From JEB to FR: Full text of Gov Bush's letter to Judge Greer re: Terri Schiavo

Email from Gov Bush to summer, for FR | Aug. 27, 2003 | FL Gov Jeb Bush

[summer]

Note to FR, from summer: Yesterday I emailed Gov Bush, thanking him for taking action in this matter. I mentioned to him that I hadn't seen a full text of the letter he wrote to the judge, and I would like to read it. I then received it this morning by email from his office.

After that, I noticed his letter -- while not published in full by any of the newspapers I saw -- is also available and does exist in a download on Teri's web site.

However, for those unable to access that download, and who, like me, wanted to read the letter, here it is -- for all of us on FR, from Gov Bush:

------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: [Governor Bush's office]
To: [summer's email]
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 8:06 AM
Subject: Letter regarding Terri Schiavo

> August 26, 2003

> The Honorable George W. Greer
> Judge, Sixth Judicial Circuit
> 315 Court Street, Room 484
> Clearwater, Florida 33756

Dear Judge Greer:

> I appreciate the challenging legal and ethical issues before you in the case > of Terri Schiavo. As I have expressed over the course of the past several > weeks, our system of government has committed these decisions to the > judicial branch, and we must respect that process. Consistent with this > principle, I normally would not address a letter to a judge in a pending > legal proceeding. However, my office has received over 27,000 emails > reflecting understandable concern for the well being of Terri Schiavo. > Given that there is no procedural avenue available for these views to be > expressed to you in the normal course of the proceedings, I feel compelled > to write in the hopes that you will give serious consideration to > re-appointment of a guardian ad litem for Mrs. Schiavo before permitting the > removal of her feeding tube or other actions calculated to end her life.

> This case represents the disturbing result of a severe family disagreement > in extremely trying circumstances. Emotions are high, accusations abound, > and at the heart of this public and private maelstrom is a young woman > incapable of speaking for herself.

> I am disturbed by new rumors about the guardian's actions related to the > current care of Mrs. Schiavo. It has come to my attention that Mrs. Schiavo > has contracted a life threatening illness, and that she may be denied > appropriate treatment. If true, this indicates a decision by her caregivers > to initiate an "exit protocol" that may include withholding treatment from > Mrs. Schiavo until her death, which would render this Court's ultimate > decision moot. While the issue of Mrs. Schiavo's care is still before the > Court, I urge you to ensure that no act of omission or commission be allowed > to adversely affect Mrs. Schiavo's health before the September 11th hearing > you have set. No one involved should be permitted to circumvent due process > or the Court's authority in order to achieve personal objectives in this > case.

> Even discounting these rumors, there are a number of factual disputes > regarding Mrs. Schiavo's medical condition, past and current care and > therapy, and her prognosis. Given the contradictory positions of her > guardian and other family members, I respectfully ask that you re-appoint a > qualified guardian ad litem to independently investigate the circumstances > of this case, and provide the Court an unbiased view that considers only the > best interests of Mrs. Schiavo.

> It is a fine balance between Mrs. Schiavo's right to privacy and her right > to life, both of which are co-equal in our Constitution. To err on one side > is to prolong her existence, perhaps against her wishes, and continue the > debate. To err on the other is an irrevocable act that affords no > remediation. I respectfully ask that you give Mrs. Schiavo's family the > opportunity to present any new evidence as to her wishes. Evidence as to > her wishes should be reweighed as often as necessary to take into account > the effect of any new evidence, that is, to determine whether "clear and > convincing evidence" still exists that Mrs. Schiavo would now choose > withdrawal of life-prolonging procedures. While this process may delay the > surrogate's exercise of Mrs. Schiavo's privacy rights, it is necessary to > avoid denying her right to life. I urge you to err on the side of > conservative judgment to ensure that all facts can be uncovered and > considered before her life is terminated.

> I appreciate your compassion for Mrs. Schiavo's plight, and that of the > family members locked in dispute in these tragic circumstances. In light of > the ongoing contention related to so many issues in this case, I hope you > will consider appointing a guardian ad litem to ensure that the ultimate > decision is based on facts presented clearly, unclouded and uncolored by > personal interests of litigants.

