Houston Democrats

Great post. I didn't know that Bush was the one who enacted the Texas Futile Care Law. I also think it is very hypocritical to argue fighting for someone's life when we legally kill hundreds of people on death row each year. I saw the Boston Legal program last night too, and the last seen was very disturbing as well as the callousness of the judges hearing the case. I think the fact that the writers chose Texas for the plot of the story made it hit home that much more.

It definitely upsets me how the Schiavo case has turned into a game of political football, especially when the administration purports to support life. Where were they in the case of the baby here in Houston, who was taken off life support? Where were they when the wife of a man was fighting to keep her husband on life support? Where are they in the thousands of cases like these that happen all around the country? These cases are not isolated, but we never hear about them.

I believe in taking available measures to prevent someone's death. Republicans talk about the need to give Terri Schiavo due process, but I think 15 years of litigation is long enough. Each side has had sufficient hearings of their cases. I think it is fairly obvious after 15 years that her condition will not improve from what it is now.

Republicans also have said that she is able to live on her own without life support. However, if we are talking about the 'will of God,' she would have died long ago under natural circumstances from her condition. It is because of the feeding tube and the team of health care professionals taking care of her that she has lived another 15 years since her heart attack that began her problems.

It is a tough decision to make when it comes to allowing your child to die. I sympathize with the family on that account, and I hope to never have to be in that situation. However, if we believe life to be so much importance, shouldn't we be focusing on the people who do not have adequate access to health care, the people who do not receive treatment because they do not have health insurance. Think about the money that has been spent on endless court trials, guards around Schiavo's ward, and the costly medical treatment she has received. How many lives could have been saved instead? It is time for everyone to move on. Schiavo has had her time, now it is time to let her go.

This case makes it very apparent for the need for a living will, to make the decision about what to do, so that others and the courts do not have to try and decide. I know that I would not want to live in a situation like Terri's. A living will would make it easier for everyone to not have to be in a situation like Terri's family is.

Well said. The "good" thing about this debate is that it featured another young rising star in the Democratic Party--Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Congresswoman out of Florida (www.dwsforcongress.com).

She has debated the issue the way Democrats should have, instead of rolling over and playing dead. After some Senate Dems decided that we are too pro-choice and that allowing the Schiavo legislation to pass will soften us up on choice issues; and while Pa. Gov. Rendell was allowed to strong-arm a pro-choice woman (albeit a former Republican) contender out of a Dem run for US Senate over a pro-life Dem male, I have to say that I was relieved to see Congresswoman Schultz come out strong--truly representing the Party platform.

Keep an eye on Schultz!

I'd been referring to the GOP for some time now as the Global Occupation Party, but some had sniffed and declared that too impolite.

The Party of Intrusion. Digging another hole into your private life.

Yes.

That has an appropriate frame around it.

More interesting about the Schiavo case is the fact that the Republicans, all of whom claim to oppose government intervention in private affairs, simply rushed to have the opportunity to intervene in someone's very private affair.

When governments begin passing legislation intended to single out one individual for special treatment, whether good or bad, it is the end of the rule of law.