[Brilliant]

The bottom line is that Schiavo was an issue for the legislature, not the courts. But like so many other issues, the legislature is not doing its job, so the courts simply substitute their own judgment.

[ndt]

"The bottom line is that Schiavo was an issue for the legislature, not the courts."

I vote none of the above.

[bvw]

Life is an issue for everyone,and every level of human organization. YES it is an issue for the courts, for the legislature and for the executive, all. It was an issue every nurse and every county deputy should have personally dealt with -- forcefully. By quitting,by refusing to work on a "murder case" in the role of assistants to the murder.

[edsheppa]

the legislature is not doing its job

That's not entirely fair. Ths US Congress did pass legislation allowing federal review of the case and the President signed it. The Courts, however, did not respect the spirit of that legislation.

[UnChained]

"The bottom line is that Schiavo was an issue for the legislature, not the courts. But like so many other issues, the legislature is not doing its job, so the courts simply substitute their own judgment."

My bottom line is different.

The folks who wrote the respective constitutions couldn't envision a situation like we had with the Schiavo case. But an extension of the logic of the pardon would have been best. The executive branch pardon allows a governor or the President to prevent what they feel is a miscarriage of justice. Terry Schiavo rightly or wrongly was condemned to death by the legal system. Spur of the moment legislation to overthrow a legal ruling is a bad way to go.

I would have been comfortable if Gov Bush or President Bush had taken it upon themselves to personally evaluate Terry and have the last word, live or die. People would have squawked but so what?

That judge who threatened Jeb Bush with an injunction overstepped his authority and should have been removed from office, forcibly if need be, by the Florida National Guard.