If only Terri Schiavo were a cow

Cabot Vermont is some 1500 miles from Clearwater Florida. 

Philosophically, it's even further:

A Cabot farmer convicted of starving his cows to death has begun serving a reparative sentence imposed by Washington County prosecutors as part of a plea bargain.

Christian DeNeergaard pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in January. He received a suspended one-year sentence as well as 30 days of work crew assignment as part of a deal with prosecutors. DeNeergaard, 47, may not own or possess livestock during his year of probation and must also undergo alcohol-abuse counseling.

In October, then-Washington County State's Attorney Tom Kelly said he would seek at least some jail time for animal neglect, which claimed the lives of at least 11 cows.

"We think some jail time is appropriate," said Kelly in an October interview. "The cows suffered tremendously."

But Brooks McArthur, the Washington County Deputy State's Attorney who prosecuted the case, said weaknesses in the case forced the state into a less punitive resolution.

Welcome to America, where you can starve your wife to death and the courts will support you but you better feed your cows.

Christ have mercy.

Kudos to Nick who sent me this via e-mail.

Comments

[True_Liberal]

But of course it's hardly the same, is it? If a cow is unable to swallow, is the farmer obliged to insert a feeding tube to keep the distressed animal alive? I think not. If there is law to the contrary, please bring it forth.

The farmer was convicted of not making nourishment available to otherwise healthy animals dependent on him for sustenance.

Not at all the same as the present headlines. What is the state of mind of someone who tries to equate the two?

[Rick]

True Liberal,

My state of mind on the one hand is clear. I have no qualms about making the comparison. Whether Terri can swallow or not is a subject of dispute... and given that infomration alone, it makes your point moot.

My state of mind on the other hand is absolute and unequivocal anger that someone like yourself can't see the parallels and has the audacity to then question my motives. Hope your spouse is reading TL.

[Marlene]

Your last sentence just begs the question, "What is in the state of mind of someone who has been quoted as saying, 'Terri died 15 years ago.'" By Michael's own admission to his "state of mind," he is a widower, not a husband.

If we follow the "state-of-mind" form of logic that's been employed in this case regarding Terri's HEARSAY state of mind, aren't we compelled to follow the same line of thinking when it comes to Michael and his SELF-ADMITTED state of mind?

This isn't the same case today that it was 15 years ago. Facts have changed. Michael's "state of mind" has changed. He reportedly once truly WAS a loving husband who had Terri's best interests at heart and tried to rehabilitate her. That all changed very quickly, and it changed a long time ago, leading to a steady deterioration resulting in her current condition.

If Michael asserts that she "died" 15 years ago, then that, too, was the date of death of his relationship to her, and the next-of-kin status should revert back to her parents, as it would be if they had been divorced.

[she's human]

The judge was wrong to disallow Terri to be fed by mouth once the tube was removed. Because he did that, he cut off any opportunity for her to prove she wants to live or that there is more to her than Michael and his group of euthanasia lovers want us to believe.

It is cruel and inhumane and murderous and Terri deserves better than that. Her life is much more valuable than a cow.

[Jackie]

I guess we'll never know if Terri can swallow,as Greer has a "body guard" posted outside of T.S.'s room to ensure that her body is starved to death. Her parents are frisked to make sure they don't try to give her water. Hey genious, who tries to be clever with the feeding-tube-in-a-cow image. How about a judge forbidding you to offer your cow a drink. It ISN'T a moot point as to whether she can swallow or not, SHE CAN'T because a judge supported the decision not to let her try. Welcome to America, Euthanasia, I hope you devour the people who so willingly and so foolishly welcomed you in.