[Gathnet] Evil media can't get facts straight on Terri

[Stuart D. Gathman]

This is a letter from a Congressman.

Added information provided by Joan is in parentheses -- it explains what is
really going on in Congresss and why members are acting and reacting as they
are in the Terri Schiavo case.  I can independently confirm the
parenthetical facts given by Joan based on internet research.

The most important fact that the media get wrong is that Terri 
is NOT on life support.  Also, Joan doesn't mention that Terri
does NOT actually require a feeding tube.  She can swallow food
and water on her own, and was fed by hand until her husband 
insisted that she be fed by tube only.  She would be fine without
the tube if only the police and dogs weren't keeping friends from
approaching her with food and water.

---------------------------

Dear Joan,

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the Disabled Person's Legal
Protection Act (Terri's Law). I appreciate hearing your concerns about
this important issue.

As you know, Terri Schiavo is a Florida woman who collapsed UNDER
MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES (my caps----go to Terri's Fight.org for further
illumination), leaving her brain without oxygen for several minutes in
1990. Currently, she breathes on her own, but is in jeopardy of losing
her life due to a 1999 Florida law that stipulates if a person remains
in a persistent vegetative state (PVS), the feeding tube may be removed
at the guardian's request. Terri is now in danger of this fate as her
husband, Michael Schiavo, has indicated his desire to remove the feeding
tube.

  (There is also an affadavit from a nurse caring for Terri affirming that
  Michael Schiavo has said "Why doesn't the bitch just die?" There is also
  another affadavit by a nurse who called Michael Schiavo to tell him
  Terri's condition had taken a turn for the worst who reports that then
  Michael Schiavo became jubilant saying he was going to be very rich and
  what he intended to do with the money as a result of Terri's death. Yet
  anoher affadavit exists in which a nurse
  testifies after a vist from Michael Schiavo ALONE with Terri,the nurse
  found Terri terribly upset and subsequently it was discovered Terri's
  blood sugar had taken a dangerous and inexplicable drop,which required
  immediate medical treatment to remedy!)

Terri's family maintains that she is responsive
and has a strong will to live, and more than a dozen doctors
(THIRTY-THREE as a matter of fact!) have signed affidavits that Terri is
not in a PVS and could benefit from rehabilitative therapy.
Additionally, researchers at Cornell University's Weill Medical College
conducted a recent study that suggests people with brain damage may be
aware of their surroundings and can hear what is going on around them
even though they may not be able to respond.

In October of 2001, Florida Governor Jeb Bush intervened on the state
level with "Terri's Law." This legislation reinserted Terri's feeding
tube six days after it had been removed. However, the Florida Supreme
court sided with Mr. Schiavo on the constitutionality of the law, ruling
that the bill violated Florida's Constitution by giving the governor and
Legislature illegal power over the judicial system. Governor Bush tried
to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme court (Bush v. Shiavo), but
on January 23, 2005, the court denied review. On February 25, 2005, a
Florida judge extended a court order to keep Terri Schiavo's feeding
tube in place until Friday, March 18.

It has been determined that the 1999 ruling means should someone fall
into such horrible circumstances that require life-support, a spouse or
judge can dictate their right to live without due process of law. If
individuals who commit heinous crimes can receive due process to decide
their fate, we should at the very least afford the full protection of
the law to those who are incapacitated. As complicated and unfortunate
as Terri Schiavo's plight is, if we are to err, then let us err on the
side of life. To counter recent court rulings, Representative Dave
Weldon of Florida introduced H.R.1151, the Incapacitated Persons Legal
Protection Act. I am pleased to have supported H.R. 1151 which passed
the House on Wednesday, March 16, 2005.

Since Wednesday, there have been several developments to report. The
House Government Reform Committee issued subpoenas on Friday March 18 to
several individuals including Terri Schiavo and her husband. Federal law
protects witnesses called before Congress from anyone who may obstruct
or impede their attendance or testimony. As you are well aware, the
struggle to preserve Terri's fundamental right to life is ongoing and I
will follow it diligently as it progresses. I pledge to always support
legislation that protects and preserves the sanctity of life.

  (I also wish to add here that most states would not allow a relative to
  decide the fate of a loved one WITHOUT instructions IN WRITING from the loved
  one because there have been too many instances where out and out murder would
  take place for greedy and otherwise reprehensible purposes. I want to add
  here the only person with Terri the night she became "mysteriously"
  brain-damaged by,mind you,injuries neurologists have testified were
  "consisent with strangulation and budgeoning" was her six foot three
  husband,Michael Schiavo,whom Terri's best friend TESTIFED Terri was afraid
  of!  Not to mention because Terri has old unexplained bodily injuries
  sustained prior to the mysterious brain-damaging incident,multiple counts of
  abuse and neglect have been leveled against Michael Schiavo by the DCF of
  Florida. Really, it is no surprise as the truth of all this begins to
  surface,so many in Florida who have their hands stained with corruption are
  in such an all-fired hurry to kill and bury the truth Terri Schiavo
  represents!!!)

It is an honor to serve as your United States Representative, and I look
forward to tackling the issues 8th District constituents sent me here to
address. Please know that I have assembled what I believe is the most
responsive and courteous staff in Congress. Your suggestions are always
welcomed and if ever we may be of assistance, please don't hesitate to
call.

Sincerely,
Robin Hayes
Member of Congress

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
    Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
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