Tuesday, September 6, 2005

Guardian of the Year

From The Federalist Patriot:

Each year the Florida State Guardianship Association chooses a "Distinguished Guardian of the Year" in recognition of commitment and extraordinary care. Patriot readers will no doubt be shocked -- SHOCKED -- to learn that Michael Schiavo has been selected as this year's recipient. While the association admitted its choice was "controversial," they stressed that "he stuck by [Terri's side]. He didn't walk away." True, he was still there when she finally died at his request, but how does that qualify him for the award? "He was an ordinary guardian who carried out his duties in extraordinary ways," former association president Joan Nelson Hook said. On the contrary, according to Florida Statute 744 for incapacitated wards, his "guardianship" was not law-abiding -- he did not complete the required guardianship training, he limited Terri to a single hospice room for more than five years, did not provide appropriate therapy and did not submit to an annual review of his guardianship report and plan. While Judge Greer would not hear any of these charges, we still believe Schiavo is obviously disqualified for this particular award.

That, my friends, is a classic case of adding insult to injury. Turns my stomach.

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