Posted on 03/21/2005 8:54:40 AM PST by annalex
POSTED: 10:34 am EST March 21, 2005
UPDATED: 11:13 am EST March 21, 2005
WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush signed emergency legislation early Monday morning that gives Terri Schiavo's parents a chance to plea for their daughter's life in federal court.
The House majority leader said Congress is giving her a chance to live, but some lawmakers said the law goes too far.
Passage of the law came following hours of emotional debate.
"This woman needs help -- not a death sentence," Rep. Joseph Pitts, R-Pa., said.
Democrats protested the decision.
"The majority wishes to undermine over 200 years of jurisprudence," Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla., said.
The House voted 203-58 for a bill that gives Terri Schiavo's parents the right to file suit in federal court. That could trigger the reinsertion of feeding tubes needed to keep the brain-damaged woman alive.
"I told her we were going to take her for a little trip, and take her outside, and get her some breakfast, and I got a big smile out of her face, so help me God," Schiavo's father Bob Schindler said.
Almost immediately after the bill passed early Monday morning, Bush signed it into law, vowing to stand on the side of those defending life for all Americans.
The law allows Schiavo's parents to ask a federal judge to prolong Schiavo's life by reinserting her feeding tube that was removed Friday. U.S. District Judge James Whittemore set a hearing for 3 p.m. on the request for a temporary restraining order.
A lawyer for the brain-damaged woman's parents filed a civil-rights lawsuit in federal court in Tampa as allowed under the new law. The lawsuit alleges a series of rights violations. Those violations include that Terri Schiavo's religious beliefs are being infringed upon, that the removal of the feeding tube violated her rights and that she was not provided an independent attorney to represent her interests.
"We are hopeful that the federal courts will follow the will of Congress and save my sister's life," Schiavo's sister Suzanne Vitadamo said.
Schiavo's brother-in-law doesn't believe the bill is about family. He thinks lawmakers have gone too far.
"It's politics. Nothing else. People like the Bushes [and] that knucklehead Tom Delay. I have no idea what he's about. He is an absolute buffoon," Brian Schiavo said.
Schiavo's husband, Michael, said she told him that she would not want to be kept alive in a vegetative state. Her feeding tube was removed Friday under a state court's orders.
Her parents and many lawmakers say she needs treatment and another opportunity for life. Schiavo's feeding tube was removed twice before. Doctors say she probably will die in about two weeks if the feeding tube is not reinserted.
I have a question for you
What does this mean?:
DollarCoins
Since Mar 20, 2005
Most of my 'fellow citizens' receive their "news" from left-wing blow-dried media fops.
There is no evidence that this is the case...except testimony from her sick husband who has massive conflicts of interest.
In other words, the answer is no. His testimony is too tainted. If someone wants to be put to death just because they are using a feeding tube (a pretty unlikely scenario) then the burden of the law should be that THEY make that statement along with signed witnesses, ie, sort of like a will. But the hearsay testimony of someone with an interest in the case being given the weight it has is insane.
Looks like that poll has been DU_ped.
It means precisely what it says.
I believe this also contradicts his earlier testimony in the original settlement case where Michael said he was going to take care of her for the rest of his life.
I agree that there is no evidence, which I why I posed a hypathetical scenario. The reason being, is that many of my colleagues do not agree that anyone should be able to choose to let themselves die, even if they have it clearly spelled out in their will. I was just looking for feedback. Thanks
Choice Votes - Percentage of 875 Votes
Yes 369 42%
No 506 58%
Well, Welcome to FreeRepublic!
Check out Post # 28.
It's now at 45-55 at 9:14 Pacific Time. We're gaining on them!
Thanks, I have been a reader for some time, but not really the type to get involved in posting in threads, but ever since this Terri controversy I felt the need to participate.
I think the democrats are actually afraid of a presumption of life.
The democrats fear:
Culture of Life
Non-absolute final say fo the courts
Legislature that makes laws in opposition to court rulings.
I agree with you. Earlier today I went to a Canadian newspaper site to look something up for a friend and saw a poll there. I voted, and when viewing the results, I was absolutely shocked that over 80% voted to let her die.
They have to be voting without knowing all the facts about her life right now. Unbelievable!!!
Yes 45%, No 55% when I just did it, not that these online polls mean anything.
Voted YES bump.
Pro-life fanatics, like me, are saddened when people actually put in writing in a Living Will that they don't want food and water, but we accept that decision. But what happens, when a person who has a Living Will, changes their mind after they are injured. Will anyone listen to them?
"Time for Jeb Bush to use some executive authority here."
Jeb Bush has NO authority over any Federal judge.
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