Centerfield

Interesting poll. A Florida poll conducted in 2003 found very similar results. This was done after the passage of "Terri's Law." I believe the Florida Senate's recognition of the public opposition to this enabled them to see beyond the frenzied chaos been generated by a very small minority. Republicans absolutely dominate Tallahassee, yet Republican Senators stopped the state legislature from getting involved in this issue again.

I just read D. James Kennedy's comments during his sermon yesterday. (For those that do not know, Dr. Kennedy pastors Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church near Ft. Lauderdale...big in the "religious right" arena.) He made the charge in his sermon that Terri Schiavo could actually eat and swallow food and water on her own, but that the judge would not allow it. Kennedy's congregation gasped in shock, never realizing that they were being fed a blatant lie. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-cchurch21mar21,0,3449732,print.story?coll=sfla-news-sfla

I guess that whole commandment of not lying gets thrown out the window if it's to fufill a "righteous" cause.

Posted by: AH at March 21, 2005 02:44 PM

AH;
The only thing I can express as a Christian is shame.

Posted by: c3 at March 21, 2005 04:06 PM

This is what completely astounds me. It is obvious that the vast majority of the public is in complete opposition to what the Republicans are doing here.
It's obvious they are doing this for political purposes and are being driven by their extremist wing here.
I am an Independent, who has voted mostly Republican in recent years - although not enthusiastically. They are making a huge mistake here if they think this behavior is winning them votes.
Republicans, out of hubris, are on bended knee before their extremist wing. Democrats, out of idiocy, seem to be morphing into their extremist wing.
I can only hope that in 2008, both parties will splinter; resulting in a new socially liberal, fiscally conservative party that will send both of the major parties into their respective corners to pout.

Posted by: sabrina at March 21, 2005 04:09 PM

From the Florida article cited above:

A predominantly African-American church that is unusual for its alignment with Christian conservatives, the center is part of a vocal and influential circle of fundamentalists waging a fierce political battle to keep Schiavo alive.

I hope this isn't politically incorrect to mention but my experience as an inpatient physician (Hospitalist) tells me that African-American families seem to have the hardest time coming to DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) and withdrawel of therapy decision. I personally never understood it but several black friends of mine suggested it might be due in some degree to a mistrust of the healthcare system. Incidentally, I never found Christians, evangelical or otherwise, to be particularly resistant to DNR or withdrawel of therapy. I bet even in Dr. Kennedy's congregation there were many who were publicaly saying "Amen" and privately asking their spouses to "pull the plug if it ever came to that"

Posted by: c3 at March 21, 2005 04:18 PM

This is an enormous bone to toss the religious right, no doubt a payoff from last election cycle. The general public will forget their current outrage, the right will remember that loyalty is rewarded.

Congress's involvement just seems so incredibly evil. I want to take a shower after watching the news.

Posted by: Bob J Young at March 21, 2005 04:23 PM

Of course, the polls are subject to interpretation. Assuming that this is true, I think there is a deeper political point here. What we are increasingly seeing is the ability of activist minoritites (both left and right, but right now obviously predominatly right) to skew the legislative process contra to the wishes of the majority. Those polls don't mean much to representatives whose districts might be dominated by religious conservatives and/or who are being inundated by flak from religious conservatives. Most people may find what's going on appalling, but they are not likely to vote based on this; the religious conservatives,however, are willing to make this a litmus test. Under the circumstances, it makes sense for politicians to pay more attention to a passionate minority at the expense of the majority.

IMO, this is happening in a lot of areas, not just social issues, where issues obtain a momentum of their own, regardless of the apparent views of the majority.

I think this is a very dangerous development. It used to be that, in general, if a majority favored or opposed a particular policy, their wishes would eventually win out. That's not as true anymore. The legislative process is increasingly being hijacked by groups that are able to mobilize specific constituencies that are willing to make noise, while the majority has less influence.

Posted by: MWS at March 21, 2005 04:50 PM

The majority was heard when congressional elections were more competitive. Congress now acts like the stereotypical civil servant, acting without accountability.

Posted by: EG at March 21, 2005 05:25 PM

One little political note. I note that GW is relatively low key on this, only saying its "a complex case" (similar to his previous "its hard work" statement) and that when in doubt we should "opt for life". Now that last phrase is clearly a "bone" for the religious right. Other than his quick trip back to sign the bill I don't get a strong sense that GW is real gung ho about this whole matter.

As an aside, I'll be composing a letter tonight to my congressmen expressing my disgust as a Republican, as a physician, as someone who qualifies as "pro-life" and as a Christian. Hopefully many others will write their congressmen and women too.

Posted by: c3 at March 21, 2005 06:38 PM

While I am completely in the camp that Congress has no business in this case, it sounds to me like the poll is very poorly worded. You can pretty much get any results you want from a poll if you ask the right questions. I wouldn't take this poll as an example of what most Americans would want.

That said, if there is anything to gain from this wanton display of political idiocy, it's to make sure you have a living will. It's likely that this situation could have been completely avoided if that simple step would have been taken by the Schiavos.

