Posted on 03/20/2005 7:08:50 AM PST by Pendragon_6
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Friday that subpoenas issued by Sen. Mike Enzi compelling Terri Schiavo to appear at a March 28 congressional hearing made it a crime to disconnect her feeding tube - and threatened anyone who interfered with her testimony with jail.
In a statement issued by the majority leader's office, Frist said:
"Federal criminal law protects witnesses called before official Congressional committee proceedings from anyone who may obstruct or impede a witness attendance or testimony."
"More specifically," said the Senate's top Republican, "the law protects a witness from anyone who - by threats, force, or by any threatening letter or communication - influences, obstructs, or impedes an inquiry or investigation by Congress.
"Anyone who violates this law is subject to criminal fines and imprisonment," Frist said.
Continued
By VICKIE CHACHERE, Associated Press Writer
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - The parents of Terri Schiavo asked a judge to reinsert the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube Monday, following an extraordinary political fight that consumed both chambers of Congress and prompted the president to rush back to the White House.
An attorney for Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, arrived at federal district court in Tampa and filed a request for an emergency injunction to keep their daughter fed.
It was assigned to U.S. District Judge James Whittemore, who was nominated to the court in 1999 by President Clinton. He set a hearing for Monday afternoon, according to a court Web site.
David Gibbs II, attorney for the parents, said the judge had sent a message saying he was reviewing the filings in the case.
Earlier Monday, the House, following a move by the Senate, passed a bill to let the parents ask a federal judge to prolong Schiavo's life by reinserting her feeding tube. President Bush signed the measure less than an hour later.
Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo, said he was outraged that lawmakers and the president were intervening in the contentious right-to-die battle. He has fought for years with his wife's parents over whether she should be permitted to die or kept alive through the feeding tube.
"This is a sad day for Terri. But I'll tell you what: It's also is a sad day for everyone in this country because the United States government is going to come in and trample all over your personal, family matters," he told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday.
Michael Schiavo has not responded to repeated interview requests from The Associated Press.
The lawsuit alleges a series of rights violations, including that Terri Schiavo's religious beliefs were being infringed upon, that the removal of the feeding tube violated her rights and that she was not provided an independent attorney to represent her interests.
Outside the hospice where his daughter entered her fourth day without food or water, Bob Schindler told reporters "I'm numb, I'm just totally numb. This whole thing, it's hard to believe it."
A shout of joy was heard from the crowd outside the hospice when news of the House bill's passage came. Among those cheering was David Bayly, 45, of Toledo, Ohio: "I'm overjoyed to see the vote and see Terri's life extended by whatever amount God gives her."
When dawn broke Monday, fewer than a dozen demonstrators remained at the hospice, but the area bustled with television lights, cameras and reporters covering the saga.
The 41-year-old woman's feeding tube was removed Friday on a Florida judge's order. Schiavo could linger for one or two weeks if the tube is not reinserted as has happened twice before, once on a judge's order and once after Gov. Jeb Bush signed "Terri's Law," which was later declared unconstitutional.
George Felos, a lawyer for Michael Schiavo, did not return repeated phone messages seeking comment Monday. The voicemail box of George Greer, the Florida circuit judge who presides over the case, was full and didn't accept messages.
Terri Schiavo suffered brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped briefly because of a possible potassium imbalance brought on by an eating disorder. She can breathe on her own, but has relied on the feeding tube to keep her alive.
Court-appointed doctors say she is in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery. Her husband says she would not want to be kept alive in that condition, but her parents insist she could recover with treatment.
Bob Schindler visited his daughter late Sunday and said he noticed the effects of dehydration on her. He said she appeared to be getting tired, but eventually responded to his teasing by making a face at him.
"It tells us she's still with us," he said.
Brian Schiavo, Michael's brother, said he spent Sunday afternoon with his brother and Terri at the hospice, but Terri did not move or make any noises. "Anybody that thinks that she talks and responds, they need to have a mental health examination," he said.
The bill passed in Congress applies only to Schiavo and would allow a federal court to review the case. The House passed the bill on a 203-58 vote after calling lawmakers back for an emergency Sunday session. The Senate approved the bill Sunday by voice vote. President Bush cut short a visit to his Texas ranch to return to the White House.
"In cases like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life," President Bush said in a statement after signing the bill.
A crowd of about 50 people prayed and sang outside the hospice on Sunday. One man played "Amazing Grace" on a trumpet, as a pickup truck pulled a trailer bearing 10-foot-high replicas of the stone Ten Commandments tablets and a huge working version of the Liberty Bell.
Gov. Bush, praised the actions of Congress. "We in government have a duty to protect the weak, disabled and vulnerable," he said in a statement Monday. "I appreciate the efforts of state and federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who have taken this duty to heart."
LOL --poll the same people on the specific matter of 'spouse' after providing them the details in this case and I am sure a majority will agree that the adulterous spouse in question has no moral or ethical standing. I consider Terri's 'husband' to be scum...
