Mar 25 2005
Right Wing Religious Nut Job Nader Weighs In
For all the “it’s just the right wing christian blah blah blah” types, here’s an interesting defense of Terri Schiavo.
From that right wing christian fundamentalist wacko, Ralph Nader:
Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader, Author Wesley Smith call Upon Florida Courts, Gov. Bush and Concerned Citizens to Take any Legal Action Available to let Schiavo Live
3/24/2005 6:48:00 PMTo: National Desk
Contact: Ralph Nader, 202-387-8034; Wesley Smith, 510-886-8609WASHINGTON, March 24 /U.S. Newswire/ — Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader and Wesley J. Smith, author of the award winning book “Culture of Death: The Assault on Medical Ethics in America” call upon the Florida Courts, Governor Jeb Bush and concerned citizens to take any legal action available to let Terri Schiavo live.
“A profound injustice is being inflicted on Terri Schiavo,” Nader and Smith asserted today. “Worse, this slow death by dehydration is being imposed upon her under the color of law, in proceedings in which every benefit of the doubt-and there are many doubts in this case-has been given to her death, rather than her continued life.”
Among the many injustices in this case, Nader and Smith point to the following:
The courts not only are refusing her tube feeding, but have ordered that no attempts be made to provide her water or food by mouth. Terri swallows her own saliva. Spoon feeding is not medical treatment. “This outrageous order proves that the courts are not merely permitting medical treatment to be withheld, it has ordered her to be made dead,” Nader and Smith assert.The medical and rehabilitation experts are split on whether Terri is in a persistent vegetative state or whether Terri can be improved with therapy. There is only one way to know for sure- permit the therapy. That is the only way to resolve all doubts.
The court is imposing process over justice. After the first trial in this case, much evidence has been produced that should allow for a new trial-which was the point of the hasty federal legislation. If this were a death penalty case, this evidence would demand reconsideration. Yet, an innocent disabled woman is receiving less justice.
The federal and state governments are spending billions on what we are told will become miracle medical cures for people with all sorts of degenerative conditions, including brain damage. If this is so, why not permit Terri’s parents and siblings who want to care for her do so in the hope that such cures are discovered?
Benefits of doubts should be given to life, not hastened death. This case is rife with doubt. Justice demands that Terri be permitted to live.
I know… There’s some reason to dismiss what Nader is saying, and I’m sure I’ll hear it in the next eight minutes. I think the most interesting part of this piece is who wrote it. You don’t have to be a right-wing bible-banger to think what’s going on in Florida is wrong.
Via Slobokan
Choose life.
March 25th, 2005 at 6:45 pm
I really have to hand it to Nader, that took a lot of courage to side with Terri’s parents. His kook supporters must be shitting themselves over this.
March 25th, 2005 at 6:56 pm
There is a large swath of Nader supporters that aren’t kooks, they just like a guy like him who is very pro-consumer pro-environment.
Nader’s not the kook people make him out to be, and supporting an issue like this proves he at least is willing to listen to issues that would likely be the prerogative of “the other side.”
March 26th, 2005 at 3:44 am
I’ve always said that if someone is right they are right, no matter what their political leanings are. Nader is right.
March 26th, 2005 at 7:07 am
I don’t think this is a partisan issue. People from all 4 corners of the room have an opinion one way or the other on this. I don’t believe all Democrats are pro abortion, just as I don’t think all Republicans are anti. But this case has created much debate. No one will will in the end. If nothing else, people like you Vinny, should be commended for the awareness level being raised on the issue of Living Wills. Just remember, it is best to have an attorney draw one up. In Michigan, we have a more stict guideline to follow, so I have been assured that mine is legal in MI first and foremost, as well as the other 49 states.
March 26th, 2005 at 7:15 am
Also, give your primary Physican a copy to put in your file. I had just switched to a different Internist 3 weeks ago, and part of the meet and greet was a section on him retaining a copy in my file and signing off that he read and will carry out my wishes. I was happily surprised that he and his collegues were that progressive. I asked why, and he said in todays world, a Physican could be brought in to testify, and this way, it is my words that he can testify to, not what he thought I meant.
March 26th, 2005 at 9:10 am
I really think in the absence of any written proof of what Terri’s wishes would have been in this matter, the courts need to rule on the side of caution. The fact is, no one really knows, in spite of various pronouncements, what she would have wished. The fact that she is a devout Roman Catholic makes me believe that she would not have wanted to be taken off life support. It is against the teachings of the Catholic Church.