Misinformation abounds in the Terri Schiavo case

Misinformation abounds in the Terri Schiavo case
EDITOR:
I wanted to reply to two letters to the editor in the March 24 edition about Terri Schiavo. It is truly a shame what this private matter for Terri Schiavo's family has come to. There is a lot of good information as well as bad information circulating on this case. I would like to point out a few things.
Did you know that there were other people besides her husband who said that she never would have wanted this? Did you know her husband was not the one to make this decision? (It was a unbiased party who was appointed by the court.) Did you know that the allegations that her husband abused her were investigated and were unfounded?
While my heart goes out to Terri's parents, there is no doubt in my mind this woman would not have wanted to live this way. They need to let her go and mourn her life, not cling on to her because of how she used to be.
Her husband's courage and wanting to do what his wife would want is why he has not walked away. He is trying to honor her last wish.
Terri's family and husband are in my thoughts and prayers during what may be her final days. May they let this woman go to rest in peace. Once they are able to grieve, may the healing process begin for the family. Hopefully they will be able to finally realize that this was in her best interest and what she wanted.
MARY McCARTHY
Boardman
Terri Schiavo isn't brain dead
EDITOR:
After reading several articles in The Vindicator regarding Terri Schiavo, I am compelled to respond. On Feb. 6, Father Frank Pavone visited with Terri and reported she was "wide awake, alert, aware and responsive." In light of this, it does not appear that Terri is brain dead at all, but rather that her life has become an inconvenience for her loving husband. I cannot understand why, after so many years, Michael is so eager to see her dead. Have not Terri's parents offered to assume her care and relieve him of that burden? That would set her husband free to live a new life with his new family and Terri could go on with hers. Why kill her?
And what about our judges? What laws in this country give them the right to sentence someone to die of thirst or by starvation? There are none. If a dog is denied food and water, that constitutes abuse. Is not Terri's life worth more? After all, she is made in the image of God himself.
There is also the issue of living wills. Since when have food and water become extraordinary means for living? Does signing a living will mean a person agrees to be starved to death? (Note that Terri never signed a living will and there are no documents to back up her husband's claims regarding her wishes.) What has Terri Schiavo done to deserve the death penalty? Is this the fate of anyone who can't move or speak?
Wake up, oh common man. This is premeditated murder of a human being, condoned by the courts. Let there be a public outcry from one end of this nation to the other.
NANETTE BALL
Hubbard
Is Bush policy a success?
EDITOR:
Beware, America. The Republican Party boasts of President Bush's tenacity to have a free election in Iraq. They call this an enormous success. We Americans must judge this success. America invaded Iraq. Weapons of mass destruction were not found. President Bush was wrong. He was also wrong when he declared "mission accomplished." President Bush was wrong again when he did not heed the advice of the United Nations. He was convinced that he was right.
Republicans talk about jobs. President Bush will soon be flying in a foreign-built helicopter. Meanwhile, American workers are being retrained at taxpayers' expense, hoping to find new jobs.
JOSEPH KUN Sr.
Youngstown