Posted on 03/28/2005 8:02:29 AM PST by FR_addict
Florida governor says he doesn't have power from Constitution to intervene
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the man said to be the last hope for Terri Schiavo, says he's powerless to help the brain-injured woman who has been without nourishment for more than nine full days.
"I cannot violate a court order," Bush told CNN following Easter church services. "I don't have powers from the United States Constitution or – for that matter from the Florida Constitution – that would allow me to intervene after a decision has been made."
To Terri's parents, Bush said, "I can't. I'd love to, but I can't."
Speaking to the media for the first time in three days, the governor added, "I'm sad that she's in the situation that she's in. I feel bad for her family. My heart goes out to the Schindlers and, for that matter, to [her husband] Michael," Bush said. "This has not been an easy thing for any, any member of the family. But most particularly for Terri Schiavo."
Meanwhile, protests have continued outside the hospice where Terri is being cared for. With security having been doubled, five people were taken into custody as pastors tried to bring Schiavo Easter communion.
A handful of people in wheelchairs got out of them and shouted, "We're not dead yet!" as they lay in the driveway.
Larry Klayman, founder of the legal watchdog group Judicial Watch, said Bush has the power to grant her clemency, just as he would in a death-row case.
"We're asking the governor for a stay of execution on Easter Sunday, a day of mercy,'' Klayman said. "For Jeb Bush not to act would be a dereliction of his duty to the people of the state of Florida.''
Terri has been the subject of worldwide attention since Florida Judge George Greer ordered her feeding tube removed March 18, and courts have upheld his decision not to have the tube reinserted.
An attorney for Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, painted a grim picture of the situation on CBS' "Face the Nation."
"Terri is declining rapidly," Schindler attorney David Gibbs said. "We believe at this point she has passed where physically she would be able to recover."
But Randall Terry, a pro-life activist speaking for Terri's parents, called Gibbs' description "absolutely untrue."
George Felos, the attorney for Michael Schiavo says Terri's breathing has been regular, and her death does not appear imminent. He told reporters her remains would be cremated and buried in a family plot in Pennsylvania.
But it's not that Finn expects Kerry to act any differently from GW. It's just that Finn would prefer Kerry to be CIC for four years, with all that means in the war on terror, just so he can hate somebody.
It's about Finn, don't you see?
"The Monsters...Michael, Felos and Greer those are going to be the killers and this is where the anger should be vented/blamed. The Monsters' lives have changed forever...they'll never live in peace again."
The real monsters are the people that have allowed this incident to occur. Look closely at the lawmakers...look closely at those individuals that have elected the lawmakers. This isn't an isolated case. This has happened nationwide.
Scew you Jeb, you coward.
Your remarks show your not one of us... so go back to DU.
I just want him to enforce the law. Doing that would have saved Terri. Take off your Greer kneepads Jeb. The debacle is over.
Go back to MOVE ON.. your not one of us.
Jeb Bush is going to be eternally sorry for this.
Yeah, I'm not like you. You got that right buddy.
Jeb can't do any more than you can, grab a gun and break into the room. Each action has the same legal standing.
You have no pull with me on your stupid remarks.
then go away... your comments are not welcome. Go give a bounty or something that will make you feel like a man!!!
Sadly, the floriduh governor is purely a political animal and will not regret his cowardly behavior because it will never occur to him that he was acting cowardly. Beyond Terri, his actions have empowered the already out of control judiciary.
BINGO! You hit the nail right on the head.. Some MIBs heads are going to roll on this one...
Hey I asked you where to sign up for the revolution you are leading.
And that fishing out is NOT leadership. He should resign.
Replace the word "powers" with the words courage, vision, wisdom, decency and I will agree.
One thing he can do, albeit and sadly after the fact, is to order an autopsy. If there's a scintilla of suspicion surrounding the conditions leading to her death, a post-mortem is not only reasonable, it is mandated by law. This is the last thing "Scott" Schiavo and his Kervorkianesque attorney, Felos, desire. Force these lying b*st*rds to contend that Terri's wish was to be immediately cremated!
Bizarre doesn't even begin to cover it....
I've read more stupid statements in the last week on FR than in all the years I've been here.
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