Posted on 03/11/2005 4:25:34 PM PST by gopwinsin04
With avenues to keep Terri Schiavo alive closing in the state of Florida, they were opening in the nation's capital Thursday . The tide turned decidedly in favor of the parents who want to prolong their brain-damaged daughters life.
Just a scant eight days before the court ordered deadline to remove her feeding tube, Republicans on Capitol Hill rallied around the case that has become a 'cause celebre' of conservative and religious groups.
Florida Sen. Mel Martinez and Rep. Dave Weldon's bill to require the incapacitated without living wills to be appointed attorneys before life support is terminated, introduced on Tuesday had 103 sponsors in the House and seven sponsors in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a surgeon, is trying to get it to the Senate floor without it being heard in committte. House Majority Leader Tom Delay is working to get the bill in front of the Judiciary committee by Wednesday.
It was unclear whether US Congressional Democrats would try and stop the bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he prefers for it to be heard in committee.
Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican, said he hopes for full Democratic support and has heard no direct oppositon.
George Felos, attorney for Michael Schiavo, sounded resigned to the fact that politics in the nations capital would delay the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube the way it did in 2003, when Florida's governor and legislature stepped in.
'It is certainly disheartening to see them falling all over themselves to pander to these groups,' Felos said. 'It's a massive campaign of fear and misinformation. It's a repeat of Terri's law'
The attorney for the Schiavo parents had the opposite view. 'We are very encouraged by what is happening in Congress right now, said David Gibbs.
'The family is profoundly grateful'
(Excerpt) Read more at sptimes.com ...
Whoa! What a beauty!
You are, of course, Constitutionally right.
Well said!
This entire case is most interesting, isn't it? We're discussing the constitution and federal rights of citizens in a way that hasn't been done in a long time.
It's a simple as that.
The hope that the US Congress could do something (which I think I've made abundantly clear that they shouldn't) within a week is really a stretch. I don't remember anything but a resolution passing that fast. Actual legislation? I don't think it's possible.
The filing of this bill was meant to gain local PR for the Florida legislators who filed it. Sorry to sound crass, but I don't think they were really serious. They want to look good.
The Florida courts are fed up with this case. They have basically said so. They're not going to entertain more legal motions that they consider stalling tactics. The governor has no power to intervene.
It's up to the legislature. Terri's fate is in their hands.
Something I find amazing is that people who usually like the Constitution and Bill of Rights, suddenly don't like it so much if it can be used to save the life of a useless eater.
This is going to be a historical case- no matter what anyone says about it.
I say let Terri have fair representation and we shall find out if she wants to die or not. Simple enough. Just get someone trustworthy to ask her if she wants to die.
She can communicate.
Yes, what a shock to the Culture of Death crowd, that they can't terminate with impunity a disabled individual who steps on their groove, who impedes their style, who's using up "their" inheritance in hospital or nursing home care.
Mary --- May I correct your correction? "Unalienable" is indeed the correct term, as used in the Declaration of Independence.
http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html
Yes, and that is indeed a fine line we walk. That is Euthanasia, in the strict term. But better her mother and father make the choice, than a husband who gave up long ago.
I have to agree.
I've never heard of them. What do they know that I don't know?
Yeah! After I saw the videos of this owman I just cannot understand how this "husband" is allowed to get away with attemting to have her PUT DOWN - worse than a dog! If you tried to "euthanize" an animal by starving it to death you would go to JAIL! Does this horror of a judge not know Michael has been living with another woman and has two kids by her? How then is he allowed to speak as Terri's "husband?"
"Something I find amazing is that people who usually like the Constitution and Bill of Rights, suddenly don't like it so much if it can be used to save the life of a useless eater."
Life is a basic right and was clearly spelled out in the Bill of Rights. It's the most important right...or at least they listed it first.
But suddenly everybody thinks they're Perry Mason and are turning this into a friggin civics lesson.
Please don't extend your beliefs to everyone as we don't all hold them. Many, many FReepers and Republicans don't want to torture Terri in her human body. We believe in a loving God and that going to heaven is a better place, if that is where she wants to be. We pray for God's will and Terrie's will to be done.
That also is the view of the majority of Floridians.
Right. This is the shot that has been heard around the world. You have heard that in Poland, there will be a demonstration for Terri in front to the U.S. Embassy. Wonder where else?
The Pope spoke out against abortion and we haven't seen much of the Catholic vote change.
Unfortunately I don't think this will make much of a difference. It's seems that much of my fellow brethren would rather follow Camelot than the Pope.
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