The Tampa Tribune continues to lash out at the family of Terri Schiavo, accusing the Schindlers in this editorial of engaging in “vitriol” and acting in a “caustic” manner for having had the temerity to try and save her life. In this letter to the editor, Bobby Schindler, Terri’s brother, strikes back:
“Touch Of Sarcasm
I’m writing in response to your Nov. 2 editorial “Crist Did Speak Out On Schiavo, And His Restraint Was Welcome” (Our Opinion).
How foolish it was – I’m sorry, “vitriolic” – for my family to seek out those in government that could have possibly helped our efforts to bring Terri home in order to care for her. Clearly, my family was wrong to petition our government for redress of just grievances (other than the courts of “truth and justice,” naturally), trying to protect my sister’s rights as an innocent, disabled woman guilty of nothing more than becoming an inconvenience.
Perhaps then, so it doesn’t appear that my family is continuing our “caustic” ways by helping others with disabilities similar to Terri, we should direct our energy to those truly deserving of our attention – defending all those serial killers, rapists and murderers on death row.
Undoubtedly, this most decent act of humanity by my family would receive your paper’s ringing endorsement.
BOBBY SCHINDLER”
Sarcasm, like humor, is effective when there is an element of truth in it—and this is very effective sarcasm. If what happened to the Schindlers happened to your family—with the media distorting the facts and cheering the side that wanted your loved one dead all along the way—you’d be sarcastic, too.
Dear Reader,
Can I be direct with you?
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