***GOTTA READ THIS! GOV. JEB BUSH'S PRE-INAUGURAL LETTER TO THE DISABLED IN FLORIDA (1998)***

Gov. Jeb Bush Gubernatorial Website, 1998 Archives ^ | Decemeber 1, 1998 | AmericanInTokyo (via archived Jeb Bush website)

[AmericanInTokyo]

What happened? Hello? Hello? Anybody home?

"MESSAGE TO DISABLED FLORIDIANS"

December 1998, Florida

By Governor-elect Jeb Bush

"Talking with a variety of Floridians with disabilities and their families has helped understand a lot more about the lives, challenges and dreams of those with disabilities. However, I know that my education continues with everyone new I meet.

People with disabilities are no different than anyone else. They want to work, have families, and live independently. As Governor, I would work hard to create an environment that gives people with disabilities every opportunity to be independent and play an active role in their communities and in our State.

My first experiences with disability issues were visiting with adults and children with developmental disabilities, their families, advocates, and providers.

I have been impressed by the differences between persons with these disabilities who remain in their homes, receiving community-based support services and similar persons living primarily in institutional or large residential facilities. What I observe is not just a difference in expression, it's a difference in the way they act, how they respond, how they interact with the people around them, how they look, how they talk, and probably in how they will face life with its opportunities and challenges.

I am convinced that, whenever possible, Floridians with disabilities should be able to remain in their communities with their families, friends or roommates and receive the support services they require.

That way, their lives are enriched and they continue to enrich the lives of their families, friends and communities. Of course, in cases of severe and profound disabilities, there may be no option other than a dedicated residential facility. That choice should be preserved.

In order for individuals to be able to live at home or on their own, there must be an excellent, responsive network of support services available to assist them and their families. Funding needs to be shifted to provide the full range of these services. In turn, more individuals can be served and with a broader range of services, such as transportation or respite care that have often been unavailable in the past.

As Governor, I will work to allow individuals with disabilities and/or their families to have more say about what services and necessary treatments are provided, based on each person's professionally identified needs.

This is a time of setting new directions in care for people with disabilities here in Florida. I have reviewed the Governor's Task Force proposal for the future of DD services and I am waiting for an independent study on the future of developmental disability services that was contracted by the Legislature and will be released shortly. Both of these will help a Bush Administration to make detailed decisions to assist individuals with disabilities. My team will also monitor Washington legislation and work with our Congressional delegation to ensure that federal initiatives are responsive to Florida's needs.

On a separate note, I also have come to realize the importance of educating the public about people with disabilities and disability issues. Too often, people react in fear or distaste when coming face-to-face with persons with disabilities. These people simply lack the necessary knowledge to understand persons with disabilities.

If elected, I will work with state agencies and disability organizations to help erase that insensitivity. If people understand more about how to interact with persons with disabilities, their fear will be diminished. That will open up more opportunities for education, employment, and participation in community life.

In addition, I will support educational programs about disabilities in our schools. Young children are especially receptive and accepting, and their understanding will help bring about changes in everyone's misconceptions about disabilities. I would also support efforts to mainstream children with disabilities whenever possible.

Finally, my Administration will support full compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This is vital, not just for the individuals themselves, but for the communities that will be enriched and blessed by their contributions and participation in community life.

I know that there are other issues that need to be addressed. The state has complex legal mandates to meet. The waiting lists need to be cut way back. The best way for me to lead on these issues is to continue to learn the people who are living those issues day-to-day, their families, and the professionals who provide the care. Let's work together to make Florida a better home for people with disabilities."

[tutstar]

Good find AIT!!

We need a ping yall!

[flaglady47]

"That's your response? Pathetic."

There will be no response. I'm done with you. Nothing more to say to an irrational person. Buh bye.

[tutstar]

ping

[savedbygrace]

If he were convicted, President Bush could pardon him, but presidential pardons don't extend to mere charges.

Of course, it's unlikely the sitting governor of any State would be arrested for doing such a thing. Especially since it would have to happen as the result of a court order, which would be a mess of Separation of Powers beyond anything we've seen on this case. (But I'm not a lawyer, so what do I know?)

[scars]

"A commando-style mission by a group of private citizens has a high chance of failure. It also doesn't have any legal authority behind it...On the other hand, the Governor has Executive power, and the resources of the State Police at his disposal. He is the one person, other than the President, with the most capacity to rescue Terri, and has the legal authority to do so."

