Statement by Governor Jeb Bush regarding the death of Terri Schiavo

Tampa Bay's 10 News ^ | 3/31/05 | Governor Jeb Bush

[wagglebee]

“After an extraordinarily difficult and tragic journey, Terri Schiavo is at rest. Columba and I offer our condolences to Mr. and Mrs. Schindler, Bobby Schindler, Suzanne Vitadamo and to all those who offered their prayers and support to Terri’s family over these past weeks, months and years. These prayers were not in vain.

“Many across our state and around the world are deeply grieved by the way Terri died. I feel that grief very sharply as well. I remain convinced, however, that Terri’s death is a window through which we can see the many issues left unresolved in our families and in our society. For that, we can be thankful for all that the life of Terri Schiavo has taught us.

“I still firmly believe that human life is a gift and a mystery, and that its mystery is most evident at its beginning and ending. May all of us whose hearts were moved during the life of Terri Schiavo grow in wisdom at its ending.”

[streetpreacher]

Don't hold back. Let us know what you really think.

[jackibutterfly]

"He didn't just choose to "follow the law" -- he's the one who signed the damn thing into law."

That happens to be Statute 765. The history of this law is amazing - talk about corruption!

[Real Cynic No More]

The only point where we might disagree is in that ridiculous order by Greer that denied anyone from trying to nourish and hydrate Terri by "natural" means.

Well, you and I are in 100% agreement on this.

I'm thinking there is more here than we are aware of. My understanding based on news accounts and anecdotes by those thrust into the public eye is that Michael initially got the order to feed via stomach tube because "it was too much trouble" to have someone feed her. In spite of the fact that I think it despicable that it was deemed ok to starve her when a person can go to jail for starving their dog, I have wondered why the family's initial court filings, to my knowledge, didn't include statements of their willingness to hand feed her. Did they fight Michael on the issue when he received judicial approval to feed by stomach tube? To me, they seem to have almost as many credibility problems as Michael; however, on their side of the equation, they were fighting to save a life, while Michael was fighting to take a life.

All the hand-wringing has been about how immoral it was to allow this to happen, when from a legal standpoint (which often has little relationship to morality), the issue is whether Terri stated she did not want to be kept alive by artificial means. Terri's desires in this manner are the crux of the matter. How can Terri's parents be believed when Michael was supposedly present and they weren't when she ostensibly made the statement? For such an extreme resolution, an off-hand comment supposedly made by her could not have foreseen the resulting ramifications.

I'm listening to O'Reilly as I type this, and the discussion is whether it was an act of mercy to allow her to die. Well, we use acts of mercy on animals, not on people; we respect a person's wishes. Perhaps this will lead to a legitimate discussion on how to resolve such issues in the future.

What were Terri's wishes? I don't think Michaels statement about her desires was factual. I don't think she stated to him what he said she did, especially when considering the timing of when he said it. But, there is little credible contradictory evidence otherwise, and he was legally her guardian.

[Tax Government]

Jeb would have been arrested...

Jeb is the effectively the CEO of Florida. All state employees, and all state police, are answerable to him.

Jeb's first action would be to ensure that anyone in the police chain of command who does not respect that chain be summarily fired. After that is done, the police at the Hospice would be ordered to stand down and leave. A cordon would be in place by loyal police to maintain order.

The reason Jeb didn't cause this to happen is that he is not a worthy champion of the position to which he is elected. He was willing to give his constitutional power away, and damage lawful governance in Florida until someone with stones can set the matter right by his own example.

[dimmer-rats stealvotes]

To me, the big lesson is, stay as far away from a combination of medical and court authorities as you can. It is a deadly cocktail. It will either torture you to death or make you wish you were dead. Money and power are the primary object of both.

[danamco]

No mention of the adulterous husband.


W. mentioned him!!!

[streetpreacher]

Even if he was arrested for a total of 1 second, his political future is dead... over...

Ah, well, you just summed up what's important here. Good thing those Bush Bros. are not moved by the polls, unlike the dastardly Clinton Bros. (Bill & Hill).

Anyway, it would have been a wash. He is now persona non grata with the base (what sinkspur calls the fringe). Tell him to stick that in his political future.

