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Gov. Bush: I can't help Terri Schiavo
CNN ^ | March 27, 2005

Posted on 03/27/2005 11:39:47 AM PST by El_Doctor

Rick Barnard of Morris, Illinois, wass arrested Sunday after trying to bring Terri Schiavo Easter communion. per cnn... ALLAHASSEE, Florida (CNN) -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said on Sunday there is nothing else he can do to save Terri Schiavo's life. "I cannot violate a court order," Bush said after returning to the Governor's Mansion from Easter Sunday church services. "I don't have powers from the United States Constitution or -- for that matter from the Florida Constitution -- that would allow me to intervene after a decision has been made." To Terri Schiavo's parents -- who have said Bush should do more to help their daughter -- the governor said: "I can't. I'd love to, but I can't." The governor has been under public pressure from Bob and Mary Schindler, parents of the 41-year-old brain-damaged woman, and many religious groups to intervene further in the case. On Thursday, a Florida state judge denied a petition by Gov. Bush and the state Department of Children and Families to take Schiavo into state custody. (Full story) The Florida Supreme Court dismissed on Saturday -- for the second time in a week -- an emergency petition by the Schindlers to have their daughter's feeding tube reconnected. "I'm sad that she's in the situation that she's in," Bush said, commenting publicly on the case for the first time since Thursday. "I feel bad for her family. My heart goes out to the Schindlers and, for that matter, to [her husband] Michael [Schiavo]," Bush said. "This has not been an easy thing for any, any member of the family. But most particularly for Terri Schiavo."

(Excerpt) Read more at CNN.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: jebbush; jebisahero; jebisfinished; jebwasheshands; pontiuspilate; schiavo; terri; terripalooza; terrischiavo; troll
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1 posted on 03/27/2005 11:39:48 AM PST by El_Doctor
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To: El_Doctor

The state shouldnt be allowed to interfere with religious practices!
Bless that man.

"Preach the gospel, use words if you must"


2 posted on 03/27/2005 11:40:55 AM PST by El_Doctor ( Éireann go Brách)
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To: El_Doctor
Can a Governor violate a court order?

Is this overstepping his power?

3 posted on 03/27/2005 11:41:32 AM PST by what's up
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To: El_Doctor

Way disappointed in Jeb Bush. Terri will die, because he "can't violate a court order". May God show him something different this Easter.


4 posted on 03/27/2005 11:42:24 AM PST by Irish Rose (Some people march to the beat of a different drummer. And some people tango!)
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To: El_Doctor

Ya, I vas just following mein orders.


5 posted on 03/27/2005 11:42:51 AM PST by WKUHilltopper
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To: El_Doctor
"I can't. I'd love to, but I can't."
I hate getting on Jeb's case, considering he has at least put forth an effort, but he obviously *can*.

Apart from federal agents, as governor Jeb presides over every law enforcement officer in Florida. These arrests would not occur without his acquiescence, and likewise he could send in officers to protect Terri and have her feeding tube reinserted.

6 posted on 03/27/2005 11:44:38 AM PST by explodingspleen (http://mish-mash.info/)
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To: Irish Rose

I respect Jeb's efforts. I also recall that he swore on a Bible to uphold the laws of the state of Florida. No one criticized him when he did that.


7 posted on 03/27/2005 11:44:39 AM PST by Clara Lou (I'm not pro-death, I'm anti-hysteria. [WPPFF member since post #100])
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To: WKUHilltopper
I just saw this on television over here in Malaysia.

Sad.

Gov. Bush can do something, so can the President and so can any of us for that matter.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

8 posted on 03/27/2005 11:44:49 AM PST by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
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To: El_Doctor
I'm afraid Jeb may have screwed up way back in 1999 by signing legislation that made this execution possible. Jeb is doing the right thing in not violating the court order, but he's failed miserably at getting the Florida law changed to protect the rights of the disabled. This Terri Schiao case should have been taken care of years ago by the Florida Legislature. My hunch is that Florida is infested with widespread politcal corruption and influence-peddling and the whole swamp needs to be cleaned out.

