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Before you read this article keep in mind that the Federal judge who refused to save Terri's life made his decision not based upon written law, but (according to news reports) because the Schindler family did not bring him sufficient "case law." To order Terri's feeding tube re-inserted the judge needed to see a clear and present danger and a likelihood that the Schindlers would prevail upon appeal. He saw the clear and present danger (Terri would die), but the man (poor mentally disabled judge) was not able to think through the issue on his own. He needed to read the decisions of other judges, so he concluded the Schindlers did not have a good case. This is the issue of the day -- Judges depend upon what other judges write: not upon what lawmakers write. Tell us, Terri: who is in charge? (Posted March 20, 2005) Is President Bush in charge? He cut short his vacation in Texas to return to the White House to sign “Terri's Law” after the House vote. But did he stride into the Congressional chambers to voice his opinion? He has done that, you know. But not this time. Is the House of Representatives in charge? No, they couldn't get their preferred bill past the Senate, so they played second fiddle to the higher Congressional body. Is the Senate in charge? Well, they had the power to kill the House bill a few days before the late-night session that saw Terri's Law passed. But, though their vote was unanimous, their action seemed reluctant, and everything they do must be seconded by the House. Is Governor Jeb Bush in charge? He took charge a few months ago, but the court trumped his pretended power. Is Judge Greer in charge? Any thought on his part that he was in charge has long since faded into red-faced embarrassment on his part. He is the bottom man on the totem pole now. Are the Democrats in charge? No. If Judge Greer is at the bottom, the Democrats are the soil supporting Judge Greer's totem pole. Are the Republicans in charge? If so, why haven't they used their political power to clarify issues like this before a late-night emergency session became necessary? Were the Republicans showing they are pro-life? No. Were they showing they were pro-Terri? No, they were showing they were pro-keeping-their-jobs. If they were pro-life, the haunting issues of baby killing would long ago have been settled in law. Is the Federal Court in Florida in charge? They may think so, but they are not. Is God in charge? Yes, but He is supremely restraining Himself. He prefers to work through his people. So, who is in charge? You are in charge. You are the focus of power for Terri's future. Those cards and letters, those faxes, phone calls and e-mails have won the day – so far. Is there hope for the future of the United States? Probably not. There are not enough bedridden ladies around to stir you to consistent action – to cause you to apply your power to solve our nation's most pressing problem. What is that problem? It is against the law in Florida to starve a pet animal; yet, Judge Greer grasped the power to starve Terri. He is not a unique judge. ALL judges believe they have the power to choose which laws they will support and which laws they will scrap. This is our problem. Some day, Terri Schiavo will die. Someday you and I will die, too. After we are gone, will the admirable standards of written law, law that can be trusted to mean what it says, survive? It is up to you!
-- Richard Palmquist
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