As I noted here earlier, I have been watching the Terri Schiavo case unfold in the media for about four years now. Through this time, I have had an opportunity to read through numerous court documents and news articles. The story first caught my attention when I saw a reference to at WorldNetDaily.com. When I looked deeper into it I realized that, even then, America's right wing media consortium was gearing up to make this a rallying cry for conservatives.

The first indication that something was amiss was when I researched the credentials of a Dr. William Hammesfahr, the "expert" witness the Schindlers relied upon in their circuit court pleadings. What I learned was that the man was a quack who had been investigated and had his medical lilcense suspended to for questionable treatment practices of stroke victims. He is listed on Quackwatch as a "promoter of questionable methods." This is why both state and federal judges do not take the Schindler's claims seriously.

I then followed up on claims that Michael Schiavo never attempted treatment and rehabilitation for Terri. Turns out those claims were not true at all. In fact, court records document a rather comprehensive and intensive effort on the part of Mr. Schiavo to rehabilitate Terri. None of these treatments produced any form of improvement whatsoever. Mr. SChiavo finally gave when it became apparent that such efforts were useless for someone in TErri's condition.

Finally, I looked into claims that Micahel Schiavo had abused his wife. Again, it turned out such claims were mere rumors fomented by individuals with questionable motives, in particular a nurse who have been fired by the Hospice. All of these claims were investigated by the local sheriff, Florida Attorney General, and Florida Department of Children and Families. These claims were also considered by the circuit courts and found to be utterly without merit four years ago. Still, right wing media outlets continue talk abot these disreputable claims as if they had never been investigated.

Those pushing the Terri Schiavo story aren't doing it because they care about Terri Schiavo. They are doing it to advance an extreme conservative agenda. Just listen to Randall Terry speak as he demonizes the two dozen judges who have examined this case objectively and dispassionately. Its downright scary. Just as scary is hearing Senator Bill Frist offer a public diagnosis of Terri's condition on the basis of a four minute video-tape excerpt.

When all is said and done, this is and should be a private family matter and dispute. Instead, Ms. Schiavo's right to privacy and dignity has been grossly taken from her by politicians, religious fanatics and media hacks. While any of us can appreciate the deep pain her parents must feel, nothing excuses their awful treatment of Terri's husband in the media. Notably, he has stayed relatively quiet about them and has continued to allow them to regularly visit Terri even after they illegally recorded video tapes of her and essentially accused him of "murder."

I can't help but think that we, the public, have inexcusably intruded into a deeply private and painful personal tragedy. Our fascination for unsubstantiated claims and our insatiable taste for cheap gossip has turned the solemnity of dying into a circus of international proportions. We should all be ashamed of ourselves for having let this happen.

What's needed isn't more divisive rhetoric, but a call from this country's leadership for us all to come together. Now that we all know Terri and her story so well, its time that people like George and Jeb Bush call for us give Ms. Schiavo the dignity and serenity to die in peace in the privacy of her loved ones. It time for the Schindlers to accept that their daughter truly died years ago and open their hearts to the husband who cared so carefully for her for so many years. Its time for Michael Schiavo to forgive unequivocally those who said terrible things about him to relive their pain and frustration about the inevitability of life and death. Its time for us all tend to our own and care for those we love the most, while Terri Schiavo is allowed to be cared for by the loving hand of God.