Posted on 03/28/2005 8:02:29 AM PST by FR_addict
Florida governor says he doesn't have power from Constitution to intervene
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the man said to be the last hope for Terri Schiavo, says he's powerless to help the brain-injured woman who has been without nourishment for more than nine full days.
"I cannot violate a court order," Bush told CNN following Easter church services. "I don't have powers from the United States Constitution or – for that matter from the Florida Constitution – that would allow me to intervene after a decision has been made."
To Terri's parents, Bush said, "I can't. I'd love to, but I can't."
Speaking to the media for the first time in three days, the governor added, "I'm sad that she's in the situation that she's in. I feel bad for her family. My heart goes out to the Schindlers and, for that matter, to [her husband] Michael," Bush said. "This has not been an easy thing for any, any member of the family. But most particularly for Terri Schiavo."
Meanwhile, protests have continued outside the hospice where Terri is being cared for. With security having been doubled, five people were taken into custody as pastors tried to bring Schiavo Easter communion.
A handful of people in wheelchairs got out of them and shouted, "We're not dead yet!" as they lay in the driveway.
Larry Klayman, founder of the legal watchdog group Judicial Watch, said Bush has the power to grant her clemency, just as he would in a death-row case.
"We're asking the governor for a stay of execution on Easter Sunday, a day of mercy,'' Klayman said. "For Jeb Bush not to act would be a dereliction of his duty to the people of the state of Florida.''
Terri has been the subject of worldwide attention since Florida Judge George Greer ordered her feeding tube removed March 18, and courts have upheld his decision not to have the tube reinserted.
An attorney for Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, painted a grim picture of the situation on CBS' "Face the Nation."
"Terri is declining rapidly," Schindler attorney David Gibbs said. "We believe at this point she has passed where physically she would be able to recover."
But Randall Terry, a pro-life activist speaking for Terri's parents, called Gibbs' description "absolutely untrue."
George Felos, the attorney for Michael Schiavo says Terri's breathing has been regular, and her death does not appear imminent. He told reporters her remains would be cremated and buried in a family plot in Pennsylvania.
Martin Luther King and Gandhi.
Peacefully resist and break the law, take the arrest that follows as a badge of pride.
LIFE AND DEATH TUG OF WAR
WND's comprehensive coverage of Terri Schindler-Schiavo case
This is a link to the list of articles published by WorldNetDaily on Terri.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35305
The whole Terri Schiavo story
15-year saga of brain-injured woman no clear-cut, right-to-die case
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43463
This is not Jeb's fault. Target your anger towards the elected judge and those Senators who voted NO. Get those people out of office, then change the law. Jeb will be FOR changing the law, you will need him there to sign the law.
If this is true, then who needs a governor? Let Judge Greer run the state. That's what is happening now!
I agree, it's not Jeb's fault. I did just send him an email, stating that the point of law needing to be reviewede is why Terri hasn't been granted a divorce from Michael Schiavo because of adultery. To me, this case boils down to this one miscarriage of justice. My God, if Florida State Law doesn't recognize being "shacked up" with 2 kids by another woman is grounds for divorce, everybody in the state had better flee the hellhole.
reviewede = reviewed
Has it come to this? Is it now the position of the right-to-life movement that divorce ought to be granted automatically under some circumstances, without the spouse even asking for it?
It is Jeb's fault that he is abdicating the independent authority of the Executive Branch by not intervening to save a citizen from a judicial murder.
It is George's fault for the same reason.
They state "There is nothing I can do", but that is a lie.
There is nobody who can STOP them from acting to save Ms. Schiavo's life, and no consequences other than flustered and angry opponents if they do. Nobody can arrest the President of the United States or the Governor of Florida.
Certainly the judiciary cannot arrest either for contempt of court. That is not how our separation of powers works.
The only consequences for acting that way would be for the Legislatures to impeach and convict them for abuse of power. But neither Congress nor the Florida legislature would do any such thing. The votes are not there to toss either from office.
Ergo, if either used the full measure of his authority, Terry Schiavo would be saved and her case given a full and proper review in light of new and conflicting evidence.
What would be established is the principle of executive override in death cases, just as the pardon of criminals acts as an executive override of both the legislature's intent and the judiciary's decisons in a death penalty case.
When the Bushes say "There is nothing more we can do", it is completely disingenuous and they know it. What they mean is "There is nothing more that I WANT to do, but I don't want you people to hold me accountable for playing Pontius Pilate."
Bizarre.
Totally agree...Jeb has done much more than anyone could imagine. If he was able to rescue Terri he would have.
The Monsters...Michael, Felos and Greer those are going to be the killers and this is where the anger should be vented/blamed. The Monsters' lives have changed forever...they'll never live in peace again.
Unreal. Klayman seems to get dumber by the minute.
"My heart goes out to the Schindlers and, for that matter, to [her husband] Michael,"
lol, that's right fella, you cover all the angles.
It's just Typical Lefty liberal thinking. Blame everyone but those who are at fault.
Then resign Jeb. Resign. You are not up to the job.
Baloney. Go and take your lithium - you're ranting.
I find it amusing certain people such as yourself demand government leaders BREAK the law just because they want them to.
I admire Governor Bush for refusing to break the law despite their personal preferences on the matter.
There's no doubt in my mind conservative fanatics such as yourself will be livid and devastated if the next democratic leaders break the law under pressure from leftist wackos. Perhaps it will be YOUR freedoms they will target next. Or your home they will confiscate. Or your religion that will be persecuted.
Only idiots would demand their leaders break the law - the moment this becomes acceptable; the slippery slope is stepped upon and every group with their own agendas will be demanding similar influence. Do you really want the satanists to begin running your churches? After all, perhaps the satanists will be demanding the next democratic leaders ALSO BREAK THE LAW and violate the US Constitution by making satanism the official religion of the US.
What goes around comes around. Don't forget it.
So now you're in favor of the Executive branch being able to command that the judiciary take up a case?
Have you thought through the implications of this?
Scew you Jeb, you coward.
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