Open Letter To Jeb Bush (Elizabeth Farah's Thoughts On Terri Schiavo)

Worldnetdaily.com ^ | 03/26/05 | Elizabeth Farah

[goldstategop]

Dear Gov. Bush:

You are in a difficult position. There are few men who find themselves in a situation such as yours. Quite literally, you are the only hope, the only person in the world who can save the life of this defenseless woman facing an unjust death.

I want to give you courage. I understand that advisers may point to polls and public opinion that seem to show most people believe the government should never have become involved in this conflict. While it is true these polls are misleading because the questions misinform the respondent in telling them that Terri is brain-dead, etc., the fact that public opinion is really not against you is of little importance. Let me tell you why.

The Lord God is truly on your side. You know the Scripture, "If God be for me who can be against me?" The Lord is always searching for "mighty men of valor" to do His work. You must instinctively know that Americans yearn for men of courage, principle and perseverance. We see over and over our leaders making an initial effort to do what is right and then, when the going gets tougher and the odds seem insurmountable, they feint. That lack of perseverance, determination and resolve has led to a lack of faith in our leaders.

You know that God is present in every situation. He never advocates injustice or any other evil. Only God has the authority to give and take innocent life. But He most often works through godly men and women, and he expects all believers to do His will regardless of the perceived cost. God has allowed this task to come to you. All life is a test, and this is clearly a test of your faith in God.

God loves you and will never test you beyond what you are able to do. But he tells us to take His yoke. He will carry you through this challenge. Don't rely upon yourself. There is a point at which we all throw up our hands and say, "I have done all I can." The pressure and stress seem overwhelming. But God says, if you have faith in Me I will do the work for you – I will give you victory. He promises that he wants only good for you:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

But he expects you to trust in Him:

The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

This trust isn't a belief that God exists, but a faith that God will always sustain us when we do His will, that he is a rewarder of those who seek His will and do it.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you whithersoever you go. Joshua 1:9

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

You are the chief executive of the state of Florida. You are not the servant of an un-elected judiciary. You have been given power by the people of Florida to protect their rights and lives. Don't fail them!

Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Proverbs 31:8

You've been given a gift of leadership. On one hand you probably think that the Schaivo case is a burden that you wish God had never given you. But think of this – God has entrusted you with the honor of responsibility. He expects you to do much because He has given you the opportunity and ability to do much.

For whom much is given, of him much shall be required. Luke 12:48

Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

I believe this culture of death that is now overtaking our country is fostered by a movement away from God.

In Proverbs God says, "All they that hate me love death." (Proverbs 8:36)

Gov. Bush, you have the right to exercise your authority to save this woman's life. You have the authority to reject a corrupt judge's corrupt decision. Remember when the pharoah issued the order that all Hebrew male infants should be killed? What did Moses' mother do? She broke the law of the civil authority. She saved the life of her son. This act of civil disobedience or lawbreaking gave her a place in the great chapter of the Bible known as the "Hall of Faith." Her courage was seen by God – not as lawlessness but as a supreme act of faith! (Hebrews 11:23)

Jesus says that yes, you will have many detractors – people who will revile you for doing the right thing, but you will be rewarded greatly by God.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad for great is your reward. Matthew 5:11, 12

… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus … so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Remember all the men and women of this country who are searching for leaders of courage. I have been profoundly affected by your obviously sincere concern for Terri Schiavo. I can see that you are deeply disturbed by her plight. I know I am right in believing you will always regret it if you don't do the right thing here. It will haunt you. I promise you, you will never regret fighting the good fight through to its end. People will follow that kind of a leader. People, even those who disagree with your politics, recognize the value of a man who will not compromise his principles.

May God bless you.

[razorbackmama]

Just what law would that be? And what if the judge issues an order that is unconstitutional and illegal...then what?

[A CA Guy]

The Governor is most certainly "lower" than the State Courts of Florida. He has NOT the authority to do what you wish.

[Jorge]

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

Hopefully this doesn't mean God wants us to linger on indefinitely in a horrible state of limbo between life and death.

[goldstategop]

We are duty bound to disobey it. I don't have to refer you to Martin Luther King's famous Letter From a Birmingham Jail of the history of civil disobedience. He presents it as a duty to God. Now, King does not argue for general disobedience of the law, for that he agreed, would be anarchy. No conservative can be in favor of breaking ALL laws. By that we mean all just, good and moral laws. Every one must obey them, since they are pleasing to God and provide for our well-being. Then there are other laws, which we can defy. They are laws that degrade the human personality and oppress the human spirit. King calls these UNJUST laws. It is the duty of decent people to resist them - to accept arrest and imprisonment where necessary to call the attention of the community to the injustice these laws create. That is how, when we are asked to explain the seeming discrepancy between our urging people to obey the law and yet we go around breaking yet others. To our minds, we accept the Source Of All Law comes from God. If a judge issued an illegal and unconstitutional order at variance and out of harmony with the moral code - with the Law Of God - our response is clear.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[gardencatz]

We need to stay focused on the rule of law, people. Otherwise, what gains we have made will be completely negated and we will have lost all the progress we have made, and possibly our majorities in the House and Senate.


