# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/41 "2005-05-27T21:03:45Z")
> [@Mockingbird](#): > > So, under your concept all those executed under Bush during his time as the Governor of Texas were unjust as they probably didn’t agree to such an action before hand. There’s a difference between justice (as it were, I’m sure you don’t agree) and medical judgment. But you already know that. What is this continual insistence on scoring points when they’re unwarranted? I’ve been guilty of that in the past, I’ll admit, but man, the death penalty has bupkis do do with this so why even bring it up? ---
**Author:** ![cppguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@cppguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cppguy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/42 "2005-05-27T21:04:26Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > the idiots who think it was a state sanctioned murder I guess not everyone has calmed down. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/43 "2005-05-27T21:07:37Z")
> [@Paul in Saudi](#): > > Perhaps it is too soon to start a reasonable discussion about this emotional issue, but let’s try. She died in March. She didn’t die in March. She died 15 years ago. Her body stopped working in March. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/44 "2005-05-27T22:08:56Z")
> [@Orual](#): > > “We as a society” should never have been involved in the first place. That, I think, is by far the most disturbing aspect of this case. Amen. It was practically a dial-in reality show by the end. Months later I still see both sides of this case way too clearly. I think Michael was a tool for not relinquishing her care to her family when he had moved on with his life, I think the family simply would not face the fact that Terri was, by best medical evidence, no longer in existence (and that the tube was only prolonging any misery she had). I have a hard time seeing anybody other than the media and the politicians who used her for soundbyte ammo as villains. While I agree with removing the tube, I honestly think **most** of the people who were outraged as she lay physically dying were outraged due to compassion (though I think most had very little understanding of the medical facts of the case). I’m an atheist and as much as I believe in death-with-dignity (even euthanasia under some circumstances) I don’t know that I could have allowed somebody I loved very much to be starved to death. Ultimately I pull a George W. Bush: “I don’t know, I just don’t know”. I reserve from judgment of the people involved on both sides (except for the politicians and media whores, who I hope are eaten by horny dingoes). ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/45 "2005-05-27T22:26:00Z")
> [@Paul in Saudi](#): > > Those poor folks really suffered. All the more because of the people who gathered around them. I think they brought it on themselves, quite frankly, and I have no sympathy for them. They were irrational to begin with, and escalated their delusion to slander on a nation-wide scale. They dealt with the loss of their loved one like spoiled children in denial, and cared not one whit who they hurt or destroyed to accomplish their utterly useless goals. If I were Michael Schiavo, I’d sue them for all they’re worth, but for fear of violent reprisals. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/46 "2005-05-27T23:18:02Z")
I’ve sorta wondered why he hasnt sued… maybe there are not good grounds…maybe he’s a better person than I…I’d be mightily pissed to be treated the way he was by them. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/47 "2005-05-27T23:53:14Z")
I think it’s fairly obvious why. He and some of his relatives were getting death threats. In his shoes, I sure as hell wouldn’t want the ordeal to continue any longer if I knew somebody might try to kill myself or someone in my family. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2005, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/48 "2005-05-27T23:57:18Z")
…er, kill _me_ or someone in my family. ---
**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:** [May 28, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/49 "2005-05-28T01:08:05Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > Before this gets out of hand, I would once again like to register my objection to the means of death. I was hoping that this would open up a rational debate about active euthanasia, but it unfortunately didn’t. > > Nobody deserves do die due to starvation. To me, that’s the bottom line. That’s the main contention of most who were opposed to this insult to humanity. That a judge could order such a horrible death on anyone. If Michael had any feelings left this would not have happened. It will not soon be forgotten. If anyone feels this method of death appropriate I feel sorry for 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:** [May 28, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/50 "2005-05-28T01:46:29Z")
I have already made a basket of documentation for my family assuring them this is way of death is just fine for me. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/51 "2005-05-28T01:55:40Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > That’s the main contention of most who were opposed to this insult to humanity. That a judge could order such a horrible death on anyone. If Michael had any feelings left this would not have happened. It will not soon be forgotten. > > If anyone feels this method of death appropriate I feel sorry for them. Should people be forced to stay on feeding tubes against their will? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/52 "2005-05-28T05:17:53Z")
