FLA. LAWMAKERS MAY PASS TUBE-FEEDING LAW (LEGISLATURE MEETING TONIGHT, OCT. 20, TO PROPOSE BILL)

AP WIRE SERVICE ^ | OCT. 20, 2003 | AP WIRE

[varina davis]

Fla. Lawmakers May Pass Tube-Feeding Law

October 20, 2003 07:17 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida lawmakers were moving Monday to consider intervening in the case of a severely brain-damaged woman whose feeding tube was removed last week by her husband's order.

The Florida House scheduled a Monday night session to take up the issue. In the Senate, President Jim King said he will propose legislation that would give Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to order the feeding tube be reinserted to keep Terri Schiavo alive.

The tube was removed Wednesday following a decade-long court battle between Schiavo's parents and their son-in-law, who contends 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," said King, a Republican.

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

Bush told parents Bob and Mary Schindler last week that his staff would search for legal ways to save their daughter's life, but said Monday they haven't yet found a way.

"The legal ways, the remedies, don't exist," Bush said Monday, before the possible legislative moves became apparent.

Bush added, "I wish I could wave the magic wand and resolve this but every effort that we've had or every effort that has been proposed has either been thwarted by the courts or would be inappropriate."

Meanwhile, in a statement released through his lawyer, husband Michael Schiavo said Monday that he, too, is grieving, but "I did what I believe Terri would have wanted me to do."

[workerbee]

Is it a fact that Schiavo has barred Terri's parents from her hospital room while he has her starved? If so, the words sick bastard are too good for him.

[Steve0113]

The clock is ticking while they mince words.

Doesn't matter. There's a miracle in progress.

Nina0113 (Steve's wife)

[shezza]

Give that lady a paper bag...she's starting to hyperventilate over how they cannot question the judicial branch. How many times is she going to say "how many times"?

[incindiary]

What is this woman right now talking about???

[Gelato]

Bucher, Susan - Democrat 88 Part of Palm Beach

[varina davis]

What a shrew!

[Marie Antoinette]

Dag!! This Booker chick is almost incoherent! She's ranting and rambling.

Where's the HOOK??

[BulletBobCo]

How many times do we have to hear hear say "how many times"

[HungarianGypsy]

I think she's late for a date. maybe she should pay attention to her local news to know what's going on.

[shezza]

Why yes, yes it is true. Armed guards and police dogs to keep them away. And not just the parents, but her priest was forbidden from giving her the Eucharist for last rites. What a nice guy that Michael Schiavo is, eh?

[NautiNurse]

Bob Allen (R) Brevard & Orange Co.

[dixiegrrl]

What in the _____ was that all about? Did she actually say anything?

[WackySam]

Evil Bi*ch

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I hope God was watching that little girl.. Oh my goodness.. who elected her?

[workerbee]

Just the right kinds of marriages.

Isn't that the truth? All of a sudden they find some great sanctity in the "traditional" vows of marriages that they act like Shiavo is upholding so well. Pathetic.

[NautiNurse]

thanks! I missed the alt spelling

[Rome2000]

Palm Beach blows

[ChemistCat]

WAIT A MINUTE. What were all they all screaming when Bush was "selected not elected"? Weren't they questioning the judicial branch then?????

[WackySam]

What in the _____ was that all about? Did she actually say anything?

Only that she's pis*sed about all the emails she got

[yesnettv]

"More humane way"
He is talking about euthanasia