If Janet Reno defied the 11th circuit court to get Elian, why couldn't Jeb do that same.

4/1/05

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Jeb believes in the rule of law ... defined as "every word that proceeds from a judge's mouth."

[Cobra64]

Call his office, and ask the question. Then get back to us.

[GeekDejure]

With all the vast criminal activities underlying the brazen attempted murder of Terri (e.g., transferring her to the six month maximum hospice, a care facility for dying people, and then holding her there for FIVE YEARS while sticking it to Medicare for her care, is grossly illegal) !!!

Jeb could have easily and lawfully began a criminal investigation... and therefore could have lawfully taken Terri into protective custody... but Nooooooooooo... that would have been the lawful, decent, humane and constitutional thing to do... precisely what Jeb Bush should have done... but Noooooooooo... the gutless coward chose to allow Terri to be MURDERED by judicial oligarchy !!!

[CitizenM]

I think the Federal govt. clearly felt the jurisdiction was with them since Elian was not a citizen. And, in effect, no legal custodial appointees were on record. It was a terrible situation. I have often wondered how he is doing.

Terri was, however a citizen, and therefore came under the jurisdiction of the Fl. courts. Jeb is bound to uphold the state's decisions.

I do believe he struggled with this issue, especially since he is the one who signed into law the declaration that a feeding tube was to be considered "artificial life support" in Florida. He signed that in 1999. Had he not done that, the issue of her being on artificial life support would be moot. I am sure that is why he got involved, and regrets it to this day.

[Tom D.]

Clinton, Reno, et al were lawless bastards. Gov. Bush was exactly correct. The Clinton Administration was a real danger to this country. If you use that bunch as the template for how government officials are supposed to act, then you are pushing for rule by men [or in Reno's case, men want to bes] and not rule by law.

[kingu]

I think that Jeb and the President as well as Congress went to bat for her, but it didn't turn out the way it should have. I think that everyone trying to string up the Bush family for this is just plain unfair. Blame the husband, the lawyer or the judge, they all had far more to do with this.

Better than whining would be for these folks to get off their rumps and see to it that protective legislation for future cases is written into both federal and state laws.

[Lori675]

I dont think Reno has been interviewed about the Terri situation. I wonder what she would have done.

[CitizenM]

I agree with you completely. I was just trying to explain the difference to the poster's question. But, I still think Jeb regrets the 1999 decision. Without that, MS would not have been able to evoke that plea. If a feeding tube had not been considered "artificial life support" and simply non-extreme measures for life sustance, things would have been different.

I never lost respect for either Jeb or GW. Our leaders do not win all the battles, just as generals in a war.

With the result of the recent Zogby poll out, showing that 79% of those polled did not support removing the feeding tube, it is clear the conservatives are still winning the "war" to keep the morality issue foremost.

[William of Orange]

but... but... they're democrats, they are allowed to ignore the judiciary... they know what's best, doncha know? /sarc

[BigSkyFreeper]

Jeb believes in following the rule of law. Janet Reno is a lawless, sasquatch looking, alligator wrestling, Clinton administration scumbag.

[Lori675]

So your saying, it was best to let Terri starve to death.
I agree in the rule of law. But sometimes there are exceptions where its not right.
This was definitely that moment.

[BigSkyFreeper]

So your saying, it was best to let Terri starve to death.

Nope.

[squirt-gun]

Re # 5

Say what you will about the logic behind Jeb's restraint....

But the legal Mafia in this country can and does do whatever it pleases. They use sophistry to mask and justify their actions.

The statue of Justice doesn't have a blindfold anymore..... and the scale tips as they want it to tip.

[tiredoflaundry]

now tell us what you really think! ;-)

[CitizenM]

Janet Reno is a lawless, sasquatch looking, alligator wrestling, Clinton administration scumbag.

No sasquach pic, no alligator wrestler, no Clinton - but I did find this one of an ugly ole alligator. Or is this Janet?

[McGavin999]

You either have respect for the law, or you do not. Jeb knows that the foundation of this country is the rule of law and if he destroys that, there is nothing left to build upon.

For someone like Reno, ignoring the law, is nothing new. They have no respect for the Constitution, think that rules don't apply to them, and have little faith in God.

Jeb knows that Terri is one of thousands who have gone before her and that it must stop. To break the law would have been to destroy the one thing that will save thousands in the future.

[bert]

It's over.

[BigSkyFreeper]

What I really think is, these posters who believe in breaking every law under the sun and in the books, should go somewhere else and act dopey. Lawlessness is not advocated here on FR.

[tiredoflaundry]

I agree with you. Law should not be broken.
If one thinks the law is wrong, then try to change it, legally.
My fear is that since this case is so emotional,another "bad" law might be created.