Blaming George and Jeb

In Washington, 20 protesters gathered in front of the White House to demand that the House of Representatives enforce a subpoena issued two weeks ago requiring that Schiavo appear at a hearing - an ultimately futile attempt to have doctors prolong her life.

They and others called again on Gov. Jeb Bush to take action, but the governor said that despite the "blistering" criticism he has received from both sides, the only thing he could do now was to seek answers to difficult questions.

"After passions subside," Bush said, the Legislature should take another look at end-of-life issues.

"We need to review how we go about defining a persistent vegetative state," he said. "From what I can tell, when people are in pain they're not in a persistent vegetative state. So, if that's the case, why would they be given morphine? It brings up questions."


Paul O'Donnell, a Franciscan monk who has been acting as a spokesman for the Schindlers, stepped up pressure on Bush's brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, calling on him Monday to "step in and take custody" of Terri Schiavo.

"We're begging, governor: Do something today, now," O'Donnell said. "Don't join the culture of death and be writing this woman's obituary."

The Florida governor has sided with the Schindlers and made efforts to have the tube reinserted, adding his support to state legislation. But by Sunday, Gov. Bush said he had done all he could.

Speaking briefly to reporters Monday, Gov. Bush said he is "respectful of the judiciary's decisions," but "from a personal perspective it just breaks my heart."

"My legal counsel has talked to the Schindler family and their lawyer over the weekend, and I think they've exhausted their remedies as well," he said.
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I understand how desperately those supporting the Schindlers' fight to prevent Terri from being starved to death want a miracle.

I understand the pleas to President Bush and Governor Bush. However, the sad reality is the actions that the executive and legislative branches of both the state and federal government took to prevent the starvation of a disabled woman were thrown out by the judicial branch.

Clearly, the Bush brothers did everything the power of their offices allowed.

Moreover, I believe that both of them acted out of deeply held personal beliefs. I don't think their decisions were swayed by pressure from the Religious Right.

In fact, if one believes the polls, they acted in direct opposition to the opinion of the overwhelming majority of Americans--political suicide.

Why is it so difficult for some to accept that both the president and the governor were led by their consciences rather than coercion from conservative Christian groups?

One minute, the left chastises President Bush for openly relying so heavily on his faith. The next, they question his sincerity and criticize him for exploiting religion to pander to believers.

It is not surprising for the left to find fault with the president. That's to be expected. Lost in their liberal fog, they manage to feel threatened by the strength of Bush's religious beliefs and warn of the imposition of theocracy, while simultaneously claiming his values are only a facade to achieve political goals. Same old, same old.

What does surprise me is that some on the right are turning on President Bush and Governor Bush for not doing enough. I understand the desperation Terri's supporters feel as she nears death. I'm feeling it too. Unfortunately, the hands of the executive branch are tied by a judiciary run amok, enforcing the ideals of a culture short on respect for life.

In political terms, the lesson to be learned from the Terri Schiavo case is how vital it is to have judges who will wisely interpret the law, not activists who choose to ignore it to promote their political agendas or legislate from the bench.

In moral terms, the lesson to be learned is that there are many in America who would prefer to side with death than err on the side of life. After first and foremost acknowledging the tremendous personal suffering Terri and the Schindlers have endured, this moral bankruptcy must be cited as the most tragic revelation of this battle.