http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2005/03/19/m14a_schiavoedit_0319..html
Political exploitation worsens Schiavo tragedy
By Palm Beach Post Editorial
Saturday, March 19, 2005
In a disgraceful display of affection for mob rule, congressional
Republicans on Friday turned the tragedy of Terri Schiavo into
exploitative political farce.
With the judicial order to remove Ms. Schiavo's feeding tube set to
take effect at 1 p.m., and with neither Congress nor the Florida
Legislature having passed what would be an unconstitutional bill to
intervene, Republicans under the whip hand of ethically challenged
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, issued subpoenas for Ms.
Schiavo, her caregivers and Michael Schiavo.
With straight faces, Republicans said they expect them to appear
before the House Government Reform Committee on March 25 at the
Pinellas County hospice center that is Ms. Schiavo's home and before
the Senate Health Committee on March 28 in Washington.
Where to start sorting out all the hypocrisy?
Republican leaders in Congress are all for states' rights -- except
when they're not.
Republican leaders in Congress are all for the rule of law -- except
when they're not.
Republican leaders in Congress are all for limited government --
except when they're not.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., is a physician by training
but a presidential candidate by aspiration.
So he will disregard the overwhelming credible medical opinion that
Ms. Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state with no chance of
recovery and babble about the need for Congress to examine how the
country treats "non-ambulatory" people.
Pinellas County Circuit Judge George Greer correctly saw no "cogent
reason" why Congress should intervene and allowed the tube to be
removed.
In fact, Republicans are butting in for political reasons.
Since every court at every level has ruled over and over that Mr.
Schiavo presented "clear and convincing evidence" that his wife would
not have wanted to be kept alive, Republicans know there is little
chance that they can win in court.
But they can please the abortion-rights opponents who want Ms.
Schiavo's non-life sustained.
Reckless would be a kind description of the GOP behavior that rose
last week and probably hasn't crested.
A few responsible lawmakers in Washington and Tallahassee understood
the danger of creating a precedent that would smash the separation of
powers and allow politicians to make family decisions.
The rest played to the mob.
---
http://www.ElmerFudd.US/ http://www.notserver.com/
Scientology crooks: http://sf.irk.ru/www/ot3/otiii-gif.html
Scientology murder: http://PerkinsTragedy.org
Improving the herd: http://www.rightard.org/
.
|
