FOX News' Julie Banderas All Emotional On Behalf of Schiavo's Parents
Reported by Ellen - March 21, 2005
I thought FOX News reporter Julie Banderas was going to break into tears as she reported on the latest developments in the Schiavo case while the federal hearing was underway. Her voice was heavy with emotion as she relayed events almost exclusively from the parents point of view.
While giving a bit of lipservice to husband Michael Schiavo's "outrage" at Congress stepping in, it was clear where Banderas' sympathies lay as she talked about the story "giving new meaning to the term emotional roller coaster."
First, the audience was shown the old footage of Terri Schiavo SEEMINGLY following a balloon. Next, Banderas told viewers about the "shocking move by Michael Schiavo" who rescinded the parents' visitation rights yesterday.
Although Banderas went on to say that "for four hours they were locked out," she didn't bother to mention how or when the situation was resolved. Nor did we ever learn why Michael Schiavo might have done such a "shocking" thing. Could it be because he was afraid the family would try to subvert the judge's ruling somehow?
Instead, Banderas added this bit of melodrama. In a tremulous voice, she said, "In fact, at the time the parents didnt even know if theyd ever get to see their daughter Terri (dramatic pause here) - sister Terri - alive, ever again."
"...(Terri's mother) told me yesterday - that shes worried sick because as every day goes on - this is now the third day that she's going without any sort of food or water, that she's weakening by the minute and something must be done. Her father said to me quote, he is frightened that she might not make it."
Meanwhile, no mention was made of Terri's current condition, what it means to live with a "principally liquid" cerebral cortex, and whether it's really life-affirming to keep someone alive in a persistent vegetative state. Nor was there any mention of the Houston Chronicle article about a hospital removing a baby's feeding tube over the objections of the mother. Guess who signed the 1999 law allowing that to happen? Then governor George W. Bush.
PS I was a little surprised John Gibson didn't find a way to blame the Europeans somehow either for Terri Schiavo's illness or for the controversy over removing her feeding tube. But not to worry, he got the chance to make fun of Kofi Annan instead. In an intro to Annan's important speech on proposed changes to the UN's structure, Gibson played one small clip of Annan sounding confused. Rudely, Gibson said, "Huh?" Then, as Eric "The UN Is Like The Mafia" Shawn reported on the speech, that screen read "Hot Kofi."
