Andrew McCarthy has an excellent analysis which puts into perspective the lack of rights being afforded to Terri Schiavo in comparison to convicted murderers and terrorists. (I can’t stress this enough, it is a must read). Sadly we don’t have to restrict ourselves to the human species in comparing the treatment afforded to Schiavo.

Consider this: it is likely that the issue of whether lobsters experience pain has undergone greater scientific/medical scrutiny than Terri Schiavo’s vegetative state. A court has decided to put a woman to death and the most basic of neural analysis, an MRI scan, has not even been performed. What a sad commentary on our society that this comparison has any validity whatsoever. What complete moral bankruptcy that we show such concern over the infinitesimal possibility that a crustacean may have some feelings yet we put a woman to death on the assumption that she has none.

UPDATE:
Do Vegetables Laugh? – One look at this video of Terri Schiavo responding to a loved one with laughter should be evidence enough that she is not a vegetable. Forget all of the affidavits, reports, analysis and opinions and see for yourself. Medicine uses the term “vegetable” quite literally when describing someone as brain dead. While they are technically living, their brain no longer functions, and so they are literally considered to be plantlike. Except that vegetables don’t laugh.

Lots more videos over at Blogsfor Terri.

UPDATE II: Jeff Jarvis did a piece on blogs on the Terri Schiavo issue on MSNBC, which included a brief piece on our blog Musing Minds. The full quote cited by Jeff Jarvis is here. The video clip can be seen at The Political Teen. (Double hat tip to Lorie Byrd at PoliPundit)

UPDATE III: Jeff Jarvis linked to us here.

Terri’s received a repreive for now. Judge Greer is unlocateable, to deal with the subpoenas, so another Judge has “stayed” the order again. Via Fox News.

Dear Lord,

Please let Your will be done for Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Please aid those who would help her and hinder those who would harm her.

Amen

Via Fight4Terri:

THE US SENATE HAS THANKFULLY JUST PASSED THE BILL FOR TERRI.

IT MUST RETURN NOW TO THE US HOUSE TO FIX THE LANGUAGE SO BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE MATCH!

THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS FOR THE MOMENT.

PLEASE PRAY…..PLEASE..THAT THE HOUSE WILL FINISH WITH SUPPORT OF TERRI, A MOST BEAUTIFUL AND VIABLE HUMAN BEING. PLEASE!!!

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

CHERYL

An article by Rev. Robert Johansen at NRO is a must read (hat tip PoliPundit). It is filled with a number of startling revelations. In addition to the apparent evidence of neglect, what I find absolutely astounding is that Terri Schiavo has never received a proper diagnosis, and in particular she has never had an MRI scan. I had bad head aches for awhile and my doctor ordered one. It’s standard. Yet life and death decisions are being made in the absence of such basic diagnostic techniques. Why, you may ask? Because Michael Schiavo has refused to consent to one.

What is the standard of proof required to ends someone’s life? What should it be? In the criminal context it’s “beyond a reasonable doubt”. That standard is based on the premise that it’s better to let ten guilty men go free, than put one innocent man in jail. Yet in this instance, what is “better” than keeping Terri Schiavo alive? What is the weighty factor that sits opposite life on the scale of justice? What is the harm in keeping her alive?

Via Jeanette at Oh How I Love Jesus:

ACTION ITEM NEEDED NOW:
This item is extremely important with how it is handled.
Please call and email Governor Bush with one item only.
Subject Line:
Terri’s tube MUST NOT be removed surgically on Friday. Her feeding tube can be safely capped off while the investigations are underway.

It is invasive and risky to have Terri surgically undergo removal of the feeding tube when the same results can be achieved by placing a cap at the end of the tube. Feeding tube must NOT be surgically removed.
Governor…please take ACTION to stop the surgical removal of Terri’s feeding tube NOW!

Call Jeb NOW!

Gov. Jeb Bush
850-488-4441
850-487-0801 (fax)
jeb.bush@myflorida.com, fl_governor@myflorida.com, jeb@jeb.org,
jeb@myflorida.com

Executive Office of Governor, Legal Team to Jeb

*Ask to speak to the following individuals*

Robert H. Fernandez (Deputy General Counsel to Governor) ->
fernanr@eog.state.fl.us

Raquel A. Rodriguez (General Counsel to Governor) ->
raquel.rodriguez@myflorida.com

Christa Calamas (Assistant General Counsel to Governor) ->
calamac@eog.state.fl.us
850 / 488-3494 (voice)
850 / 488-9810 (fax)

Section: 415:1051— allows DCF through adult protective services to provide protective custody for the victim of alleged abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.

This comes from http:// Fight4terri.blogspot.com This is of utmost importance that as many people as possible contact this office to get some positive action for Terri.

We’re hearing a lot of inflammatory rhetoric from the Democrats on the filibuster issue. With all the talk of abusing the “checks and balances” and one party “seizing power”, when it comes down to it the filibuster is an inherently undemocratic process. Here it is in a nutshell:

The objective: stop a vote from taking place.
The means: endless debate.
The motive: the minority does not want the majority’s will to be enacted.

Doesn’t sound very democratic does it? No wonder the Dems are going on wild tangential rants. It’s in their best interest to keep the debate as far away from the basic facts as possible.

Also check out Hugh Hewitt and Captain Ed, both have good stuff on this issue.

Captain’s Quarters has the story on the 5 month old child in Texas who was euthanized against his mother’s express wishes. Part of their reasoning was that the mother said the baby’s father was “the sun in the sky”. The child had an extreme form of dwarfism that when it is fatal, usually causes the death of the child neo-natally, that is within hours or days of birth. This child was 5 months old, to me that is far past neo-natal. There is another case in the system, where a wife is fighting desperately for her husband’s life. The hospital wants to end support.

related: Culture of Death. (this link has links to other posts here at Musing Minds)

Today is Eat an Animal for PETA day. Last night we had some lovely lamb chops. I sprinkle them with garlic and oregano and olive oil and bake at 350 Fahrenheit until done. Served with green beans.

Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie (Bisquick®)

Get all the great taste of a cheeseburger magically baked in a pie.

1 pound lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Grease 9-inch pie plate. Cook beef and onion until beef is brown; drain. Spread in pie plate; sprinkle with salt and cheese.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients until blended. Pour into pie plate.

3.Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes.
©T.M. of General Mills,Inc

This has not only ground beef, but eggs, cheese and milk! I often add a can of diced tomatoes to the onion/burger mix. I also don’t add the teaspoon of salt. I use an 8″ x 8″ x 2″ glass cake pan and grease it with some olive oil.

Enjoy!

David Limbaugh is calling for prayers for Terri Schindler-Schiavo. I will be praying and I hope you will be too. His article is a must read. (Via Ankle Biting Pundits).

His penultimate paragraph:

I find it haunting that we live in a culture of death where the presumption seems to be against finding that a human being would want to go on living and the burden of proof is on those promoting life.

We have written on Terri here, here, here and here, and the Groningen Protocol and Suffering through Living before.

David Limbaugh’s sentence above really says it all.

Update: Michelle Malkin has more on the Florida Legislature’s efforts.
California Medicine Man has an excellent post on the Groningen Protocol (via Hugh Hewitt)