Right.
Posted by Michelle on Nov 30, 2003 at 3:58 AM You make reference to several conservative groups and label them as “extremists”. How do you define an extremist? Are you an extremist?
Posted by Junia Justice on Nov 30, 2003 at 11:23 PM Wow, this story really brought out the right-to-lifers. If they approve of using technology to keep alive shells of human beings, do they also approve of using technology to create new ones? Why not? It’s not God keeping Terri alive; it’s technology and the wacko Fla. government.
Posted by jim on Dec 2, 2003 at 3:44 PM “Life is lfe.”
- Randall Terry“When I, or people like me, are running the country, youíd better flee, because we will find you, we will try you and we will execute you.”
- Ranall TerryWhat more needs to be said?
Posted by Aaron on Dec 5, 2003 at 12:57 AM I see Mr. Terry got his forces together to support him by bashing an article that is an accurate expose of a twisted and dangerous man—acting “in the name of God.”
Since God is love, and violence and hate are evil, I’d say Mr. Terry is acting more in the name of Satan.
Thanks for exposing the distorted religious right for the dangerous demons they really are.
Posted by Kathleen on Dec 19, 2003 at 4:30 PM Nice accurate reporting of the facts Barbara.
Terri Schiavo isn’t disabled, she’s cognitively brain dead, the only part of her brain that is still working is the part that controls reflexes, like breathing, heart beat and startle responses.
It is immoral and unethical to force feed this woman’s dead body, keeping it alive, when she as a person died 14 years ago.
I think most people who give support for the forced feeding are doing so from being extremely misinformed from lies being spread around by these ignorant hate groups. Read the court rulings folks not some lying websites set up by right to life bigots.
Posted by W.E. Hart on Feb 3, 2004 at 10:06 PM Accurate commentary, well written. Heck, even the Schindler family tried to disassociate itself with Randall Terry, just a couple of days after Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube was reinserted.
You can read their “press release” (from their attorney, Pat Anderson, who I see posted a response here, but seems to have zoomed right by th Randall Terry efforts) here:
http://www.terrisfight.org/press/Patricia Fields Anderson release.htm
Posted by Lou on Apr 9, 2004 at 5:42 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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