If you do a search on "Biography of George Greer" you'll find a thread from Friday night that discusses how the Florida law was changed in 1999.

9 posted on 03/27/2005 11:48:13 AM PST by carl in alaska (Blog blog bloggin' on heaven's door.....Kerry's speeches are just one big snore.)
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To: Clara Lou

I agree. How can it be when the libs sound like anarchists it's wrong and evil- and when our side encourages it, it's moral and justified?


10 posted on 03/27/2005 11:48:48 AM PST by SE Mom (God Bless our troops.)
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To: El_Doctor

Can't or won't?

This question will haunt Jeb Bush for the rest of his life.


11 posted on 03/27/2005 11:50:03 AM PST by Palladin (Proud to be a FReeper!)
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To: carl in alaska
I agree. It's up to the people of Florida to change their system. They're the ones who allowed corrupt people to be elected and corrupt practices to seep in.

People often think the executive branch is God. There are 2 other important branches of government in the mix too. The Governor can't and shouldn't do it all.

12 posted on 03/27/2005 11:51:48 AM PST by what's up
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To: El_Doctor

Just saw him on TV. He loks tired and a bit pathetic. I understand his quandry, however, some things are bigger than existing statutes and court orders. He needed to act and work this out later. When the American people saw all the details, he'd have been an instant hero.

The man in power with the guts to do the right thing would have been the Paul Bunyan/Davy Crockett/Abraham Lincoln of the next 200 years (IMO). Instead, we have a bunch of poll takers who can't make a decision.


13 posted on 03/27/2005 11:52:35 AM PST by bust (A biased media is the biggest threat to our democracy...)
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To: WKUHilltopper

YOUR POST IS JUST PLAIN OFFENSIVE


14 posted on 03/27/2005 11:53:04 AM PST by SoothsayerToo
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To: SE Mom; Clara Lou

I think Jeb is right not to violate the court order. But there's a big question of whether the laws of Florida consist of the whims of a totally unqualified judge and the wacko liberal Florida Supreme Kangaroo Court. That's just not right. If you do a search on "Biography of George Greer", you'll find a thread from Friday night which tells you that Greer is a total dirtbag.


15 posted on 03/27/2005 11:53:23 AM PST by carl in alaska (Blog blog bloggin' on heaven's door.....Kerry's speeches are just one big snore.)
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To: El_Doctor

The court order (enjoining the executive branch from enforcing the law) is beyond the court's powers.

He could have removed her before the order was issued (had he not telegraphed his plan to remove her in the press conference).

The removal law did not require court pre-approval. He could have removed her by having the state police order the sheriff's to stand down.

Judge Greer issued an injunction that violated the separation of powers. Professor Turley (noted constitutional scholar) among others agreed.

Greer overstepped his powers and Gov. Bush did not resist that with the means he had at his disposal. If Terri was not in a PVS, after her removal, this could have been shown to the world and she would not have been executed thereafter. In fact, the whole stinking charade put on by Greer/Felos/M. Schiavo would have been exposed for the world to see.

If Greer ordered the starvation of Gov. Bush's son or daughter, I suspect he would have removed them and brought them to safety.

Although I like Gov. Bush, this was a failure of judgment and leadership, in my opinion.


16 posted on 03/27/2005 11:53:33 AM PST by tomahawk (http://tomahawkblog.blogspot.com/)
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To: SoothsayerToo

Not really, he's making a point that needs to be made. Just read between the lines.


17 posted on 03/27/2005 11:54:06 AM PST by carl in alaska (Blog blog bloggin' on heaven's door.....Kerry's speeches are just one big snore.)
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To: carl in alaska

Great observations.


18 posted on 03/27/2005 11:54:19 AM PST by tomahawk (http://tomahawkblog.blogspot.com/)
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To: Clara Lou
I also recall that he swore on a Bible to uphold the laws of the state of Florida.

