"Have you been reading the posts on the Terri threads?"
Yes there is a rift.
The case of Terri Schiavo was not the cause of the rift, it was just an example that illustrated it well. It was a case that highlighted the differences between conservatives who believe in states rights over federal powers and those who do only when it suits their needs; between conservatives who believe in personal freedom over government control and those who prefer strong government control over life's most personal aspects so as long as they don't get taxed.
Thank you!
And between those who believe in the constitutionally grounded right of patients to refuse extraordinary life-saving medical treatment, and those who want to revoke that right to serve their simplistic, one-dimensional so-called "pro-life" views.
There is definitely a rift.
It also seemed to display (vividly) the differences between those who believe that we all have the right to life, as opposed to those who would stand by and allow an innocent woman to be executed. Sorry, but I have no respect for the latter.
On the question of executing the innocent, only liars call themselves "conservative" when defending the killers.
In fact, it was the direct action of the State which came between Terri Schiavo and her life.
I'm not surprised to see that Mr. MEEEEE!!!! ALL ABOUT MEEEEE!!! (jorge) has joined you But his support should impel you to examine your position carefully.
On this you believe to have claim to the only credible conservative position? On a case where the state demanded the withdrawal of food and hydration based on the hearsay evidence of spousal relatives and over the objections of close friends and family, you are looking to claim that only one side of the debate stood for personal freedom and against strong government control over life's most personal choices? On a case where a judge, in granting the petitioner authorization to "discontinue artificial life support" bolstered hearsay evidence with the testimony of a priest and an expert witness (testifying to what people would want) who had never met Terri Schiavo, you believe the most personal aspects of one's life represented?
This case was about substituting judgment for an incapacitated citizen. It was about all of our personal freedoms and federal due process rights.