# Let the poor woman die already! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 17, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029 "2005-03-17T19:11:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 35
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/681 "2005-03-25T13:06:17Z")
Just watched the Schindlers’ wacky spiritual advisor Brother Paul O’Donnell advocating anarchy on FOX news; that Governor Super Jeb should bust into Terri’s room and rescue her. The somewhat incredulous commentators asked him twice if he seriously meant that the governor should pit state troopers vs. the county sheriffs at the hospice; he said yes. When the governor has no power to stop this, when the US Congress has no power, then, yes, they oughta go in guns a’blazing to save her life. I yanked down my pants and mooned the TV. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/682 "2005-03-25T13:12:59Z")
The order is to withdraw hydration and nutrition, not basic nursing care. I would imagine the staff and her friends and family are doing whatever they can to make her passing dignified and comfortable, even if she is beyond feeling pain or appreciating comfort. I can’t think of any medical or nursing professionals who would agree with neglecting basic care, especially in someone’s last days or hours. ---
**Author:** ![velveeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/13edae/32.png) [@velveeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velveeta)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/683 "2005-03-25T13:20:12Z")
I have a question that I haven’t seen answered yet. How are the parents paying for all these lawsuits? Are the Schindlers wealthy? How can they even afford to keep this going after 15 years? ---
**Author:** ![Greathouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greathouse/32/2992_2.png) [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/684 "2005-03-25T13:32:37Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > [Man arrested for attempting to steal gun, saying he wanted to “save Terri”](http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-brain-damaged-woman-arrest,0,4268134,print.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines). > > Yikes. Right to life protests certainly bring out the nuts, don’t they? My question is… How fucking stupid do you have to be to try and steal a gun from a gun store with a box cutter? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/685 "2005-03-25T13:36:42Z")
> [@Greathouse](#): > > My question is… > > How fucking stupid do you have to be to try and steal a gun from a gun store with a box cutter? :smack: All my life I’ve heard stupidity described as a man who would show up for a gunfight armed with a knife. I thought the saying was just hyperbole. I guess these old sayings must have a basis in fact after all. Unless, of course, the nutjob was trying to “make a statement.” ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/686 "2005-03-25T13:47:42Z")
> [@velveeta](#): > > I have a question that I haven’t seen answered yet. How are the parents paying for all these lawsuits? Are the Schindlers wealthy? How can they even afford to keep this going after 15 years? From what I gather, all these advocacy groups are paying for them. As for the last rites, what the hell? Couldn’t he have taken a small cloth with a dab of the wine and wiped her lips with it? What the FUCK do they do for other patients on feeding tubes? ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/687 "2005-03-25T13:59:50Z")
> [@velveeta](#): > > I have a question that I haven’t seen answered yet. How are the parents paying for all these lawsuits? Are the Schindlers wealthy? How can they even afford to keep this going after 15 years? A [charity](http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGBKY0BSY4E.html) was set up to help them. My heart goes out to the poor lawyers when Terri Schiavo dies. All those billable hours vanished forever! They will be inconsolable. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/688 "2005-03-25T14:06:29Z")
She will likely still be turned, and, IIRC (my sister worked in an ICU for the VA - lots of end of life issues) they will expect her to die while (or very shortly after) being turned. Stresses the body. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/689 "2005-03-25T14:10:10Z")
[Fascinating USA Today article about the schism between the Schindler’s and Michael](http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-03-24-schiavo-money-cover_x.htm). It may be about the money. Also, at one point, even the Schindlers’ lawyer said, “We do not doubt that she is in a PVS.” ---
**Author:** ![sunfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@sunfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunfish)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/690 "2005-03-25T14:11:05Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > As for the last rites, what the hell? Couldn’t he have taken a small cloth with a dab of the wine and wiped her lips with it? What the FUCK do they do for other patients on feeding tubes? Since last rites (a.k.a. the sacrament of extreme unction) involves [only anointing with oil and the recital of prayers](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05716a.htm), it is sheer stupidity to complain about being unable to administer a wafer or wine. Even as a lapsed Catholic I can remember that much. :rolleyes: I wonder whether worldnewsdaily was actually quoting a priest, or just someone that happened to be standing around at the time. ---
**Author:** ![archmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@archmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archmichael)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/691 "2005-03-25T14:33:23Z")
In **ivylass** ’s article, it states that nearly all of the $700,000 from the 1992 settlement is gone. Is that correct? I would have thought that 24hr care of a PVS patient would be astronomical. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/692 "2005-03-25T14:46:00Z")
