Today is a historical day, my friends. Ms. Schiavo passed away this morning. I hope she's resting comfortably in the arms of our Lord. I hope she heard "Well done, my good and faithful servant," when she met Him for judgment.
This case has affected me like few others. I've followed it for a long time, perplexed and horrified at its ramifications.
There is a reason for the importance of this story. Our government no longer recognizes an unalienable right to life bestowed by God, as propounded by our Founders. A state court has shown great disdain for truth or justice, mocking both in a series of kangaroo court hearings presided over by a man linked to the right-to-kill-you movement. The chief medical testimony he relied upon in his decision-making process was that of one of the most vocal pro-death advocates in the nation. The whole case dangled from the rusty hinges of hearsay evidence provided by that paragon of marital fidelity and compassion, Michael Schiavo. Since when is the unsubstantiated word of one man given such weight?
In the eyes of our entire nation, this court rubber-stamped the premeditated murder of an irrefutably innocent woman, neither accused nor guilty of any crime.
Equally disturbing was the behavior of representatives elected to fight for the public's interests and serve as a restraint on unlawful actions of the other branches of government. They responded by doing nothing, or very little, in thwarting the rulings of an activist judge. When the chips were down and a quick decision was needed, Jeb Bush borrowed Pontius Pilate's basin and washed his hands of the whole affair. As if shirking his sworn obligations wasn't bad enough, he added insult to injury by lying, saying his "hands were tied." We should give him credit in one regard, perhaps: when he shovels it, he uses both hands.
This case is not about states' rights, as some have suggested. I'm a very strong proponent of federalism. Ask anyone who knows me. But we're dealing with human rights, in this instance--a human being's right to live, hindered and ended by her "husband" with the government's consent and aid.
Noting what differentiates this case from others is important: 1. It was a very public story, played out on our tv screens, the internet, radio, and in print media. Information was obtained easily, and from a wide assortment of venues. 2. Almost every aspect of the case was in dispute, as I've stated here, and elsewhere. No clear and convincing evidence existed as to Ms. Schiavo's wishes. The Michael Schiavo creature held one version of events; the Schindler family offered another version diametrically opposed to his.
One of the things that has struck me about Ms. Schiavo's ordeal is the colossal stupidity, ignorance, or just plain evil of many commenters on the subject. I could wax eloquent on this topic alone all night, so I'll limit myself to one example. How many people have you heard say this?: "Terri's gone. She died long ago, leaving only a husk behind. We should extract the feeding tube, and let nature take its course."
The first two sentences constitute pure speculation, the likes of which would make the most imaginative fantasist proud. Since no proper testing has been done, no one has any conclusive idea about her state of mind.
As for the last, we should "let nature take its course?" Are they serious? What does proactive starvation and dehydration have to do with letting nature take its course? It's akin to shooting someone in the chest, watching them slump to the floor, then when someone runs up and asks what's going on, the shooter shrugs and says: "Aw, just letting nature take its course." The thought process, alone, behind this statement deserves an award for logical absurdity of the worst sort. Lest it be lost in the mirage of lies shimmering over our heads, this woman was not terminally ill. She was not being kept alive through extraordinary efforts. It took the direct action of those who sought her life to bring it to an end.
I think our Founding Fathers would be disgusted and mortified over what was done to this poor lady.
I keep hearing that we'll have forgotten all about this case in a few weeks. That may be true for some, but not for me. Here's one person who will never forget Terri Schiavo, or what her death means to the future of this nation.
Speaking of the future, I wonder what's in store for us in ours? If this case is any indication, it won't be pretty, when it comes.
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