Posted on 03/25/2005 4:25:07 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
(CNSNews.com) - Gov. Jeb Bush is being compared to Pontius Pilate as he comes under intensive pressure from religious and pro-life groups to do whatever it takes to save Terri Schiavo's life.
The groups that are pressuring Gov. Bush commend him for all he has done so far on Terri's behalf. But it hasn't worked -- and they say there is more that he can do.
Dr. D. James Kennedy, the president of Coral Ridge Ministries, said that as governor, Jeb Bush is the only legal authority who can stop Terri from starving.
"He must act and he must act immediately on her behalf. He must disregard the order of Judge Greer. He has both the authority and the duty to do so under the state constitution," Kennedy said in a press release.
Kennedy noted that Article I, Section 2 of the Florida Constitution says, "All natural persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law, and have inalienable rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life..."
It also says "no person shall be deprived of any right because of ... physical disability." That includes the right to enjoy life, Kennedy said.
As governor, Jeb Bush has the "'supreme executive power' and the constitutional duty as stated in Article IV, Section 1, to 'take care that the laws be faithfully executed.'"
Kennedy said Gov. Bush may not disregard that obligation, even if a member of the judiciary has ordered otherwise. "He is not bound by a court order that is at odds with a constitutional guarantee," Kennedy said.
"Jeb Bush must choose between the clear mandate of Florida's constitution and a judiciary which, in this case, has acted in defiance of that state supreme law. After all this time of praying, petitioning, and lobbying, it comes down to this," Kennedy said.
Pontius Pilate
A pro-life group called Crossroads agrees that Gov. Bush has done a great deal on Terri's behalf.
"But how will history remember him if Terri dies? Likely, as a weak, moral coward, who did not have the courage to save a helpless, dying woman from those who so vehemently wished to take her life," the group said in a press release.
Crossroads noted that nearly 2000 years ago this week, Pontius Pilate "stood by and did nothing in the face of determined evil as it took the life" of one innocent man."
Pilate simply lacked the moral courage that is occasionally demanded of one who governs, Crossroads said.
The group said Pilate was not filled with hate -- but in the end, he "chose not to risk his office to save the 'insignificant' [Christ]."
Crossroads said Bush must ask himself, "Is one helpless woman's life worth my political career?'"
"As of this writing, the tribunals have spoken against an innocent, helpless woman, and an angry, hate-filled mob has gathered to mock and ridicule those praying for a miracle near to where Terri Schiavo lies in her fatal agony," Crossroad said.
"And her mother, Mary, must suffer the contempt of those who are determined to see her child unjustly condemned to death. Now it is in the hands of the governor, the man who will ultimately choose either to wield the temporal powers of his office to save innocent life, or 'wash his hands' of her."
Jeb Bush said on Thursday he understands that people are "acting on their heart, and I fully appreciate their sentiments and the emotions that go with this."
But, he added, "I've consistently said that I cannot go beyond what my powers are - and I'm not going to do it."
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Jeb has done a great deal already.He could have done nothing.Terri would have now been dead for years.
I find it suspicious that so many demand so much of a man who has given Terri a fighting chance she would not have had without him.
Good point. I forgot Terri's mom's name is Mary. The analogy is going to stick. Poor Jeb.
The UNrighteous ONE....
Some conservatives will be disappointed, but I don't think they'll give up on Jeb and W. They are good men. Now we know the limits of their moral convictions.
This article boils the whole problem down to a not so nice sauce, doesn't it.
If when a judge, also known as a "Finder of Fact" speaks, everyone must obey. He must mindlessly be obeyed. Do not take notice of the man behind the screen. Do not take notice, even though it is obvious to anyone with half a brain that at best he did not consider all available evidence. Do not take notice, even though at worst he is colluding with the opposing sides, we have a problem.
The fact is the current legal system cares not one whit about justice. It is concerned with saving its place as the ultimate authority. That is why there is no trial de novo as called for in the congressional law. There is no way the system will allow question the judgment of a judge. No one cares that Terri Schiavo will die, except perhaps Michael Schiavo, Blind Greer and Felon Felos, they care, they want her dead, perhaps each for his own reasons.
The legal system does not care, not at all.
Do not be fooled, legal system cares not one whit about justice.
When it occurs, justice is only an unintentional and sometimes irritating byproduct of the legal system.
There are two other branches of government. If they will not stand up for LIFE, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, things must change.
The Governor has a problem, he knows Terri is being murdered. First degree murder under color of authority. Problems do not get more egregious or obvious than that. What action should he take? Should he “violate the law”? What law? The order of a blind questionably rational judge, or the statutes of Florida, which are pretty darn clear?
Terri Schiavo is not about the right to die, it is about the right not to be murdered. There are many articles in today’s news about people being prosecuted for not feeding cows, not feeding dogs, mothers being starved while begging for food. But Terri is dying a natural peaceful death. Not an inhumane death like those our condemned prisoners and pound animals are subjected to.
Houston, we have a problem here.
What else is new. Sitting where I am (in Calif.), it appears to me that the courts in Florida are completely out of control. They need to be slapped down, and hard. If Jeb Bush were to take control here and say to the courts, "If you don't like it, impeach me!", it would send shockwaves through our political culture that would start to turn this whole judicial crisis around. Someone needs to tell the Imperial Judiciary that it is an emperor without clothes.
He was calling all of us to be compassionate to our fellow human beings. If you do these things without regard to race, religion, and status, the world would be a peaceful place. but since when has anyone listen to Jesus these days. Can you imagine if someone used this arguement in Court. The Judges would react like vampires with holy water sprinkled on them.
Wow Ibystander! Your post got deleted! I didn't think it was that bad!
May I ask a question? Exactly were did you infer that from?
Many Romans (and others) believe Jesus was an innocent man - not a God, but an innocent man that was killed. (Before you get indignant - I know Jesus was GOD MADE MAN.)
Terri is innocent of any crime.
Or have you found one that you're not telling any one about?
I agree with you, Jeb is not the enemy and is to commended for everything that he has done and is doing. I thank God for his compassion.
I would liken Judge Greer to 'Pilate' more than Jeb Bush. Pilate gave the crowds what they wanted, too. Just waiting for him to wash his hands of it.
I would liken Terri to Anne Boleyn.
It was said beheading was a merciful way to die.
Maybe by calling the bluff of the courts, their stranglehold on this nation might be loosened. Look, I don't begrudge Jeb for what he's done or not done. I think he's in an impossible situation. But, to paraphrase the speech at the start of the movie "Patton," "And, Jeb, when your grandchildren ask you what you did in the Great Culture War, you won't have to say....'Well, I shoveled s*** in Tallahassee.'"
Why remove comments 11 and 16? They just seem to be talking about GWB and Jeb. What are you afraid of?
The Mods have had a hairtrigger today.
Can't remember it? Let me refresh your Mark 9:41: "For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward."
Maybe D. James Kennedy should shut his mouth, grab a glass of water, and start walking. He's got better grounds for doing so than a mere politician. And as much as I believe in her being fed/hydrated and having her rights upheld, I find the comparisons between Christ and Terri to be repellant.
I can't even find Ibystander anymore.
Your comments are as close to the truth as anyones. I am amazed that there aren't thousands, or even tens of thousands surrounding the hospice.
No offense intended, but apparently Jesus didn't.
I never thought Jeb Bush would let Terri starve this long. I used to admire him so much. I would have voted for him for President in a second. Now I would never vote for him if he lets Terri die.
Awesome post. I'd go to war with you anytime.
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