Have you seen this about Terri Schiavo's parents?

[spooked911]

They are sick people.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/22/194615/400

The Testimony provided by members of the Schindler family included very personal statements about their desire and intention to ensure that Theresa remain alive. Throughout the course of the litigation, deposition and trial testimony by members of the Schindler family voiced the disturbing belief that they would keep Theresa alive at any and all costs. Nearly gruesome examples were given, eliciting agreement by family members that in the event Theresa should contract diabetes and subsequent gangrene in each of her limbs, they would agree to amputate each limb, and would then, were she to be diagnosed with heart disease, perform open heart surgery. There was additional, difficult testimony that appeared to establish that despite the sad and undesirable condition of Theresa, the parents still derived joy from having her alive, even if Theresa might not be at all aware of her environment given the persistent vegetative state. Within the testimony, as part of the hypotheticals presented, Schindler family members stated that even if Theresa had told them of her intention to have artificial nutrition withdrawn, they would not do it. Throughout this painful and difficult trial, the family acknowledged that Theresa was in a diagnosed persistent vegetative state.

[ohio_liberal]

1. Oh yes

It's been discussed here many, many times.

[spooked911]

3. Sorry, didn't know!

[ohio_liberal]

10. S'Alright

Some things bear repeating. We've certainly watched the newsevangelists demonize Michael Schiavo day after day.

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

2. there was an old cruel joke from my childhood

that I keep thinking of every time I've read this.

The punchline is:

That's okay, Mrs. Jones, we just wanna use him for third base.

[spooked911]

6. I remember that one. There were a whole bunch of sick jokes

on that theme. Uggh.

[tubbacheez]

7. I recall a similar dark humored joke.

It's punchline was: "So the moral of the story is: Quit while you're a head."

[Emillereid]

4. This family needs some serious psychological therapy.

They need to admit her death and grieve and go on with their lives.What a tragedy that the repukes got involved in this case for political gain.

[Old and In the Way]

12. That's the problem......it is their life now.

I suspect that 15 years of Terri 24/7 has reconditioned them into a family that requires Terri's presence to sustain their psychological well being. Taking Terri away is going to create some wierd family breakdowns, I think.

To think the family would turn their daughter's body into some "Johnny Got His Gun" caricature is simply sad. They really need some counselling.

[TahitiNut]

13. Pathological codependency often claims children as victims.

All the indicators are there. It's reported that Terri was overweight as a child. This often comes from having to 'stuff' one's own feelings in a family where the child's feelings don't count. It's reported that she resorted to bulemia. This is about control - taking control from domineering parents who insist "you'll eat what I tell you to eat" but even more abou purging those 'stuffed' feelings. It's reported that, away from her family, Terri expressed her own preferences - almost all of which demonstrated autonomy from her family. Small apartment - no room for her parents to stay. A vocation totally sepearate from anything her family was involved in. A favorite car (a T-roof Trans-Am) that was anything but a 'family car' and more like a 'getaway car.' Etc.

As a potted plant, Terri became the "perfect child" for her parents: one who's totally incapapble of 'disappointing' them.

Welcome to the Bates Motel.

[Old and In the Way]

19. Interesting background.....provides some insight into the family dynamics.

Such a personal family thing that should never have been elevated to the level of a national political football game.....

[classof56]

5. Sick and very, very troubled.

This is beyond comprehension and understanding on any logical, reasonable level. I am simply at a loss for words. May their God forgive them, and may their poor daughter soon rest in peace.

Tired Old Cynic

[BloodPrssre]

8. Alot of stuff like this

is in Jay Wolfson's report. He was Terri'a Guardian at law appointed by Jeb Bush

[BrklynLiberal]

9. And that is when her husband decided it was time to let her die in peace.

[never_get_over_it]

17. Michael's brother

said on a show last night in response to why Michael just doesn't divorce her that he made a promise and that he is afraid of her family because they made statements like these....Michael just wants her to pass in peace - yep he is the devil!

[BlueEyedSon]

11. It's logical, they think she's "in there"

[TahitiNut]

15. They believe what they WANT to believe.

Their beliefs are the product of their desires and covetousness. They clearly do not form their beliefs based on empiricism, science, or the opinions of others. They select others whose beliefs conform. When their wants and desires are neurotic or psychotic, their beliefs form a shell - a barricade 'defending' their own neuroses and psychoses. Virtually any mental health professional will tell you it's those 'beliefs' that pose the greatest obstacle to therapy.

[BlueEyedSon]

16. No argument from me on that, but they are consistent.

[AnnInLa]

14. a question about the protesters then

"Within the testimony, as part of the hypotheticals presented, Schindler family members stated that even if Theresa had told them of her intention to have artificial nutrition withdrawn, they would not do it. Throughout this painful and difficult trial, the family acknowledged that Theresa was in a diagnosed persistent vegetative state."

Do the protesters at the hospice, and the TV hogs like Randall Terry believe it is OK to withdraw life support IF there is a living will stating no life supports at all? So living wills do not count with these people?

Although the report on Kos has been reported here several times, I have not heard those last 2 sentences above reported on TV reports. I think the Schindlers would lose some of their more moderate support if this was known. When all the news shows ask the public to email in on these various Terri questions, we should all send this info.

[ChiciB1]

18. Last Night On Count-Down Keith Had Michael Schiavo's

brother Brian on and he said that there was a time when Mr. Schindler, he and his brother were at a local "watering hole" and when Michael got up to use the "facilities", Mr Schindler turned to him and said "I wish he would go out and get himself L--d"!

He also said that they all agreed that Terri was PVS at one time and they got along quite well. He said Michael has been mortified by what has been happening and simply doesn't want to give interviews because of the exploitation. No matter WHAT Michael would say would be twisted and turned like a pretzel!

He further stated that the hospital staff actually were quite put out with Michael because of his persistent demands on them for extra care for Terri.

America Media has gone CRAZY, always hyping and looking for the story for RATINGS! I don't watch much of anything anymore, only C-Span. And of course, I'm at my PC far too much.... here at DU and other sites. My mail stays full with daily updates from quite a few other publications. Unfortunately, far too many people want the "quick fix" and MIS-information!!!

[OrlandoGator]

20. Let's also not forget that Terri's upbringing likely drove her to bulimia.

Which is what got us all here.

[spooked911]

21. Good point. Oy, what a mess.