When a life is at stake, in an emergency situation, a true leader will figure out the right thing to do despite deficiencies in the existing legal system. Some of those actions may be in a legal gray area but are necessary to preserve the lives and wellbeing of citizens. It is irresponsible to suggest Jeb has a higher duty to "uphold laws" than to save lives of human beings. That's gestapo talk. I don't believe you really feel that way.

19 posted on 03/27/2005 11:54:55 AM PST by steve86
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To: expatguy

He feels bad for Michael. That just about says it all, as far as I'm concerned.

Felos was out yesterday saying Jeb is no more than an ordinary citizen if he attempts to help Terri....Jeb would be arrested just like the 10year old boy was. I thought then that Felos was doing the excuse making for Jeb. I'm certain of it, now.

Jeb Bush....GINO


20 posted on 03/27/2005 11:55:05 AM PST by Jrabbit
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To: SE Mom
I agree. How can it be when the libs sound like anarchists it's wrong and evil- and when our side encourages it, it's moral and justified?

Our side never endorses the death of the innocent. Never. We're always fighting it.

21 posted on 03/27/2005 11:55:28 AM PST by concerned about politics (Vote Republican - Vote morally correct!)
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To: what's up

Can a governor declare a 'state of emergency' and gain temporary control of all police in the state?

"...NOW, THEREFORE, I, JEB BUSH, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, Part I, Chapter 252 of the Florida Statutes, and all other applicable laws, do hereby pro mulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:...”

http://www.state.fl.us/eog/executive_orders/1999/eo99-088.html


22 posted on 03/27/2005 11:55:40 AM PST by Arthur Wildfire! March (<<<< Profile page streamlined, solely devoted Schiavo research)
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To: El_Doctor
Pious and sentimental rubbish from the Pontius Pilate of the 21st Century!

The judgment of history on Jeb Bush and the Republican Party will be this: they were more concerned with not challenging the liberal elite than with doing justice and showing mercy. They hid behind legal procedure and adherence to the spirit of the law, rather than the letter. A human life is at stake, not litigation over a highway right of way or a zoning variance.

Jesus Christ, Whose resurrection is celebrated today, had some words for the Pharisees, the pious and hypocritical frauds of the 1st Century: whitewashed tombs and a brood of vipers.

God help Florida and the United States of America!

23 posted on 03/27/2005 11:55:43 AM PST by Wallace T.
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To: tomahawk

Thanks my friend. I admire your posts too.


24 posted on 03/27/2005 11:56:02 AM PST by carl in alaska (Blog blog bloggin' on heaven's door.....Kerry's speeches are just one big snore.)
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To: All

Someone started up a discussion about 'state of emergency' powers here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1370236/posts?page=26#26


25 posted on 03/27/2005 11:56:43 AM PST by Arthur Wildfire! March (<<<< Profile page streamlined, solely devoted Schiavo research)
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To: BearWash

Let me understand you very clearly: I'm talking "gestapo talk" because I remind you that Bush took a sacred oath on a Bible to uphold the laws of Florida? I cannot believe you mean that!


26 posted on 03/27/2005 11:57:15 AM PST by Clara Lou (I'm not pro-death, I'm anti-hysteria. [WPPFF member since post #100])
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To: concerned about politics

"Our side never endorses the death of the innocent. Never. We're always fighting it."

You said it! FReegards....


27 posted on 03/27/2005 11:58:44 AM PST by Arthur Wildfire! March (<<<< Profile page streamlined, solely devoted Schiavo research)
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To: what's up
Can a Governor violate a court order? Yes
Is this overstepping his power? Yes

As much as most of us would love for him to do something, anything for Terri Schiavo, there is a lot of danger in setting the precedent. There is way too much possibility of abuse in the wrong hands. I, for one, do not fault the Governor all he has done for her up to this point. He has done as much he can do within the law.

At this point, I'm praying for Terri to be taken into God's loving arms with no more pain and suffering.

28 posted on 03/27/2005 11:59:31 AM PST by SuziQ
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To: tomahawk
If Greer ordered the starvation of Gov. Bush's son or daughter, I suspect he would have removed them and brought them to safety.

