And more on Lauren...
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WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Judie Brown, president of American Life League, released the following statement concerning an order by Delaware Court of Chancery Master Sam Glasscockon to give guardianship of Lauren Richardson to her mother, who wants to remove Lauren's feeding tube.
"Lauren is 23 years of age and, due to a heroin overdose, is now in a persistent vegetative state. At the time of the overdose, Lauren was expecting the birth of her baby and reports indicate that she was 'kept alive' to allow her to give birth, which she did in February of last year. Her daughter is now about to celebrate her first birthday, but Lauren may never have another birthday.
"Of interest is the fact that, during the pregnancy, Lauren relied on 'feeding tubes and a breathing machine' to keep her alive. Today Lauren has a feeding tube only. But there is a struggle going on regarding whether or not Lauren will live or die.
"Lauren's case is more than a sad commentary on the plight of a family battling over what each of the opponents believes would be in her best interest. Her story is a testimony to the growing philosophy in this country that some, because of their condition, are better off dead than alive.
"Like Terri Schiavo before her, Lauren is not dying nor is she in a terminal condition. She has been diagnosed as someone in a 'persistent vegetative state,' someone who is very much alive but locked in her body and unable to express her desires to anyone. The only thing Lauren is relying on is a feeding tube without which she will starve to death. Lauren's mother, who is Lauren's guardian, wants the feeding tube removed while Lauren's father is fighting to keep Lauren alive.
"This family is in our prayers. We hope that, in the interest of respecting Lauren's dignity as a human being whose future improvement or lack thereof is known only to God, the court will listen carefully to those who argue in favor of Lauren's right to life. It is a tragedy beyond description when any human being's fate rests solely on the subjective opinion of others, some of whom truly believe that patients like Lauren have no 'quality of life' and therefore are better off dead."
American Life League: Do Not Remove Lauren's Feeding Tube
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As the New Crist Minstrals take recover from the RINOplasty surgery, they increase Florida's reputation as the place where death lovers can ply their trade in peace...
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For nearly a decade under former Gov. Jeb Bush, social conservatives dominated Florida's Republican Party.
No more.
Sen. John McCain''s win in the state's presidential primary, over the objections of conservative radio hosts and the state Christian Coalition network, was the third straight defeat for social conservatives.
McCain's victory follows Charlie Crist's win in the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary over the more conservative Tom Gallagher, who was endorsed by the Christian Coalition. In 2004, Mel Martinez, a former trial attorney, beat the more conservative Bill McCollum in the primary for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
"There is some drift toward a more moderate direction," said Dennis Baxley, a former state representative who on Friday started work as executive director of the Christian Coalition of Florida. "We are not doing as much as we used to. We have some work to do."
The results at the ballot box have had a direct bearing on public policy.
Florida, during the reign of Bush, gained national attention for refusing to allow the husband of Terri Schiavo to end her life; for creating the first "Choose Life" license plate; and for approving school vouchers, transferring public funds to private schools.
Today, under Crist, Florida is getting attention for broad regulations to reduce global warming; for restoring the voting rights of felons; and for expanding gambling on Indian reservations....................
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