Where is NOW on the whole Schiavo thing?

[AutumnMist]

One would think they would have something to say on it all. A woman whose fate is being determined by men (her husband who wants her to die and other men who want her to live) seems like a prime candidate for NOW to get involved.

I have been to their website, emailed them, and still nothing on the whole issue. I can think for myself of course :) but am interested on how different groups are engaging this issue (not the only issue I am interested in of course, but certainly one I am tracking and commenting on).

It just seems to me that this whole thing has become a 'man' driven issue (the only woman involved seems to be her mother and perhaps to some Michael's other woman). From Bush to Michael they all want to decide the fate of this woman and her body - without (some would say) serious proof of her wishes (so the courts have decided to side with her husband, her man, and to let her starve to death which seems to be what she has wanted according to him).


Maybe I missed their involvement, but to me this is an issue they should have something to say on - and I have never known them to shy away from current issues. Why would they now?

[Discord]

1. So what exactly are you suggesting is a better or

more fair alternative?

[AutumnMist]

7. Just finding it odd

That in this situation where a woman's body is being fought over by men such as bush they have not said a peep that I can find. I have read their site over the years and they have kept up with press releases on current issues and kept the fires burning for women's rights. But now they just seem to have ignored a big issue of the day - and I think that is to the detriment of women's rights (and the right's they exercise over their bodies)

[Discord]

9. whats womans rights are being violated?

or would you have her to be used as a "symbolic" political football too?


This is about law, and right to die.

Nothing more.

[Petrushka]

18. "This is about law, and right to die." ? ? ?

Hm-m. IMO, it's about the right to not be kept alive by artificial means--and "Nothing more," as you say.

[Discord]

21. six of one half dozen of another.

its the same thing. and because its a guardianship and the law decides who is best to represent Terri's wishes.

[mondo joe]

10. But there are no gender issues here - law is precisely the same for men or

women.

[AutumnMist]

25. Please See The Last Post

My husband posted this thread thinking he was signed in under his name. I'm sorry...I don't agree with his views on this. Once again I apologize. We have multiple computers and he will just vent with my screen name attached at times. His screen name is the "The Straight Story" Please blast him accordingly. ;)

[SW FL Dem]

2. This NOW member supports Michael,

Michael is the only one that is standing up for Terri.

[Frances]

3. Why should NOW get involved?

Terri's situation is a tragedy like that faced every day in this country. Medical technology forces family members to make these decisions. In this case the family didn't agree. They went to court-over and over and over. Every court decided that Terri would not want the feeding tube.

This isn't a man versus woman issue.

[AutumnMist]

4. Not so much get involved

as to take a stand/side on it. This is a current event/issue it just seems odd that they have not had anything at all to add to the discussion.

[Frances]

11. I think it's the kind of decision that families make every day

in this country. It's a personal decision.

Tom DeLay's family let Tom DeLay's father die rather than be put on a ventilator. Terri's father let his mother die rather than be put on dialysis.

My husband and I have given each other power of health attorney. I have to trust him and he has to trust me that we will do for each other what Michael is doing for Terri. If either of us is in a persistent vegetative state, we do not want feeding tubes. That's a personal decision.

[mondo joe]

5. Her fate is not being determined by men. The court was asked to determine

HER wishes, and the findings are legally sound. Her fate is being determined by law, not men.

Furthermore, her husband is HER chosen guardian in the event of her incapacitation.

Lastly, NOW tends to support freedom of choice, and since this was Terri's CHOICE...

[Texasgal]

28. AMEN! Mondo J!

You couldn't have said it better!

[Lindacooks]

6. Because this isn't a woman vs. man issue, or an issue of

female equality. It's an issue of privacy, the right to die, separation of powers, and following the law.

[LincolnMcGrath]

8. Where have I heard this one before?

RWTP

[democracyindanger]

13. I remember seeing

a sign asking the same thing. Hmm.

[Bluebear]

30. Oh don't tell me the protestors are invoking NOW on their signs

I am seeing it all.

[Jersey Devil]

12. This is a rehash of a recent string at freeperland

attacking NOW for supposedly ducking the issue.

So except for the fact that Terri is a woman and her husband is a man, gasp, how odd, just exactly how is this a women's rights issue?

[girl gone mad]

14. Yep. Same argument they made during Monicagate.

NOW was somehow shirking their feminist responsibilities by not asserting outrage over a consensual affair.

[hholli1]

15. I am a card carrying Member of NOW and I can tell you...

this is not a woman's issue. This is a PEOPLE issue.

You answered your own question...there are men who want to prolong her suffering and those who want to see her die peacefully. (see how I played with semantics? Now see if you are trying to do the same...just reread your own post)

Just because the person in the hospice happens to be a woman does necessarily a women's issue make.

[NV Whino]

16. It is neither NOW's business, nor yours, nor mine

nor the Federal Government's business. Nor, for that matter, Jeb Bush's business. There is no reason for NOW to take a stand.

[Pithlet]

17. I agree.

100%

[ChiciB1]

19. I Was Ticked That Our Democrats Weren't More Vocal And

didn't take a stronger stand, but now I think it might just have been the correct thing to do. Some people are beginning to see just how whacko these people are. There are a lot of Repukes staying far away from this.

If it wasn't about Terri dying, you couldn't have wished for a better comedy! Ever picture they show of those people out there carrying on only looks more and more weird. Some are actually afraid of THEM!! The police are having a hard time keeping them under control as it is. The longer this goes on, the more ridiculous they look. It's almost Las Vegas now!!!

[BlackVelvetElvis]

20. This is a talking point.

Not biting.

[Bluebear]

29. How did I miss your screen name?

It's perfection!

[Old and In the Way]

22. Does anyone know what position the Daughters of the American Revolution

have taken? How about AAA? Or AA?

[AutumnMist]

23. For All That Posted...Please Read

my husband....not me...posted this thread. I don't agree with it and it wasn't me who started these threads. Please post your comments to his screen name "The Straight Story". He and I have already had a discussion about him posting under my name...mistake or not. I am sorry for the rudeness people. really.

[Bridget Burke]

24. Tell him that Right Wing talking point was already tried here.

It sank without a trace the first time, too.

Sincere sympathy.....

[chopper]

26. uh...

why the hell would NOW be pissed that a woman's wishes are being fulfilled??

[AutumnMist]

27. Who Knows

Send him an email. He and I had a heated discussion this morning. Send it to "The Straight Story". Thats his screen name. I want nothing to do with this thread in terms of what and how he posted. Thanks.

[Auntie Bush]

31. "Maybe I missed their involvement, " Maybe you missed reading

all the medical and judicial reports. Get reading...you have lots to learn.