# Terri Schiavo, Now that we have all calmed down **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 25, 2005, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375 "2005-05-25T02:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/181 "2005-06-16T15:53:59Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > No doubt some think Michael slapped the potassium out of her. He’s actually an evil potassium vampire and sucked it our of her with his potassium-sucking proboscis before kicking her down a flight of stairs, then calling the ambulance an hour and a half later… ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/182 "2005-06-16T15:59:44Z")
I just wonder what made the OP think that “we have all calmed down”? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/183 "2005-06-16T15:59:50Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > No doubt some think Michael slapped the potassium out of her. He’s actually an evil potassium vampire and sucked it our of her with his potassium-sucking proboscis before kicking her down a flight of stairs, then calling the ambulance an hour and a half later… ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/184 "2005-06-16T16:11:28Z")
> [@Mockingbird](#): > > How sad that this woman’s death was used as a tool. By a bunch of them. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/185 "2005-06-17T03:07:51Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > I just wonder what made the OP think that “we have all calmed down”? You are right. I was wrong. I regret starting this thread. My (very honest) mistake. Still, I suspect a day will come when we do calm down on this. I think in a couple of years, this will be like the Elean Gonzales\* case. Almost everyone now realizes one side of the issue was right and one side was emotional. \*(Elean? What kind of name is that? Even if it is spelled right. I have never met anyone named Elean in all my years in Latin America. Is it some sort of Cuban thing?) ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/186 "2005-06-17T03:23:19Z")
It’s El **i** an, fwiw ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/187 "2005-06-17T03:48:20Z")
I knew I was wrong, but have had no coffee yet. Still an odd name. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/188 "2005-06-17T16:30:57Z")
Still beating on that dead, formerly persistent vegetative, horse: [http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/17/schiavo.governor.ap/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/17/schiavo.governor.ap/index.html) Apparently Jebby wants a probe into how much time elapsed between Terri’s collapse and Michael’s phoning 911 (apparently the call was at 5:40 but he testified that he found her down between 4:30 and 5:00). You’d think this point would have been put to rest with the other four thousand inquiries into Michael Schiavo… ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/189 "2005-06-17T16:37:34Z")
[The name is unique](http://www.cuba-junky.com/cuba/article-elian.html). > [@](#): > > After seven miscarriages, the child they had longed for was born. They had decided on a unique name for him: Elián, composed of the first three letters of Elizabet and the last two letters of Juan. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/190 "2005-06-17T16:39:08Z")
> [@edwino](#): > > Still beating on that dead, formerly persistent vegetative, horse: > > [http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/17/schiavo.governor.ap/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/17/schiavo.governor.ap/index.html) > > Apparently Jebby wants a probe into how much time elapsed between Terri’s collapse and Michael’s phoning 911 (apparently the call was at 5:40 but he testified that he found her down between 4:30 and 5:00). > > You’d think this point would have been put to rest with the other four thousand inquiries into Michael Schiavo… I was just coming in here to post this. I really think there are too many CSI-like shows on Prime Time. Shows like that should be on after Jeb goes to bed so that he doesn’t need to play detective. Can’t he just leave this to those with the authority and training to investigate? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/191 "2005-06-17T16:39:53Z")
> [@edwino](#): > > Apparently Jebby wants a probe into how much time elapsed between Terri’s collapse and Michael’s phoning 911 (apparently the call was at 5:40 but he testified that he found her down between 4:30 and 5:00). Why now and not fifteen years ago? Does he still think there’s hay to be made in this? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/192 "2005-06-17T17:06:33Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Why now and not fifteen years ago? Does he still think there’s hay to be made in this? The Christian Right is mad that he didn’t “Save Terri” and he’s trying to recover the damage. If he proves they were right about _something_ (Michael being evil), that’ll be some kind of victory. