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FOTI'S FOLLY FOLLOW-UP
I posted somewhat in haste yesterday based on the assumption that the press knew what they were talking about. Why on earth did I assume such a thing? I plead temporary insanity. I should know that the media knows absolutely nothing about the legal system. The Memorial Hospital Three were "accused" of murder by the AG but not "charged." The press assumed more co-operation with the Orleans Parish DA's office than had really happened. In short, Charlie Foti has dumped a 3 ton sack of shit in Eddie Jordan's lap. Splat.
I think that my colleague Dangerblond cut to the chase in pointing out that Foti's posturing may have more to do with potential civil cases against Tenet than with a criminal case. If that's so, Foti's posturing is even more shameful. It is highly unusual to arrest people who have NOT been formally charged in the context of an 11 month long investigation. Mr. Foti was too busy pandering to religious leaders and posturing for the cameras to consider the irregular nature of his actions. I suspect, however, that Foti was disappointed by the low key national coverage of the initial announcement: they're too busy covering that pesky Middle Eastern crisis to give Charlie more play. Sorry, Charlie.
Finally, I continue to find the allegations by Foti to be incredible: would an experienced MD run around informing staff that she planned to dispatch patients? Not bloody likely. This sounds like a cartoon version of the real world. Patients are eased out of pain and allowed to die in peace every day. I suspect that the people who scream the loudest about "mercy killing" haven't seen close friends and relatives die slowly and in agonizing pain. I have and it taught me that there are things that are much worse than death.
Foti is an ass for doing it, but it will play very well with the
home-schooling Bible thumpers of Northern Louisiana. This doctor and two
nurses are about to get Michael Schiavoed big time. All the wingnuts who
couldn't make it down here to help gut houses and rebuild will be flocking
down here to let it be known that you can't kill terminally ill people in
Louisiana and get away with it.
I'd be curious to know more of the facts, however, I still think the MD/RNs
did what they felt, by not being able to utilize any medical means to keep
the patients comfortable, and not knowing if/when they were going to get
any assistance, as didn't this occur 3 days after Katrina had robbed the
hospital of power?
I don't know if Foti is pandering to his religious friends or not. There's
more to it. I also think his political consultants are advising him.