Posted on 03/29/2005 6:13:21 PM PST by Kings18-37
It's just a hunch, I have no evidence. I have no inside information, accept what I intuit from what I see.
The Pubs made a bad move with the Federal Legislation; GWB realized that too late.
He could not storm the hospice for 2 reasons: (1) The media would have eaten him alive as a police state Hitler; (2) there are police offers guarding the hospice who have a duty also, and there could have been bloodshed. The worst of all worlds.
The same applied to Jeb Bush-
I believe that GWB, Jeb and all the pubs backed off because, if they didn't, the media would have roasted them- and public support wasn't behind them. Pres was at 43% approval.
So, the most underestimated politician in history, started working back channels through Lieberman and Jackson. I think GWB persuaded Jesse to go to Flordia.
I think they now have the votes to pass Fla. Legislation, it's just a matter of getting the wording right- so to appease the miserable Fla. Supreme Court.
The DEMS will get the credit for saving Terri, the Bushs will be seen as weakened. BUT GWB will have saved Terri's life.
Hopefully, Terri can hang on. But, in my heart, I think we do our greatest President an injustice and disservice when we say he gave up on Terri- He's sacrficed to take a political beating, to save Terri's life.
Underestimated again!
NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!
Police officers, by command of their of their office, have to follow the orders of their superiors. If they feel they are acting against their conscience, then they should quit. But, it doesn't appear that any feel that way. They are merely following the judicial order of a duly constituted court, noywithstanding, that you and I feel that the order is wrong.
God Bless
Never give up! Never give up! Never! Never! Never! Churchill
Sorry it isn't just "sentiment." The EXECUTIVE BRANCH has a right to go in. An innocent woman is being STARVED and DEHYDRATED to DEATH and her CIVIL RIGHTS as per the CONSTITUTION have been VIOLATED.
Reno was clintooons Attorney General - and she allowed the court order to accomplish a rotten act -
The White House and both houses are upset to the max that the newly appointed Gonzales WILL NOT HELP - it seems he's afraid on not getting his chance to be be put up for SCOTUS in June - I think he can kiss that goodbye. He wont have to worry about a filibuster. I don't believe Pres. Bush will even put him up now.
Better we see what a self-serving wimp he is now ...
Somehow Kings 18-37 I believe that God is going to work this evil towards the good, and only God knows! The devil sure has been working hard to destroy Bush and all good conservatives and those few democrats as well, but this counterfiet of the truth sure is one for the books!
I must admit that I am thoroughly and completely bamboozled
regarding Judge Greer's authority.
It appears that Greer is Probate Judge... which is to say, he has
authority to oversee the distribution of my late Gramma's china
and silverware, etc.
However... from where and how does he have the power and
uthority to prevent a poor dying woman from taking a sip of
water ???????????
March 24, 2005, 8:14 a.m.
The Right to Life
Protecting one woman.
By William J. Bennett & Brian T. Kennedy
Terry Schiavo is near death. If actions are to be taken to save her life, they must be taken now.
Let us briefly review the relevant facts: Terri is a human being whose physical condition is in dispute, but perhaps not for long. She is the daughter of loving parents, and she has a brother and sister. She is the wife of a man who once loved her, may still love her, but has taken a new woman and has with her two children. It is his duty under Florida law, and by common sense, to be her guardian.
Florida courts have found that she is incapacitated and beyond repair. Doctors have voted three to two that she is in a "persistent vegetative state." Her husband and legal guardian claims that she would have wished not to be kept alive should she find such a state. The courts agree. Florida law, as interpreted by Florida courts, provides that she should be allowed to expire. It appears Terri Schiavo has no legal right to life.
But does Terri Schiavo have a natural right to life?
Yes. She is a human being. She has committed no crime and therefore she has forfeited not one of her natural rights. Our American faith teaches us that, "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." And the purpose of all American government is "to secure these rights," not destroy them.
What then is to be done?
The Florida legislature sought to keep Terri alive, or at least postpone her death, by authorizing the governor to issue a one-time stay in order to prevent the withholding of nutrition and hydration from anyone under certain and extreme circumstances. "Terri's Law" was signed into law by Governor Jeb Bush in October, 2003, but soon after, the Florida supreme court struck down the law as unconstitutional.
Clearly, Governor Bush believes "Terri's Law" to be constitutional. Not only did he sign it into law, he later challenged the decision of his own state Supreme Court by appealing to the United States Supreme Court. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court would not hear the case.
In theoretical terms, this is a conflict between the separate powers of Florida government, as the judicial and executive branches have different opinions about what the Florida constitution requires. But in practical terms, Terri's life hangs in the balance: If the Florida supreme court prevails, she dies. If Governor Bush prevails, she lives. It is a mistake to believe that the courts have the ultimate say as to what a constitution means. Every governor is bound by oath to uphold and protect his state constitution. In the case of Florida, the constitution Mr. Bush pledged to defend declares that, "All natural persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law and have inalienable rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty..." If the governor believes that he and the Florida legislature possess the constitutional authority and duty to save Terri's life, then he is bound by his oath of office to do so.
James Madison remarked in the 51st Federalist that "auxiliary precautions" constitutional mechanisms such as separation of powers and checks and balances are necessary for limiting the power of government, a means for the end of protecting rights. But, Madison also reminded us, "a dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government." The Florida constitution echoes Madison when it states in Section 1 that, "All political power is inherent in the people."
