Governor Bush Has Legal Authority, But Lacks Politcal Will To Save Terri Schiavo’s Life

THOMAS MORE LAW CENTER ^ | 10-17-03

[cpforlife.org]

ANN ARBOR, MI - According to Richard Thompson, former prosecutor of Jack Kevorkian, Florida Governor Jeb Bush has the legal authority to act in the case of Terri Schiavo, but lacks the political will to do so. Responding to the Governor’s statements that he cannot intervene in the civil case, Thompson claimed Bush is confusing the public on what is being asked of him.

“Nobody is asking the Governor to intervene in the civil case. We are asking him to initiate an independent criminal investigation based on a list of facts that suggest criminal wrongdoing,” said Thompson. “We have outlined for the Governor some of these facts, and confirmed his Constitutional authority to act. The fact that he has chosen to confuse the public by referring to the civil case, completely ignoring the request that we presented, reveals a lack of moral courage and political will. We expect the Governor to do the right thing, and so far, he has refused to do so.”

“If Governor Bush does not act quickly, I expect Terri will be killed by an overdose of morphine. She is being starved and denied fluids, and the Governor needs to act now before it’s too late,” said Thompson.

Thompson, now president of the Thomas More Law Center, delivered two emergency letters to Bush Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, asking him to initiate a criminal investigation. The letters outlined the constitutional authority of the Governor to act in the case, including a factual basis for initiating a criminal investigation. Bush has maintained he has no authority to interfere in the civil case that led to the feeding tube being removed.

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[pollywog]

My letter and position to Governor Bush

October 18,2003

Governor Bush,

In regards to the Terri Schiavo case, our family is distraught and disheartened that you refuse to take action. According to what we have read and the different attorneys and Judical Watch opening the door for you to act, we find it very interesting at the least that you are not acting to save a innocent woman.

America will need a pretty thorough explanation from you why you did not take action. The future of all handicapped and disabled Americans is on the line. She is not comatose, not terminally ill, able to breath and function on her own, and yet you are allowing her to die, legally.

Would you PLEASE go to the hospice and visit her personally? and then come out on the lawn of the hospice and hold a news conference and explain yourself. We are getting tired of hearing you say " I cannot intervene. Ok, if that is the case, you owe us a explanation. It BETTER be a good one too.

[MHGinTN]

THAT was funny, sinky! Good one ...

[Manic_Episode]

Agreed. He could say a great many things that would help.
He should publicly criticize Greer, but I doubt this judge has any shame.
He could, if need be (and the need be's all right) call on the people to rally and calmly just go in there and get her.

[Theodore R.]

Actually, the popular George W. Greer criticized Jeb, and Jeb backed away and said nothing in reply.

[EternalVigilance]

Could you try to explain to me why the President and his Attorney General cannot send U.S. Marshalls and a medical team in to save this poor woman?

Her civil rights are being trampled into the dust...

[Manic_Episode]

"We have Gov. Bush's word that he is trying to find a way to intervene"


"There is no try. There is only do or do not."
Yoda

All we see is "do not" so far.

[supercat]

An appeals court. Apparently they have not, and are not, doing so.

Appeals courts are bound by trial courts' findings of facts. If Terri were to get up in front of the trial court and dance a jig, and Felos responded by having Doctor Nick Riviera testify that it was just a "reflex" and Terri was in fact vegetative, then if Judge Greer delcared Terri vegetative an appeals court would not be allowed to question that.

[MHGinTN]

If you will recall, Jeb Bush filed an amicus brief with Judge Lazzara that addressed that very fact! Now, the governor hasn't the courage of his previous convictions.

[EternalVigilance]

Well, they better get off the fence now. There is no more time for dithering.

Political power and capital is worthless if it isn't used...and if they aren't going to use it now, they aren't going to use it ever.

Personally, my angst is going to turn to outrage very soon.

[MHGinTN]

If they're (they being the governor's office and legal advisers) trying to get all their ducks in a row, they sure have slow ducks. By the time they actually do something, Terri will have slipped beyond full recovery (kidney problems, liver, etc) ... that's giving them the benefit of the doubt that they actually want to save her.

[Golden Gate]

11:57 AM 10/18/03 - Golden Bump!!
W & Jeb - Help Terri - Now is better than Later.

[EternalVigilance]

I know.

[Golden Gate]

W & Jeb - Please help Terri - Bump!

Pres. Bush - Did you have breakfast / Lunch Today?

What was it? How was it?

Pres. Bush & Laura - Are you getting plenty of fluids today?

So, what about Terri? - Presumably, Terri has not had any food or water since Wed.

[EternalVigilance]

State troopers and a medical team!

Now!

Fight the legal battles later.

That is my message to the Governor of Florida.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

U.S. Marshals and a medical team!

Now!

That is my message to the President of the the United States, and to Attorney General John Ashcroft.

[Golden Gate]

Must Read Thread - Many good Posts Bump!

Gov. Jeb & the Mrs. - Did you have breakfast / Lunch Today?

Are you getting plenty of fluids today?

So, what about Terri? - Presumably, Terri has not had any food or water since Wed.

[MHGinTN]

I faxed something similar to the governor's office late Thursday night. It may get read before Terri is cremated, but I'd be surprised.

[fishbabe]

if her "loving"hubby didn't put her in that condition,why the hurry to cremate right after she dies???because,his crime will be detected if theres an autospy and even that the "good jeb bush"won't bother to do anything about....that creep will get away with murder and a judge and sitting governor will help him....welcome to the new nazi germany...

[backhoe]

Could you try to explain to me why the President and his Attorney General cannot send U.S. Marshalls and a medical team in to save this poor woman?

I also do not understand why Jeb cannot dispatch a detail of State Troopers and medical personel- who would stop them?

[EternalVigilance]

I guarantee the unrighteous judge in this case doesn't have an army...neither do the so-called 'doctors' and 'nurses'.

Screw 'em.

There's a time to tell the lawyers to go jump in a lake, and this is one without a doubt.

[backhoe]

Screw 'em. There's a time to tell the lawyers to go jump in a lake, and this is one without a doubt.

I absolutely agree- whether this violates the letter of the law or not, it is in keeping with spirit of the law, and doing the right thing.

I hope one thing that will come from all this is the need for more accountability from all public officials- starting with judges.