(It's nice to know that "quality of life" means that not only do women no longer have a choice about their bodies, but now if I'm ever in a coma, I'm doomed to live on as a vegetable. Fuck.
Isn't it funny? Think about this for a second or two - the fucking president is getting personally involved. This isn't about saving anyone either; that's bullshit. Bush is pro-death penalty, so he can't claim to be all about quality of life. This is about PR, nothing more. This is all about Bush and the GOP trying to gain public favor as "moral" people getting behind this cause. That's all it is.
This is a personal matter for the family. This is NOT a government's problem. This is NONE of the "president's" fucking business. We have war, poverty, a shitty economy - this is NOT what we pay these fucking people to do, to meddle in affairs they have no claim or right to get involved in. Fucking right wing, selfish, self-righteous bastards, that's all they are.
This woman is NOT getting better; she's NOT coming back. She's been a vegetable for the last 20 years - if she was going to improve, she would have done so by now for a fact. I certainly wouldn't want to live on like that; but thanks to Bush and the fucking GOP, people may not have that option anymore.)
Bush Moves Schiavo's Fate to Federal Court
Parents of brain-damaged woman await ruling
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush signed legislation Monday sending the fate of Terri Schiavo, a brain-damaged woman whose feeding tube was removed three days ago by a Florida judge's order, to federal court.
Schiavo's parents are awaiting a response from U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida, to their request under the new law to reinsert the feeding tube.
David Gibbs, an attorney for the parents, filed documents overnight seeking Schiavo's move from a hospice to a hospital for the tube's reinsertion.
Schiavo's husband and guardian, Michael Schiavo, has said his wife would not want to continue living in a persistent vegetative state -- which court-appointed doctors have determined she is in.
An attorney for the husband said she is confident that the federal court will find the new legislation unconstitutional.
Bush's signature followed a 203-58 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives early Monday approving a bill to transfer the case's jurisdiction to federal court. The Senate passed the legislation by voice vote Sunday.
In a statement, Bush said: "Today, I signed into law a bill that will allow federal courts to hear a claim by or on behalf of Terri Schiavo for violation of her rights relating to the withholding or withdrawal of food, fluids, or medical treatment necessary to sustain her life.
"In cases 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."
Justice Department lawyers also filed documents in federal court Monday supporting legal efforts to keep Schiavo alive, a senior Justice Department official said.
In the House, 47 Democrats joined 156 Republicans in voting for the bill following more than three hours of passionate debate.
The extraordinary session had supporters, primarily Republicans, arguing that the issue was Schiavo's "right to life," while a Democrat warned that passing the measure would "undermine over 200 years of jurisprudence."
The special vote required a super-majority, meaning a two-thirds of House members had to approve it -- a mark easily reached.
"We are very, very, very thankful to have crossed this bridge, and we're very hopeful that the federal courts will follow the will of Congress and save my sister's life," said Suzanne Vitadamo, Schiavo's sister.
Bob Schindler said he visited his daughter Monday in the Pinellas Park, Florida, hospice where she is a patient.
"I asked her if she was ready to take a little ride, and I told her that we were going to take her for a little trip and take her outside and get her some breakfast, and that got a big smile out of her face, so help me God," Schindler said.
"So, she seemed to be very pleased, and we're pleased, and we're very thankful for both the House and the Senate for passing this bill and literally saving Terri's life."
Michael Schiavo said he was outraged at Congress' actions.
"I think that every American in this country should also be outraged that this government is trampling all over a personal family matter that has been adjudicated in the courts for seven years," he said.
Terri Schiavo collapsed in her home in 1990, suffering from heart failure that led to severe brain damage.
The bitter legal debate has resulted in more than a dozen state court decisions. The battle appeared to reach a climax Friday when the Florida trial judge ordered Schiavo's tube removed, rejecting a House panel's efforts to subpoena the woman, her husband and others for a hearing. The U.S. Supreme Court later rejected the House's appeal to intervene in the case.
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's brother, issued a statement shortly after the House vote: "I thank the Congress for its swift action allowing Terri's parents to seek a federal review of this case. Certainly, an incapacitated person deserves at least the same protection afforded criminals sentenced to death."
The bill transfers jurisdiction of the case to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to determine whether her constitutional rights or rights as a U.S. citizen are being violated.
Congress has no authority to order the feeding tube reinserted, but a federal court could do so while reviewing the case.
