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On Terri, Maybe Daddy Knows Best

By RachelGoodman - Mar 21st, 2005 at 12:10 pm EST

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As we await the first (unconstitutional) federal hearing in the Schiavo case, my father raised the broader issue in an email:

As far as I am concerned, the fact that the Democrats were unable to vote as a party against the federal legislation removing jurisdiction of this case to the federal courts demonstrates the complete capitulation of the party as the so-called "opposition". This vote continues the right's rejection of science, logic and reason, and the ascension of mob rule in the name of "morality" and "religion". The Democrats are now so afraid of this issue that they are completely unable to vote to restrain the exercise of federal power as long as the Republicans can frame that exercise as promoting the "culture of life".

The progressive position on this issue is a deeply centrist one - it rests on commitment to the rule of constitutional law. When George Will and CAP agree, you know the position being advanced is hardly radical. And yet the rhetorical center seems to have shifted so far right, due to pressure from conservative Christian movements, that moderates in Congress were afraid to stand for the Constitution.

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Were you aware...

By Boo Radley Mar 21st 2005 at 7:48 pm EST

Were you aware of the fact that the Congress was on recess and that a special session was called? Many Representatives were not able to make it back to DC in time for the vote (that happened at 12:45 am) but are still fundamentally opposed. For example, I'm sure Nancy Pelosi would have voted against this bill but she was all the way back home in San Francisco. Some Democrats were actually on their way to the capital but didn't make it in time for the vote. I don't think this makes the party weak or afraid... perhaps they didn't have ulterior motives so the Whip wasn't so adamant on getting them all back to work.

Republican Hypocrites for Schiavo

By joy Mar 22nd 2005 at 3:10 pm EST

There are several ironies in the Schiavo situation as pointed out by a commentator on NPR. A good bit of Terry Schiavo's medical expenses are covered by MedicAid--a program Republicans want to abolish; part of her expenses are also paid from the proceeds of a malpractice lawsuit--another avenue for consumers that the Republicans want to shut down. And, Bill Frist, the only doctor in the Senate, viewed a 4-year-old video of Terry Schiavo and made an off-the-cuff diagnosis of her condition--something no practicing physician would dream of doing. Republicans value life only when doing so benefits them politically. They are phonies, hypocrites, and liars who disregard the Constitution and any other laws when it serves their purposes--and, Democrats in Washington stand by, seemingly helpless, and allow it to happen. Sen. Robert Byrd spoke out against them and their fascist methods, but no one seemed to hear. How far will we let them go before America stands up and "throws the bums out"?!

sick

By Fphucker Mar 25th 2005 at 10:06 pm EST

you sick piece of shit

Euthanasia is the most ethical option.

By scott0904 Mar 22nd 2005 at 5:53 pm EST

Most people would not will to live in a permanent
vegatitive state, and almost no one would
choose to starve to death. Perhaps we should
discuss
assisted suicide for Terri Schiavo. This is
illegal in Florida, and there are too many legal
restraints on moving Terry to Oregon, but why not
at least discuss this as the most humane option?
Nowhere
does euthanasia even enter the debate. If Terri
Schiavo's parents did not object, then it
would be perfectly legal to allow her to die from
starvation. Yet, it would be more humane still to
give her a drug cocktail and let her pass away
without starving for weeks. I think the mental
image of starvation is what most people object to
in the Terri Schiavo case, and we should address
how to allow her passing in the most ehtical and
humane manner.

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