Distinctions

I knew I was going to get comments and emails like this:

I’ve enjoyed your site in the past, John, but despite the fact that I’m satisfied if not 100% comfortable with the outcome of the case, your latest diatribe is so hateful and indefensibly stupid that I’m afraid you’ve lost me as a reader. The commentary at INDC and Protein Wisdom has a similar ideological flavor to yours, but lacks the utter contempt for religious conservatives who’ve in good faith come down on a different side of a difficult issue.

First things first- INDC and Protein Wisdom are great sites- I think Jeff Goldstein is a frigging genius.

Now, on to the real point of the comment:

…your latest diatribe is so hateful and indefensibly stupid that I’m afraid you’ve lost me as a reader. The commentary at INDC and Protein Wisdom has a similar ideological flavor to yours, but lacks the utter contempt for religious conservatives who’ve in good faith come down on a different side of a difficult issue.

My commentary may be perceived as hateful, but it shouldn’t be. I have a deep respect for the deeply religious. My father is deeply religious, and I have worked with and been taught by and befriended numerous deeply religious people. In fact, if you read all of the posts I have made on the Schiavo issue, I have repeatedly pointed out that there are, in my opinion, a great number of deeply religious people who probably do care about Terri Schaivo.

The post below is not about them, but rather, it is about he statist theocrats like Rick Santorum, Tom Delay, Randall Terry, Pat Robertson, who are now trying to impose their version of morality on the rest of us, and ruining our system of democracy in the process.

I recognize a distinction- if I am wrong, nad there is no distinction, well, then never mind. They can all go to hell and I don’t care how many of you are offended, because this is not, and will not become, a theocracy. But I think there is a distinction between the power-grabbing holy rollers I have mentioned and your average church-going individual.

Just like I think there is a distinction between ‘killing Terri Schiavo’ and letting her die. Just like I think there is a difference between life and being alive.

And the reason I think that is because I am right. Religious people are just that- religious people. Big government statist theocrats are the people I am railing against. Some more evidence:

The 11th Hour Coalition to Save Terri Schiavo’s Life has issued the following statement in response to the latest news regarding the efforts to save Terri Schiavo’s life:

Gov. Jeb Bush should stop entertaining the obstructionist actions of Judge George Greer and take immediate action as the head of Florida’s executive branch to stop the premeditated murder of Terri Schiavo. Judge Greer is in contempt of a congressional subpoena and has ignored a federal law. His recent decisions regarding Terri’s best interests continue to demonstrate that he is, at best, prejudiced, and, at worst, a judicial tyrant.

Jeb Bush does not need Judge Greer’s permission to execute his duties as governor. The U.S. Constitution and Florida’s Constitution provide for a balance of power between the judicial, legislative and executive branches. There should be little question as to the activist nature of Florida’s judicial branch. Therefore, Gov. Bush has the duty, the power and the absolute obligation to immediately take Terri in protective custody and restore her access to nutrition and hydration.

It is more than simply ironic that Terri’s plight unfolds during the holiest week on the Christian calendar. In President Bush’s recent attempt to wash his hands of this matter, he stated he can do no more as the head of the executive branch. This is simply untrue. President Bush not only has the power, but the obligation to use his police powers to put an end to this national tragedy.

Holy Thursday marks the beginning of Christ’s Passion, and we are reminded of His warning that half measures are simply not enough; we must stand guard against the enemy. The blood of this innocent woman will be on those who had the power to save her, but did not.

We implore Gov. Jeb Bush to act decisively by ordering the Florida state troopers to take Terri Schiavo into protective custody and restore her food and water. It is hardly unique that this type of action be taken; the Civil Rights struggle of the 1960s serves as just one example.

On the original Good Friday, Jesus — the Lamb of God — was put to death for the sins of others. As we commemorate Good Friday, let us prevent the death of another innocent lamb because of the inaction of others.

I am not the one out of line or unhinged, here. My sin is seeing these people for what they are.