Congress, the Courts and the Terri Schiavo Case
Before I forget:
Well, well, well. With the help of Congress, President Bush has intervened in the matters of the state by signing into law a bill to keep a certain comatose woman in Florida alive.
A discussion has already ensued in G/E. What interests me most is that both Governor Bush and President Bush have sought to cut funding from hospitals that take care of patients, even as they are trying to keep Terri Schiavo alive. I suspect that they don't mind trying to keep a patient alive, as long as it is the family (in this case, the husband) that takes care of her.
I think the case is too complicated for me to take side. Many things have happened that makes me ambivalent to the issue at hands. On one hand, I believe that Terri Schiavo shouldn't be allowed to suffer for so long. On the other hand, Michael, the husband, has another wife and child, and seems to want to profit from the life insurance he stands to get from Schiavo's death.
On the whole, the Republicans seem to be using this as a political issue, which is a natural thing for any politician to do, as long as it ensures voters' loyalty in the voting booth. In this case, the loyalty is from the evangelicals and fundamentalists, as well as some people who are against killing (and who may not understand all the circumstances in this case).
Well, well, well. With the help of Congress, President Bush has intervened in the matters of the state by signing into law a bill to keep a certain comatose woman in Florida alive.
A discussion has already ensued in G/E. What interests me most is that both Governor Bush and President Bush have sought to cut funding from hospitals that take care of patients, even as they are trying to keep Terri Schiavo alive. I suspect that they don't mind trying to keep a patient alive, as long as it is the family (in this case, the husband) that takes care of her.
I think the case is too complicated for me to take side. Many things have happened that makes me ambivalent to the issue at hands. On one hand, I believe that Terri Schiavo shouldn't be allowed to suffer for so long. On the other hand, Michael, the husband, has another wife and child, and seems to want to profit from the life insurance he stands to get from Schiavo's death.
On the whole, the Republicans seem to be using this as a political issue, which is a natural thing for any politician to do, as long as it ensures voters' loyalty in the voting booth. In this case, the loyalty is from the evangelicals and fundamentalists, as well as some people who are against killing (and who may not understand all the circumstances in this case).
posted by Alan at March 21, 2005
1 Comments:
The thing that scares me about this case is the long term legal implications it could have. The US Constitution is set with a series of checks and balances, and separation of powers. Congress undermining state judiciary could set in motion a Totalitarian government.
Still, my heart goes out to her parents. I can’t imagine how horrible they must feel.
I don’t know if Terri Schiavo would want to live or die in this case, but I don’t think she’d feel too good about being a pawn in a politician’s agenda.
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