March 24, 2005
Don't be saddened, do something about it
Drudge is reporting that President G.W. Bush is "saddened" by the US Supreme Court's refusal to order Terri Schiavo's feeding tube reconnected.
Does the President not realize that he is the head of the executive branch of our government? No court ruling can be enforced without the compliance of the executive branch.
The judicial branch of government is not in charge of the executive branch.
So what makes the President think he can not order the feeding tube reconnected?
Does the President think staying up late to sign a bill is the extent of his power over the situation?
There is precedent for the President not complying with a supreme court ruling. There is nothing, save for fear of accolade, preventing the President from ordering the feeding tube reattached.
Both President and Governor Bush have risked nothing to save Terri Schiavo's life. Only when they grow a backbone and stand up for what is morally right will they fulfill the position to which they were elected.
To the Bush brothers: Do the job you were elected to do.
- Rusty at The Jump Blog echoes the sentiment.
- The Ramblings' Journal rambles that Jeb Bush should take custody of Terri Schiavo.
- Miss Malkin asks what's next?
- Hyscience declares a runaway judiciary.
- Officer on deck! The Captain invokes the Gordian Knot and compares Terri's situation to that of Solomon ordering a baby cut in half to find the real mother. Give it a look, won't you?
Chris Short, however, asks that we not step on his constitution.
Hey, Chris, I'm sure you believe starvation of citizens is constitutional, right?
Update
Jeb Bush is reportedly frustrated.
Mr. Bush, as with the rest of us, you only have as much power as was given you by God.
Richard
Posted by Richard at March 24, 2005 12:43 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.goodrichardsalmanac.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/14
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Don't be saddened, do something about it:
» Terri Schiavo, Redux from The Captain's Comments
Richard points out what President Bush and Gov. Bush can do now that the judicial branch has blocked all attempts to save Terri's life: ignore the courts. [Read More]
Tracked on March 24, 2005 8:09 PM
Comments
You've caught me in an argumentative mood tonight. However, since I don't know you I'll try and be as gentle as possible:
I believe in due process; Terri Schiavo has had 8 years of due process and has been being tortured for about 3 (tube removals and reinsertions).
Plain and simple; would you want to live like Terri Schiavo? Do you honestly think there is hope she'll recover?
Your efforts are noble. However, I believe that the US Constitution is bigger than Terri Schiavo and that is really the thing that is at stake here.
Posted by: Chris Short (Short Family Web Site) at March 24, 2005 6:32 PM
Nicely stated. President Bush said that "it is wise to always err on the side of life." But at this point it is better that he do something that will keep her alive, rather than doing nothing and letting her die. Erring on the side of life requires the action.
Posted by: Captain Midnight at March 24, 2005 8:26 PM
Neither the President nor Jeb Bush have the authority to countermand a judicial review. In other words, just as the judicial branch does not control the executive branch, the executive branch doesn't control the judicial branch.
And just as the starvation of American citizens isn't "constitutional," neither is contradicting a person's desire to have life support and a vacuous, empty existence discontinued once a severely debilitating condition is inflicted upon them (say, the total disintegration of the person's cerebral cortex, disabling their ability to think, feel, or act in any way other than reflexively, as a result of major brain damage due to heart failure).
Posted by: Boogie at March 25, 2005 9:31 PM
You say the executive branch does not have the ability to countermand the judicial branch, but that neither controls the other.
In this circumstance, the judicial branch is clearly controlling the executive branch. Jeb Bush has clearly stated he will not go against the judgement of the courts.
Your medical arguments are moot.
Posted by: Richard at March 26, 2005 3:20 AM
Maybe Jeb knows something you don't. Like that the courts are legally right; even though Mr. Bush believes they are morally wrong.
It's quite the predicament.
Posted by: Chris Short (Short Family Web Site) at March 26, 2005 5:52 PM