Posted on 06/19/2005 8:40:38 AM PDT by wdkeller
NEW YORK A pitched battle has broken out between Gov. Jeb Bush and The New York Times--on the newspaper's editorial page.
Two days ago, the Times criticized the governor in an editorial called "Autopsy on the Schiavo Tragedy." While not naming Bush, it denounced "opportunistic politicians" who exploited the case. Today, the Times published a hard-hitting, critical letter from Jeb Bush--and another editorial attacking him.
Bush, in his letter, said that the Times' "grotesque and chilling disrespect for the sanctity of life has never been more apparent than in your June 16 editorial...Terri Schiavo was a deeply loved daughter, wife, sister and friend. The fact that her brain was atrophied or that she was blind or could not have been rehabilitated doesn't change that fact.
"While many medical professionals said she was in a persistent vegetative state, still other highly respected neurologists said there was a chance that she was not.
"In cases where patients do not have an expressed written directive regarding end-of-life decisions and where the patient's guardian has a conflict of interest, it only makes sense to err on the side of life....Despite claims of cynicism and being 'agenda-driven,' we will continue to strive to protect our most vulnerable citizens. All innocent human life is precious, and government has a duty to protect the weak, the disabled and the vulnerable."
While not directly responding to the letter, the Times published another editorial, which opened with:
"After Terri Schiavo was finally allowed to rest in peace on March 31, we hoped she would also have been granted in death what she surely would have wanted - an end to the bitterness that divided her family and made her private suffering a public spectacle....
"And so it was heartbreaking yesterday to see Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida thrust himself back into this tragedy just two days after the results of Ms. Schiavo's autopsy showed that her condition had been beyond hope and beyond therapy, that she most likely had been in a persistent vegetative state and that her relatives' allegations that she had been abused by her husband were false.
"For most of the nation, that news provided closure on a wrenching episode. But not for Mr. Bush, who asked a state prosecutor to investigate Michael Schiavo, Ms. Schiavo's husband. Mr. Bush said he wanted to clear up discrepancies in Mr. Schiavo's statements over the last 15 years about the time that elapsed between his finding his wife on the floor and his 911 call...
"Of all the politicians who tragically failed to understand and respect the sanctity and privacy of family life in this case, only Mr. Bush seems determined to save face by disturbing the family's peace further and berating those who had been saying all along that he was going down a terrible road."
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
He has probably ruined his future political prospects with his extreme actions in her defense and even that isn't enough for you. If he'd spirited her out of the hospice with a machine gun you'd criticize him for not blowing the place up.
And YOU did...?
My feelings exactly! Those criticizing Jeb for his handling of this case continue to amaze me. He did all he could. Period.
Give it a rest and bake some cookies.
Guess who's running for President!?
And since when does the New York Slime mean anything to anyone but the toliet paper for Liberals?
Jeb Bush did what he could by law....unlike liberals who thing they don't have to abide by it.
The Governor had many powers and authority by which to act more forcefully than was done. That certainly is the reasonable appearance to those outside his ofice. It might be that Jeb saw more than we do and weighed his executive power options more circumspectly for reasons we cannot know at this time -- but still -- you asked a citizen to be Governor de-facto -- and impossible thing, or outlaw if by it you suggest open insurrection! We have powers has individuals, yet in this very kind of circumstance the Governor has far far more.
By law, Terri was murdered. Not you and I nor any should accept such low and perverted standard of law.
That is true...to some respects...I thought it was 3rd world country punishment myself...but what did you want Jeb to do....storm in like Janet Reno did with Elian?
I think in the time to come you will see things happen, its just to bad she had to die before it could happen....
Time to FReep the Times...again.
Actually, he really didn't
Instead of going to the court and asking for permission, he could have simply declared an SOE (might not have even needed to do that) and order troops into the Hospital
By the same token he could have also ordered a media blackout, like what happened right before Elian was taken
Well, I hate what-if games about what has already happened. Once stuff happens, you have to move on. If a similiar case comes up again -- I'd hope that yes, he'd have the state police or state guard storm the hospice and take custody. Habeus corpus.
Well said! Jeb is doing this merely to win back some fans for a possible presidential bid. Gotta make Poppy happy, you know.
Interesting that this is your first and only comment on the plight of Terri Schiavo according to your history. Governor Bosh worked hard to save Terri and the Courts refused to adhere to the Law that Our Congress and President passed to protect the sanctity of Life. You might try reading some of the past history. There may be more to this review than meets the eye.
I love Jeb Bush. He can count on my support if he runs in 08.
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