We studied many scriptures and the class was almost unanimous that these decisions are left to God.
We decided a feeding tube is not the same as life supports. Are all 800,000 that are on feeding tubes now to be removed? Why not outlaw all feeding tubes.
I have a brand new great granddaughter. She's totally dependent, too.
My son-in-law has a nephew who is now in his 20s who was born without all his brain and he has had a feeding tube for years. He seems to have less responsiveness than Terri Schiavo. Should there be a law that these types of people cannot have a feeding tube? Where does this stop?
I don't want extraordinary measures taken to keep me alive, either if death is imminent and there's no hope of recovery but under no circumstance do I want to be starved or thirsted to death. That's murder.
" there is a segment of people within the Bible Belt who reject the moral teachings of the Bible in favor of personal freedom" you said.
That segment of people occur in every region and facet of society. I can enter any community, large or small, and find a segment of people who disregard the Bible teachings in favor of personal freedom. It could be the rust belt, or the farm belt, or silicon valley so stereotyping is in the eyes of the beholder. I believe most fingers would point away from the Bible Belt as the source of moral decline.
But remember , the Bible is a guide to living and strict adherance to it's teachings are a matter of interpretation. And since interpretation varies there are a large number of religions with somewhat different perspectives on how to live life, howto deal with sin, and how to have faith in matters of personal decisions.
Acceptance of Christ as Saviour is a matter of personal choice. And the reasons are spelled out. But those reasons are also a matter of faith. Judging people for what decisions they make is only for God.
Michael Schiavo I believe is acting in faith in what doctors have told him over the past 11 years and acceptance of the inevitable that his wife will never return in the same capacity that he loved her in before her medical emergency. His faith is even stronger in resolve because outside forces seek to usurp what he says was a request by Terri to not be kept alive under these circumstances. If he is wrong in his assertion it is only for God to judge him and not mankind to interfere in his agonizing decision. We have all lost loved ones for a variety of reasons and life goes on and there is a reason for everything, including interferance in his right as guardian to carry on her wishes.
Fox News has beat this issue to a pulp so I believe anyone who participates in their poll is as informed as the mainstream media can allow, and the rest is left up to personal opinion. The details have not changed and informed people know the difference between truth and sensationalism.
I don't know how much more specific the question could have read and what "new" details could be considered as really new! This whole issue has become a profound waste of time because nobody will be a winner.
I suggest you take a break from it -you appear frustrated that many disagree with the adulterer.
BTTT
"Biblical quotes are open for interpretation and that is why there are a lot of ministers and different religions because nobody has the perfect answer in many circumstances. The belief that one is making a correct decision in some matters is an element of faith. But people even disagree about matters of faith and attempting to cloud personal decision by passing judgement on one is interfering and can be also considered a sin."
Yes indeed the Bible is open for interpretation by man. Interesting though it is filled with instruction and many ignore what we are told. We are told to test the fruits. Passing judgment the kind we are told NOT to do is the status of ones soul. Thus far only ONE has been named Biblically to judgment of the lake of fire, and a few unnamed. That is why we are told to plant seeds of truth, because it Christ that saves NOT man.
Very well written. I would like to put it on the front page of the editorial section of the NYT, but I suppose they would have to kill me : )
"Are you arguing that terry has a better than 50% chance of recovery? Quote your source."
I suppose to your way of thinking, because she is incapacitated, she should be dead. I disagree.
"Are you saying she is there based on a false diagnosis? Quote your source."
Is she *where* because of a false diagnosis? The only false diagnosis I keep hearing is that she is in a persistent vegetative state or that she is brain dead.
"Are you saying she wants to linger at death's door? Quote your source."
She wouldn't be at death's door if not for a judge giving her the death penalty, for no crime whatsoever.
Are you saying she wants to be starved to death? Quote YOUR source. And skip the rubbish about what her adulterous husband said.
>>I am talking about choosing not to be kept alive when there is no hope of recovery (Tubes, Machines, wires, Surgery...). No one is saying she has a reasonable expectation of resuming independent life.<<
Then let's kill everyone in this condition, if someone can come up with hearsay evidence about their wishes.
"If she made the decision, it should stand, if not may G_D have mercy on Mike's soul for he will be a murderer."
There we have it. You are willing to err on the side of death. I am not.
Happy trails.
"There is NO WAY for you to know what Terry wants."
Likewise to you. But you are willing to err on the side of death.
Unless she stated she wants to be starved to death, then she should be fed and cared for like any other incapacitated person.
You are willing to take the word of her husband, who is hopelessly conflicted and is shacking up while he says he loves Terri so much.
That is incredibly naive and gullible IMHO.
It is refreshing to see we agree in basic principle.
The Bible has been a great rally for people as well as a great divider because every unique individual finds something different in it's passages.
Unique circumstances require unique translations and that is where we disagree upon the final resolution of the Schiavo case.
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