> [@Ca3799](#): > > I’ve sorta wondered why he hasnt sued… maybe there are not good grounds…maybe he’s a better person than I…I’d be mightily pissed to be treated the way he was by them. Remember that MS was not the person who wanted, nor brought all the publicity surrounding this case. That was all the Schindlers’ doing. Suing them would just be playing into their hands: More media appearances of how the villain in their drama is now unjustly suing the poor parents. The fact that the Schindlers turned every action MS took for privacy into a publicity spectacle speaks volumes. “waah! We weren’t invited to the funeral, just because we can’t go anywhere without a huge entourage of sign-waving morons and media vans…waaah!” Can you imagine what they would do with a lawsuit? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/53 "2005-05-28T13:15:31Z")
I feel sorry for Michael Shiavo. He’ll always be remembered as the guy who abused and killed his wife, all evidence to the contrary. I hope he can go on with his life now that this ordeal is over. The Schindler’s acted horribly, first by dragging the media in and then making unsubstantiated claims against Michael. It’s just like the Baby M case–one side wants to hold to the truth and the law, the other side slings mud to the media in an attempt to win the case. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/54 "2005-05-28T19:17:41Z")
I certainly hope someone will point out to me when judges start murdering people with any physical disabilities en masse. I wouldn’t want to miss that. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/55 "2005-05-28T19:26:06Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > I certainly hope someone will point out to me when judges start murdering people with any physical disabilities en masse. I wouldn’t want to miss that. I had to fight off four Judges of Death from the Immoral Temple of Doom yesterday. Now who’s gonna fix my cane? ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/56 "2005-05-28T19:30:04Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Should people be forced to stay on feeding tubes against their will? With the way the Attorney General has declared war on Oregon’s Physician Assisted Suicide law, I think the answer is YES. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/57 "2005-05-29T03:27:56Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I feel sorry for Michael Shiavo. He’ll always be remembered as the guy who abused and killed his wife, all evidence to the contrary. I hope he can go on with his life now that this ordeal is over. > > The Schindler’s acted horribly, first by dragging the media in and then making unsubstantiated claims against Michael. It’s just like the Baby M case–one side wants to hold to the truth and the law, the other side slings mud to the media in an attempt to win the case. Before criticising the actions of others it may be helpful to walk in their shoes, think about a family member or even yourself being forced to die by such a horrible means, it will give you a different perspective on why people act as they do. We had no proof either way as to his motives or honesty. I hope for his sake his motives were pure. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/58 "2005-05-29T03:48:50Z")
We DID have, proof, **Lekattt** , as every court decided. And there was nothing “horrible” about how Terri died. She could not feel pain. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/59 "2005-05-29T04:26:24Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > Before criticising the actions of others it may be helpful to walk in their shoes, think about a family member or even yourself being forced to die by such a horrible means, it will give you a different perspective on why people act as they do. We had no proof either way as to his motives or honesty. I hope for his sake his motives were pure. Okay, I erased what I had typed here originally, both for board rules and personal morality reasons. I DON’T wish you to go through what Terri Schiavo went through. I don’t wish that on anyone. But I do hope that your persistence in slandering Michael Schiavo to shore up your fuzzy-headed personal cosmology causes a massive karma hit. Dealing with the effects of such a thing may at least keep you from posting massive pieces of refuse such as your posts in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Tinkertoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Tinkertoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinkertoy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375/60 "2005-05-29T07:50:09Z")
> [@lekatt](#): > > Before criticising the actions of others it may be helpful to walk in their shoes, think about a family member or even yourself being forced to die by such a horrible means, it will give you a different perspective on why people act as they do. We had no proof either way as to his motives or honesty. I hope for his sake his motives were pure. I’ve walked in their shoes, I’ve made that decision for my 14 year old daughter, so may I criticize? They were wrong. They should be ashamed of themselves for taking what should have been a private decision and turning it into an attention whoring media circus. I hope their daughter forgives them for their selfish disregard of her dignity. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terri-schiavo-now-that-we-have-all-calmed-down/305375.md?page=4)