The "auxiliary precautions" of Florida government in this case the Florida supreme court have failed Terri Schiavo. It is time, therefore, for Governor Bush to execute the law and protect her rights, and, in turn, he should take responsibility for his actions. Using the state police powers, Governor Bush can order the feeding tube reinserted. His defense will be that he and a majority of the Florida legislature believe the Florida Constitution requires nothing less. Some will argue that Governor Bush will be violating the law. We think he will not be violating the law, but if he is judged to have done so, it will be in the tradition of Martin Luther King, Jr., who answered to a higher law than a judge's opinion. In so doing, King showed respect for the man-made law by willingly going to jail (on a Good Friday); Governor Bush may have to face impeachment because of his decision.
In taking these extraordinary steps to save an innocent life, Governor Bush should be judged not by the opinion of the Florida supreme court, a co-equal branch of the Florida government, but by the opinions of his political superiors, the people of Florida. If they disagree with their governor, they are indeed free to act through their elected representatives and impeach him. Or they can vindicate him if they think he is right. But he should not be cowed into inaction he should not allow an innocent woman to be starved to death because of an opinion of a court he believes to be wrong and unconstitutional.
Governor Jeb Bush may find it difficult to protect Terri's rights without risking impeachment. But in the great American experiment in republican government, much is demanded of those who are charged with protecting the rights of the people. Governor Bush pledged to uphold the Florida constitution as he understands it, not as it is understood by some Florida judges. He is the rightful representative of the people of Florida and he is the chief executive, in whom the power is vested to execute the law and protect the rights of citizens. He should use that power to protect Terri's natural right to live, and he should do so now.
William J. Bennett is the Claremont Institute's Washington fellow. Brian T. Kennedy is president of the Claremont Institute.
* * *
If Jeb Bush is TRULY a GOOD man, he is going to regret NOT having taken this action.
Remind me to pass if Jeb or George ever offer to save me.
I have read that the White House and Congress are steamed at the newly appointed Gonzales who refuses to help. It seems he's worrying about his hoped for appointment to the SCOTUS in June. I don't think he has to worry about a filibuster now - for I doubt Pres. Bush will even put him up. Why people turn on the Bushes - the ones that most tried to help - is beyond me. "With friends like that..."
I have posted until I am dizzy that if Jeb or Pres. Bush had 'rode in ' like they think they should/could, even were they successful, impeachment proceedings would begin immediately. I wouldn't matter if successful or not. It would tie up the rest of their terms, rendering them ineffectual - and assure a dem win in 08.
You can bet the Kennedy-Kerry-Hitlery-Pelosi-Reid crowd are licking their lips in anticipation.
If there's anything left they can do legally, they will. Otherwise, it would seen as grandstanding -and would not save Terri. They are too honorable for that.
but it seems they don't have loyal supporters - only people who knee-jerk judge - people who condemn and spit at Jesse Jackson for the one decent thing he's done in years - and condemn the Bushes for one thing they think, erroneously, they should do - brushing aside all the many things they have done good. (There are a lot a posters here in the past few days that really put a chill on my heart. It scares me to see how quickly "the masses" can turn. History has always been so.
Bash Bush at our peril - he knows the law is being perverted with a run-amuck activist judiciary. He's been trying like h*ll to get good judges in to stem the tide before it's too late.
How many of you who condemn HIM as the problem have called your Senators to demand they stop the filibustering? How many of YOU have gotten involved in supporting good candidates?
Lincoln said: "He has the right to criticize who had the heart to help..."
Well, he can kiss that one good-bye. What I am wondering is who will be the choice for Chief Justice - the current back benchers ALL failed the test. While it might be unusual, one of them should have written and published a dissent to the Court's refusal to grant cert to the case. If none of them saw this as an historic case regarding the relative powers of the judiciary vs legislative and executive branches than NONE of the current justices have the historic vision to hold the job. I am disappointed, but glad we found out now.
"Congress enacted legislation which was signed into law by President Bush. The intent of the law was clear. Terri was to have the feeding tube reinserted,"
There was nothing in the law regarding re-inserting the feeding tube.
" and the evidence was to be re-examined. From scratch."
This is true.
"Judge Whittemore ignored the clear intent of the law and came up with his own interpretation."
So why don't you hold the judge accountable? What has Bush got to do with this?
"Why couldn't President Bush have declared that the judge's interpretation was not what he understood when he signed the bill, and then have taken action to enforce the law. What is he, a rubber stamp for Congress?"
Only Congress can impeach a judge. The President can not.
"Michael Schiavo last week invited both the President and the Governor to visit his wife. I think they should go."
Got a link for that?
Comes down to if you want a President who disregards EVERY and ANY law, as he does what he pleases with your life- for instance, you looked at him the wrong way and he shot you and you r family dead with impunity or you want a President who has respect for the law and your personal rights.
(Can;t understand why people can't see this...scary
key word - "wanted" - only if the wet finger in the wind showed it would make him a hero.
doing what he did to Elian was horrific - But he had a court order, (thanks to Reno,)so it was "legal.
And he didn't stop Reno from burning 30 kids alive.
. and he was too busy having fun in the oval office to be bothered having OBL handed to him on a silver platter.
and and and...we are still paying and mopping up after that 8 year mess
what you said - ditto ;o)
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