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My personal musings about anything that gets on my radar screen--heavily dominated by politics.

2005-03-31

Terri Schiavo, RIP

First, a prayer for the soul of Terri Schiavo, and for God's Blessings on Terri's parents and brother and sister. May God grant them the peace that they have been deprived of these last 15 years, the Peace that surpasses all understanding.

As for Terri, I take hope from the understanding that she has been made new again.

As for the rest of us, I suspect two things will come of this (and keep in mind, I know nothing):

First, culturally, it is interesting that, in the end, what the courts actually affirmed was Michael Schiavo's property rights over his wife--his distantly estranged wife. If, absent evidence to the contrary, he was given complete control over Terri's destiny, then what is there to stop that property right from being extended towards someone who is of diminished capacity?

Secondly, Judicially, I think the gauntlet has truly been thrown down. If the Courts, from local to federal, feel it's within their powers to ignore the will of the people's representatives, then we have truly devolved into Jefferson's "oligarchy." This is the same sort of extension of judicial power that brought us Dred Scott--and we all know where that took us.

I find deep irony in the contrast between this case and the ongoing struggle the Pope is putting up to remain alive, active, and responsible for his flock. His is truly a death with dignity, though I pray that that death is still years away.
Posted by: Michael / 3/31/2005 11:19:00 PM

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