Terri's Parents Want Their Voice Heard in Life-or-Death Case

CNSNews.com ^ | 10/30/03 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - A conservative public interest law firm is trying to give Terri Schindler Schiavo's parents a voice in the latest round of court proceedings that may determine whether their daughter lives or dies.

The American Center for Law and Justice announced Thursday that it has filed a motion in Florida state court that would allow Robert and Mary Schindler to intervene in a lawsuit brought by Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, who wants his wife's life-sustaining feeding tube disconnected.

Michael Schiavo -- with the support of the American Civil Liberties Union -- is challenging the constitutionality of a law passed earlier this month by the Florida Legislature. "Terri's Law" gave Gov. Jeb Bush the authority to order that Terri's feeding tube be reconnected, after a Florida judge ordered the feeding tube removed.

Terri, who suffered a serious brain injury 13 years ago, went six days without food or water before the Florida legislature and governor intervened on Oct. 21. Terri's parents dispute her husband's contention that Terri told him she would not want to be kept alive artificially.

"This is a very important case involving the state's ability to act to protect human life," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ. "We believe [Michael Schiavo's] lawsuit is legally flawed and that both the legislature and the governor are well within their constitutional authority to take actions to save the life of Terri Schindler Schiavo."

Sekulow said the ACLJ is asking the court to allow the parents to intervene in the legal challenge. "We're hopeful the court will agree," he said.

Michael Schiavo is not only challenging the constitutionality of the state's action, but he is also asking the court for an injunction to remove Terri's feeding tube once again.

"It is clear the Governor has the constitutional authority to act to save the life of someone on death row," said Sekulow. "This case is no different. What the legislature and the Governor did is not only appropriate, but legally sound and constitutional as well.

There is no word on when the court might consider the ACLJ's motion.


See Earlier Stories:
Doctor Says Schiavo Likely Victim of 'Some Kind of Trauma' (Oct. 28, 2003)
Terri Schindler Schiavo's Parents Denied Visitation, Information (Oct. 22, 2003)

 

[Future Useless Eater]

>>>Sekulow was on Hardball last night. Very informative segment.
>>>... Sekulow was very persuasive, and I think Chrissie Matthews may be on the side of letting TS live...

Dang, I wish I'd known... I gave up on Matthews when he
turned rabid anti-Bush.

I see Hardball is shown 5 times in a row Sunday starting
at 11AM eastern... Does anyone know if these are each of
the shows throughout the week repeated (Mon-Fri) ???

[texasbluebell]

Don't know about Hardball repeats, but if there are 5 in a row like that, sounds like you might have a chance there!

I usually don't watch it at all, but just happened to have it on, so caught the name of the guest and left it on for that segment.

[viaveritasvita]

Just a clarification: There's no such thing as a Jewish Christian. Judaism and Christianity are two different faiths, altho I agree with Red that Christianity is the completion of Judaism, so there's a real bond between these two faiths.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the term for Jews who believe in Jesus Christ are called Messianic Jews (i.e. Jews who believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah). But even that is somewhat misleading and we're back to the fact that Judaism and Christianity are two separate faiths, but with a foundational connection to each other. IMNSHO, I think there's some difficulty (?) for Jews to completely give up their heritage, hence the term Messianic "Jews."

Jews in the First Century (and I think those in this century!) who recognized that Jesus was the Messiah foretold by their prophets of old were called Christians!

churchill: I don't think Lone Voice meant any disrespect in his use of "Jew Christian." Both "Jew" and "Christian" are the proper names for persons of those faiths and putting them together in the context of LV's post was not inappropriate.

Lone Voice: When you hit the post reply button and you are in the screen where you type your post, delete the name of the poster that defaults in the To: window (if you don't want to reply to him/her) and type "all" -- without the quotes.

<><

[viaveritasvita]

P.S. I don't think Muslims would feel very comfortable here on FR, altho everyone is welcome. Try posting this message: "Islam is a Religion of Peace" and see what happens! Hell, GW gets blasted here when he says that!!

<><

[churchillbuff]

churchill: I don't think Lone Voice meant any disrespect in his use of "Jew Christian." Both "Jew" and "Christian" are the proper names for persons of those faiths and putting them together in the context of LV's post was not inappropriate.

Well, he may not have meant disrespect, but that's how it natually is interpreted. "Jew" is a noun. To use it as an adjective traditionally conveys disrespect, even a slur; the correct adjectival form is Jewish.

[viaveritasvita]

That's just it -- I don't think he meant it as an adjective. Maybe he should have reversed it -- Christian Jew....? Or put a -dash- in between?? Whatever. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Sounds like he just has some polishing to do.