This past week has had a flurry of activity within the Terry Shiavo case from Florida to Atlanta (Federal Appeals Court) and right into Washington D.C. to the Supreme Court. In all instances where the Schindlers (Terri’s family) have tried to have the feeding tube reinserted (sic) they have been denied because the rule of law, the findings of the court, beyond a reasonable doubt, and the determination of many doctors of Terri’s state has been in the favor of Michael Shiavo. Terri is in a persistent vegetative state, the courts have determined that her wishes were not to remain alive in a persistent vegetative state, and now she is off the feeding tube, is in the process of dying, and people are still trying to make a federal and state case in the matter.
Terri’s parents, out of the blue yesterday, filed a motion with the court that Terri tried to tell them that she wanted to live. Her words, “AHHHH” and “WAAAAA”. There is no I want to live. They are two sounds that may sound like she is expressing a desire but do not go so far as to express anything. The Schindlers are holding onto false hope with the desire to see their daughter remain alive.
That’s not really the problem, though. Yesterday three children were arrested for trying to bring Terri water. One of the children, ten, said, “I am not worried God is with me.” God is often not with people in those situations. Does God want his sons and daughters to die? I don’t believe that is the case; but equal to not wanting them to die he also doesn’t want them to work contrary to the rule of law within the principalities where they live. Tresspassing is against the law. Cross police barriers is against the law. Helping out Terri Shiavo, in this case, against her husbands wishes is against the law.
In the past several days the nation has been inundated with news on Terri Shiavo’s case in the federal court system and the state court system of the state of Florida. The family and supporters of the Schindlers keep demanding that their biggest supporter, Gov. Jeb Bush step in and do something as though he had more power than the court system. Our nation was founded on a system of checks and balances and today we believe, and practice, that one of those equal checks is that the judiciary and the executive branches of government are equal in power. Gov. Bush and the state court systems are equal in power and one cannot trump the other without causes irreparable damage. Gov. Bush realizes this and, though trying to find a way to help, can do nothing because the courts have ruled.
The Schindlers have had their day in court, over and over again. They have been able to argue their case and file motions in courts that, legally, have no right to hearing what is being said. The determination is that their daughters wishes were not to remain alive in this state, that Michael Shiavo has the right to “pull the plug” and that the parents can only sit and watch it happen. That’s the rule of law and the Schindlers have had more access to the court system than a large majority of American’s will ever be afforded. They have abused the system.
Further, god is not with the people who try to break the law. He is not going to be with someone who tries to break into the hospice where Terri is kept. He is not going to be with someone who throws inflammatory comments at the politicians and judges who did everything they could to help the Schindlers. He is not going to be with anyone who works contrary to the determined wishes of Terri Shiavo, her husband Michael, the courts, or the rule of law. Ten or a hundred and regardless of the altruistic nature of your appeal and arguments, God is not with you when you work contrary to the established order of things.
Watching Terri Shiavo die is a horrible experience. No one should have to go through this, but a family and a nation are going through this very experience. Over 37,000 people are in persistent vegetative states. Many will lose their lives because families come to the realization that there is no hope that life will be regained. Doctors advise families to say their goodbyes and let the patient move on. That is important not only in this case, but as a nation where politicians from all over have overstepped their bounds to try and help. It is important because the Schindlers need to move on. It is important because, someday, each of us might have to make a similar decision and the right to life also includes the right to a peaceful death. Terri deserves to die peacefully. It’s time to let her go.