[Real Cynic No More]

So basically, the Democrats' "success" is measured in terms of opposing things that Republicans are for, not in actually passing in any of their own ideas into law. I'll give you that; they are pretty successful at being a royal pain in the ___.

Isn't it a shame the American people don't see the importance of issues until they or someone they know and care for are directly impacted?

[farmer18th]

The best legal minds in the world said he was powerless

Have you any idea what a slave to the status quo that makes you sound like? The "best legal minds" gave us Dred Scott. You are a low-minded, hand-licking fool.

[streetpreacher]

With this (in my opinion) wrong court order in place, Jeb CANNOT stand there and say "Im the Gov, you cant arrest me... Im a equal branch of government". The cops would laugh and throw him in the back of the car.

LOL. You are delusional. Either that or we really are a Police State and you love it that way.

[jackibutterfly]

"What was the reason behind this law?"

THE CULTURE OF DEATH CROWD!!!

[rdcorso]

With all the evidence of corruption and ethics violations in the Pinellas county judicial system I think the governor could have taken Terri into custody.I could understand his reluctance not to take her due to the political fallout from media coverage that would make him out to be the bad guy.Where he won't get a pass from me is in the investigation after her death.This case was never going to have any other outcome no matter what because judge Greer made sure of that.He ignored laws and made rulings that defied logic that all went towards assuring Terri would die.His connections with Felos and others were never disclosed which is not ethical.If Jeb Bush allows this type of conduct to go unpunished then I have no choice but to think that he's involved somehow or he's a weakling.

[jackibutterfly]

"How often does it happen that an adulterous husband wants to get rid of his disabled wife and lies about her wishes? That probably happens a lot more than we realize."

And, it's going to happen a LOT more, now that it's "safe".

[k2blader]

Whatever, Jeb. You'll have to live with the guilt for the rest of your life.

[Magilla]

Does anyone rememember Terris law? Jeb took Terri and the courts took her back.

After a dizzying series of court rulings and orders over
several years, a judge last October ordered that her
feeding tube be removed. But days later, Mr. Bush stepped
in, saying his only interest was in protecting the sanctity
of life.

He said that being governor gave him the right and
responsibility to intervene.

But today, the state's highest court said he had no power
to go against the courts.

Instead of focusing your anger on Jeb. Concentrate your efforts on those areas needing change.

[streetpreacher]

You forget that I know you

You left out the "and adore you" part.

and know that it wasn't really a "joke" at all

Awww, come on! Now you're starting to hurt my feelings.

So take your hair shirt, your THE END OF THE WORD IS NIGH placard

You mean You've SEEN it? ROTFLOL... I loved that. That's the best insult I've received all day.

and the rest of your smarmy posts and go try to shred someone else.

Will do. Thanks for the marching orders.

[Kylie_04]

Agreed re: more than we are aware of...

even what we do know has been largely glossed over in the MSM...MS and his actions, IMO, do not pass the smell test. As for her parents' motivations...I guess I tend NOT to question a person's motives when they are trying to keep someone alive. I can't imagine that they would have tried to stop use of the feeding tube early on...how could they have imagined that it would come to what it did? Of course, there could be more to it that we can't even imagine at this point. I have no sympathy for MS, however, on some level, I think he became a willing pawn of those with a larger agenda....same could be said of the Schindlers, I suppose...but I keep coming back to this: It is harder (logically) to ascribe impure motives to the parents that are trying to keep her alive than to the husband/guardian that is trying to kill her.

[nopardons]

"Adore" ? Only in your dreams. LOL

I meant to hurt your feelings. You are NOT funny nor clever.

Nope, I haven't seen it; just an educated guess. :-)

Good, now be on your way; hup,two,three,four............

LOL

[jackibutterfly]

"The only point where we might disagree is in that ridiculous order by Greer that denied anyone from trying to nourish and hydrate Terri by "natural" means."

Ridiculous??? Boy, THAT'S an understatement. You mean, CRIMINAL!

[This Just In]

Long time no see, f18th. How have you been?

It's been a very sad day. Frankly, I don't have the energy, or gumption to reply to any of these posts. Not worth the time. I couldn't help but notice the amount of trolling going on at FR since Terri Schiavo's case was given international attention.

I've been praying for the Schiavo's, as well as our country, all day. It's time to rest. May the Lord bless the Schiavo's with a sense of peace and comfort now that Terri's with Him.