Why I have come to respect Michael Schiavo...

[carpe diem]

...When i first became aware of this case, I wasn't sure who/what to believe, but, whether you think the feeding tube should have been removed or not, the fact is, he is an average citizen and he has had to come up against some of the same radical, well-financed RW forces that hunted a president of the United States for 8 years and he has never blinked.

He has been fighting his in-laws and their RW allies, going all the way up to some of the highest corridors of power in this country, for almost as long as Clinton was in office (and he does not have the office of the Presidency to provide him with any protection from these thugs)...and like Clinton, because he has done the thing that they hate the most, which is not back down in the face of their intensity, pressure, and never ending assaults, he is to be targeted, maligned, smeared, and demonized for all eternity. All because he DARED to deny them their victory.

Very few people would fail to get at least a little weak in the knees if the Speaker of the House of Representative basically called you a murderer on the floor of the U.S. Congress. But, Mr. Schiavo had the chutzpah to call Tom Delay what he is on national television: a little, slithering snake.

At this point I see him as his wife's protector, yes, I said protector. He is the only thing standing between her and these souless, hypocritical ghouls who wouldn't think twice about propping her up in a wheelchair on fauxnews and having sean hannity "interview" her. Before it's over with, I expect her parents will be hawking video and audio tapes of their helpless daughter on ebay...and re: her parents, I think i can understand her bulimia now. These people will not even allow Terri her death. They cannot spend a moment with her that they don't come before the microphones to report (or make up) every twitch and moan. They have to control and possess even the final moments her life on this earth...no wonder she was binging and vomiting all the time. Michael seems to be the only one trying to allow her whatever dignity and privacy possible in the midst of this circus. I don't think he's a saint and you can question motives on all sides in this, but character does stand out in a crises and I think he's got more than most in this sideshow can claim...

[grannylib]

1. Amen. My husband felt at first that there was no harm in letting her

parents take care of her, what was the big deal? Until I asked him, what would YOU do if you loved me, and if you knew I did not want to 'live' like that??? Would you let ANYONE do to me what her parents are doing to her now??? Or would you be fighting for me, for my wishes to be respected?

He went silent for just a half a second, then said that of course, he would be doing exactly what Michael Schiavo is doing right now.

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Hear hear!!

Amen. He's such a great guy. A woman would be so lucky. Or a man if it was in opposite. I love how he's not giving up and I hate how all these people are so awful to him and have no proof whatsoever of their claims.
He believes so powerfully in what he's doing and he's not letting some little SOB's stop him and butt in. I'm glad he's doing that even if it means they don't "win" this battle. They should learn they can't control everything.
x(

[SW FL Dem]

2. I agree completely

If I were in Terri's position, I would expect my husband to fight for me. Luckily, we have our wishes in writing and my family knows how I feel so a dispute is unlikely.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. I wouldn't have had near the problem with the Schindlers

if they had just gone forward QUIETLY with whatever legal maneuvers they wanted to attempt and then accepted the rule of law like everyone else does who goes to court. This many appeals is preposterous. They should be ashamed of themselves for the spectacle they have made of their daughter who, by all accounts, was a very private person. I agree with you that Michael is a hero. He has my utmost respect.

[hlthe2b]

4. I agree...

I'm amazed at some who basically side with Michael Schiavel, but are still being swayed by the misinformation campaigns to question his sincerity and suspect he abused her or otherwise had some malicious intent...:shrug:

I try to get them to read more authoritative sources (especially the GAL report), but they want to get it from tv/radio and think they can "filter" the BS... Obviously this propaganda campaign even has some effect on lib/progressives-- who should know better.

[Ilsa]

5. I have alot of respect for him as well for fighting for her.

Terri's father is freaking me out, describing her as if she's going to come out of this and start gumming down solid food, talk politics, and maybe plan a Martha Graham dance revival. He seems so unreal, but I know these idiots are chomping down on it and swallowing hook, line, and sinker.

I'm afraid Michael Schiavo will need a name change and relocation after this is all over.

[carpe diem]

9. i was thinking the same thing...

he and his girlfriend and their kids will probably have to enter some witness protection program...

[spooked911]

6. Yes exactly. He's gotta be a strong man to put up with all the crap

that's been thrown at him.

[Erika]

7. Agreed. He did right by his wife's wishes.

The easy way would have been for him to abandon her.

[Tansy_Gold]

8. I'm glad I'm not the only one

I posted something similar in another thread.

I've felt this way from the beginning -- that Michael was standing up to the evil powers with amazing courage. Some of our so-called Democratic leaders ought to take lessons from him.

[marew]

10. Many of us of have had to make similar decisions...

We have to love enough to let them go. Some of the crazies don't even think individuals should have the right to make their own living wills. With a living will and a doctor's recommendation, I had to, with love, let someone go. It would have been unspeakably cruel to do otherwise, and he was still able to communicate. The nut cases out there would have me and thousands and thousands of others who have also faced this challenge labeled as Nazi's who will burn in hell. Please, God, save us from your followers.

[mondo joe]

11. He's a hero. I hope if I was ever in her situation my spouse would

fight on this way for me. And I hope I'd have the stamina to do it if the situation were reversed.

[Nevernose]

12. The hospice actually tried to get a restraining order against him

Because he was such a pain in the ass trying to get quality care for her.

And even though he's moved on, with a new woman and kids of their own, he hasn't forgotten his duty to his wife Terri.

Guy's a hero in my book.

[grannylib]

15. A moving-on that was encouraged by her parents, a fact the 'liberal

media' have largely ignored.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. I agree. The man deserves a lot of credit for sticking by his promise.

He is certainly not the one cashing in on this circus.

