[Peace-discuss] Nader on Schiavo

[C. G. Estabrook]

	Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader, Author Wesley Smith call Upon
	Florida Courts, Gov. Bush and Concerned Citizens to Take any Legal
	Action Available to let Schiavo Live

	Contact: Ralph Nader, 202-387-8034; Wesley Smith, 510-886-8609

WASHINGTON, March 24 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader and
Wesley J. Smith, author of the award winning book "Culture of Death: The
Assault on Medical Ethics in America" call upon the Florida Courts,
Governor Jeb Bush and concerned citizens to take any legal action
available to let Terri Schiavo live.

"A profound injustice is being inflicted on Terri Schiavo," Nader and
Smith asserted today. "Worse, this slow death by dehydration is being
imposed upon her under the color of law, in proceedings in which every
benefit of the doubt -- and there are many doubts in this case -- has been
given to her death, rather than her continued life."

Among the many injustices in this case, Nader and Smith point to the
following:

The courts not only are refusing her tube feeding, but have ordered that
no attempts be made to provide her water or food by mouth. Terri swallows
her own saliva. Spoon feeding is not medical treatment. "This outrageous
order proves that the courts are not merely permitting medical treatment
to be withheld, it has ordered her to be made dead," Nader and Smith
assert.

The medical and rehabilitation experts are split on whether Terri is in a
persistent vegetative state or whether Terri can be improved with therapy.
There is only one way to know for sure -- permit the therapy. That is the
only way to resolve all doubts.

The court is imposing process over justice. After the first trial in this
case, much evidence has been produced that should allow for a new trial --
which was the point of the hasty federal legislation. If this were a death
penalty case, this evidence would demand reconsideration. Yet, an innocent
disabled woman is receiving less justice.

The federal and state governments are spending billions on what we are
told will become miracle medical cures for people with all sorts of
degenerative conditions, including brain damage. If this is so, why not
permit Terri's parents and siblings who want to care for her do so in the
hope that such cures are discovered?

Benefits of doubts should be given to life, not hastened death. This case
is rife with doubt. Justice demands that Terri be permitted to live.

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	/© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/