So what do you propose to do when judges usurp the rule of law? In California THE PEOPLE ruled that marriage should be between a man and a woman...JUDGES declared it unconstitutional. The original Terri's law came about because there was an outcry from THE PEOPLE and the legislators responded. The JUDGES on the Florida Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional. Rights guaranteed under the equal protection clause, according to these JUDGES, were violated by their passage...ironic considering NO JUDGE seems willing to give Terri the same consideration. If judges continue to override the laws made by "we the people" and our ELECTED representatives, the balance in power will cease to exist and instead of a society governed by the rule of law, we will become a society governed by lawyers.

Cindie

[goldstategop]

The courts do not make the law and they do not execute it. The Governor is called to execute the law and is not bidden to execute an illegal and immoral order. When a judge exceeds the scope of his lawful authority, an order from him is not binding on any one else.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[A CA Guy]

The judge IMO did make the wrong decision and they do so often, yet the Governor to my knowledge had no power to go in.
Wish he could, but I think he has no power to do so.

[goldstategop]

It reminds me of President Lincoln's response to a ruling of Judge Taney: "He has made his decision. Now let him try to enforce it." The point is the executive is a co-ordinate and co-equal branch of government. It does not have to enforce the judiciary's rulings willy-nilly. And if a judge issued the wrong order, I don't see where it is written that is Holy Writ. In my view, Governor Bush has greater freedom of action that he imagines. All he needs is the courage to exercise rather than abdicate his responsibility.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[A CA Guy]

I believe this went to several courts, including the 11th circuit.
I never heard of Governors having the kind of power you suggest. I think Jeb has looked through all the books for something that lets him go do what you wish.

[goldstategop]

Then by your reasoning, we should simply submit to whatever judges see fit to impose on us. Since they can countermand or ignore anything the elected branches of government impose upon them, we come to the paraxodical irony of the fact judges have now assumed powers no one imagined they had. And unlike the Governor, they don't look in books to justify their exercise of them; they invent new cases that will allow them to usurp the constitutional scheme of the separation of powers. We're facing a constitutional crisis in this country and it does not stem from executive arrogance of power. Gov. Bush's puny powers can't seem to save Terri in contrast to the seemingly omnipotent authority judges wield to order her put to death.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[A CA Guy]

The problem isn't with the Governor, it's with the Judiciary of Florida.

They were ordered to bring Terri before Congress in good shape as a witness 3/28 and the judges defied the order.

They are all in contempt of Congress, but not in fact until the Congress says they are.

[goldstategop]

Exactly! My argument is the Governor has a duty to correct an error of the courts. He is charged with upholding the Constitution and safeguarding the rights of the people. And it is not my argument only. William Bennett and Brian T. Kennedy over at National Review, posted elsewhere on FR, have already argued in the strongest terms the Governor is vested by the Florida Constitution with state police powers. The only question is whether he will be prepared to use them.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[A CA Guy]

Congress hasn't declared a contempt of Congress on Greer or others and they may not. That is the problem.

Jeb Bush can't act on what Congress MIGHT say later. He can only act on what is NOW.

[goldstategop]

But if he delays, it will be too late. If he acts, he incurs the wrath of the judges; if he delays, he comes across looking like their pet poodle. I don't envy his position. If I were in Jeb's place, I'd say this is an emergency and let it all fallout and worry about the consequences later. Once she's safe.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[HiTech RedNeck]

Jeb Bush does have Florida statute, which Judge Greer ILLEGALLY enjoined him from performing.

Like a gentleman he appealed it up the food chain but got slapped clear up to the SCOFLA.

I say nonsense on that. If Jeb faces charges of offenses, those will NOT be tried by the courts! They will be tried by the LEGISLATURE (impeachment proceedings). The Legislature WILL back up Jeb on Florida statute.

[HiTech RedNeck]

And, the courts who tried illegally to enjoin him, should all face impeachment charges in the Legislature.

[A CA Guy]

If he acts as things stand, he may lose his job as Governor to the Lt. Governor.

There are rulings in place that stops him. He has to have something that says there is an issue to be resolved so he can step in and all the courts declare there has been resolution regarding Terri.

Congress might rip Florida courts a new one after this is over, but even there they may not if the people don't demand it.

[pepsionice]

This is a strange path for all involved. If anyone does finally stop the legal proceedings and insert the tube...then what? If she lives another five years...in the state of health, and the parents reach a point where they now question her future...can we allow them to take her off the tubes? And the answer is no. Terri could continue to live another 10 to 20 years...same condition...no improvement...and no one could ever disconnect the tubes...and she'd simply await a natural death sooner or later. In this case...its to find a perfect ending.

[tioga]

Everyone talks about laws. Well the law of nature has spoken, it says with food and water Terri will live. God is the creator of the laws of nature, therefore it is God's will that Terri live. If God chose for Terri to be in Heaven she would already be there. God is love and if we seek to be in the image of God we would love Terri. What is loving about withdrawing food and water? Nothing at all. It is cruel and depraved, those things are of the evil one, not God.

I refuse to condemn Jeb Bush, I don't even begin to know what he could or couldn't do for Terri. The longer this goes on the more we are attacking one another. Evil is at work, beware.

[A CA Guy]

She was NOT on life support, she was just being fed.

The other thing here that is bothersome is all the issues that seem to be coming up that suggests she is NOT in a vegetative state and that Michael has been far less than honest in court.

He also is planning to cremate her almost immediately.
That means no autopsy and future investigation into how she got all her broken bones before she got brain damage.