Conservative, Liberal Law Groups Face Off by Steve Jordahl, correspondent
SUMMARY: A legal battle over the role of government in decisions about life and death is under way in Florida.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) -- two of the most influential legal societies of their respective ideologies -- will oppose one another in court to determine whether the state of Florida can order Terri Schiavo to be fed and given water.
The case stems from the Florida Legislature's passage last week of a law allowing Gov. Jeb Bush to stop the court-ordered starvation and dehydration of Schiavo, a 39-year-old disabled woman.
The ACLU quickly filed a suit challenging "Terri's Law" as unconstitutional.
"This is a dangerous abuse of power by the governor and the Florida lawmakers, and it should concern everyone," ACLU spokeswoman Alessandra Soler Meetze said. "It's an extremely frightening prospect when the governor negates a court decision . . . simply because he disagrees with the outcome."
The ACLJ joined the legal battle this week; Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow will argue that there is ample precedent for the governor's involvement.
"The Legislature has a role to play here," he explained. "The courts are not the sole and only arbiter of life-and-death decisions. What's interesting here is that the governor of each of the 50 states -- including the governor of Florida -- has the authority to issue a stay when it comes to someone on death row."
This case could have a significant impact on the right-to-life debate in Florida -- and beyond.
"The scope of this case is well beyond Terri Schindler-Schiavo's life, although that is obviously very significant," Sekulow explained. "It involves the whole role of what the legislative process is concerning life-and-death matters."
The trial should begin by the middle of November.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dr. James Dobson and a panel of guests discussed the legal and moral implications of the Schiavo case during a recent "Focus on the Family" daily radio broadcast.
"This is a dangerous abuse of power by the governor and the Florida lawmakers, and it should concern everyone,"
It's a dangerous abuse of power alright, but it isn't the lawmakers and the governor who are abusing it.
I think it is even more frightening that the
Florida ACLU gave an award to Gerald Kogan
the former Chief Justice of the Florida State Supreme court
who thinks there is no difference between
Bet if it was Chiles and it went the other way, she'd be as quiet as a mouse.
I am coming to the thread very late but have been following this story since long before it became well-known. While I sympathize with Terri's parents I do not welcome the entrance of government into this. This decision should be left to patient's families in consultation with physicians, not to politicians with agendas on both sides. Maybe the right decision will be made this time, but other times will come and the government will eventually screw it up.