Frist Threatens Jail for Terri Judge(Shiavo Feeding)

Newsmax ^ | 3/19/05

[beyond the sea]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Friday that subpoenas issued by Sen. Mike Enzi compelling Terri Schiavo to appear at a March 28 congressional hearing made it a crime to disconnect her feeding tube - and threatened anyone who interfered with her testimony with jail.

In a statement issued by the majority leader's office, Frist said:

"Federal criminal law protects witnesses called before official Congressional committee proceedings from anyone who may obstruct or impede a witness’ attendance or testimony."

"More specifically," said the Senate's top Republican, "the law protects a witness from anyone who - by threats, force, or by any threatening letter or communication - influences, obstructs, or impedes an inquiry or investigation by Congress.

"Anyone who violates this law is subject to criminal fines and imprisonment," Frist said.

His comments appeared to be directed at Florida state judge George Greer, who brazenly defied the Enzi subpoena on Friday and ordered Schiavo's starvation to commence.

Frist's statement echoed comments by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who said late Friday that he intended to charge Greer with contempt of Congress.

"No little judge sitting in a state district court in Florida is going to usurp the authority of Congress," he complained.

[joesnuffy]

If she were black The NAACP Jesse Jackson and CBS would be there screaming..

If she were a communist the ACLU and People for the American Way would be there screaming

If she were Jewish Foxman and the ADL would be there screaming

If she were a lesbian the whole of Hollywood and the media would be there screaming

If she were a Muslim CAIR and the WAhhabi Lobby's personal congressman, senators, and other influencial politicos would be there screaming..

If she had oil Koffi Anan and the UN would be there screaming..

NOW should be there screaming but isnt...

[Non-Sequitur]

So you believe that the Judge should make the law? And only by doing so could he prove to you that he is a Christian? Assuming, of course, that he believed that he needed your stamp of approval in the first place.

[freedomdefender]

I see you're an atheist. Explains a lot.

[bboop]

Greer has been a long-standing member of a Baptist Church in town. He's uptight because his own pastor stood up for Terri, and he is being shunned by most of the congregation. Yesterday he quit that church. Whether he believed/s in God, that is another question. Evidently he does not believe in a God who will hold him accountable.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

So how often does a judicial oathtaker request that God be left out of his oath? Was this the case for Greer?

[Non-Sequitur]

Evidently he does not believe in a God who will hold him accountable.

Hold him accountable for doing what he is sworn to do? Uphold the law?

[Nephi]

I wonder just how much more of this crap us American conservatives are going to take before a revolution.

In my view, (R)nold represents where the Democrat party should be in the political spectrum. Unfortunately, liberals in the Republican party prevent it from moving further to the right which also relieves the Democrat party from moving to where it should be. The only thing that will keep conservatism moving forward is for conservatives to form a political block and push their agenda.

[Ciexyz]

Okay, and next....

[bboop]

Haha, Janet Reno's balls -- you are so right.

[Nephi]

Yeah, I'm not sure why everyone has accepted that nothing can be done over the weekend, but I have the same sense of urgency as you.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[PhiKapMom]

Florida is not looking too good right now -- we had a problem with our nursing homes here in Oklahoma -- phantom employees of the State that never did anything. They appointed new people in charge and cleaned up the mess. This deal in Florida goes way beyond what was found here and now nursing homes are fully regulated.

This should not have to be a federal issue. I would like to know from Florida Freepers what they have done to remove the judges from the FL Supreme Court AFTER 2000! Aren't the FL Supremes the ones that ruled against the law passed in the FL Legislature?

[MineralMan]

"I see you're an atheist. Explains a lot."

It's not hard to see. I have it in my tag line. However, it explains nothing regarding this particular situation. I'm on neither side of this issue, frankly.

However, I do understand that the Congress has no agency that can enforce any subpoena they issue until after the date of the appearance. Then, they may find the person who does not show up in contempt.

Frist can't send anyone to arrest anyone. President Bush can, but he has not done so. The Federal Courts can issue a restraining order, but they have refused to do so.

Frist is blowing smoke, and my atheism has nothing to do with that.

[MineralMan]

"So how often does a judicial oathtaker request that God be left out of his oath? Was this the case for Greer?"

I do not know the answer to either question, although Greer professes Christianity, so I suppose he swore his oath in his deity's name.

[philomath]

from the cognitive perspective, it is best to assume cognitive function unless brainstem responses are all that remain. i have been surprised at the cognition which remains even in cases of severe brain damage.that she might have cognitive function is enough for me to continue her support. she's definitely not brain dead; brain death is a rigidly defined clinical state of no cerebral function, even stem functions such as breathing. the question then turns to the magical "quality of life" issues. since her husband didn't divulge her end-of-life wishes soon after her brain injury, there's a reasonable doubt that she had indicated any strong feelings one way or the other. lacking definitive previously-noted guidance from terri, we have to opt for life.

unfortunately i'm confronted with these types of decisions daily, and divisiveness in a family usually indicates financial gain afoot for one of the parties.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[freedomdefender]

And if he doesn't keep her alive, doesn't this mean that He wants her with Him in heaven where she'll be much happier than if she is in a vegetative state on earth? Isn't that the goal of all of us true believers - to be next to God in heaven? Shouldn't we be happy for her?

If somebody shoots you, and God doesn't keep you alive from the bullet wound, does that means it's an acceptable occurance, because you'll be going to your reward?

[beyond the sea]

I see on another thread, 'Terry Schiavo Receives Communion (vanity)', you wrote:

No, Terri swallows. She does not drool. The reason they put the feeding tube in was not because of Terri's inability to swallow. It was for the CONVENIENCE of the staff of the deathspice so they did not have to SIT with her and feed her. So she is being murdered by means of a medical device that was placed in her for her caretakers' CONVENIENCE.

Notice how no one seems to worry about the weekend...? I'm going INSANE over this. I don't want to eat or drink myself because I feel so bad. That rotten judge CHOSE a Friday because he knew Terri would suffer for at least three days.

I understand your anger and pain over this disgusting set of circumstances. I too think Terri is basically being killed and that the husband and judge and others have been treating her terribly for years.

However, your angry tantrum toward me many posts ago does nothing to bring empathy for your position or any aid to Terri. Try to get a hold of your emotions. After all there are more people here who want the parents to be able to take care of their daughter than otherwise. You are far from alone. You would be better off if you knew who your real enemies were. I am not one of them. Got it?

[processing please hold]

Are you also happy about the millions who died during WW2? Darfur? Rwanda? Congo? Russia? China? Etc, etc,etc.