MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

Anarchy?

• Posted by Beth on March 25th, 2005 filed in General, Schiavo    

Is that what some people are asking for?

Captain Ed has posted what I’ve been thinking about quite a bit lately–that there are limits to what Governor Bush (and certainly President Bush) can do to save Terri Schiavo. I put up a post last night at BlogsForTerri to that effect and was roundly criticized for it by some of the commenters there, but I stand firm in my position.

Just because the Klintoon administration thumbed their noses at the law (repeatedly), it doesn’t mean it’s legitimate and acceptable to do it again. I keep hearing people say “send in Federal Marshals” and “send in the National Guard”, etc., etc., and I’ve got to say, they’re only hurting the cause by advocating extreme measures. Extremism is never the way to get others to come to your point of view–it repels them. Furthermore, remember that if Jeb Bush weren’t the governor, Terri would have been dead in 2003. It’s obvious to me that he (AND President Bush) care deeply about this case and have put political ambition aside by doing what they have done so far. Some have even said “millions would support” Jeb Bush if he were to resort to any means necessary to rescue Terri. I’ve got news: 1) Jeb Bush isn’t Superman, and 2) so what? I doubt “millions” would support such action, and even if “millions” did, imagine how many more millions would crucify him for doing so. But again, so what? Again, this isn’t being done for political ambition. If Jeb Bush had done nothing two years ago, he would have taken a LOT less heat than he has for what he did do.

I’m tired of armchair lawyers saying Jeb Bush has this authority or that authority to do basically whatever he wants. He doesn’t, and trying to twist the words or interpret the words of the law to suit your theory isn’t going to change that. Obviously, I don’t like the fact that Bush (either of them) can’t just swoop in and rescue her like Superman, but why vilify him for following the rule of law? Some have said “if it were my daughter, I’d happily do jail time for attempting to save her.” So would I–but are we sworn to uphold the law as governors are? Can you tell me what good would come from Jeb Bush being indicted and likely impeached? What, to demonstrate his desire to see Terri live, like a protester on the street would do? Come on, you can’t be serious. Is that REALLY the kind of government you want anyway? Because if it is, you can rest assured it will work against your pet political issues far more often than for them. Be careful what you wish for…

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying anyone should sit on their hands and just watch Terri starve to death…and I’m sure Bush, etc. wouldn’t say that either. Jeb Bush most certainly has access to the best legal advisors; do you really think they aren’t exploring each and every legal option? I haven’t given up hope that something can be done legally, and if it can I am certain it will be done.

Bill Hennessy says exactly what I say:

This page has argued for the Congress, the President, and the Governor to make extraordinary efforts to prevent the murder by dehydration of a mentally damaged human being. I believe all parties have made that effort and have done so within the law. I further believe that Judge Greer has operated outside the law. But blatantly violating the court’s order in this case will neither save Terri’s life nor fix the extra-Constitutional judiciary that has grown up in America over the past 50 years.

And finally, Governor Bush’s words on this subject:

“It is frustrating for people to think that I have power that I don’t, and not be able to act,” Bush told The Associated Press on Thursday. “I don’t have embedded special powers. I wish I did in this particular case.”

…
At his office, Bush waved an affidavit from neurologist William Cheshire that questions whether Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state. The emotion in his voice rose as he detailed how the affidavit stated Schiavo made a crying sound, grimaced and pressed her eyebrows together when a doctor said he was going to turn her over.

She “signals her anticipation of pain. Just like you would, or just like I would. Now is it perfect? Is she responding with the same eloquence that you would respond to? … No. She’s severely, profoundly disabled,” Bush said.

Others posting similar thoughts:

The Bandwagon
Slublog
Another Rovian Conspiracy
Ace of Spades
Powerpundit
Yippee-Ki-Yay (McGehee)