Associated Press report 03/25/05
In the federal court hearing, Schindler lawyer David Gibbs III argued that Terri Schiavo's rights to life and privacy were being violated. Whittemore interrupted as Gibbs attempted to liken Schiavo's death to a murder.
"That is the emotional rhetoric of this case. It does not influence this court, and cannot influence this court. I want you to know it and I want the public to know it," Whittemore said.
Bush appealed that decision to the 2nd District. The Florida Supreme Court later declined to take up a separate appeal on a Greer injunction that blocked the state's social services agency from taking temporary custody of Schiavo while challenges are argued. State law allows the Department of Children & Families to act in emergency situations of adult abuse.
The department also filed another petition before Greer seeking to provide emergency protective services for Schiavo. Greer had not scheduled a hearing, but he indicated one could occur Monday, according to Bush's office.
"For this lockdown to occur without having the ability to have an open mind, and say, 'Well, maybe there are new facts on the table, maybe there are new technologies, maybe, just maybe, we should be cautious about this' ... is very troubling," Bush said.
http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2005/03/050325schiavo.shtml
7 years of hellish slurry pumping and diapers imposed on a woman who clearly said she would rather die. That's not 'cautious' enough, Governor? OK, here's a Golden Rule test for all the 'cautious', 'eloquent' ones around here. Anyone who believes that Terri hasn't suffered enough and deserves to be pumped some more has to be locked to a nursing home bed and be stomach pumped with slurry and wear diapers for the precise duration of any additional judicial appeals or procedures.
What's that I hear? "Oh, well, that's not fair ... it's not relevant ... see I read the Bible as saying ... after all, she's the one who is disabled ... I'm just pronouncing 'God's will' for her not for me." Yes, I thought so. You guys make the Pharisees of our Lord's time look good in comparison.