Tenebrous Days in Florida
San Diego businessman Robert Herring offered Michael Schiavo $1 million to relinquish his authority in the case of his wife, Terri Schiavo, who has been on a feeding tube for over a decade. Schiavo states that his wife did not want to be kept alive artificially, and is fighting to have her feeding tube removed. Schiavo refused Herring's offer, his attorney calling it “offensive.”
On whichever side of this issue you fall, can’t we at least agree that a total stranger has no business inserting himself into someone else’s highly personal affairs?
While one could argue that the media attention itself is an imposition, it’s the terminal human drama that is so gripping about the story. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: no one can imagine going through this experience. Those who have gone through it don’t have to imagine it, and never did before it happened. This is difficult enough for all involved without the interference of a disinterested party, whether a private citizen or the Governor of Florida.
The businessman who made this offer (there have been others) says that he believes medicine is on the verge of breakthroughs that “could have a positive impact on Terri’s condition.” While that very well may be his motive, the more likely case is that he is passionately spiritual, and felt moved to make this overture. And while his dedication to his faith may have moved this man to action, which is an admirable, in this case he made a painful mistake.
Herring truly may not realize the impact of his actions on Michael Schiavo, who has been demonized by those who oppose him. Yet another request to delay the court order to remove Ms. Schiavo’s feeding tube was denied today. This one, like many others, was based on allegations of neglect against her husband, all of which have been dismissed as groundless. The Schindlers, Terri Schiavo’s parents, have said that Michael Schiavo’s rejection of the offer shows that he does not have her best interests at heart. But if he had accepted the money, they could have just as easily said that it showed his true motives. Again, the entire situation is tragic. But Schiavo’s position is just as valid as the Schindlers’, but since it isn’t popular politically, he can be tarred with accusations and his character called into question, with little compassion shown for his predicament.
The concept that Schiavo could be insulted and pained by this offer was foreign to Robert Herring. Schiavo is so frequently characterized as greedy, selfish, and conniving, that he has been de-humanized to a certain percentage of the public. The great irony is that Mr. Schiavo is as passionate about his faith in his wife’s wishes as Mr. Herring may be about his faith. They may have a lot in common.
On whichever side of this issue you fall, can’t we at least agree that a total stranger has no business inserting himself into someone else’s highly personal affairs?
While one could argue that the media attention itself is an imposition, it’s the terminal human drama that is so gripping about the story. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: no one can imagine going through this experience. Those who have gone through it don’t have to imagine it, and never did before it happened. This is difficult enough for all involved without the interference of a disinterested party, whether a private citizen or the Governor of Florida.
The businessman who made this offer (there have been others) says that he believes medicine is on the verge of breakthroughs that “could have a positive impact on Terri’s condition.” While that very well may be his motive, the more likely case is that he is passionately spiritual, and felt moved to make this overture. And while his dedication to his faith may have moved this man to action, which is an admirable, in this case he made a painful mistake.
Herring truly may not realize the impact of his actions on Michael Schiavo, who has been demonized by those who oppose him. Yet another request to delay the court order to remove Ms. Schiavo’s feeding tube was denied today. This one, like many others, was based on allegations of neglect against her husband, all of which have been dismissed as groundless. The Schindlers, Terri Schiavo’s parents, have said that Michael Schiavo’s rejection of the offer shows that he does not have her best interests at heart. But if he had accepted the money, they could have just as easily said that it showed his true motives. Again, the entire situation is tragic. But Schiavo’s position is just as valid as the Schindlers’, but since it isn’t popular politically, he can be tarred with accusations and his character called into question, with little compassion shown for his predicament.
The concept that Schiavo could be insulted and pained by this offer was foreign to Robert Herring. Schiavo is so frequently characterized as greedy, selfish, and conniving, that he has been de-humanized to a certain percentage of the public. The great irony is that Mr. Schiavo is as passionate about his faith in his wife’s wishes as Mr. Herring may be about his faith. They may have a lot in common.
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