Why do certain news stories get major coverage?

[pbm]

I am usually a 'states rights' type of guy who
would rather the federal goverment stay out of
states issues (a strict constructionist as I believe the founding fathers intended). However the Schiavo case is interesting because her (ex)
husband is so intent on her dying. I have heard interviews with (2) nurses who cared for Terri and both stated that she would be noticeably upset after he visited her.(he would close the door so they didn't know what was happening but one nurse thought that he may have injected her with insulin in an effort to speed up her death(kill her).) On the other hand the nurses stated that Terri was very relaxed when her parents/siblings were around and that on several occasions she said 'mommy'. WHY ARE THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA NOT REPORTING THIS AND WHY DOES HER EX-HUSBAND SO INTENT ON HER DYING especially since he is now with another woman and has 2 children. Is there insurance money involved?
Something is very fishy here!
PS. If Terri Schiavo was a mass-murderer on death row liberals would be screaming to save her life.
The liberal adgenda is morally bankrupt.

 

[andrews]

PBM,
Although I agree with what you've said, this thread will most likely get shut down because of political comments like the word "liberal". I know, the nation is divided among liberals and conservatives, but this board doesn't want to deal with it. It's a shame sometimes though; politics, in one form or another, is what this country is all about.

 

[keith]

quote:

---

Originally posted by pbm:
I am usually a 'states rights' type of guy who would rather the federal goverment stay out of
states issues (a strict constructionist as I believe the founding fathers intended). However the Schiavo case is interesting because her (ex)
husband is so intent on her dying.

---

The 'husband' (in name only at this stage of events) has refused an MRI or PET scan on Terri. Any neurologist will tell you that the one definitive test for determining brain health is the MRI or PET. In the mangled words of the incompetent boob Dr. Henry Lee - "something wrong here". I beleive that is the reason why this case has hit the national news. Reasonable people are not so much bothered by the death of a (perhaps) vegetative person, but the custody granted to an unfaithful husband with dubious motives.

Intemperate thought of the day - if starvation is as peaceful an end as some would insist, let's start using it as an interrogation tool at Guantanamo.

 

[Al]

quote:

---

Originally posted by keith:
Any neurologist will tell you that the one definitive test for determining brain health is the MRI or PET.

---

Well since you have shut this thread down..

Do some research Keith..Multiple Neurologists from University Teaching schools indicated that these tests would not be indicated. The only one "which might was the hack that Jeb Bush brought in off of the street.

"But Ronald Cranford of the University of Minnesota, a neurologist who was among those who made a previous diagnosis of Schiavo, said "there isn't a reputable, credible neurologist in the world who won't find her in a vegetative state."

and

"An MRI was never recommended because, in this case and other patients in a permanent vegetative state, the CT scans were more than adequate to demonstrate the extremely severe atrophy of the cerebral hemispheres, and an MRI would add nothing of significance to what we see on the CT scans. Plus the MRI is contraindicated because of the intrathalamic stimulators implanted in Terri's brain. A PET scan was never done in this case because it was never needed. The classic clinical signs on examination, the CT scans, and the flat EEG's were more than adequate to diagnose PVS to the highest degree of medical certainty, along with the credible testimony of the three neurologists at the longest evidentiary hearing in American law, whose opinions were strongly affirmed by the trial court judge and three appeal court judges."

http://pekinprattles.blogspot.com/2005/03/schiavo-dr-cranford-offers-reply.html

 

[pbm]

One thing that I left out in my earlier post is that one of the nurses stated that her (ex) husband Michael said "Is that ***** dead yet." That doesn't sound like someone who has her best interests at heart. I would rather that her parents wishes be honored since they obviously do love her. Michael Schiavo seems to be a low-life and that's probly why the libs side with him.

 

[srivett]

What really bugs me is that in Canada the two national TV news stations have the same stories every night! I'm surprised they don't have one half of their vans painted CBC while the other side says CTV.

They are staggered by one hour each night and it's totally useless to do so because the second broadcast has nothing new to offer.