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/193 "2005-06-17T17:37:50Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > There was no new material in the autopsy, except for two items, in my opinion. The statement she was blind, and the statement there was no evidence of an eating disorder. They didn’t address her bone fractures directly, a little disappointed on that point. Also disappointed they had no reason or cause for her being in the condition she was in. All I heard was heart stoppage. Well there was a reason and a cause for what happened. That reason I guess shall remain a mystery for now. > > People have been known to function well on half a brain or less. > [alternativescience.com - This website is for sale! - science,sciences,alternative sciences Resources and Information.](http://www.alternativescience.com/no_brainer.htm) > > I was not close enough for an opinion, but many said her eyes followed the movement of people’s hands. Being around blind people you do notice they don’t move their eyes much. The part of the brain controlling the sight varies, it is not always the exact place. > [UCLA Launches Brain Mapping Project](http://www.aleroy.com/info02.htm). And of course, John Edward talked to Terri and she talked to him, which proves she was fine. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/194 "2005-06-17T17:44:10Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > the statement there was no evidence of an eating disorder. One of the doctors on this board pointed out that evidence of an eating disorder wouldn’t have survived 13 years anyway, so please don’t take this as proof of something. > [@](#): > > People have been known to function well on half a brain or less. Ow… my tongue… can’t… stop… biting… > [@](#): > > I was not close enough for an opinion, but many said her eyes followed the movement of people’s hands. Being around blind people you do notice they don’t move their eyes much. The part of the brain controlling the sight varies, it is not always the exact place. How many blind people with massive brain damage do you normally associate with? Comparing her to an otherwise normal blind person seems pointless. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/195 "2005-06-17T17:50:43Z")
> [@Gfactor](#): > > I was just coming in here to post this. I really think there are too many CSI-like shows on Prime Time. Shows like that should be on after Jeb goes to bed so that he doesn’t need to play detective. Can’t he just leave this to those with the authority and training to investigate? Sure thing. I was on a misdemeaner assault jury in Mohave, CA one time. We were sternly warned to stay the hell out of the place where the assault was supposed to have happened and to not try to play detective and figure things out for ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/196 "2005-06-17T17:54:00Z")
Along the same line I see that Bill Frist is doing his damndest to back out of his snap diagnosis during all of the brouhaha. Don’t the medical societies have some way to publicly chastize a doctor who relies on TV news to criticize the doctors actually on scene? ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/197 "2005-06-17T17:58:35Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > The Christian Right is mad that he didn’t “Save Terri” and he’s trying to recover the damage. If he proves they were right about _something_ (Michael being evil), that’ll be some kind of victory. It is easy to choose death for others when you are young and have a scapegoat (Christians) on which to lay all the blame. Maybe some day when you are old, real old, you will show respect for death and really want to know the truth of the situation. There are million of older Americans who weren’t amused at the ordered death, neither the method nor the circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/198 "2005-06-17T18:16:00Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > It is easy to choose death for others when you are young and have a scapegoat (Christians) on which to lay all the blame. It is easy to force living death on those who do not wish it when you hold your allegiance to your god higher than the rights of others. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/199 "2005-06-17T18:19:34Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > It is easy to choose death for others when you are young and have a scapegoat (Christians) on which to lay all the blame. > > Maybe some day when you are old, real old, you will show respect for death and really want to know the truth of the situation. > > There are million of older Americans who weren’t amused at the ordered death, neither the method nor the circumstances. I’m old and I think the pulling of the feeding tube was about 10 years late, or mabe 12. Actually it seems to me that it is when you are young that the thought of someone dying, especially yourself, is distressing. After awhile you get used to it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/200 "2005-06-17T18:55:44Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > It is easy to choose death for others when you are young and have a scapegoat (Christians) on which to lay all the blame. I’m blaming certain Christians - although it’s not just them - and unscrupulous politicians for the spectacle that surrounded her. Not for her death. Please focus. > [@](#): > > Maybe some day when you are old, real old, you will show respect for death and really want to know the truth of the situation. I intend to maintain a much better grasp on reality than Sen. Frist, the Schindlers, Gov. Bush, and a few other people. > [@](#): > > There are million of older Americans who weren’t amused at the ordered death, neither the method nor the circumstances. I wasn’t amused either. I was disgusted by the way this played out in public, which happened mostly because of the people I mentioned above. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375.md?page=11)