Posted by: Scotch Drinker at March 21, 2005 07:49 PM

C3,

You say that Bush is relatively low key on the subject other than rushing to sign the bill and talking about encouraging a "culture of life." That doesn't sound low-key to me; if he wanted to be low-key, he could have said I don't want to get involved in this. By signing the bill, he is giving support to the right wing. This is what bothers me when I hear people say that Bush isn't really that conservative; even if he's not, he certainly provides cover for the right-wing, even if he doesn't strongly support them. He is essentially an enabler.

Posted by: MWS at March 22, 2005 09:41 AM

The bias of the polls is evident in the way the question about Ms. Schiavo's feeding tube removal is phraised... She is NOT in a vegetative state...Listen to the testamony of her nurses. Her husband is commiting a 15 year murder.

Posted by: Paul Hall at March 22, 2005 10:29 PM

Paul,
The one nurse who claims that Terry is responsive and asked for "mommy" and said "help"...her version has been rebuked by several other nurses. The video clips being shown on tv were viewed in their entirety by the courts and the ten seconds you see on TV are the "best looking" of many hours that show no responsiveness. If she was saying words regularly surely that would have been caught on the hours of video her parents collected.
What is so crazy about this whole thing is "the right" is holding up Terry's staunch catholic beliefs, yet encouraging her husband to divorce her, and people who supposedly support the sacred union between a man and a woman in marriage are denying that sanctity when it comes to decision making for the one you are closest to...think about this...please.

Posted by: JM at March 22, 2005 11:24 PM

Isn't it interesting that had Terry lived 100 hundred years ago this wouldn't even be an issue as there we no feeding tubes? It astounds me that people are so self-righteous to be proclaiming the sanctity of life.

Are they not intruding on God’s will? Perhaps God wanted Terry back and these self-righteous people are interfering with that and the all so natural circle of life. Some people are so brain washed, and yes it is brain washing, that they can’t step back and see the whole picture.

If they really loved Terry they’d let nature take its course without artificially keeping her alive. Terry will always live in their memories.

Posted by: John at March 23, 2005 05:30 AM

Why should the law decide whether anybody should die / not. Laws are made to support people live. Americans, think differently in every thing. If the parents can support their daughter's life why should the feeding tube be removed. Why r people in US interested to kill other people. Poor soul. May GOD save her. I am from a poor country. But even in our country government will do their best to keep people alive. No person has the right to die. Only GOD has the right to give/take life. May GOD help enlighten Americans to think the truth.

Posted by: Edwin at March 23, 2005 09:34 AM

There are actually two family dramas unfolding in Florida this week. Why are the President and politicians silent in the case of 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford? Her death is clearly a result of a failure within our criminal justice system. Instead of tying up the courts with appeal after appeal challenge them to plug the holes in sex offender registration and save the lives of children. Why hasn’t congress been ‘motivated’ into action to create a national Amber Alert? The hypocrisy is sickening….

Posted by: Charlie at March 23, 2005 10:39 AM

While I am a 'Pro-Life' Republican, I have not confused taking the life of an unborn child that would otherwise survive with keeping alive by artificial means a brain-dead woman who should have been allowed to die peacefully a long time ago. The Schindlers (Schiavo's parents) should have understood and accepted this distinction by now. The resources that have been spent in keep poor Terry 'alive' to this point could have been used to save the lives of hundreds of young children in developing nations, or right here in the United States, that need attention.

Posted by: Mark at March 23, 2005 12:29 PM

president bush, as we all know, is a moron. he further proves this with every decision that he makes. we don't take life in america we save it. thank god bush cannot run again, our country is dying too. thank you mr. president for ruining this country.. asshole! i won't be back on this site so don't bother responding to me. especially you close minded cons.,. how much further can w bush possibly take this country down?? our economy is getting worse by the day!! my point is that schiavo should live and in order to get an intelligent order we need a different leader. one who can speak correctly at least.. for the love of god!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Josh at March 23, 2005 12:32 PM

I think the president is doing the right thing here.

Posted by: Jake at March 23, 2005 02:52 PM

Does anyone actually trust Michael Schiavo on this issue? I know a spouse could have someone's best interest in mind, but does it really compare to the unconditional love and support of parents and siblings? The more I hear from the family the more I am convinced that they know her condition better than her so-called "loving" husband. I wouldn't want to be Michael Schiavo on the other side of life...Why can't he just let her family take care of her? If God wanted to take Terri, he could have at any time. Her life is not meant to be taken from her by the state of Florida. Why are they playing God now and siding with a man that has loyalties to another woman?

Posted by: Bethany at March 24, 2005 11:34 AM

Bethany,

Are you out of your mind? Michael has stayed with Terry for 15 yrs.; he could have divorced her at any time and gone on with his life. What an incredible sacrifice he has made to try and see her wishes fulfilled and relieve her of her suffering. You, and Terry's parents, need to get a freaking clue.

Posted by: Jeff at March 27, 2005 03:41 PM