BINGO.
It's a sad day when our own government can't save the life of an innocent woman just because a member of a death cult says she needs to be starved to death and thrown into the ovens.

29 posted on 03/27/2005 11:59:57 AM PST by concerned about politics (Vote Republican - Vote morally correct!)
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To: Arthur Wildfire! March
Can a governor declare a 'state of emergency' and gain temporary control of all police in the state?

Would he then have to take charge over all police everytime a family member's life was in peril from another family member? Terry's Schiavo's case is just one of hundreds. Should a Governor call the police in everytime a woman is going to abort? Should judges have any responsibility or should the Governor just take care of all life-threatening medical situations thru fiat?

30 posted on 03/27/2005 12:00:04 PM PST by what's up
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To: El_Doctor
If Jeb is following court orders, then his press conference in the middle of this last week was a sham and all done for political cover. He gave hope to too many people who believed that he was going to do something, anything, to help Terri. Instead, he telegraphed his move so that Judge Greer could block it.
31 posted on 03/27/2005 12:00:26 PM PST by CatOwner
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To: El_Doctor
"Preach the gospel, use words if you must"

Oh my. I haven't heard that one in a long time.

32 posted on 03/27/2005 12:01:05 PM PST by Ladysmith (Wisconsin Hunter Shootings: If you want on/off the WI Hunters ping list, please let me know.)
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To: SuziQ

the death ghouls have been serving up the morphine cocktails i'm sure.


33 posted on 03/27/2005 12:01:29 PM PST by kingattax (If you're cross-eyed and dyslexic, can you read all right ?)
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To: Clara Lou

I think the other side is taking up "gestapo talk". Just read that Michael's lawyer is saying some very, very deluded things, such as about how 'beautiful' Terri is today, with her eyes sunken....


34 posted on 03/27/2005 12:01:58 PM PST by Arthur Wildfire! March (<<<< Profile page streamlined, solely devoted Schiavo research)
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To: Irish Rose
Way disappointed in Jeb Bush. Terri will die, because he "can't violate a court order".

As sad as this scenario is, for Jeb to defy the state and federal Constitution, would defy the "government by the people" concept.

Unlike many in the judicial branch of government Jeb has respect for this concept and although I disagree with what MS is doing to a living human being, I also shutter at the that of tyrannical measures made by an official of government without the consent of the people.

Jeb isn't killing Terri, he is only following the law.

35 posted on 03/27/2005 12:02:08 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: Wallace T.
The judgment of history on Jeb Bush and the Republican Party will be this: they were more concerned with not challenging the liberal elite than with doing justice and showing mercy. They hid behind legal procedure and adherence to the spirit of the law, rather than the letter. A human life is at stake, not litigation over a highway right of way or a zoning variance.

Yep. They deserve no respect for their lack of action.

36 posted on 03/27/2005 12:02:36 PM PST by concerned about politics (Vote Republican - Vote morally correct!)
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To: Irish Rose

What I do not understand is this. Earlier I heard a fellow on fox praising Jeb Bush for not stepping in. He stated that Judge Greer did not follow the law in regards to the subpeonas and such. He also stated that Judge Whittemore did not follow the law in regards to his part in this. Yet if Jeb does not follow the law he will at that point become a private citizen and be held in contempt of court. Why are the other two guys not being held in contempt of court for not following the law. And furthermore why is their ruling being upheld if they themselves did not do what was required of them?


37 posted on 03/27/2005 12:03:52 PM PST by BonneBlue
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To: CatOwner

I think the press conference was dipping his toes in the water.

Greer poured gasoline in the pool and lit it.

Gov. Bush should have gone in, gotten her out and then had the press conference justifying the removal.

He blundered.


38 posted on 03/27/2005 12:04:31 PM PST by tomahawk (http://tomahawkblog.blogspot.com/)
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To: carl in alaska
totally unqualified judge and the wacko liberal Florida Supreme Kangaroo Court

True..time for the people of Florida to stop blaming the governor and get rid of the corrupt judicial system.