[ljm2002]

16. Absolutely agree...

...he could have taken the easy way out, divorced her and bowed out of the situation but he chose not to do that.

Since his comment to DeLay, I have taken to referring to the Congressman as Tom "slithering snake" DeLay. It has a certain ring to it...

Three cheers for Michael Schiavo, it cannot be easy. He is indeed a hero.

[alphafemale]

17. Would that all of us have such a champion on our side.

He has been steadfast in the face of this surreal shitstorm.

He's still slaying dragons for Terri.

[tammywammy]

18. Great post

And I agree.
I think he's out there fighting for her, and he was only giving interviews because he felt so compelled to after Congress acted. You don't see him out there prostituting for the cameras. He isn't selling videos of her for a donation. The only spiteful thing he possibly did was set the sprinklers off Sunday while those people were protesting in front of his house (but then a lot of people water their yards during the afternoon).

For many years he was her regular visitor, more than her parents.

And I doubt he's the one with a book in the works, but I won't be surprised when the parents version of events is release before the end of the year.

He's stood up to these bullies, and I commend him for that.

[Kinkistyle]

19. They are gonna make a movie about Schiavo one day.

I hope someone picks up Schiavo's story and makes it into a movie. I really would like to see a good dramatization from Michael's side, because lord knows I have had more than my fill of "drama" from the Schindlers, Repukes, Fundies and Whore media.

On a side note, recently saw Clint Eastwood's Oscar-winning "Million Dollar Baby" and was very moved.

[mondo joe]

20. There was a movie about a man that was reminiscent of this case-

it was a made for TV movie starring Henry Winkler about a guy whose wife was in a coma and - I don't remember what her health reason would be - he decided she would have an abortion, and had to take on these fundy assholes who tried to get guardianship of the fetus.

Edit to add: ABSOLUTE STRANGERS was the name of it: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101265/

[alphafemale]

21. There was a real life case like that

Fundies tried to force the comatose woman to carry to term even though it was seriously endangering her hope of recovery.

[FreedomAngel82]

24. It'll be a lifetime movie

Wait and see. I give it two years. And don't forget the book!

[daleo]

22. My wife made an interesting point about his fiance or girlfriend.

I know some people have criticized him mercilessly for finding another living partner to share his life with, while he went through this painful experience of effecting his wifes wishes, and letting her die a natural death. Some have even called her a slut and other unkind words. I haven't heard anyone insult their children yet, but I haven't spent time on fundamentalist websites either.

My wife felt quite the opposite - the fact that this woman stood by him all this time as he battled to let the shell of his previous wife go, spoke volumes about him and her. If he was so awful, a manipulator, an abuser, etc. why has she stuck by him? My wife takes that as compelling evidence that he is probably a very good person.

It is not conclusive, but I agree that it is a valid point.

[AngryLizard]

23. He also became a nurse a few years back

So he could take better care of Terri. That pretty much sealed the deal for me. The Los Angeles Times did a really great article on the case last Sunday.

[Ilsa]

25. Excellent point...

I had been thinking about how little I know about her and his new family, and I think that is a good thing. But this woman has stood by him and his first love, helping him make sure he did the right thing for Terri. That must be a compassionate woman. I don't know that I would have been able to handle it.

[Horse with no Name]

32. I also read an article with Michael Schiavo

and he said that his girlfriend sat with Terri frequently and did her laundry.
They have my full admiration.

[Discord]

26. I also believe that Judge Greer deserves our praise

in this matter for the same reasons. He did not buckle under. He stood his ground and defended the laws of this land. For a Christian AND Republican, who was under intense scrutiny, pressure, and demonization at the hands of the RW Crime Machine, he defended the Constitution of the United States with valorous conviction.

It has given me a small ray of hope in the REAL justice system of this country. I may not agree with all the laws they are sworn to protect, but that many are honest, reputable and dedicated to their duties.

I just hope that all the Supreme Court Justices can hold on as long as they can.

[lastliberalintexas]

30. I agree

Judge Greer was even kicked out of his church, for goodness sakes. While I do not agree with him politically, I think he and I would be able to agree about the importance of an independent judiciary.

[Crankie Avalon]

27. He was an ordinary guy who had to face extraordinary circumstances...

...and he had it in him to stand up and prevail. He rescued his wife from dysfunctional parents once before, and now it seems he's done it again. Good for him, and, as much as the situation allows, good for her.

[Animy44]

28. Great post. Totally agree.

But we're in the minority, I think. I hope my husband could withstand the pressure to carry out my last wishes. Very few people in the press have stood up for or been fair to Michael Schiavo. Only 2 I know are Keith Olberman and Ron Reagen Jr.

[Animy44]

29. OOPs, forgot Catherine Crier too

[tammywammy]

31. I saw her last night on Scarbrough

And she was AWESOME. She didn't let Buchannan or Scarbrough jump over her. And I really thought that she did an excellent job explaining the situtation and cutting them off from their lies.

[Horse with no Name]

33. Dan Abrams did a fantastic job

separating the fact from the fiction in this case.
His words were always respectful towards Michael.

[Greylyn58]

34. I have a lot of respect for him also

I think what I respect the most is he hasn't been front and center of a camera pleading his case. He has shied away from the TV and taken care of Terri, making sure her needs were met. Never once has he tried to exploit her. All he cared about was carrying out her wishes.

Randi Rhodes said Michael even became a nurse so he could better understand how to care for her. After her heart attack and the subsequent brain damage that occurred, he could have just walked away and turned her care over to her parents, but he didn't. He stayed with her through everything.

Personally, I hope both sides of this tragic story find some peace and healing now that Terri is gone.