Posted on 03/27/2005 6:25:24 PM PST by StoneGiant
Gov. Bush Washes Hands of Schiavo Matter
by Scott Ott
(2005-03-27) -- In a symbolic move, designed to show Terri Schiavo's supporters that he has done all he can do to spare her life, Gov. Jeb Bush today publicly used a disposable moist towlette to "wash his hands of the matter."
"I find nothing deserving death in this woman, but I'm only the supreme executive of Florida," the governor told a crowded news conference. "Perhaps if our constitution called for a balance of powers to protect our citizens against judicial abuse, I could do something. But as it stands, she is in the hands of the judges. It's their job to determine what is truth. If she dies, it's not my fault."
In related news, Gov. Bush continued his Easter tradition of pardoning a Florida citizen chosen by a statewide poll of judges. This year's candidates for pardon were Mrs. Schiavo and burglar who had killed a homeowner during a break-in.
The burglar won in a landslide.
No, however the similarity has been note between Jeb's treatment of Schaivo's case and Pilate's treatment of Jesus' case. That is what is called an analogy. Analogies _compare_ similar patterns of behavior. They do not assert the persons in one to assume the role of persons in the other.
Comparing some woman who cant even talk to Jesus is a mega stretch and is totally offensive.
And that is what we call a straw man argument. Nobody ever suggested that Terri Schaivo was Jesus. She is, however, an innocent and helpless person and a textbook case of who Jesus told us to help. When those who can help her choose not to out of convenience or expediency they commit a sin of inaction. What this particular analogy notes is that the Pilate Defense - washing your hands and declaring to the effect that it's no longer in your powers to do anything - simply doesn't cut it.
Matt, I posted on FR early Saturday morning, March 19 (like 3:00 a.m. because I couldn't sleep, I was so upset about this) that after Congress failed to pass something to save Terri or force the issue into federal courts that it should never have come down to this -- a last-minute desperate attempt to pass a bill. This issue has been festering for weeks, months...congressional Republicans knew Greer's death penalty date, and the GOP leadership did nothing, until it was really too late. I wrote at the time, "Friday was a monument to political failure, colossal cowardice, impotent leadership, and the fecklessness of our executive, legislative, and judicial branches at every level of government." Nothing has changed in a week to cause me to change my opinion, in fact, my conviction has hardened.
I'm reaching the sad conclusion that our GOP leaders, every one of them, are totally feckless.
That's the thing about situations like Schaivo's case. They expose all the cockroaches and scum on the other side quite well, but they also expose our own in the process.
The thing that really bothers me are Republicans who say, "We did all we could." That, and the deafening silence from congressional Republicans this week as the federal judiciary thumbed its collective nose at the bill passed by Congress last Monday.
BTW, the next time I get a fundraising letter from the RNC, or Senate GOP Campaign Committee (I gave to both in the last election cycle) hitting me up for money -- and I seem to get one every day -- I'm sending them a letter in their response envelope telling them they're not getting any more money from me until the GOP gets serious about shaking up the judiciary.
My 2 Cents is, FR should ban everyone here blaming Republicans for this and it would be better off for it.
Ban all who disagree with you....Nice fascist reaction to my post.
Well, thats my 2 cents. As your no better than a liberal. So why not?
And, in any such reckoning, you are certainly Exhibit A...
Jeb? He's done nothing but pass the buck, first to the legislative branch and then to the judicial branch. He has not accepted one ounce of executive responsibility to take ANY EXECUTIVE ACTION. His legal staff has positioned all of his possibilities to draw court orders. He has not acted period. People that defend this for the sake of "FReeper" solidarity don't impress me one bit. If I need to align myself with Jeb Bush to maintain solidarity in the conservative cause the cause is not worth defending. We must stand up when the time is right or we cannot stand at all and if ever the time was right it was now. He has the authority to deal with this as chief executive. Any pretense that he does not is not true or bourn of ignorance of the concept of co-equal branches of government. The judicial is supposed to give way to the elected branches when a direct conflict of responsibilities occur. Read the Federalist papers and study the founding fathers intent if you want to understand the issue here.
Coming from a self-described person of low moral esteem (i.e. a cockroach himself), I'm disinclined to give any interest to what you have to say.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy
The merciful are those who have compassion for others, who with all their hearts pity those who have fallen into misfortune or unhappiness, and who try to help them with good works.
Works of mercy are both physical and spiritual.
Bodily works of mercy:
1. Feeding the hungry.
2. Giving drink to the thirsty.
3. Clothing the naked.
4. Visiting those in prison.
5. Visiting the sick and helping them recover or preparing them for a Christian death.
6. Inviting strangers and foreigners and travellers into one's home and giving them rest.
7. Burying the dead.
No consequences have befallen them. Hillary, ensconced in the Senate, is now enroute to a run for President, and likely victory, in '08. If a peremptory rescue of an innocent life was so violatory of our constitution...what was all that Xlinton did? Why are the Bushes suddenly so circumspect about the Constitution when they apparently feel the Xlinton's are entitled to a pass?
Things are not as they would have it appear.
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