Readers’ views of Schiavo coverage offer praise, criticism

Web site traffic surges in last month

Apr 6, 2005
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor

JACKSONVILLE (FBW) – Readers have flooded the e-mail inboxes of Florida Baptist Witness staff and smashed previous records of traffic on the Web site of the official newspaper of the Florida Baptist State Convention during the waning weeks of its coverage of the Terri Schiavo controversy.

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Since September 2003 when the Witness first began covering the case with two editorials analyzing its ethical implications, more than 130 commentaries, news articles and other items have been published by the Witness in the print and/or Web site editions of the weekly newspaper. Throughout that period of time a steady flow of readers’ views have been offered to the Witness editorial staff through e-mail, letters, faxes and phone calls. However, in the final two weeks of the controversy – especially after Schiavo’s feeding tube was removed for a third time on March 18 – readers’ opinions inundated the Witness staff.

On the morning of March 31 when news broke that Terri Schiavo had succumbed to more than 13 days without food and water, the Witness’ Web site crashed for about 40 minutes as it was overwhelmed with Internet traffic of readers who had come to rely on the Witness’ unique coverage of the Schiavo debate.

During the month of March, the Web site nearly doubled its previous high level marks for total visitors, unique visitors, page views and hits registered last September during the peak of Florida’s historic hurricane season. The March 2005 online traffic more than tripled the level of activity on the Witness Web site for the same month last year.

With more than 100 other Web sites regularly linking to the Witness Web site or citing the Witness’ coverage, e-mail from Florida Baptists, as well as those of other denominations and faiths or no religious preference from across the nation offered their views about the Schiavo matter.

In recent weeks, hundreds of letters to the editor – sent via the letters form on the newspaper’s Web site – and other e-mail expressing views and even poems about the Terri Schiavo debate have overwhelmingly praised the Witness’ coverage of the controversy, but some have also harshly rebuked the same coverage.

Most readers have expressed outrage at the treatment of Terri Schiavo, remorse at her death and concern about the inability of political leaders to find a public policy solution that would have saved the life of the 41-year-old severely brain-damaged woman.

Following is a sampling of readers’ views:

Suwannee Baptist Association director of missions Fritz Fountain in Live Oak suggested a comparison of the handling of the Terri Schiavo matter with the case of a severely malnourished teenager whose parents were recently arrested for aggravated child abuse. Fountain wrote, “A comparison of two recent news stories in our state captured my interest and illustrated, in my thinking, how hypocritical our society has become.”

Other writers included the following thoughts:

—Rhonda Reese, Church at Chets Creek, Jacksonville: “As the niece of a severely disabled uncle, I cannot fathom how the situation with this disabled woman has gotten this far.”

—Angie Tyson, Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa: “I just wanted to take a moment to tell you that there are many of us that indeed care. We are praying earnestly for the Lord to intervene in saving Terri’s life.”

—Casandra, Carrollton, Ky.: “I feel very strongly about this situation. Even though I’m only 17 years old, there is a burden on my heart for this woman and her family.”

—Kim Savage, Church of God, Powhatten, Va.: “I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your boldness in speaking the truth about the Terri Schiavo case. You took a stand for truth even though Judge Greer was a part of your denomination.”

—Phil Tropea, Palm Harbor: “If judges don’t account for equity due to mitigating circumstances and intent we must put our laws into a computer and spit out the judgments.”

—Bette Duncan, Mormon, Runnells, Iowa: “The most disturbing issue in the Terri Schiavo case is … the guardianship of a disabled spouse… .”

—Vicky Murray, Dallas, Ga.: “I just wanted to say I miss my Miss Terri.”

—Nannette Paul, Huntington, W.Va.: “I think that Michael did what was right for him and Terri.”

—Jeff Jones, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, Ga.: “I was so disappointed to see a Christian organization being so easily deceived, and bearing false witness. … Keeping her body alive by artificial means is akin to Frankenstein’s experiment, and a horrible thing to do to someone. When she does finally go home to be with Christ, the autopsy will show how foolish those who wanted to sustain her body were. That is a poor witness.”

—Sharon Kovach, Niles, Ohio: “All Baptist ministers should be actively involved in saving Terri’s life!”

—Pamela Smith, Christian Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ga.: “I had a stroke two years ago and could not swallow or walk or move my hands. With prayer and rehabilitation, I can eat, walk and move my hands. This is so inhumane. Who on earth has the power to give life?”

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