I’ve read that the husband has been at her bedside since the tube was pulled, but her parents are visiting all the time too. How the hell do they not kill each other? The tension in the room must be astroniomical. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/693 "2005-03-25T14:53:01Z")
Terry Schiavo is not dead … she’s just pining for the fjords! ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mycroft\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_H)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/694 "2005-03-25T15:03:43Z")
> [@archmichael](#): > > In **ivylass** ’s article, it states that nearly all of the $700,000 from the 1992 settlement is gone. Is that correct? I would have thought that 24hr care of a PVS patient would be astronomical. From an NPR report, I’m led to believe that that Medicare covers a large part of the costs. (Part of the report was an editorial that pointed out two ironies. Much of the cost of Schiavo’s care has been paid for by Medicare and a lawsuit, two areas GW Bush would like to reduce.) ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/695 "2005-03-25T15:04:49Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I’ve read that the husband has been at her bedside since the tube was pulled, but her parents are visiting all the time too. How the hell do they not kill each other? The tension in the room must be astroniomical. They don’t go in at the same time. From what I understand, Michael can come and go as he pleases, while the Schindlers have to sign in. I also understand that her parents are searched (I presume looking for soda crackers or water bottles) although that may just be Randal Terry hyperbole. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/696 "2005-03-25T15:05:55Z")
> [@Mycroft H.](#): > > (Part of the report was an editorial that pointed out two ironies. Much of the cost of Schiavo’s care has been paid for by Medicare and a lawsuit, two areas GW Bush would like to reduce.) Oh, let’s not go there. He wants to decrease the amount of the increase in spending. There will be an increase, just not as much as the Democrats want. Only in Washington is that considered a cut. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/697 "2005-03-25T15:13:46Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > They don’t go in at the same time. From what I understand, Michael can come and go as he pleases, while the Schindlers have to sign in. I also understand that her parents are searched (I presume looking for soda crackers or water bottles) although that may just be Randal Terry hyperbole. I’m still a bit confused though. Say the come visit, does he leave the room? Do they wait until he leaves? I just assumed that since he’ll probably remain at her bedside during this entire ordeal, they’ll have to bump into each other. They must be mortal enemies by now. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/698 "2005-03-25T15:16:25Z")
Schindlers on their way back to Atlanta. From [CNN.com](http://CNN.com) > [@](#): > > Terri Schiavo’s parents have appealed this morning’s federal court ruling against reconnecting their brain-damaged daughter’s feeding tube. Attorneys for Bob and Mary Schindler filed the appeal with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. It’s the second time this week that Schiavo’s parents have taken their case to the Atlanta court. I think it’s well beyond a state of hopefulness for them, but a desire to remain in the spotlight “trying to save the life of their daughter.” Is there a crime against frivolous appeals and wasting the court’s time? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/699 "2005-03-25T15:28:56Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > They don’t go in at the same time. From what I understand, Michael can come and go as he pleases, while the Schindlers have to sign in. I also understand that her parents are searched (I presume looking for soda crackers or water bottles) although that may just be Randal Terry hyperbole. Considering their association with Randall Terry, I wouldn’t blame the hospice for searching them. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/700 "2005-03-25T15:42:39Z")
They’re appealing again. Sigh. When she finally goes, and Randal Terry and his cronies move on to other things, who will be left to help the Schindlers through their delusion and grief? I wonder if Bob and Mary consider Randy is their new best friend. I think they will be highly surprised how fast Terry disappears when the cameras go and there’s no requests from the networks for soundbites. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029.md?page=34) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029.md?page=36)