Schiavo Case
Dear Editor,
Jon Cox, in his Wednesday column, wrote that “the most powerful political body in the world took a weekend to pass a bill just for [Terri Schiavo],” and that he was “enthralled” by congress’s focus on an individual. He could hardly be more wrong.
This is not about Terri Schiavo being forgotten by anybody. Indeed, as noted in several court decisions, “few, if any, similar cases have ever been afforded this heightened level of process.” More doctors and Lawyers have visited Terri than I have seen in my entire life. For months now, her picture has made regular appearances on news websites. No one has forgotten Terri Schiavo. But we HAVE forgotten what the courts have repeatedly determined were her wishes.
Congress’s determination, according to Cox, to give Terri “one last chance” is nothing of the sort. This is a charged issue, and one that could easily come back to haunt a politician. “Terri’s Law”, the national version, is a political sidestep–hundreds of our leaders without the courage to stand for the rule of law. Congress’s Act was a blatant intrusion into a decision that has already been scrutinized inside and out, and felt the full view of due process. After dozens of motions, appeals, and orders, the courts have determined that were Terri Schiavo able to make this decision today, she would have decided the same–that a life without cognition, dependent on a tube of liquid food, would not be her choice.
I stand in admiration of state and federal judges who followed the law to determine Terri’s wishes. These judges have faithfully executed laws designed for these exact circumstances. Without them, whose family would be next on Congress’s docket?
Sincerely,Ricky Fielding435-770-8569
P.S. I might be interested in writing something of column length if you would be interested in publishing it. Otherwise, please accept the above submission.