10/21/2003
Demagoging the Schaivo case
House uses a medical tragedy as an occasion for cheap demagogy, posturing and throwing the separation of powers doctrine out the window. It passes a bill custom-designed for the Schiavo case.
My favorite quote -- Whether it's legal or not, I'm telling you, you should support this bill -- Rep. Don Davis, R-Jacksonville.
In the gallery applauding was professional antiabortion extremist Randall "wave of hatred" Terry, formerly of Operation Rescue, is now a "spokesman" for the Schiavo family.
The Sun-Sentinel (account is also in The Sentinel) is one of the few papers to actually talk to somebody who is not a politician or professional activist. Its account quotes a bio-ethicist deep in the story.
Bill Allen, a bioethics law professor at the University of Florida, was appalled the Legislature would consider changing the state's 13-year-old right-to-die standard because of a single case. He said requiring all family members to agree would thwart the choices every adult has a right to make about life-sustaining treatment.
"This is terrible. They don't understand what they're doing. Using one tough case to base new law on is a bad way to make legislation," Allen said. "Most people don't have written directives but they still have strong feelings they've shared with a spouse, a brother, a sister, a friend. These people would be at the mercy of a family member who disagrees with their choice."
(Also see Fred Grimm's column last week.)
And from the Conservative Bias in the News Department, look at these headlines
+ Tampa Trib -- Legislature Acts To Save Schiavo.
+ St. Pete -- House votes to save Schiavo
+ Philly Inquirer -- Fla. House seeks to save Schiavo in feeding-tube case.
She is not being "saved." She is being condemned by politicians and activists to a perpetual near-death twilight -- possibly against her stated wishes. Too many headline writers seem content to mouth the slogans of right-to-life activists.
My favorite quote -- Whether it's legal or not, I'm telling you, you should support this bill -- Rep. Don Davis, R-Jacksonville.
In the gallery applauding was professional antiabortion extremist Randall "wave of hatred" Terry, formerly of Operation Rescue, is now a "spokesman" for the Schiavo family.
The Sun-Sentinel (account is also in The Sentinel) is one of the few papers to actually talk to somebody who is not a politician or professional activist. Its account quotes a bio-ethicist deep in the story.
Bill Allen, a bioethics law professor at the University of Florida, was appalled the Legislature would consider changing the state's 13-year-old right-to-die standard because of a single case. He said requiring all family members to agree would thwart the choices every adult has a right to make about life-sustaining treatment.
"This is terrible. They don't understand what they're doing. Using one tough case to base new law on is a bad way to make legislation," Allen said. "Most people don't have written directives but they still have strong feelings they've shared with a spouse, a brother, a sister, a friend. These people would be at the mercy of a family member who disagrees with their choice."
(Also see Fred Grimm's column last week.)
And from the Conservative Bias in the News Department, look at these headlines
+ Tampa Trib -- Legislature Acts To Save Schiavo.
+ St. Pete -- House votes to save Schiavo
+ Philly Inquirer -- Fla. House seeks to save Schiavo in feeding-tube case.
She is not being "saved." She is being condemned by politicians and activists to a perpetual near-death twilight -- possibly against her stated wishes. Too many headline writers seem content to mouth the slogans of right-to-life activists.
