US Senate to convene emergency session. (Schiavo) Fox news. Tom Delay speaking now

Fox News

[Ravi]

Just heard on Fox that U.S. Senate will convene today in emergency session regarding Terri Schiavo.

[gentlestrength]

I've been without food since her tubes were pulled. I get water, and yet I've had a continual headache. She must feel awful.

I suggest people to write the media when they hear "she has 1-2 weeks." No, every hour,every day matters. YOU try going without water, and see how fast you would want the legislation getting passed!

[BCrago66]

Senate is in session now.

For the cable-deprived, here's the link to your choice of Windows or RealVideo. It's on C-Span 2.

http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2&ShowVidDays=30&ShowVidDesc=&ArchiveDays=30

[RightWhale]

That seems surreal

There is a reality that is not obvious at first. It is ugly when you get right down to it, and we wish it weren't so, but it is reality and it won't go away.

[Mo1]

Thanks for the heads up

[bigeasy_70118]

One conservative on Fox said that 'ex post facto' only applies to criminal cases, and that the guy claiming this as an objective should've known this from basic law school.

Early constitutional theorists thought the Ex Post Facto clause applied to both civil and criminal matter. SCOTUS decided that the clause only applied to criminal matters in the case of Calder v. Bull. However, Congress cannot dress up an ex post facto law as civil matter and have it stand.

I know this sounds absurd but Michael Schiavo is going to argue that keeping Terri alive (against her wishes) is a form of punishment and thus the ex post facto problem persists.

Being a textualist myself, I'd like to see the Ex Post Facto clause apply to any act of Congress.

[FBD]

Oh I think it would be a lot earlier than 1984...

The Children Whom Reason Scorns<

Groningen Protocol:

[snip] "The Netherlands is today the only country in the world in which euthanasia and assisted suicide are legally performed, having fully legalized the practice three years ago after several decades of widespread illegal - but universally unpunished - practice.

The Dutch have come into the public consciousness periodically over the past 15 years, initially with the consideration of assisted suicide laws in Oregon, Washington, Michigan and elsewhere in the early 90's, and again with their formal legalization of physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in 2001. Once again they are on the ethical radar, with the disclosure last week of the Groningen Protocol for involuntary euthanasia of infants and children.

The Groningen Protocol is not a government regulation or legislation, but rather a set of hospital guidelines for involuntary euthanasia of children up to age 12:

The Groningen Protocol, as the hospital's guidelines have come to be known, would create a legal framework for permitting doctors to actively end the life of newborns deemed to be in similar pain from incurable disease or extreme deformities.

The guideline says euthanasia is acceptable when the child's medical team and independent doctors agree the pain cannot be eased and there is no prospect for improvement, and when parents think it's best.

Examples include extremely premature births, where children suffer brain damage from bleeding and convulsions; and diseases where a child could only survive on life support for the rest of its life, such as severe cases of spina bifida and epidermosis bullosa, a rare blistering illness.

The hospital revealed last month it carried out four such mercy killings in 2003, and reported all cases to government prosecutors. There have been no legal proceedings against the hospital or the doctors."

.

[Txsleuth]

Thanks for the ping--

[TightyRighty]

You, of course, are free to disagree.

Well, gee, thanks!

[rwfromkansas]

"In sickness and in health, unless the sickness is really icky with lots of drool wiping and ass cleaning..."

[Hildy]

HE'S NOT ON TRIAL. This is ridiculous. Why would he want this to be a bigger circus than it already is. For God's sake, have three Dr.'s go in, examine her and come out and report their findings. How freaking difficult can that be. This needs to be over, one way or the other.

[Petronski]

Of course not. The two situations are readily distinguishable, and obviously so. In one case, the wishes of the person are immutably evident on the face of the document.

The other "Terri" case is heresay from a party with several conflicts of interest.

[Bigh4u2]

"Why do you suppose the State of Florida has not arrested and charged Michael Schiavo?"

Because it was never investigated.

I've also read that Michael worked for the Sheriffs department.

[AlbionGirl]

That did make me laugh, which I needed by the way. This is all so gruesome. And I can't believe that we will blithely sit by and watch this horrific precendent be set. It's dispiriting and unnerving. I'm not married and I can see the State acting as my Schiavo in the future based on this case. It is really a bad road to take.

[sodpoodle]

Great presentation of the facts and the questions being answered by Congress.

I have commented before, but it is worth repeating. There are some very decent Dems along with resolute Republicans performing their Constitutional duty to protect Terri's individual rights to LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

thank you,
sp

[wisconsinconservative]

Oh, and one more thing. The house is in Jodi's name.

[Txsleuth]

Quorum call already? LOL

Wonder if Teddy Kennedy will dare show his fat face today?

[Hildy]

YOu don't understand my point. Are you married and how old are you?

[rwfromkansas]

Well, I find it very interesting that he doesn't want to prove he is not lying about his allegation while he is borking his new gf and living it up in his big mansion.

"In sickness and in health, unless the sickness is really icky with lots of drool wiping and ass cleaning..."

[lilmsdangrus]

Did you happen to see the dramatic vanity post a week or so ago, where he/she declared (in so many words) "I'm leaving, and I am not posting ANYMORE to these threads!! You people are TOO mean!!" Yet, here he/she is, on every thread, espousing death for someone (presumably) they don't know, completely ignoring the fact that her parents want and love her, and are willing to love and care for her..... boggles my mind.

[SevenMinusOne]

You cannot consent to be murdered.

If removal of a feeding tube is murder, then there are hundreds of such murders every day, and a legislative solution to the Terri Schiavo case will MOST CERTAINLY void all so-called "living wills".

Understand your logic here (and agree somewhat) - However, aren't we dealing with romantics in that if one has a living will the removal of a feeding tube would not be considered murder...it would be considered fulfilling the patients wishes (will) - Where as in the case of someone without a living will removing their feeding tube (and ending their life) without their wishes could be considered murder? -

Though, I do have a problem with the need for a lawyer that comes between the relationship of a husband and wife. That relationship should be sacred (and there should be no need for a lawyer to confirm with what one has told their spouse).

In that on the one had we hear some many yelling that "marriage" is sacred (no gay marriage, etc) - yet on the other hand they say that your words within that marriage are meaningless without the need for a lawyer confirming them (and if you don't have this the Federal Gov't can step in between this "sacred" relationship)