There are greater problems here than the fate of Terri Schiavo, though her probable death through dehydration will be in itself tragic. The first is the development of the judiciary into the dominant player in the tripartite system of government, on both state and Federal levels. It appears that Judge Greer ignored evidence that Michael Schiavo was not qualified to be the decision maker. He also ignored testimony that contradicted the assertions that Terri was in a persistent vegetative state. He also had no evidence other than that of the word of Michael Schiavo that she wanted to die. Before her injuries, she professed adherence to Catholicism, which opposes pulling feeding tubes as a means of hastening death.
The judiciary of Florida, up to the state supreme court, ratified the decrees of Judge Greer because these judges, predominantly liberals, share an ideology that believes euthanasia is justifiable. Furthermore, the justices were protecting a fellow member of their "tribe", striking down an attempt of the state legislature to save her.
The second problem is the cowardice of the Republican Party in this matter, and of Governor Jeb Bush. Party discipline in Tallahassee is so weak that the GOP cannot compel several party members in the state Senate to do the right thing. These RINOs will likely get away with their pro-death votes and not face primary challenges or recall votes (if Florida law allows for such). Governor Bush, as commander of the state police and the National Guard, could move Terri Schiavo out of the facility where she is dying. He has not done so. The Feds, for all the pro-life bluster coming out of the White House and the Republican congressional leadership, have been ineffectual.
The bottom line is that neither the executive and legislative branches of government, state or Federal, are willing to stare down the judicial tyranny taking place. Such qualms did not stop Presidents Jackson and Lincoln from defying Supreme Court orders when they felt their duties warranted such defiance. We regard Jackson and Lincoln as great figures in our history. Will future generations see Jeb Bush as a 21st Century Pontius Pilate?
The third problem is the lack of outrage on the part of the pro-life community, both Catholic and evangelical. I would include in this comment the failure of church leaders, Catholic (Michael Schiavo) and Baptist (Judge Greer) to discipline communicants who are blatant, public sinners. Violence against the Pinellas Park police, Judge Greer, and Michael Schiavo would be entirely wrong. But for all the pro-lifers in the area, only one has the guts to even engage in Martin Luther King style civil disobedience, the woman arrested for trying to take a bottle of water to Terri Schiavo. Furthermore, if only 30% of Floridians favor her continuing to live, that would represent about five million people. If only 5% of them converged on Pinellas Park, it would be an overwhelming and entirely peaceful and lawful demonstration. But that has not happened. Where are the pro-life bishops and pastors of the Sunshine State? Why aren't they in their pulpits calling for their church members to engage in lawful and peaceful protest? Instead, they are focusing on another bunch of Holy Week rituals.
The entire Terri Schiavo situation is a frightening testimony to the moral weakness and cowardice of Floridians and Americans.
FYI. Michael Schiavo is not Catholic, although Terri was.
I agree with you, Wallace.
Where is the outrage other than here at FR?!
If I wasn't tied to home with family member medical issues, I would be outside the hospice.
Why aren't more folks there? I don't understand it...Are they waiting for a signal that Terri is truly at death's door?
Excellent post right to the core.
George W. Greer withdrew from the Baptist Church just prior to March 18. Greer's pastor did rebuke him.
True, the easy course of action is the one most choose. We know how church leaders fear the IRS. I would imagine that they also fear popular judges like George W. Greer.