and this is bullshit... how?
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers said on Friday they plan to issue a congressional subpoena to keep alive Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman at the heart of a heated debate over the right to die.
"Later this morning, we will issue a subpoena, which will require hospice administrators and attending physicians to preserve nutrition and hydration for Terri Schiavo to allow Congress to fully understand the procedures and practices that are currently keeping her alive," three Republican leaders said in a statement.
The lawmakers -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas and Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis of Virginia -- support the reform committee's inquiry into the long-term care of incapacitated or non-ambulatory adults.
The subpoena will be joined by a Senate investigation, the lawmakers said.
"This inquiry should give hope to Terri, her parents and friends, and the millions of people throughout the world who are praying for her safety," the statement said. "This fight is not over."
Schiavo has been fed through a tube since she suffered an incapacitating heart attack in 1990. Her husband contends she would not have wanted to be kept alive in what court-appointed doctors describe as a persistent vegetative state.
Her parents dispute this, saying their daughter responds to them and could improve with rehabilitation.
The House (of Representatives) on Wednesday and the Senate on Thursday passed legislation aimed at prolonging Schiavo's life, by allowing federal courts to review the case. But the U.S. Supreme Court declined to step in, sending the matter back to a Florida court.
Late Thursday night, several senators announced they were still holding talks and Congress -- which is supposed to start a two-week recess -- might return on Monday to work on the bill. Even if Schiavo's feeding tube is removed at 1 p.m. Friday, death would not be instantaneous.
In a White House statement, President Bush said, "In instances like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws, and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life." He was due to visit Florida to talk about Social Security on Friday.
Schiavo was in her mid-20s when she became ill and had no "living will" or written directive about end-of-life care. She remains at the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida, under police guard. Outside demonstrators held a prayer vigil.
The Florida legislature failed on Thursday to agree on legislation aimed at stopping or delaying removal of the feeding tube, and Republican leaders said prospects were bleak for an agreement on Friday.
and this is bullshit... how?
I think he means Congress involving itself in this case which has been taken care of just fine by the courts so far.
surviving by machine is not living....
This is why everyone should leave written instructions for these sorts of things.
Originally Posted by BWC Boston
I'm so glad my wife and I have living wills.
"It has been the goal of my administration from the beginning to see that the buck stops here, there and everywhere." - Lord Julius
They're posturing for the constituents in their districts.
Is there a record for Congress issuing subpoeneas in the first two months of a term? Between this case and the baseball players, it's like they found a subpoena sale at Office Depot.
I thought this would be about the credit card company's signing the bill that stops transactions when purchasing cigarettes online. I really am hating NY these days and am really debating on getting the fuck out of here.
millions live with pacemakers, wheelchairs, etc. it worked for christopher reeves.
im not a fan of assisted suicides, nor am i a fan of pulling the plug. i think its sad that the family wants her to live, the husband wants to pull the plug, and everyone else in america feels the need to get involved in this. but i have to side with keeping her alive just because i never feel that death is the answer when it comes to things like this
EDIT- and i dont know enough to know whats humane and what isnt... but is death really the only option here?
there is a huge effn difference between a pacemaker and being on a life support.millions live with pacemakers, wheelchairs, etc. it worked for christopher reeves.
and the govt has no place in this at all!!!!!!
totally over stepping their bounds!!!!!!!
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