RUSH: Live Thread - Schiavo vs Elian - Compare and Contrast

[fishtank]

Rush: The 11th Circuit Court had said "No" to Johnny Reno, but she went ahead and took custody of Elian anyway...........................

[hisname]

Is it me, or did anyone else find the Starvation Parody disgusting.

Timing is way off.

[LifeOrGoods?]

Reno was never vilified for her actions. The ball is now in the Bush's court.

[Lady Eileen]

Is it me, or did anyone else find the Starvation Parody disgusting.

Disgusting and dishonorable.

[rodguy911]

This is about as tough a political decision as either Bush brother will ever make. If they do the right thing and back us,save Terri, the opposition and many of the ill-informed in both parties will blast them for a long time. The rats will use what ever they do in the next election cycle and we could get hurt.

If they don't back us, they endanger neutralizing a very important base. True we may not have any where to go but we certainly won't forget all this any time soon.

[Defiant]

Should Judge Greer be held in Contempt of Congress?

Before you even get to that, he should have been arrested for violation of 18 USC Section 1505, which makes it a felony punishable by 5 years in prison for harming or threatening a witness to a congressional investigation. If he refused to withdraw his order after his arrest, I would have sent the marshalls in, to prevent the violation of federal law, as the FBI is empowered to do.

After Congress comes back into session, if they want to refer contempt charges to the US attorney under Title 2 of the US code, they are welcome to, but they didn't have to do that if the other US law had been enforced.

[grassboots.org]

It looks like we may try to close a lot of barn doors after the horse has already fled for the hills.

[rodguy911]

You have to be a lawyer, brilliant post.

[Diogenesis]

Judgenfuhrer Greer: "Subpoenas for the US Congress aren't even worth a bucket of warm spit around here.
18 USC Section 1505 - we urinate on it. Title 2 of the US code, we deficate on it.
And I will institute 'First Night' to get the right people in our extra black-Mullah robes."

[Lady Eileen]

Saving Whales --- Starving Humans...Is this the new American way?

[LifeOrGoods?]

I have no idea what is going through these two men's heads. I am not in a position to judge them in this case. They probably do have too much to lose in this situation and are making the right decision. I think more of the blame lies in other areas outside of these two men's control. I would personally love to see some guts for glory here, but I know they do not have full control over the situation. I pray that God will change the people of this nation so that they will act where the President and Governor do not have the practical power to act.

[rodguy911]

Sounds like it Eileen.
Notice el Rushbo not taking too many calls today. He may be getting beat up pretty good on this one.

[rodguy911]

You make a good point. It would be one thing if there were 100,000 people out in front of the hospice like they had in the Ukraine in freezing ass weather. But don't expect it in Fla. Too much apathy, too many people that don't consider the state their state. Too many retired people and the rest of us work two and three jobs just to stay alive. I'm home sick today the only reason I even get to type my opinion.

That being said the Clintonistas did not hesitate to act when their ox was gored. They basically got down and dirty pulled out all the stops played fast and loose and the next thing we know Elian was a forever pawn of Castro.

Sometimes we need to do the same thing.

[Defiant]

Yes, I am a lawyer, and I am at a loss to understand why George Bush didn't act to enforce the subpoenas, as he had a clear statute to enforce and the federal marshalls service at his disposal. George Greer hadn't even sent him a court order!

When the subpoena was issued, DeLay made a statement to the effect that if anyone impeded the subpoena or harmed the witness, it would violate federal law. Then, someone here posted the law and I read it. It is pretty darn clear. After Judge Greer threw the subpoenas in the toilet, that was the last I heard of it. I called my congressman and asked his office if he would ask the President to enforce the subpoena under Section 1505, and I have been shouting about it ever since. I can only assume that the decision not to take this course of action is political, not legal.

Jeb was in a tougher situation because of the court order directed at him, but I still would have sent the DCF in, on the grounds that the judge cannot prevent the state from enforcing its laws as the violation is occuring. That's a separation of powers thing; Judge Greer is not the governor, and cannot direct the DCF to stop enforcing the law. Enforcing the law is their duty. Judge Greer can, at best, tell them that they were wrong after the fact, and then if Michael Schiavo wants to sue on behalf of his wife, he can. However, when she starts responding to therapy, the Judge and Michael might just slink away, hoping not to get indicted.

[Diogenesis]

Successful audicity requires early deployment.

[rodguy911]

Another great post. Can someone beside Jeb order or request the DCF to go in and save Terri, or how does that work. And can Greer stop the DCF from assisting Terri?.

[Not A Snowbird]

No problem! :-)

[Lady Eileen]

Thanks for a most excellent summation.

[fishtank]

The only thing disgusting about it were the decisions made by corrupt politicians that made the spot possible in the first place.

[fishtank]

A Rush caller said there should be NO reason why her parents (or anyone else) could not try to feed or hydrate Terry WITHOUT the feeding tube.

It seems like Terry can swallow her own saliva, so why not try to fee her conventionally?

Again, these are not my thoughts, but a Rush caller.