Legislature May Act To Save Terri Schiavo

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Senate President Jim King said Monday he would propose legislation that could save the life of a severely brain-damaged woman whose feeding tube was removed last week by her husband's order.

King, R-Jacksonville, said the measure would give Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to order that the feeding tube be reinserted to keep Terri Schiavo (pictured, left) alive.

The tube was removed Wednesday following a decade-long court battle between Schiavo's parents and their son-in-law, who said that he is carrying out her wishes not to be kept alive artificially.

"If we are to err -- because time is of the essence -- for goodness sake, let us err on the side of caution," King said.

King said lawmakers likely would take up the Schiavo issue this week during a scheduled special session regarding economic development issues, but he didn't know when.

Meanwhile, Schiavo supporters are praying outside the state Capitol, asking for intervention from state leaders.

Vigil leaders insist Gov. Jeb Bush has the legal means to step in and save Schiavo, but has refused to do so. They are planning to move their vigil to the front gates of the governor's mansion Monday evening.

Schiavo has been in what doctors call a vegetative state since her heart stopped in 1990 from a suspected potassium imbalance.

Yep. They're trying to play "both sides now" : Piddle around and act like they're doing something (to please the prolife/pro Terry/disabled activists) while not-so-secretly working slowly enough to guarantee she'll die before they enact anything (to please the prodeath/pro Michael/ pro euthanasia crowd). They hope to get credit for good intentions from the first side, while getting credit for "letting the law take its course" from the other. After she's safely murdered, "Terri's Act" will be passed, "to prevent similar tragedies in the future". I believe our antebellum ancestors called it, "Trying to hunt with the hounds and run with the hares."

EDITOR'S NOTE

Dr. James Dobson Calls for Campaign to Save Terri Schiavo

Time is running out for Terri Schiavo, the disabled Florida woman who is being dehydrated and starved to death on the authority of a court order. Today was Schiavo's fifth day without food or water -- her death could come at any moment, according to medical experts.

That's why, Focus on the Family founder and chairman Dr. James Dobson said today, all Americans who value life must do what they can to save her.

Dobson is urging Focus on the Family constituents and others to contact key members of the Florida Legislature, and Gov. Jeb Bush, and ask them to support the introduction of "Terri's Bill," which if passed into law would bring an end to Schiavo's ordeal.

"If a dog were starved to death in this manner, the person responsible would be arrested for doing it," Dobson said. "This is cruel and it is unusual and it is not even punishment. It's just another example of judicial tyranny."

Pinellas County Circuit Court Judge George W. Greer ruled last month that the feeding tube sustaining Schiavo, who is profoundly disabled but not in a coma, be removed as her husband, Michael Schiavo, wished.

The key Florida legislators to contact regarding the attempt to overrule that order with a legislative moratorium on the removal of nutrition and hydration are listed below. Click on the links beneath their names for contact information -- and then contact them by e-mail, phone and fax if you're able. You also can forward this e-mail to friends and family and urge them to do the same.

** House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, who could potentially introduce "Terri's Bill" in the House.

http://capwiz.com/fof/bio/?id=2392&lvl=L

** Senate Majority Whip Jim Sebesta, who could possibly introduce the bill in the Senate.

http://capwiz.com/fof/bio/?lvl=L&chamber=S&ID=1294&submit=View+Member

** Senate President Jim King, who has said he doesn't think taking up the Schiavo case is wise and is considered a key roadblock to the legislation's success.

http://capwiz.com/fof/bio/?lvl=L&chamber=S&ID=706&submit=View+Member

In addition, e-mails, phone calls and faxes to Gov. Bush urging him to find a way to intervene on Schiavo's behalf immediately continue to be crucial.

http://capwiz.com/fof/bio/?id=9483&lvl=S

"This young woman," Dobson said, "must not be allowed to die."

It's been confusing, but it looks like the original "Terri's Bill" was dropped earlier today. Freeper reports were that the bill's sponsor, Speaker Johnnie Byrd, authored no bill at all.

HOWEVER, a new bill in currently being introduced by Senate President Jim King (the man reported to have said he didn't support the bill).

They are discussing this right now in the House:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/View_Page_House.pl?File=index.cfm&Directory=/welcome/video&Location=App

Jeb Bush issued a proclamation one hour ago to bring in the legislature to discuss saving Terri.

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Fla. Lawmakers May Pass Tube-Feeding Law