This is not the first time the Florida judical system has caused trouble. When will the people do something about it?

39 posted on 03/27/2005 12:04:45 PM PST by what's up
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To: what's up
"...charge over all police everytime a family member's life was in peril from another family member?"

If they were starving someone to death I would hope so. I don't believe there's a law that allows that.

40 posted on 03/27/2005 12:04:58 PM PST by monkeywrench
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To: what's up

"Would he then have to take charge over all police everytime a family member's life was in peril from another family member?"

Yeah, why bother? /sarcasm


41 posted on 03/27/2005 12:05:16 PM PST by Arthur Wildfire! March (<<<< Profile page streamlined, solely devoted Schiavo research)
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To: El_Doctor

I don't want to hear any more of this BS. There have been numerous examples of Presidents and Governors defying the courts and the Republic has survived. These guys value their political careers more than Terri's life, liberty and persuit of happiness.


42 posted on 03/27/2005 12:05:28 PM PST by Natural Law
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To: CatOwner

Jeb should never have given false hope to the Schindlers. He knew all along what the end would be.

I wish he would have had the guts of that little 10-year-old fella, who walked right up with a cup of water for Terri.

What an outstanding example it would have been for the Governor to allow himself to be arrested while trying to bring aid and comfort to an innocent starving woman!


43 posted on 03/27/2005 12:05:44 PM PST by Palladin (Proud to be a FReeper!)
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To: BonneBlue

I don't believe that a judge has the power to have the chief executive arrested for contempt of court, as this would violate the separation of powers.

The executive commands law enforcement, not the judge.


44 posted on 03/27/2005 12:06:48 PM PST by tomahawk (http://tomahawkblog.blogspot.com/)
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To: EGPWS

"I also shutter at the that of tyrannical measures made by an official of government without the consent of the people."

Tyranny to preserve the inalienable right to live? I think the word doesn't quite work that way.


45 posted on 03/27/2005 12:07:05 PM PST by Arthur Wildfire! March (<<<< Profile page streamlined, solely devoted Schiavo research)
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To: EGPWS
Jeb isn't killing Terri, he is only following the law.

That excuse did not sell well to the Nuremberg tribunals after World War II. It is as morally void in Florida in 2005 as it was in Germany in 1945.

46 posted on 03/27/2005 12:07:26 PM PST by Wallace T.
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To: Palladin
Can't violate a court order? Yet the courts can ignore an Act of Congress. There is something very wrong with this picture.

How is our form of government different from that of Iran? Iran has an elected executive and elected legislative branches, but they both must defer to the wacko Mullahs in charge of the judiciary.

America has elected executives and legislators, but both must defer to wacko humanist-atheists in charge of the judiciary.

47 posted on 03/27/2005 12:07:26 PM PST by Vigilanteman (crime would drop like a sprung trapdoor if we brought back good old-fashioned hangings)
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To: EGPWS
Jeb isn't killing Terri, he is only following the law.

Like the prison guards did in Nazi Germany. They were told to starve the Jews, too. Funny, today we're prosecuting them for their crimes!!!!

48 posted on 03/27/2005 12:07:47 PM PST by concerned about politics (Vote Republican - Vote morally correct!)
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To: Arthur Wildfire! March
such as about how 'beautiful' Terri is today,
I agree-- odd remarks. There can't be anything beautiful about it. He's creepy.
49 posted on 03/27/2005 12:09:04 PM PST by Clara Lou (I'm not pro-death, I'm anti-hysteria. [WPPFF member since post #100])
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To: El_Doctor
I've lost all confidence in the Bush family and the Republican party. They have proven that they stand for themselves and the status quo.

This is a clear statement to the country that we are in deep deep trouble. The Republicans are worthless and the Democrats are worse.

50 posted on 03/27/2005 12:09:10 PM PST by Nachum ( "Let everyone get a move on and take some hilltops! Whatever we take, will be ours- Ariel Sharon)
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