Faith and consequences - What Terri's Law cost the Republicans in Congress

St. Petersburg Times ^ | December 18, 2005 | WES ALLISON and ANITA KUMAR with Janet Zink and Bill Adair

[Graymatter]

Bad reporting. If you don't already know what's going on, this report is almost incomprehensible. I've seen better from Babelfish.

[Louis Foxwell]

I suspect that the truth of Scientology and its lust for death is too despicable for mere mortals to endure. Apparently, Pinellas County sold its soul a long time ago. If you live there, and you believe in Diving Judgment, you may want to check out real estate in Montana.

________________________

I live just south of Sarasota. The stench from north of the skyway bridge blankets us on cold days. Scientology's moral inversions infect cities such as Sarasota that cling to foolish notions of sophistication.

[penowa]

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., acknowledged that because of Schiavo, "I think there are a lot of members who won't be able to deliver on those issues. (values)

Mr. Davis, I think there are a lot of voters who won't be able to deliver on those votes that put you in the majority.

[StAnDeliver]

Even Wes Al-Loser has to print the truth when you stick it in his face...

"Elizabeth Foley, an expert in bioethics and constitutional law at Florida International University in Miami, has studied the court record, and she questions whether Michael Schiavo met the state's legal standard for proving his wife would rather be dead..."

[Mind-numbed Robot]

I think these writers have it all wrong.

I have notice recently that many articles have multiple authors and have wondered why. Is article-by-committee the new rage, a way to dilute blame and liability, or what else might be going on?

[goldstategop]

Since when have moderates displayed backbone? They usually go where the polls tell them to go - Left. I have no regrets about doing what it took to save Terri's life and I could care less about a so-called public backlash. I'd always do the right thing regardless of popularity considerations. Its the principled and moral thing to do.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[StAnDeliver]

Scientology, The Clearwater Bar Association and Judge Greer

Scientology and Terri Schiavo, Is there a Connection?

[Ohioan from Florida]

In a word, yes. Consistently so.

[JRios1968]

For what it matters, there have been no Congressional elections since Terri Schindler's (I refuse to call her Schiavo) death...I would think it's too early for anyone to score the effect (if any) Terri's Law had or will have in the National political landscape.

[RobbyS]

Members of the House of Represenatives often refer to the Senate as the "House of Lords." It is true. They speak for the elite circles in our society. They also remind us that in the Senate, minority rights trump majority rights.

[RobbyS]

The senators from Maine have 1/50 of the votes in the Senate and represent about 1/200 of the population. It is about the last place where states rights have any practical effect anymore.

[RobbyS]

Libertarians, who vote Republican to get their tax cuts, have the saqme contenmpt for right to lifers that the Socialists do. Talk about strange bedfellows.

[Just mythoughts]

Sadly Terri's 'case' for the 'left' was self-centered look at what was perceived about 'quality' of life. The all about 'me' and 'my' rights mentality could not see what precedent was being set, that a county judge could and did gavel an execution and nobody that could was going to interfere.

Words and phrases that come to my mind are "blow-back" and "grandstanding", concern about health care costs, and the interfering President, Governor and those in Congress with a Constitutional duty to oversee the judging class, embarrassed the oh so moderate class. No hay seed hick, Bible thumpers allowed in moderate-ville.

[BlackElk]

Of course, Davis is himself pro-death at least as to innocent babies.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

They didn't like the mirror.

So many of these people will "grow" as they experience more living and dying.

[presently no screen name]

Many have been "crucified" for righteousness' sake.


BTTT

[LowCountryJoe]

I am a Libertarian-leaning Republican and I am pro-life. But, what I do have contempt for is the, as you say, "right to lifers" who will advocate for policies that are unwise and will have long-lasting consequences that result in anarchy against the judicial system.

The kinds of advocating for federal government intervention, by the "right to lifers", during the Schiavo ordeal was very troubling to me...yes, even more so than hearing about that young woman's death. Believe it or not, she is in a much better place: the same cannot be said for those responsible for her death. God will do justice in this matter after searching the motives and intents of everyone involved.

Yes, I like my tax cuts and yes, on a personal level, I try and live my life righteously by making decisions of high morals, but when it comes to what's really important to my Libertarian-leanings and my view of what's best for the country, are the ideas of federalism and limited government. If you've got problems with that, then yes, "strange bedfellows" it is.

[RobbyS]

The 14th Amendment made the Federal Government the protector of each American citizen. Even before this, it was established that one could appeal from the State Supreme Courts to the United States Supreme Court. In this case, the State Supreme Court would not permit the legislature to intervene. Wise or not, the Congress had every right to intervene where the State courts had, in my opinion, effectively usurped the lawmaking power of the State legislatures.

[LowCountryJoe]

As I recall, None of the higher courts wanted to hear the case and considered it properly adjudicated. Am I wrong?

Not only did the U.S. Congress have the authority to intervened, they did intervene. But, the best forum for intervention was at the legislative branch of the state of Florida. When Florida failed to do the right thing, that should have been it. But, the GOP intervened, as awkwardly as it could, and tried to make the SCOTUS take the case.

Separation of powers does mean something and should be respected. I'm sure that you'll write me back and point out the errors in my thinking or my recollection of the fact, or perhaps, both.

[RobbyS]

The Florida legislature did intervene, but they were overturned by the Flordia Courts.