Terri Schiavo

I've been waiting today to see what the results are of Terri Schiavo's hearing, which is supposed to happen at 2:45pm Eastern Time. Fox News just reported a "Breaking News" headline stating, "Emergency Stay in Schiavo Case Extended 48 Hours" but without a story to explain. CNN has the story, but it doesn't explain much more than Fox's headline.

Back to Fox, and now they have a story that actually tells what's going on. Circuit Judge George Greer said "he needed time to consider more arguments from her parents that she should undergo new medical tests and that her husband should be dismissed as her guardian."

Let's pray Judge Greer actually gives Terri's parents' arguments true consideration. In her WorldNetDaily commentary today, Lisa Fabrizio stated, "In 2001, Judge George Greer, a man who has reported conflicts of interest in this case, ordered Terri's feeding tube disconnected." She doesn't elaborate on exactly what his conflict of interest is in the case, though. But time after time he has refused to hold Michael Schiavo's feet to the fire regarding Michael's duties as Terri's guardian, and instead has kept Michael as her guardian despite Michael's obvious conflicts of interest (living with a long-term girlfriend with whom he as 2 children, Terri's trust fund which Michael and his attorney say is depleted but won't release any financial evidence to that effect).

If you want more information on Terri and the legal battles her family has gone through, you can get more information here.

Meanwhile, groups that promote rights for the disabled are following this case closely. Joni and Friends is keeping updates on their website. The concern is that if the courts order Terri's feeding tube removed, it opens the door for other disabled people to be killed on the basis of hearsay.

Here's the way I understand the case, after following the articles in the online press for a few years: Terri Schiavo did not leave any written instructions on whether she would want to have her life preserved or ended in a case like this. Michael Schiavo never mentioned Terri's wishes until after the court case Terri won which established the trust fund for her lifetime care. After the trust fund was set up, he suddenly remembered that she said one time that she wouldn't want to live this way. That is the only evidence--his word--that she would want to die, and that is what Judge Greer has been using to allow her feeding tube to be removed twice before.

I'm skeptical that in two days Judge Greer will actually allow Terri to stay alive and allow her parents to take over as her guardian. But still I have a measure of hope.