First Lady Laura Bush Says Government Right to Intervene in Case of Brain-Damaged Florida Woman

The Associated Press ^ | Mar. 29, 2005 | DEB RIECHMANN

[Former Military Chick]

Mar. 29, 2005 - First lady Laura Bush said Tuesday the government was right to have intervened in the case of Terri Schiavo, a severely brain-damaged Florida woman whose case has stirred national debate about life and death issues.

"I just feel like the federal government has to be involved," Mrs. Bush said. "It is a life issue that really does require government to be involved."

Mrs. Bush commented on the Schiavo case aboard a plane bound for Afghanistan, where she was to promote education and women's rights.

Schiavo's husband, Michael, has waged a long court battle with his parents-in-law, contending his 41-year-old wife, who has been in a persistent vegetative state since 1990, would not want to live that way. Schiavo's parents, on the other hand, have been pleading with the U.S. Congress, Florida lawmakers, federal judges and in courts in Florida to have their daughter's feeding tube reinserted.

"I am not surprised over the debate," Mrs. Bush said. "I think it's an issue that, you know, everyone is concerned about and interested in.

"I'm sorry for the family that it has to be so public. This is such a very, very difficult time for them and for everyone who watches Terri."

Mrs. Bush said she has been encouraged to hear that the case has prompted more people to inquire about living wills.

"I think that is really good," she said. "The president and I have living wills and, of course, our parents do. They wanted us always to be aware of it. I think that it is important for families to have opportunities to talk about these issues."

[sportscaster]

Judiciary Big Losers Tell me something I don't already know! Over at Slate, Bert Brandenburg has an essay that suggests that the courts will come out the big losers in the Schiavo court-ordered death-by-thirst-and-starvation tragedy. Here is a choice excerpt: "In fact, the Schiavo episode spells trouble ahead for the courts that protect our rights. The judiciary is fast becoming enemy No. 1 in the culture wars—and the side wearing the black robes is losing. The anguish over Mrs. Schiavo's nightmare is boosting a rising common culture of attacks on the independence and legitimacy of our courts." The courts deserve a lot of criticism for the way they have taken sides in the culture wars. Many judicial decisions--on abortion, on homosexual sodomy, on same-sex marriage, and in Terri's case--are not law, but rather results masquerading as law. They strike many reasonable observers as tyrannical, as ukases handed down by an unelected body of former ambulance-chasers. When courts exercise not the rule of law, but rather raw judicial power, they do not deserve independence. They need to be reined in. If Terri's case results in more democracy and less rule by robed oligarchs, she will not have died in vain. If the President and the Senate wish to honor Terri, there is no better way than to stop the filibusters and confirm judges who will enforce the law, not make law. Another piece revealed some disturbingly friendly connections between Terri Schiavo's estranged husband and legal guardian, Michael Schiavo, and former Pinellas County Sheriff Everett Rice, who now is a member of the Florida House of Representatives. Just before he left office following his election to the state Legislature, Rice hired Schiavo – a registered nurse – to work in the Pinellas County jail. =========================================================== It also turns out that the mother of Jodi Centonze, Schiavo's live-in girlfriend with whom he has had two children, worked for years for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department. Some suggest these connections explain why Rice never investigated the numerous allegations of abuse that Terri's parents, their attorneys and other supporters have lodged against Schiavo over the years. "The relationship of Rice and [Michael] Schiavo raises grave questions of alleged impropriety in the Terri Schiavo case and ongoing allegations of conspiracy, collusion and cover-up which have resulted in calls for Gov. Jeb Bush to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the matter and the impaneling of the grand jury," wrote Berlin and Maxam. "Rice's hire of Schiavo came at the same time contentious guardianship proceedings were proceeding in the courtroom of his long-time friend, Sixth Circuit Court Judge George W. Greer, where Schiavo was seeking to end the life of his wife by court order of Greer."

[atomicweeder]

Are you saying that you accept the ineffectiveness of Bush, Bush, and Congress?

[atomicweeder]

Are you by any chance a White House spokesperson? If not, you should be, because you have a definite gift for spinning the truth. You cannot evade the obvious:

Congress subpoenaed Terri Schiavo. Then, they did not enforce the subpoena.

Jeb Bush sent state agents to seize Terri and then backed down when the local police told him they wouldn't let them in.

Intentions do not matter. Results matter. (See: Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill.)