Steve

 

[Tree Hugger]

quote:

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Originally posted by pbm:
One thing that I left out in my earlier post is that one of the nurses stated that her (ex) husband Michael said "Is that ***** dead yet." That doesn't sound like someone who has her best interests at heart. I would rather that her parents wishes be honored since they obviously do love her. Michael Schiavo seems to be a low-life and that's probly why the libs side with him.

---

It seems you think hearsay is more reliable than the best medical and legal opinion.
And wanting to keep someones corpse alive by artificial means does not fall into my definiton of "loving" them.

 

[Drew99GT]

Well, people's interest in Iraq is fading. 9/11 is a distant memory, Scott Peterson is on death row now, the Mike Jackson case is not really creating too many headlines this week................go with Terry Shiavo!! The TV based media makes the news in this country, it's that simple. Few if any people read a newspaper anymore; news has to be sensationalied. TV news media is a business pure and simple...........that's why lame unnewsworthy crap stories are front and center. They've got Propecia and Vioxx to sell you.

 

[keith]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al:
"An MRI was never recommended because, in this case and other patients in a permanent vegetative state, the CT scans were more than adequate to demonstrate the extremely severe atrophy of the cerebral hemispheres, and an MRI would add nothing of significance to what we see on the CT scans.

---

I got to know a few nerologists very well, after surgery I had 6 or so years ago and through friendships that my RN wife has. They are all shocked that a death decision would be made without an MRI or PET scan. The CT (CAT) is really not very good at soft tissue analysis. It is often used because it is quick and relatively cheap and is usually fine for detecting strokes - it is categorically not the best tool for the job, not even close. Expressly prohibiting those other tests sets off my BS detector.

These opinions are first hand to me, from experienced neuroligists and one neurosurgeon who I asked about this situation.

Bottom line - choose your spouse wisely!

If it were me making this decision, especially given that there is no written statement from Terri, I'd defer to the parents and bow out gracefully. This is another reason the story is newsworthy - people are curious why a husband wants to kill his wife, no matter her condition, against the wishes of her parents.

If Terri had a written living will to cover this situation, this wouldn't have dragged on so long or reached this level of coverage. (and I do know that living wills can be challenged by family).

 

[pbm]

quote:

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Originally posted by Tree Hugger:
It seems you think hearsay is more reliable than the best medical and legal opinion.
And wanting to keep someones corpse alive by artificial means does not fall into my definiton of "loving" them. [/QB]

---

Tree Hugger; Both nurses gave statements under oath so while they may be 'hearsay' they are sworn statements. Don't you think its strange that Schiavo never allowed for an MRI to be taken. As far as her being a 'corpse' that remark isn't worth commenting on.

 

[Pablo]

The press is lazy. Period.

 

[andrews]

I don't understand how a "husband" can be so quick to say "pull the plug" on his wife. This guy has moved on, he's got a new companion and family, and yet he insists that a statement Terri may have made a couple of decades ago would still be how she feels now. What harm would it do to allow Terri to be left in
the care of who truly loves her and will take care of her....her parents and family? Especially if one listens to what his side believes, that Terri feels nothing and is a human vegetable? Given the circumstances my thought is that this guy is selfish and without compassion for Terri and her family.

 

[MAJA]

I have wondered about why certain news stories get major coverage. Im talking about this Florida womans story. While I will offer no opinions on this tragic subject, why is this covered so extensively, ON NETWORK NEWS? Even Peter Jennings, on ABC, started yesterdays news with " and for todays top story, we go to florida....AGAIN..." almost as if he was as tired of it as we are. Every state, no every city, no probably every hospital has a patient that would have concerns about dying with dignity or being kept alive in a vegetative state.

Another story that garnered major network coverage was the Scott Peterson case. Every state, no every city, again, has cases similar to this. Yet this one got all the coverage. Why are selected stories covered so extensively (monotonously)?

The reason this irritates me so much is that I tuned into the evening news, yesterday, to see coverage/potential impacts of the Texas City plant explosion. After watching the first 14 minutes of coverage concerning this poor womans right to live/die, and no mention of the plant explosion, which, in theory could impact our economy, I turned the TV off.

