Posted on 03/29/2005 4:39:09 PM PST by 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."
Well, it's nice to know there are four of us :o)
" 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." "
Yeah, Terri really benefitted from GW and the gang in Washinton stepping in....could they have made bigger fools of themselves? I think not.
GW and Jeb failed to protect Terri. There should have been a little less talk and a lot more action. I am so ashamed of their actions and I have always been proud to call GW my president...until now.
This is a sad time in American history when we not only let a man murder his brain-damaged wife, but the judiciary steps in and helps him. As far as I am concerned MS and Greer should be charged with murder as soon as Terri dies!
Yes, it did. By granting jurisdiction to the Federal Courts it most certainly DID intervene.
That's fair.
Whereas I'm ashamed of the people that expect the Reps to play the role of Savior and discount all they did in their limited human capability within law to help this woman.
Where we do agree is that the Judiciary assuming the right to put an innocent to Death is a disgraceful moment in our history.
Yes Laura, it was right that the government intervened BUT it was wrong that it failed so miserably.
The action by congress gave nothing more than false hope to the Schindler family and many more of us who do not want to have a court sentence an innocent lady to death.
The law was broken when Judge Greer ordered Mrs Schiavo's feeding tune disconnected and disallowed any feeding through her mouth. Your husband is apparently OK with that and his brother Jeb is apparently OK with that? I am not OK with that. There are too many extenuating circumstances in this case that should have removed Michael Schiavo as Terri's guardian. There was potential abuse that might have caused Terri's injury. There was use of hearsay testimony to conclude what Terri would have wanted. The judge had a conflict of interest in that he accepted campaign contributions from Michael Schiavo's lawyers. Michael Schiavo has a conflict of interest in that he has his hands on Terri's money and, worse, has established a new household with another lady with which he has had two kids.A nurse who cared for Terri said last week that she saw needle injection marks under Terri's arm, breast, and groin and an empty vial of insulin in the waste basket after Michael left Terri's room. Michael stated to nurses on several occasions, "when is that bitch going to die." And more, and more, and more...
No, I am not OK with what your husband and congress did! I am not OK with what little Jeb did. And, to borrow a term that was overused by another political has-been, I am deeply saddened to say that I was witness to the governmental starving to death of an innocent woman!!!
Jeb did a lot in 2003.... Do you think he is a King?
Excellent post!
I'm struck by the irony.
On one hand the Courts are (properly) derided for assuming they have power over Life and Death of an innocent.
On the other Jeb, Prez and all are (improperly) derided for evidently not having power over the Life and Death of an innocent.
Why do people keep looking to mortal men for a Savior? Many of the people striking out against them state to be Christians. Well I'm not looking to them to be Jesus Christ. They are limited. They are limited by their mortality and they are limited by our Constitution.
They have done, and continue to seek, ways to help within their means. Beyond that, until the Judiciary is reined in which will take time even with persistant effort, the only one that has power to intercede and open doors to let this woman live is God himself and it is to him I petition. I will not join the chorus of frustrations that without Just cause turn on the Reps.
I know you mean this in a sarcastic way, but I cannot imagine you fail to distinguish between the right to life and the right to liberty, both of which are guaranteed under our Constitution.
Wobderful post.
Seems to me that you need to review constitutional law. The President does not really have judiciary powers. The courts are the "law" and are given the rights to interpret the laws as they so desire. The result of this tragedy is simply the inadequate judiciary system that evolved through the Clinton administration. Congress held GW's feet to the fire and has not allowed appropriate court appointments. Place the blame for all this squarely where it belongs - Those liberals in Congress.
LONG LIVE "W"
Yeah, but have you noticed? It's thinning out!! :o)
Just what did you do, friend? You got a big mouth, but I didn't see any action from you and the millions of loud mouths that could have stormed congress and the Florida lawmakers on this issue. You idiots are quick to bad mouth the Prez and his brother for not acting. Just put the Democrats in power and see what you get, brainchild. Get real, and get a life!!! This battle has been lost for this innocent woman, because of morons like you and other Freepers who open their mouths before engaging their brains. Had a million Freepers marched in the streets in support of Terri, the outcome would be different. You couch potato badmouthers are losers from the gitgo!!! Vote Democrat, you small minded fool!!! You belong in the party of death, traitors, God haters, etc.!!! Jeb and GW will do fine without the likes of you and your small minded friends.
Always the optimist. : ) (Maybe creating Photoshopped images of Laura Bush's head on some ghastly historical figure's body is crossing some kind of line. Let's hope so.)
Nice of her to say something.
It was just a local problem in 2003.
You remember, the last time they pulled Terri Schiavo's feeding tube!!!!!
When both the legislative and executve branches of the State of Florida ordered it reinserted after six days ofthis ame womans starvation!!!!
All that hard work, pain and effort was declared unconstitutional.
By a Florida court system.
The ironic part is that the Sunshine State is more open about the degree of forced euthanasia than all of the other 50 combined.
But if you are a proponet of forced euthanasia, I can understand why that might be bothersome, that people might actually understand what is happening to the least capable of defending their basic right to life.
You should be ashamed of yourself. You spout the compassion for which the GOP is known, yet you yourself are being highly judgemental against the President and Governor. Their hands are tied by a corrupt and disorganized court system overrun by the dems. IF you want to be ashamed of someone, try Billy Bob Clinton and his wifey, Hillary, Cankles, Clinton. Oh, and Congress who thwarted "W's" attempt to bring balance to the court system.
Errr...my post to you should have said "Wonderful post." Sorry for the typo.
Hollow words.
I agree every bit helps. It is tragic that Laura Bush and Rev. Jackson didn't speak up earlier.
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