Wednesday, March 23, 2005
A small re-explanation, or, rather, “It wasn’t my final word”
I think that many of you, especially the people that think and believe like Vincent at Insignificant Thoughts, believe that there is no feeling for Terri Schiavo in the conservatives (or, as he puts it, “constitutional purist idiots who think that this is merely some legal issue like the right to marry your gay lover or some far-right obsession that amounts to religious advocacy.”
Well, that’s wrong. What is happening to Terri is a terrible thing. I’ve watched someone die like this (a grandmother, who decided to stop eating and drinking), so it’s not something I can look at and dissect from afar. Sorry. Won’t do it. I would fight to the bitter end for a spouse or child or friend that this was occurring to.
And, yeah, I think that Michael Shiavo has been a right bastard, and that the odds are that he is using the law to his advantage. I also think that Judge Greer has been incredibly narrow in his decisions on this....he’s decided to interpret Florida Code 765 as written, and, as we discussed last night, the law is clear. It may not be agreeable, but it is being applied as written.
As Jayson on Polipundit said on Tuesday, “Elections truly matter”. Judge Greer was ELECTED. Elected officials appoint judges, and, on the federal level, the President nominates judges. In effect, WE put these people in a position to decide her fate, and we, the people, chose those legislators that created the Florida Codes.
Note: I am not referencing the Leftists in this discussion...I’m sure you noticed. Like I said last night, the Democrats and leftists that are crying foul over what Congress and GWB did are hypocrites, because they will impose federal power when it suits them (Roe V. Wade) and their purposes to control the private affairs of people. They are out of the equation for me, because they will oppose Bush and the Religious Right at every turn, even when the RR’s do the same exact thing they would, should the political scales be weighed differently. There is no concern for her when I speak to leftists about this....most are happy this is happening only because it will prove to be a precedent-setting case, allowing the federal government to intervene in cases of disability and death.
I was following this case three years ago, during the initial court case that lead to the first pulling of the feeding tube. I listened to Glenn Back weep on the radio about it. It’s a moving story...nobody can deny that. The fact that her parents are willing to sacrifice everything to help Terri is moving...it puts a lump in your throat just thinking about it. I think Michael Schiavo has become a complete ass, and now this whole situation is about who wins, and who has the say. I think he is holding on to this, and not allowing a transfer of guardianship, for reasons that aren’t Terri’s....but I can only say that. The strict, narrow interpretation that Judge Greer has made sticks to the letter of the law...and appeals courts have upheld that interpretation. Even the Florida legislature and Governor were defeated when they challenged this. In the strictest sense, the law is being followed.
Though I think it is sickening, and that the ramifications are huge.
It is noteworthy to see that the debate is going on within the Right, between the different factions. We al have genuine reasons to think and feel the way we do. We are debating it, and, though it is a travesty, we have solid, good reasons to hold whatever stance we have. We aren’t unified in a hatred for the religious Right, GWB, and pro-life sentiment. We are genuinely motivated by concerne for her, and the larger sense of structure that this human tragedy is highlighting. Some of us believe that the state has the responsibility (I am in that camp), but believe that the law must be reviewed. Some of us believe that the law is proper, and that the process, however sad, is going on as the law demands. Some of us believe that it is morally wrong, and, therefore, must be stopped. All of us are concerned about the future, and what this decision means. No conservative I have spoken to likes this one bit, and they all see a bleak future where euthanasia is concerned.
And, all the conservatives I have spoken to, or listened to, think this absolutely sucks. All of them are saddened and petrified by the horror that is this point in Terri Shiavo’s struggle. None are cowering behind the COTUS, but some are citing it.
The lesson, whatever the outcome (and that outcome is increasingly grim), is that if we do want a culture of life in this country, we must break the hold on the judiciary that the Left has, get judges in there that believe in a culture of life, and get the others out. The Senate should break the filibusters, and use the majority ‘nuclear’ option if necessary to do this. If they believe so much in this that they passed a bill in 24 hours to deal with it, than they can deal with the Harry Reids and the Ted Kennedys.
So, if you don’t agree with me, please, don’t sit there and think that I’m heartless....just because it is legal, doesn’t mean it’s moral. However, just as I work within the system to overturn Roe V. Wade, we must work within the system to stop this from ever, ever happening again. Terri isn’t the first innocent killed by convenience or political whim, but, maybe, she will be one of the last.
UPDATE: Now, this is GOOD!
Gov. Bush Seeks to Take Custody of Schiavo
1 hour, 1 minute ago
By JILL BARTON, Associated Press Writer
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - Terri Schiavo’s parents saw their options vanish one by one Wednesday as a federal appeals court refused to reinsert her feeding tube and the Florida Legislature decided not to intervene in the epic struggle. Refusing to give up, Gov. Jeb Bush sought court permission to take custody of Schiavo.
The desperate flurry of activity came as President Bush suggested that Congress and the White House had done all they could to keep the severely brain-damaged woman alive.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Schiavo had gone five full days without food or water; doctors have said she could survive one to two weeks.
If Jeb Bush is successful, then this is a great step forward for the Schindler family. If Bush can do this successfully (that’s in question), than that satisfies the COTUS and COTSF demands. That works! That is a way to save her life. Jeb, if successful, can then give guardianship over to the parents.
Now, I don’t know if the Florida Code will allow this, as the courts have been strictly interpreting Section 765 the whole time.....but’s it’s a flare of hope. GO FOR IT, JEB!!
Another update: Open another browser window, and hit up Insignificant Thoughts. He’s doing Terri 24/7 until the end, or until her new beginning.
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