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To: snowsislander
Less than 24 hours before Terri Schiavo had her feeding tube removed, Gov. Jeb Bush knew the effort to keep her alive was slipping away. So the brother of the president . . . called Florida's newest U.S. senator, Mel Martinez, with an urgent plea: . . . ``Do whatever you can federally.''

Well, where are the FReepers who were knocking Jeb last night for "doing nothing?"

The previous night, The House had passed a broad bill that would make sweeping changes in federal law, giving federal courts jurisdiction in any case involving incapacitated people who have not given advanced instructions about whether they should be offered sustenance.

But the Senate balked at the broader House bill, instead favoring a so-called ''private relief bill'' that would have applied exclusively to Schiavo and would have not have altered federal law in other cases.

In this case, I would have favored the Senate's approach on a one-case basis. I disagree with the House bill giving more power to the judiciary.

For the long term, (believe it or not) NYT's David Brooks last night spoke the best suggestion I've heard: Establish a law that favors "presumption towards life" when an incapacitated person (the patient) has not previously signed an advance directive (living will) choosing to NOT be placed on life support or a feeding tube, and the patient is not able to definitively indicate this choice.

Establishing such a law would be far preferable than placing the matter on a case by case basis at the discretion of the judiciary.

What say you, snowy?

20 posted on 03/19/2005 12:54:06 PM PST by La Enchiladita
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To: La Enchiladita

I don't know where they are but I'd like to see them show up and apologize. Throwing words around like "grandstanding". The fools. Without the Reps leading this Terri wouldn't have any chance at all, and yet they were being slammed not only from the death crowd but those in favor of life as well. Just because we cannot see their actions behind scenes doesn't mean nothing is happening.

I want to thank the Reps for trying to help Terri. This isn't over by any means but maybe she'll have her feeding tube back in by tomorrow night. I'll even thank Dems for at least cooperating somewhat, even if the bill is limited.

I do think looking into legislation to favor life would ultimately be the direction we need to take.


25 posted on 03/19/2005 3:52:18 PM PST by Soul Seeker
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To: La Enchiladita

Don't forget most of the pols didn't care to modify the idiotic laws until the GOP base put their political necks in the guillotine as a poison pill threat if they allowed her to die.


34 posted on 03/19/2005 6:02:38 PM PST by spycatcher
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