[nopardons]

Oh well..........never mind. You just want an AMEN CORNER, nit a discussion and I don't want to high jack a thread either; so let this be an end to it.

[Soul Seeker]

He's correct.

Whether or not the majority of Dems have been outspoken or genuinely support Terri, the Congress with consent of the Dems did allow the option to renew the case from scratch at Judicial will. Half of the Dems in attendance in the House supported the Bill, while others didn't bother to show to make a decision. Reps worked to have a stronger Bill in the Senate, but voted on what the Dems would agree to. The Reps in the House all voted for Terri save five. The president flew back to Washington to sign the Bill.

The Florida State Senate was the greatest disappointment among elected legislatures, but overwhelmingly the biggest obstacle has been the Courts. So, in the end, it will be the Courts that save one or two never considered allowance of a new trial to settle questions for good.

This will not be a benefit or loss to either political Party, so much as it will be a backlash towards those Courts that have presumed to assume the rights of the divine. Thise has been building since Thomas Jefferson, and it WILL be corrected.

[mjtobias]

"I'm sorry for the family that it has to be so public."

Read: this story should have been swept under the rug. It is giving our politicians a lot of headaches.

[nopardons]

You really aren't "kidding", though; elsewise you wouldn't have posted that.

[nopardons]

I'm saying that I do NOT want a dictator nor a king to rule over America; unlike you.

[snapperjk]

Hey everyone read this link at CNN. Schindlers have filed ANOTHER APPEAL on tonight. Unfreakingbelievable!!!
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/30/schiavo/

[Soul Seeker]

I stated the Truth that action was performed and intervention was committed, and you respond with insult. I see this conversation is pointless.

[jpsb]

Sometimes I think it you be a good idea, but that doesn't last long. There are lots of great people in DC. Chaney, RumsField, Thomas, but then again there are lots of scum sucking botton fish three too. Anyway I am too old to go marching to D.C.

[snapperjk]

Federal appeals court grants additional review in Schiavo case
posted by: Paola Farer (Web Producer)
Created: 3/29/2005 10:38 PM MST - Updated: 3/29/2005 10:38 PM MST

ATLANTA (AP) - A federal appeals court early Wednesday agreed to consider a petition for a new hearing on whether to reconnect Terri Schiavo's feeding tube.
http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=f1f79417-0abe-421a-01fc-39b46bb43053&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf

[atomicweeder]

By your answer (which indicates you do not want the Bush brothers or Congress to enforce their own law) you are saying that you accept the ineffectiveness of the Bush brothers and the Congress. I understand.

[jpsb]

Best hope for Terri, is Jessie Jackson twisting arms in the Fla legistrature.

[atomicweeder]

Typical liberal. You completely avoid the hard facts of the argument, repeatedly change the subject, and then finally just give up. Game, set , match, me.

[snapperjk]

Federal appeals court grants additional review in Schiavo case
posted by: Paola Farer (Web Producer)
Created: 3/29/2005 10:38 PM MST - Updated: 3/29/2005 10:38 PM MST

ATLANTA (AP) - A federal appeals court early Wednesday agreed to consider a petition for a new hearing on whether to reconnect Terri Schiavo's feeding tube.

http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=f1f79417-0abe-421a-01fc-39b46bb43053&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf

[jpsb]

" Jeb Bush sent state agents to seize Terri and then backed down when the local police told him they wouldn't let them in. "

I think this is urban legion. O'Reily had the orginal source on his show and debunked the story.

The other points you make are IMHO all valid.

[rdcorso]

I don't expect the president or governor to go to jail over anything.There is evidence of major corruption on the part of the lawyers and judges involved in this case and I do hold the governor and president responsible for making the corrupt people pay.The media has ignored the illegal connections between attorney Felos,Greer,The sheriff and other judges but the information is out there.Go to theempirejournal.com and read the article Schiavo Case Tangled Web Of Deception, Corruption.The government should see to it that justice is served for Terri and her family who were abused by this group of corrupt scumbags.If they don't take action I'd have to agree with those who say they're all talk.

[jpsb]

How fast can that happen?

[snapperjk]

" Jeb Bush sent state agents to seize Terri and then backed down when the local police told him they wouldn't let them in. " I think this is urban legion. O'Reily had the orginal source on his show and debunked the story. The other points you make are IMHO all valid.

Not legend, fact. It could have resulted in a genuine wildwest showdown between law enforcement agencies. Believe me or not.