As I understand it, neither have a "legal" authority. I realize that out of hundreds of thousands of lawyers in this country, some say the governor has a legal authority and few question whether he has the power. However, the result would only destroy him and very temporarily change the situation.
I think this tragedy, being played out in the media, is similar to many others that have come and gone without national attention. I, like most FReepers, wish that Terri could live a long life and be rehabilitated but it looks like our side lost this one.
The shrillness and irrationality of some of the posts I've seen lately speaks volumes about the attitude of Americans about losing a fight. Several people, who are probably very nice, usually, are asking for the man who has fought most honorably to "fall on his sword" to make a futile statement. I doubt that either of the Bush brothers are going to let this go.
BTW, are you criticizing and cursing God, too? He could surely intervene. His will be done.

[flaglady47]

Ditto to every word you posted!

Thank you very much.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Do you get the feeling of a coming CIVIL WAR within the Conservative Movement over this? Which, of course, would be reflected in Free Republic? I do.

I think it may well be the "REPUBLICAN PARTY ABOVE ALL ELSE and IF HE'S A BUSH, HE'S OK WITH ME NO MATTER WHAT HE DOES" faction vs. "STICK WITH CONSERVATIVE AND MORAL VALUES INCLUDING TAKING GREAT RISKS BUT STRAY ONE FOOT AWAY FROM THAT COURSE AND YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY GET IT!"-faction.

[tgusa]

And I forgot to mention - I am well armed and when the jack-booted thugs show up at my door, there will be several widows and orphans as a result. I don't agree with what WJC did, but by G*d, he had some b*lls.

[GLDNGUN]

Now people are demanding he saddle up the state police and go down and battle the local police to drag her out of there.

You support that ridiculous option?

I'm not a legal authority, but many conservative and constitutional legal minds have listed numerous legal grounds on which Jeb could take custody.

I specifically recall MS inviting Jeb to come see Terri. Well, I think he should take him up on the offer. And bring some friends with him. And an EO, or whatever piece of paper he needs to hand to the county mounty outside of the hospice. And don't call 2 hours ahead of time, either. JUST DO IT. Do you really think some Deputy Fife is going to put the Governor in cuffs and haul him away?

[AmericanInTokyo]

Reinforcements PING!

Cover the south and southeast flanks. Reinforcements on the way.

[Lauren BaRecall]

http://www.theempirejournal.com/325051_gov_bush_s_domestic_secur.htm

http://www.theempirejournal.com/327902_law_enforcement_officers.htm

[jpsb]

"mounted a single commando style mission on the hospice to free Terri themselves."

Psst, We were half way there when we were called back. Don't tell anyne.

[Next_Time_NJ]

The order is there, its issued.. he would go to jail and probably win on appeal but he would still be in jail.

[mcg1969]

You wouldn't know rationality if it bit you in the ass, flaglady. You're the one suggesting that a body completely devoid of consciousness somehow deserves special treatment for the sake of said person. I mean, why sholdn't we have just killed the broad years ago?

[mcg1969]

I'm not a legal authority, but many conservative and constitutional legal minds have listed numerous legal grounds on which Jeb could take custody.

So what? Many have taken the opposite position. it's not as clear cut as you would like it to be.

[tutstar]

We need to remove the "executive authority" from the FL Constitution and a whole lot of statutes regarding the rights of disabled people.

[TomasUSMC]

Jeb Bush has no spine. No cojones, nothing. When faced with one little stinking rotten judge who is insane and wrong and criminal in his ruling, the jebinator runs away.

Ole Jeb should save this woman and then battle the contempt of court. Let him call out state police and if they don't obey, fire them. Then call out the Guard. Do what you have to do to save Terri, then defend your action. Tell the press that the judge was in contempt. Fight for what you believe in!

This worthless jeb won't risk a bit of his political hide to save a womans life.

Jeb could have told the cops to withdraw from the hospital, that wouldn't have violated Greer's ruling. Then he could have sent in those of his police who would obey him.

Fight for what you believe in.

Jeb said he wished he could help but he couldn't. Voters should say, "We wish we could vote for you, but we can't".

Ole jeb wouldn't save a baby in the middle of the road because it would entail jay walking and oh my, that would be breaking the law.

[tgusa]

OOOO-rah, Marine!