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."

[snapperjk]

How fast can that happen? Like you, don't know. Going to sign off and follow on the TV.

[Melas]

Why should Laura get a pass? I mean, really, if you're going to lose all perspective and believe we live in a monarchy with GW as the kind and Jeb as the Duke of Florida, you might as well go for broke and make the first lady a queen. Give it time, before long one of these types will find a way to blame Jenna too.

[jpsb]

"Not legend, fact."

Well, like I said, O'Reily "the factor" debunked the story, he had the orginal source on his show and the story as reported is not true.

[jpsb]

one of these types????

[jpsb]

27 posts in and I only saw one mild criticism of Laura Bush. I did however see lots and lots of posts bashing those fighting for Terri. Yall are losing it, get a grip, no one is attacking the first lady! She is a class act.

[ARCADIA]

Do you want to lose the battle,but win the war, or would you prefer to win this battle, but lose the war entirely?

I would prefer to win the battle and the war. But, if that is not doable then at least I would like to make sure that we are on track to win the war. Jeb and the Florida Republican party could commit to change the law to ensure that this does not happen again; that no citizen of the state of Florida will ever be put to death by starvation, and that no one will be euthanized unless they have specifically instructed to do so in written form. There is nothing in the law that would prevent them from committing to that now.

What could possibly be stopping him from doing so. From taking steps to ensure that such a tragic situation does not reoccur. The very presumption that one has to go out and maintain a living will out of fear that some bureaucrat may yank your plug by inpuning your desire to die is repugnant. Should not the presumption be the other way around?

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Yall are losing it, get a grip

You need to get a grip yourself. Some of the comments you've made on this thread would be funny if they weren't so sad.

[Merlinator]

I couldn't agree with you more!

[jpsb]

Know I know you are losing it! This is Laura Bush thread and I have been saying nice things about Laura Bush. Jeeez, no good deed goes unpunished.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Jeeez, no good deed goes unpunished.

That much, I'll agree with. Jeb Bush will confirm.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Give it time, before long one of these types will find a way to blame Jenna too.

Nothing would surprise me, at this point.

[jpsb]

Jeb went wobboly, as the Iron Lady would say.Well I am not going to do another late night. seeya

[ARCADIA]

Unfreakingbelievable!!!

No, very believable. Courts read the political winds as well as anyone, and the Schindlers are betting that they may be willing to change direction to cool the hellish breezes that they are starting to feel. In other words: they are betting that the judges telephone has been ringing for a couple of days with calls from concerned politicians.

[jpsb]

One thing that would surprise me if yall stopped inventing insults and put downs of the first family where there are none.

[Salvation]

**"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." **

Thank you, Laura for saying this.

Pro-life bump!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

He did all he could. Unfortunately, he's been made a scapegoat. See ya.

[jpsb]

Exactly correct, the tea leaves are looking pretty damn ugly for Judges. I would not be surprised if courts started inviting Terri parents to appeal in thier court. LOL the natives are hungry and judges are on the menu.

[Melas]

Excuse me? I was defending the President, his wife, and his daughters.

[ARCADIA]

the factor" debunked the story

If it wasn't happening, then why did Greer issue an order to stop it? We do not know how far this thing actually got, but it definitely happen.

[Melas]

Yes those types. The type that's been calling W and Jeb wimps because they didn't attempt to exceed their authority to help Schiavo. Those types.