Posted on 03/25/2005 6:20:50 AM PST by SoVaDPJ
I returned home last night from Tallahassee, where I helped to lobby the Florida Senate to try to convince them to save Terri. I’ve not been registered at FreeRep for very long, so please try to bear with me as I try to tell you what I saw there.
When the vote came up, several Senators pushed for debate. In several very long winded speeches, they argued. It seemed to me that every opponent has pulled a feeding tube on a loved one, and watched them die, and it wasn’t so bad for them, so we should just shut up. Apparently, several Senators got threatening email, which they attributed to the vicious, blood thirsty Christians. In addition, Senator Webster had to explain the concept of “evidence” repeatedly, as some of the Senators seem not to have the reading comprehension ability to understand what that meant.
Senator Bullard said that she had been willing to reconsider her no vote, but then the Christians were so rude, what with the kneeling around in hallways, carrying crying babies outside her office, and sending her death threats, she decided to kill Terri. Those weren’t her exact words, but they’re awfully close.
She said that people were outside of her office, speaking in tongues, and as far as she knew, we were praying for her to drop dead. On my knees, outside her office, I’m pretty sure I was speaking English when I prayed “Hail Mary, full of grace…” but then I might have talents I’m unaware of. Senator Wilson announced that she was so frightened, she wrote her obituary. Think about this, please—she was afraid something MIGHT happen to her, so she wrote an obituary. Meanwhile Terri is dying of thirst—something actually IS happening to her—and Senator Wilson votes to kill her.
I don’t self identify as a Christian. However, we were all painted as crazed right wing extremist bible thumpers, concerned only with our political interests, and ready to spill blood. This was in spite of several women there with signs that read “Pro-choice, Pro-Terri Liberal.”
I’m kind of a chunky gal, and I have to say that there’s nothing quite as ironic as seeing hugely obese Senators shouting that starvation is not painful. In the elevator, a very large man with a Senate ID told me starvation was not a painful death. I was so frustrated I said to him, quietly, “Perhaps you should consider skipping a meal or two.” Apparently, he found this a horrible thing to say, because he announced, “Well, THIS conversation is OVER.”
I spoke conversationally to a reporter for Time magazine, and asked him if he thought the fifty or so older ladies and young children present could be the evil assassins. He told me that he saw the emails. I suggested that Dan Rather could tell him that emails could be faked. What with all the death threats—the ones to the Senators, not the real one to Terri—you’d think that FBI types would have been everywhere. Amazingly, people were still being let into the building with the usual metal detectors and not more.
I told him that I was a conservative, that Bill Clinton made me a Republican, and that I hadn’t come as part of a Right to Life group, and asked if there would be any mention that some of us just felt so strongly that we got in our cars and came alone. He seemed to hint that there might be some mention, but also mentioned there are only 300 words in an article. I guess it’s important to use those words to imply that all the supporters of Terri are all of a type. I didn’t see any of the type I’ve read of, didn’t see anyone foaming at the mouth. Everyone there seemed to me to be sad but determined. I’m very curious to see what he writes.
Before I left to return to Virginia, I asked William Greene what I should tell people when they asked what they can do. He says to call Governor Bush. I might add, keep praying.
Thanks for your efforts.
Valoris in Excelsis.
Have faith, sister... amidst the insanity that has befallen Terri, even the threatening clouds that hover over the nature of our Republic from this culture-of-death - somehow, someway, even this must fit into God's Plan.
If, as I believe, this is a test of our moral fiber, then know that your actions are not in vain. Millions of us pray for justice in this calamity, and those like you who are present on scene are doing the right thing.
"I was so frustrated I said to him, quietly, “Perhaps you should consider skipping a meal or two.” Apparently, he found this a horrible thing to say, because he announced, “Well, THIS conversation is OVER.” "
Nice.
good post.
Interesting and good work.
And WELCOME to FR!
Nice to see a new person who "Walks the Walk", and shows up with something to contribute.
Bless you for your efforts; I only wish that I were able to go.
As for starvation being a peaceful, not a painful death: Are those images of gaunt, crying African children starving to death merely manufactured propaganda? If starvation is such a peaceful way to die, why are we sending billions to save starving people all over the world? Wouldn't it be more compassionate to let them die a peaceful death and save a great deal of taxpayer money in the process? (sarcasm off)
Welcome to FRee Republic.
Glad you're here!!!
God Bless your efforts for Terri!!!!!
bump
Senator Bullard said that she had been willing to reconsider her no vote, but then the Christians were so rude...she decided to kill Terri. Those weren’t her exact words, but they’re awfully close...She said that people were outside of her office, speaking in tongues, and as far as she knew, we were praying for her to drop dead.
Incredible. If the situation weren't so grim, I could almost laugh at Sen. Bullard. Just to affirm what you were saying about the mischaracterization of the protestors, I know several atheists who, if they lived anywhere near Tallahassee, would've joined you in protesting Terri's death.
Thank you for your efforts and the report.
Thanks for report and shining the light at scumbags.
Terri's murder will not go without effect. More proof of horrible bias by MSM and actions of democRATs, thanks to FR and decent people who use it to bring the truth to us!!!
Welcome! Excellent post.
Good report. It is apparent that the judges and senators of Florida are killing Terri to get at those of us with morality.
I have fought driving down because I know my temper. Me spending time in jail won't help Terri. Maybe I need to drive down and take a chill pill. The phone calls and emails and letters I've made haven't helped so maybe I need to take one more step.
Thanks for sharing your experience in Florida working to help Terri.And welcome to FreeRepublic.com.
Thank you for fighting the good fight!
People should not issue threats other than spiritual threats in the after life. What they should be doing right now... [biting tongue....]
The only time I have seen the voice of the people heard loud and clear by their legislature was when the people of Tennessee decided they didn't want an income tax. They told the legislature with rocks through the windows.
There are times when an exclamation point needs to be added at the end of an appeal to the legislature.
Bless you for your efforts, SoVA, the Lord will make his light to shine upon you.
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