Let’s just keep in mind that depsite my recent distaste for the behavior of Republicans, stupidity is still a bi-partisan issue. Exhibit A:
Does the “culture of life” extend to the victims of gun violence?
That’s the question critics are asking after President Bush’s contrasting responses to the two events dominating national attention this week.
Although Bush made a special trip back to Washington from vacation to sign legislation offering a new federal right of appeal to Terri Schiavo’s parents, the president and his aides have said almost nothing about the mass shooting in Red Lake, Minn.
Kimmitt
Meh, I’d much prefer that our goofy folks be random activists than the President of the United States, the Senate Majority Leader, and the House Majority Whip.
Yeah, stupidity’s everywhere, but these just aren’t comparable things.
Jeff Boatright
John,
As some guy once said, “There you go again.”
What’s with the false equivalency? I’m not aware that the LA Times pundit you quote is running the Democratic Party or has been elected as a Democrat. OTOH, I _am_ painfully aware that a whole slew of elected Republicans, and true leaders of that party, are making a mockery of the Constitution and abusing the grief of a family for politcal gain.
I can see the difference in importance between the scribblings of a guy who is paid to fill newspaper space versus the real damage being done to this country by actual, elected leaders of the Republican party.
Can’t you?
John Cole
No- I don’t think they are equivalent at all. But they are both wrong, and both stupid.
Kathy K
Indeed they are. Welcome to the Independent side. We don’t have a party, even though a few candidates run under our banner. We don’t agree on much of anything (I’d say we are about 50-50 on Schiavo), with one exception… and that is that we have to ‘hold our noses’ to vote for either side.
Tom Young
After 9/11, I remember people everywhere going to give blood. Good people gave blood in such quantities that, because of the inability to use that much for whatever medical purpose, a great deal of it expired and was destroyed.
That it was destroyed might seem sad to some, but it really doesn’t matter. At that time of tragedy, good people did what they could, they gave blood. Their desire was to do good. When there are hurricanes and tornadoes, people send blankets, clothes, food, whatever, because we as a people have an innate desire to do what good we can. That the Red Cross disposes of much of largess need not be disturbing, we are good people doing what we can. I read that the U.S.military requested “no more phone-cards” for they had rooms filled to the brim with over a quarter million of them. Did it matter that there was such an over-abundance? No, people were doing what good they could. Concerning Terry Shiavo, people of good intent have differing opinions based on their belief systems, life experiences, and whatever true facts are discernable to them. Some have protested, some have prayed. Some have chosen civil disobedience and jail, some to stand in silent vigil. Some have chosen to rail in the most vicious of manners against those of opposing views. Be wary of these. Some have cried “constitutional crisis!”, but really, I think our grand and glorious constitution is made of far stronger stuff. I am not concerned about the actions of congress in this case, be it excess or not, they were good people doing what they could, and our republic shall survive.
Those who would allow this death claim the facts determined by one trial judge are sufficient to abrogate one of Terry’s certain and unalienable rights. Those who pray for Terry ask only for a second review of the facts. We are a nation of good people, doing what we can to alleviate suffering, and we have always been such. That some, perhaps many have cried for mercy, have cried let us be certain, let us try one more time, should not be diconcerting to any, but rather a relief that such passion for life exists in our people. We shall all die, in our time. If nothing more can be done for Terry, I pray that it is hers.
Kimmitt
are sufficient to abrogate one of Terry’s certain and unalienable rights.
Ms. Schiavo (you used the wrong spelling of her nickname) would have to be alive to have any rights, and among her rights is to decide what is to be done with her body if it is in something akin to a Persistent Vegetative State — hence the existence of such documents as living wills. It is, apparently, quite clear to disinterested parties what her wishes are — so clear that a judge who had no opinion whatsoever in the matter reached a decision of what she would have wanted.
Confederate Yankee
Kimmit, Terri Shiavo is (still, barely) alive, or we wouldn’t be having this debate.
Nicolas
To respond to Tom Young. The reason the constitution is “made of far stronger stuff” and our lawmakers will come to their senses is because there is such a strong outcry by those who see this as a constitutional violation.
Tom Young
Nicolas, perhaps you should read the U.S. Constitution before you rant about its violation. Specifically: Article I section 8 clause 18…Article II section 4…Article III section 2 clause 2.
The final power of government in the U.S. is given by THE CONSTITUTION to the elected representatives of the people, not the courts.
nicolas
That’s the whole point, since the lawmakers do have the power to change the constitution, it is important that there be a public outcry to keep them from doing anything rash in the excitement. Any changeup in powers should be well thought out, not reactionary.
Tom Young
Nicolas, Your education of things constitutional obviously is not complete. Now you should read Article V of the constitution. Amending the constitution of The
> United States (constitutionally) requires the concurrance of hundreds of
> elected representatives nationwide. Amending it by judicial fiat, which is
> being done currently, requires only the concurrance of a few unelected
> judges. This is the greatest threat to our republic.