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March 29, 2005
Michael Schiavo Guility of Bigamy; The Court Ignores Marriage
Terri Schiavo moves ever so close to death. The only thing we don’t know about this right-to-murder case is the truth. We hear the hyperbolic screeches of Randall Terry and Michael Savage, we cringe at the calculation of Michael Schiavo, who may very well be an evil man, and we almost have to look away from the wishful thinking of Terri’s grieving family.
I believe the President and the Governor—and even the Congress—have done what they can under the law. It has failed. But to expect them to engage in civil disobedience and do for Terri by force what the courts have not down by law is to wish for a breakdown of constitutional rule that would be far worse than the tragic result we are about to endure.
The original and fundamental error made by the Florida court was to ignore the fact that marriage is a civil and spiritual relationship defined by law, by many faiths, and by 4,000 years of human history. There are reasons that it is solemn, sacred, and given rights and responsibilities. Two people in a marriage are expected to have special consideration for each other, their mutual interests are intertwined, and their common experiences are expected to create a future desire to provide and protect each other.
The marriage between Michael and Terri Schiavo has been over for some time. Perhaps not when Michael began seeing other women, but certainly when he established a common law marriage with another woman and started a family.
I should make it clear that I do not blame Michael Schiavo for moving forward with his life and settling down with another woman. That is understandable.
In most cases, there is no reason to formally divorce a spouse in this condition. But how could a judge grant the hangman’s power to a man who has in body and in spirit gone through a de facto divorce?
In Utah, by the way, Michael Schiavo would be charged with bigamy. And in Florida, he could be charged with Openly Living in Adultery. (h/t): A Soft Answer.
When the Florida court ignored the responsibilities of marriage, it seems now, Terri’s fate was sealed.
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From Release the Hounds:
Here is something that troubles me deeply about the Terri Schiavo situation. I have heard more than once from the proponents of simply killing her...pardon, letting her die...that withholding food and water would not result in a painful death but rather would allow her to peacefully "slip away.'Why then is she being administered morphine when nurses noticed Terri Schiavo was "moaning and grimacing"?
Posted by Jim at March 29, 2005 03:12 PM
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Comments
I feel so sad for Terri's parents and siblings. I feel nothing but pity for Michael, who will get final justice from God in the afterlife for what he's done to Terri and all of her family. God will be Michael's final judge, and at that point, I know he will get what he deserves for this cruel, hateful treatment of this woman. He is a purely evil, souless individual.
Posted by: Amy at March 29, 2005 04:36 PM
"Guilty of Bigamy" presents a very valid point. How ironic that the media portray Michael Schiavo as a loyal husband. He is husband according to the law - law that gives him the power of life or death over Terri. Had he remained faithful to Terri all these years he would have some moral authority. However he has not been faithful. He found another woman who has given him children. Why should we believe his word that Terri would want to die? Michael Schiavo has no moral authority whatsover.
Terri was allowed to receive consecrated wine on Easter Day. For that blessing the Schiavo family can be thankful. My heart goes out to them.
We can hope and pray that some day Michael will let some compassion into his heart. If in his own twisted way he feels compassion for Terri, he would seem to feel none for her parents and siblings.
Posted by: Christopher Anderson at March 29, 2005 05:20 PM
It's the height of idiocy to suggest, as the LA Times article of a week or so ago did, that starvation is pleasant, euphoric, and nature's way of providing mammals with a decent way to die.
Animals caught in traps have been known to chew off their own feet in order to get away, rather than die the "pleasant, euphoric, peaceful" death that awaits them if they stay caught!
Posted by: Dale at March 29, 2005 07:17 PM
All of you so obsessed with one American's hospice transition should have a good look at the suffering caused by the War in Iraq, courtesy of George W. Bush.
There are over 1500 dead soldiers, 30,000 injured on the U.S. side, 100,000 dead and who knows how many injured on the Iraqi side.
Posted by: Collin Baber at March 29, 2005 11:26 PM
"Hospice transition?" Congratulations, that's the best euphemism I've heard to date for murder by starvation.
Posted by: Jim Jewell at March 30, 2005 09:12 AM
If you starved your dog to death you would be arrested and taken to jail. Starvation is not a painless death. They are giving her morphine to ease the pain.
Posted by: josephine thompson at March 30, 2005 02:45 PM
If you starved your dog to death you would be arrested and taken to jail. Starvation is not a painless death. They are giving her morphine to ease the pain.
Posted by: josephine thompson at March 30, 2005 02:46 PM
If you starved your dog to death you would be arrested and taken to jail. Starvation is not a painless death. They are giving her morphine to ease the pain.
Posted by: josephine thompson at March 30, 2005 02:46 PM
If you starved your dog to death you would be arrested and taken to jail. Starvation is not a painless death. They are giving her morphine to ease the pain.
Posted by: josephine thompson at March 30, 2005 02:47 PM
I agree that starvation is not the answer but keeping a shell of a person alive when there is no hope for survival for our own satisfaction is a great tragedy as well! It is in Gods hands now and no one has the right answer.I am sadden for all concerned.
Posted by: Donna Saunders at March 30, 2005 08:39 PM