 

[ruking77]

I call it lemming new reporting. News organizations are corporations with the attending profit motive (among many others) and each wants to trump the other at the next upcoming "event".

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

I think what makes this story more sensational is the Mr. Schiavo has moved on with another wife and family and that his ex-wife's parents are willing to accept the burden of her care.

If Teri Schiavo had no one interested in caring for her, she would be left to die without anyone noticing. Just like many hundreds do each year.

That said,all legal issues aside, I don't think there are that many people interested in seeing her die if it means that much pain to her family.

 

[eljefino]

Reporters and news directors are mostly uncreative and follow the flock. Few really "break" a story and just follow each other around. Around here you'll read something in the paper then it'll be on the TV the next day... so the true journalists still work in print.

The Terri Schavo thing is an "easy" report because

-- she isn't going anywhere
-- the family soap opera wants to be on camera, and seeks out the reporters.
-- third parties with opinions, pro and nay, eloquently present them. Clergy, college professors, retired doctors... easy to find.
-- Satellite trucks have positioned themselves at the scene, and motel rooms have been reserved.

Add to that, news directors want to be the most "in-depth" so they persue stupid angles on a stale story to try to outdo each other. The network nightly news caters to the geriatric crowd, near death themselves, so they're all over this stuff. Doubt me? Look at all the "healthy living" segments they run, and the ads are sponsored by geriatric prescription drug companies.

Now Texas, you need, to cover the refinery fire:

-- A reporter on the scene. All the "good" ones are allocated to Florida. An unknown rookie could get good tape time in Texas if he follows basic journalistic principles. One would probably get folks from the local affiliates first.

-- A satellite truck, or good surface microwave access to an uplink. In a pinch, a videophone like we viewed Iraq reports with would do. That equipment is probably mostly still in Iraq.

-- An available expert on oil refineries. Good news organizations should have retainers and rolodexes full of the stuff... just from an anti-terrorism perspective. This will be harder to find than the Terri Schavo scenario.

 

[MAJA]

quote:

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.........Satellite trucks have positioned themselves at the scene, and motel rooms have been reserved..............The network nightly news caters to the geriatric crowd, near death themselves, so they're all over this stuff.

---

I think you hit it on the head, twice, with those two observations. I guess that answers my question.

 

[Al]

quote:

---

Originally posted by keith:
These opinions are first hand to me, from experienced neuroligists and one neurosurgeon who I asked about this situation. I'd defer to the parents and bow out gracefully. This is another reason the story is newsworthy - people are curious why a husband wants to kill his wife, no matter her condition, against the wishes of her parents.

---

I'll still go with the multiple University Medical professors and head of Departments in Neurosurgons who examined her

And I pose this question: In the case of a living will not being present...Medical advice is to "pull the plug" You are saying the spouse doesn't decide the outcome. What if one brother or one sister (lets say she has several, or one grandparent, or one parent or one child doesn't agree??? Then we go to the U.S. Supreme court 5 times, the State Supreme Court multiple times..every State court, Judge, District Court within 500 mile.??????????????? What is your answer here???
THe practical matter of this whole situation is that the Spouse (with competent legal advice) makes the decision. How can this be otherwise.???

Andrew he is not "quick" to pull the plug..its been 15 years

[ March 25, 2005, 08:27 AM: Message edited by: Al ]

 

[TooSlick]

I can't imagine there is anyone who would personally want to be kept alive under these conditions. So are we really concerned with the "life"(if you can even call it that) of the patient, or with the wishes of their relatives?

I think the merciful thing is to let her go in this case.

 

[MarkC]

This is a tough one. She's not on 'life support', as in ventilators, etc. Her body is functioning, but she can't eat. I don't. My gut says they should not just let her die. There are questions about whether she is actually in a vegetative state or in one of minimal consciousness.
The whole thing makes me sad.
But, the way our government is set up should preclude the legislative branch getting involved when the court has decided. On the other hand, I admire Jeb Bush for trying to do what he thinks (I assume) is right. You won't hear me praising Bushes often.
I'm just glad I'm not the family.