Terri's Parents Want Their Voice Heard in Life-or-Death Case

CNSNews.com ^ | 10/30/03 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - A conservative public interest law firm is trying to give Terri Schindler Schiavo's parents a voice in the latest round of court proceedings that may determine whether their daughter lives or dies.

The American Center for Law and Justice announced Thursday that it has filed a motion in Florida state court that would allow Robert and Mary Schindler to intervene in a lawsuit brought by Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, who wants his wife's life-sustaining feeding tube disconnected.

Michael Schiavo -- with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union -- is challenging the constitutionality of a law passed earlier this month by the Florida Legislature. "Terri's Law" gave Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to order that Terri's feeding tube be reconnected, after a Florida judge ordered the feeding tube removed.

Terri, who suffered a serious brain injury 13 years ago, went six days without food or water before the Florida legislature and governor intervened on Oct. 21. Terri's parents dispute her husband's contention that Terri told him she would not want to be kept alive artificially.

"This is a very important case involving the state's ability to act to protect human life," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ. "We believe [Michael Schiavo's] lawsuit is legally flawed and that both the legislature and the governor are well within their constitutional authority to take actions to save the life of Terri Schindler Schiavo."

Sekulow said the ACLJ is asking the court to allow the parents to intervene in the legal challenge. "We're hopeful the court will agree," he said.

Michael Schiavo is not only challenging the constitutionality of the state's action, but he is also asking the court for an injunction to remove Terri's feeding tube once again.

"It is clear the Governor has the constitutional authority to act to save the life of someone on death row," said Sekulow. "This case is no different. What the legislature and the Governor did is not only appropriate, but legally sound and constitutional as well.

There is no word on when the court might consider the ACLJ's motion.


See Earlier Stories:
Doctor Says Schiavo Likely Victim of 'Some Kind of Trauma' (Oct. 28, 2003)
Terri Schindler Schiavo's Parents Denied Visitation, Information (Oct. 22, 2003)

 

[The Red Zone]

Rutherford connection... only if religious liberty issue at stake. I am aware of one thing in this regard -- Michael's refusal to let Terri receive communion -- but don't know if this is big enough for Rutherford. Nor could it be litigated until someone else gets standing (an eventual GAL?)

[sweetliberty]

"There are so many issues involved in this particular case, making it difficult for NOW to take an official position."

It is liberal doublespeak. That's all. What it means basically is that they have an agenda to serve and sometimes one of their agendas conflicts with another, in which case they prioritize. There is nothing on their agenda that trumps their relentless pursuit for nullification of the Constitution, thus they are most concerned at this time with taking up the side that will try to rule Terri's Law unconstitutional for the simple reason that it IS the balance of powers in action, with the executive and the legislative working together to overrule a court which was misapplying the laws and overstepping its legitimate authority. If the liberals lose their puppets on the bench, they are screwed. End of story.

[The Red Zone]

Well... NOW actually sees both sides of the story? WOW!

[trustandobey]

I notified Katherine Harris sometime ago, and although I support her, was really disappointed she didn't answer my e-mail. Just hope they are working behind the scenes.

[texasbluebell]

Yes, I had been hearing about ACLJ on the Terri threads so my ears picked up when this began. This should be a great help.

[AmericaUnited]

Jay Sekulow is like a 200 pound pitbull! Awesome!!!

[zerosix]

There are a couple of other "Jewish Christians" that might interest Freepers: Marvin Olasky, World Magazine and Larry Klayman (who can be a bit of a pain from time to time.)

[The Red Zone]

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

[Aliska]

Michael's refusal to let Terri receive communion

That could possibly be justified on the basis of choking and the strict interpretation of no food at the time. I'm not saying it is right, but it may not be that good of an argument.

Also, I could be wrong, but I believe she was allowed to receive sacramental last rites, just not communion.

Maybe the last rites bought her some time.

[Lone Voice in the hinterlands]

I am new to this site, just poking around to see if I am your version of a conservative. I just made a mess on another post which I won't go into, I dispalyed bad manners but I didn't know I was doing it, so now I am being more careful.

Anyway, is this Free Republic site only for Christians, in other words Jews need not apply? I noticed you said that the Jay guy was a Jew Christian. I see a lot of prayers here which is good, I pray right along with the prayers that I read posted. Since I happen to be a Christian it is convenient.

However if I saw prayers to Allah or Buddah I would just ignore them, being a Christian and all, but respect and not offend the people who offered the prayer.

I was just wondering if this Free Republic is a site that is like "against" other religions. OR is it the kind of site where everyone contributes (albeit mostly christians) even if their religion is not Christian? I am trying to figure out what the whole Free Republic site is about.

And This question is NOT directed at the person I am replying to.

It is a question for the group as a whole. I screwed that up on my last post on a different thread and I really offended a nice man because it seems like there is no way to post without picking out a person to reply to. And then that person seems like he is getting dumped on.

Not to distract form the topic, or anything but I am trying toget to know you all. I did send out e-mails in support of Terri, based on information formt his site. I value life and feel abortion is wrong.

I have a living will drawn up by our attorney, and have a healthcare decision maker named. I picked my brother in law because I thought it would be to hard for my blood realtives to pull the plug. However in my living will I explicitly state that food and water are not what I call being on life support. We feed our babies and little children food and water, surely food and water is not life support. My brother in law can pull the plug on me, I don't want to be sustained by machines but I don't want to be starved to deth either.

Thank you to all.

[windchime]

Bump!!

[MSCASEY]

Glad to hear that Jay is taking on the case. Will he be working with the current attorney or will he be handling the case from now on?

MCD

[sweetliberty]

Don't know. I expect he will be working with the present attorney, unless she chooses to bow out. She seems pretty committed to the family though.

[MSCASEY]

I know he does not back down and will go all the way to the Supreme Court if needed.

MCD

[Annie03]

I believe ACLJ is representing the Schindlers as to this matter only (Schiavo v Bush). Their lawyer will continue to handle everything else. Check their website to verify.

I'm very happy they are in this.

[churchillbuff]

"a Jew Christian"

With that kind of incendiary language, you might be "inadvertantly" "making a mess" on this thread as well!

[TaxRelief]

You are aware that NOW is a big no-no around Freerepublic, aren't you? They are a tiny, little, loud-mouthed organization that is anti-family, anti-male, anti-Republican, pro-death and pro-Socialism. They also never take the position of an abused or molested women unless she is a voting democrat and he is a Republican.

Don't waste an ounce of effort communicating with them. Have you ever heard of Concerned Women for America?

http://www.cwfa.org/

They have and do take positions on isues immediately, because the are founded on a certain set of principles.

I know you meant well, but ...

[Politicalmom]

I would say a goodly number of people(maybe a majority) on this site are Christians(or identify as a Protestant/Catholic anyway), but there are many other faiths represented, as well as some atheists.

If you have a general post to make, type "all" in the To: box.

[The Red Zone]

No slur or even criticism on Sekulow intended! The Jews are God's chosen people and always will be. Christianity is the completion of Judaism, not its enemy.