> Sincerely,

> Jeb Bush

> cc: Patricia Fields Anderson, Esq.
> George J. Felos, Esq.

[Tax-chick]

Phone number to put the screws on Judge Greer - first thing tomorrow!

BTTT

[thatdewd]

There are no words that can properly describe the injustice that has repeatedly been dealt to this woman. It's bad enough the courts have legitimized and mandated her suffering for all these years by allowing her "husband" to prohibit basic care, now they will issue a death penalty against her even though she has committed no crime, and will order one of the most slow and painful methods of execution possible to be used on this innocent woman. Murderers walk free, and innocent victims are ordered to be cruelly executed. My prayers continue, as will my emails and calls. May the Almighty right this wrong, and may He bless Terri and her family.

[summer]

bttt

[summer]

FYI.

[summer]

FYI.

[Libertina]

Thank you for the ping, Summer :)

[summer]

My pleasure, Libertina. Gov Bush wrote a great letter here, IMO.

[Pegita]

Will use your Judicial phone number to let the Commission know that Pennsylvania is watching this very closely, and is in agreement with Governor Bush that a guardian should be appointed ...

[potlatch]

Bump.

[summer]

From the other thread you posted on:

Thanks for the good news ping. I saw her on Tv and she DID seem to show some response to things.

I saw her on TV too, and I agree with you. She is not a vegetable by any means when she can respond as she does. Thanks for your posts.

[JustPiper]

Michael Schiavo said Bush's letter was inappropriate. ``The governor has deliberately twisted the facts in this case in an apparent effort to kowtow to his `right-to-life' political supporters,'' Michael Schiavo said. ``This has nothing to do with him. He should stay out of it.'' Michael Schiavo said his in- laws, Bob and Mary Schindler, orchestrated a campaign to send e-mail to the governor

Broke my heart to read this.

[Mo1]

Thank you so much Summer for posting this letter. I am glad that Gov. Bush weighed in on this case and brought attention to many unanswered questions that the Judge/Court has ruled on regarding this case.

The actions from this Judge and denying proper tests and therapy to this women is unbelievable.

I just wish there was more that Gov Bush could do

[Mo1]

HE SHOULD HAVE OR COULD HAVE HONORED GOV. BUSH'S REQUEST TO ASSIGN A GUARDIAN AD LITEM to represent Terri's interest instead of once again, taking the side of the husband. Judge Greer is from the Sixth Circuit Court, Pinellas County.

That is one thing that floors me .. This Judge should have long ago appointed an independent Guardian Ad Litem and not left her husband as her sole guardian .. especially since there are questions about her husband with abuse and the fractured bones that were reveled in xrays of Terry.

Everything I have read .. this Judge seems hell bent on having her killed

[Pegita]

I spoke to a very gracious woman in the Judicial Qualifcations Office this morning ... she said the Commission deals only in complaints of conduct and behaviour, and not court rulings. She suggested the course of action would be a letter to Governor Bush and letters to the editor. I asked if she were keeping track of the number of callers regarding this case ... she said no, and even though this case was unusual, all callers wishing to make complaints of any kind, are referred to her office ... again, they deal only in conduct and behaviour.

I fully stated my position of support outlined by the Governor ... appointment of a guardian, but she said she could do nothing but wish me good luck ...

[summer]

she said the Commission deals only in complaints of conduct and behaviour, and not court rulings

A complaint about the judge's bias against Terri is a complaint about the judge's conduct. (I realize she probably didn't tell you that.)

[summer]

FYI.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I still think Jeb and the legislature can do an end run around the judge. This is what our system of checks and balances is all about. The judiciary is failing in this instance, so the legislature and the executive branches can do what is in their power to override the judge.

I really think this is the way to go.

[summer]

RE your post #72 - My pleasure to post this letter. Thanks for your thoughtful post, Mo1.

[summer]

Are you a lawyer? I ask that politely, as I've talked to a few lawyers who post here on FR, and their opinions varied but did not reflect what you said here.

[summer]

Thanks for your very informative post #120 on that other thread. Maybe you could post that info here on this thread as well, to ALL. Thanks, Robert Drobot.