Florida Catechism No. 1 (sarcastically defends Greer's killing Terri)

A. She is one of God's creatures, who suffered a heart attack and irreversible brain damage at age 26. She is at the center of an international battle over whether she should be kept alive artificially. She has been kept alive for the past 15 years because she was given nutrients through a feeding tube. Her husband says she would not want to live that way; her parents desperately want to keep her alive. Congressional subpoenas and last-minute legislation hope to overcome a court order removing the feeding tube.

A. Because she told her husband she would not want to live like that. Because many doctors with a great deal of medical expertise and compassion have found that she exists in a persistent vegetative state.

A. To protect his Word and will. To denounce judges as activists. To grandstand on so-called moral issues. To interfere with Terri Schiavo's wishes.

A. They have introduced bills in the Florida Legislature and Congress to "save" Schiavo and prevent her feeding tube from being removed so she can die a natural death. Even though their previous efforts to do this have been ruled unconstitutional. Even though our nation and state have a thing about separating the powers of the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

A. Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer, for starters. And every court that has reviewed his decision has agreed with his assessment that Terri Schiavo would not wish to stay alive by artificial means. The appellate judges who reviewed the case (two of the three on the panel were appointed by Republican governors, by the way, so stop with the "judicial activism" rants) wrote: "… in the end, this case is not about the aspirations that loving parents have for their children. It is about Theresa Schiavo's right to make her own decision, independent of her parents and independent of her husband."

A. No, actually Judge Greer is a former Republican Pinellas County Commissioner and a Southern Baptist to boot.

Q. Why doesn't Judge Greer just show some compassion and keep her alive as her parents wish?

A. Because if he did he would be breaking the law. He would then be legislating from the bench. He would then be a judicial activist. Which is exactly what pro-life groups hate. Even though those same groups want Judge Greer to do something that is not part of the law. Which would be judicial activism.

A. Yes, I was. Judge Greer is a former client and good friend. I first met him when I was a reporter for the Tampa Tribune and he was a Republican county commissioner. I found him bright, witty and conservative. He really appreciates good wine. He is deeply faithful. He can't see well enough to drive. He once offered a friend whose kidneys had failed one of his own for transplantation.

A. Ahh, now there's a tough question. Many people and groups who claim to know His will say that Schiavo should live. They call Judge Greer a "murderer," a "killer," a "Nazi" and seek to impeach him on websites that profess to be Christian but instead spread hate. Judge Greer fears for his life. They send e-mails and letters and make phone calls to Republican lawmakers telling them to approve "Terri's Law" or else.

A. Or else those religious right and pro-life groups will ensure that those Republicans aren't re-elected.

A. Actually, no. The Christian right does not control Republican primary elections. And they certainly don't represent the vast majority of Republican primary voters on this Terri Schiavo issue.

A. Because in polling that was done for a 2004 statewide campaign, among 800 registered Republican voters 60 percent of likely primary voters said they opposed the governor or the Legislature intervening in Terri Schiavo's case. Only 27 percent of Republican voters agreed with intervention. Even among voters who identified themselves as "conservative," 54 percent opposed legislative or gubernatorial meddling. In a Republican poll.

A. Because lawmakers run scared in the face of organized, well-financed and loud voters, no matter how few there are. Because some on the religious right can also raise a few serious bucks for these Republicans' campaigns. Because lawmakers ignore media polls (like a 2004 Florida Times-Union/South Florida Sun-Sentinel survey that found only 29 percent of Floridians supported the governor's and legislative intervention in the case) as being liberal and biased.

The Political Whore says a prayer for Judge Greer, Terri Schiavo, her family and everyone involved in her case. You can reach Political Whore by e-mail at wayne.garcia@weeklyplanet.com.

Shillmistress, Mary Repper, is "mischaracterized" as a Republican political consultant at The Hill

Graham’s departure is “going to have a huge impact” on House races, Republican Florida political consultant Mary Repper said.
[snip]
Repper, the GOP political consultant, based in Clearwater, Fla., said because GOP candidates state House Speaker Johnnie Byrd and state Sen. Daniel Webster have been tainted by bad press, state Republicans could turn to 17th-term Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) as an alternative for the GOP ticket.
Some Republicans are set to run for Young’s seat if the powerful Appropriations Chairman — who is set to lose his chairmanship next year — leaves the House. Pinellas County Sheriff Everett Rice and state Sen. Dennis Jones are two GOP possibilities.
If Young were to step down, “they would jump in immediately,” Repper said.

As you can see at her own web pages, Repper has a long track-record as a Democrat.

Repper, a native of Pennsylvania, began her career in politics working in [Democratic] Senator Richard Stone's successful 1974 campaign in Florida. She later served as his legislative assistant in Washington, D.C., and as his district representative in Tampa. That work followed her years of service to the Young Democrats of Florida, of which she is past president. She has also been involved in myriad national and Florida campaigns, including the 1972 McGovern presidential campaign.

From [Clearwater] Police refuse Scientology help , an article co-written by Garcia, January 23, 1994

Scientology spokesman Richard Haworth said the organization is proud of its good works and doesn't understand the Police Department's wariness.
"ln other areas where people are not prejudiced and bigoted, this help is accepted with open arms," Haworth wrote. "What do we think about the rejection in Clearwater?
That's like asking blacks what they think about the KKK burning crosses on their front lawn."

Another Garcia article on Scientology...most of the information in it is supplied by Richard Haworth, a spokesman for Scientology's Clearwater-based Flag Service Organization.

SCIENTOLOGY WANTS BREAK ON HOUSING February 16, 1994 [excerpt]

CLEARWATER - The Church of Scientology wants to loosen city housing codes to allow more Scientologists in Hacienda Gardens, an apartment complex that is home to hundreds of the church's students and staff.
The change would cut in half the required living space and eventually provide homes for the 300 new Scientology staff members needed for the ""Super Power"" facility, said Richard Haworth, a spokesman for Scientology's Clearwater-based Flag Service Organization.
The $24-million Super Power building, a six-story counseling center, is scheduled to be built on the site of the former Gray Moss Inn on N Fort Harrison Avenue. Groundbreaking is set for March, but Scientology has yet to submit its construction plans to the city.

Signs of Acceptance

CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 19 -- When music stars Roberta Flack, David Sanborn and Dr. John come to Clearwater for a Super Bowl weekend concert, they will stay in accommodations rarely seen by the public--the Church of Scientology's signature spiritual retreat, the Fort Harrison Hotel. It's a sign of how the controversial church is gaining acceptance in an area that once looked at it with a very cautious eye.
And it's all free. The concert organizers, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday organization, are paying nothing.
... Jazz Holiday officials are inviting area dignitaries to meet the three artists and celebrate before the Super Bowl.
The Jazz Holiday group,... has staged the annual October jazz festival in downtown Clearwater for 20 years, ...
"There was a time when I got involved in Jazz Holiday we couldn't book Scientologists who happened to be artists," said Wayne Garcia, vice president of the board of directors.
[snip]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.