Archived Movable Type Content

March 18, 2005

Schiavo legislation falters

Michael Schiavo’s attorney says it best:

"It's frankly very disconcerting and unsettling in our country and our democracy to see how our federal lawmakers can in essence be held hostage by these special interest groups and jump to their will like spit on a hot griddle," Felos said.

But despite the pandering of politicians, it seems that efforts to keep state and federal “Terri’s Laws” alive have failed for now. Various appeals courts have also signaled that they’ve heard more than enough, and the feeding tube will almost certainly be removed this afternoon.

The removal of the tube may well spark a renewed effort to intervene, however, since it will take some time for Terri to peacefully and painlessly pass - lawmakers and other intervention minded types will no doubt be busy for the next week or so grasping for whatever straw they can muster in a last ditch effort to thwart the will of a dying patient and the courts.

Look for lots of pictures of protestors earnestly praying between bouts of violent threats. Police will have to be called in to protect the hospice - extremists will be feeling very empowered to fuck with Michael Schiavo and anyone else whom they see as being on the wrong side.

Abstract Appeal has the best neutral overview of this case that I’ve seen. Check it out for background and perspective.

Details on the last minute legislative action:

What they're saying

Schiavo bill loses GOP backers

One by one, options sink

UPDATE - Extremist federal lawmakers have manufactured a straw at which to grasp:

In a last-ditch attempt to stop the court-ordered removal, a House committee decided early Friday morning to start an investigation into Schiavo's case and issue subpoenas ordering doctors and hospice administrators not to remove her feeding tubes and to keep her alive until that investigation was complete.

The effort by the House Government Reform Committee came after lawmakers in both Washington and Tallahassee failed in attempts to pass legislation to keep her husband, Michael Schiavo, from having the tube pulled despite heavy lobbying by Schiavo's parents.

"This inquiry should give hope to Terri, her parents and friends and the millions of people throughout the world who are praying for her safety," House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Government Reform chairman Tom Davis said in a joint statement. "This fight is not over."

The Government Reform Committee is the same committee that forced Major League Baseball players and officials to testify Thursday about steroid use.

Posted by Norwood at March 18, 2005 05:15 AM
Comments

... and if Terri is not in PVS, she will suffer. No doctor has been given access to her to prove or disprove the PVS diagnosis. Greer has given her a death sentence. He is also being allowed to push his euthanasia agenda. I hope he enters a PVS soon.

Posted by: Realist at March 18, 2005 04:10 PM

Really, can't you even come up with a decent lie? Multiple doctors have diagnosed the PVS, and a court found that they were correct. Only quacks and charlatans claim that Terri, with large parts of her brain having atrophied and been replaced by spinal fluid, will ever be anything more than a randomly animated vegetable.

http://majikthise.typepad.com/majikthise_/2005/03/red_herrings_17.html

http://www.blogwood.com/archives/001034.html

Posted by: Norwood at March 18, 2005 06:38 PM

These people say they are pro-lifers yet they probably also support capital punishment and the war in iraq. If life is always inherently good, why can't they atleast be consistent?

Posted by: Theresa at March 22, 2005 01:40 PM