Call for Executive Action
Now it's the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals that is dawdling.

Attention is turning to what the Executive Branches of Florida and the U.S. can do to enforce EXISTING LAW to protect Terri. Here is an alert from Defend Life to contact both President Bush and Governor Bush, including references to U.S. and Florida law:

Is anyone surprised that a Clinton appointee has refused to provide relief to Terri despite the fact she is NOT in PVS? (It's immoral to kill a PVS patient as well, but that is another question.) FLORIDA LAW SAYS IT IS ILLEGAL TO USE ANY ACT OR OMISSION TO END LIFE!

The executive branch has ALWAYS been the key in this case, not the runaway activist judiciary. The governor or the president can still save Terri. They don't want to take the political heat. The governor can send in the National Guard. The president can send in the feds. It was done for integration, it surely can be done for Terri.
Here are affidavits from 2 nurses who took care of Terri Schaivo in the mid 1990's. Heidi Law and Carla Sauer Iyer. Terri is NOT in PVS.

CALL, FAX AND EMAIL THE GOVERNOR & PRESIDENT AND DEMAND THAT THEY DO THEIR JOB AND ENFORCE EXISTING FLORIDA AND FEDERAL LAW

Florida Law: 765.309 Mercy killing or euthanasia not authorized;(1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to condone, authorize, or approve mercy killing or euthanasia, or to permit any affirmative or deliberate act or omission to end life other than to permit the natural process of dying.

Governor Jeb Bush
(850) 488-4441
Fax 850-487-0801
Email: jeb.bush@myflorida.com

Federal Law
Title 28 35.130(e)(2) Nothing in the Act or this part authorizes the representative or guardian of an individual with a disability to decline food, water, medical treatment, or medical services for that individual.

President Bush
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
Email: president@whitehouse.gov


PLEASE FORWARD PLEASE FORWARD PLEASE FORWARD

Here is my post from Saturday urging consideration of this course of action.

Justice Delayed
The federal judge dawdles (or worse) while Terri suffers.

Meanwhile, a prominent neurologist who examined Terri Schiavo says that her condition might be significantly improved with proper therapy.

"The important thing for people to understand is that she can eat and swallow right now, said William Hammesfahr, a neurologist who has examined Schiavo. He is in many of the videos circulated through the news media showing that Schiavo is at times responsive and aware.

.....

Hammesfahr was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1999 for his work in brain injury and stroke. He is a recognized expert in treating neurological disorders, having successfully treated thousands of patients using vasodilator therapy, which increases blood flow to the brain, thus healing conditions previously thought to be untreatable.

"Gut Wrenching" - Words of Terri's Brother...
...Bobby Schindler, as the Senate once again passes a compromise bill. The House debate will begin at 9 PM with the vote to take place just after midnight despite the obstructive efforts of a few members. (Yes, they're Democrats, but I don't want to make it a partisan issue, because some Democrats have apparently been quite cooperative with the efforts to save Terri Schiavo.)

W is back at the White House ready to sign once the bill passes Congress and the paperwork to take Terri's case to court has been filed and is ready to go.

BTW: There's been a problem with the banner linking to Terri's family's site, www.terrisfight.org. The link still works, but the banner appears as a broken icon. To make it clear I'm carrying the link, I've added it to the list of text links in the 'Links' column.

Patron Saints
At this critical time, I want to honor my two patron saints whose feast days occurred this week. Saint Joseph and Saint Patrick are known for their characteristic traits of leadership and protection, so praying for their intercession is very timely right now.

Congress is Moving for Terri
House and Senate leaders have developed a compromise bill to protect Terri Schiavo and the Senate approved it this evening. The House is set to act tomorrow at 1 PM, and W would likely sign the final bill soon after.

It is gratifying to see Congressional leaders work to pull this together over the weekend and act on this time critical case. Credit is due to leaders on both sides of the aisle (including some who are apparently reality-challenged on other life issues) who put egos aside to protect Terri.

The legislation will bring one or more federal judges into the case, who will hopefully take the time to approach the case fairly, and are not handicapped by a persistently vegetative world view like some of the decision makers and media spinners so far. Continue to PRAY.

Saving Terri: Let's Think 'Outside the Box'!
The alert continues to encourage Congress to get it's act together on a bill to allow Terri Schiavo's case access to the federal courts. While this effort must continue, we shouldn't pin all hope on this path. The Congressional subpoenas were flagrantly snubbed without consequence as the Supreme Court has refused to enforce them without comment, and I'm not sure the legislation would fare any better.

My understanding was that a Congressional subpoena carries the force of law in protecting potential witnesses. Also, I find it hard to believe with all the law in place (Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.), there aren't multiple clauses that should be used to protect Terri.

Now I recall from civics classes that it is the job of the executive branch to enforce the law. Not to ask the courts for permission to enforce the law, but to ENFORCE THE LAW! Let Michael Schiavo's attorneys and others try to challenge the executive actions in court.

I don't know how much this course of action has been considered already, but if it has not been thoroughly exhausted, President Bush should have the lawyers at the Justice Department working on this immediately (not waiting until Monday morning), researching all applicable law. (Likewise, Governor Jeb Bush should be taking similar action at the state level.)

I'm not claiming this is the only solution. Others probably have other ideas. Let's think 'out of the box' and put the best ideas into action!

Travesty
After several days of intense legal and legislative wrangling, Terri Schindler-Schiavo's feeding tube has been removed, defying Congressional subpoenas to further investigate the case. I really don't no where to begin, there is no way to recount all the twists and turns, especially over the last couple of days.

A couple of things to remember:

-The Old Media are continuing to spew blatantly biased propaganda about Terri's case. The main point claimed by the Old media is that doctors overwhelmingly agree that Terri is in a so-called 'persistent vegetative state' with no hope of improvement. NOT TRUE. Numerous doctors, including highly qualified neurologists who examined her in person, have publicly testified to the contrary. Read Fr. Rob Johansen's detailed article on the lack of a complete medical evaluation of Terri's condition.

Once again, the lesson is, DON'T BELIEVE THE OLD MEDIA!. If you don't have time to investigate alternate sources of information about Terri's case, be skeptical of any judgments you are tempted to make based on Old Media spin.

-The fight is not over yet! Recall that Terri's tube was removed for a few days in 2001 and for six days in October 2003. Continue to PRAY and also watch for specific action alerts as legal and governmental efforts continue. Frequently updated sites include Terri's family's web site, ProLifeBlogs, Blogs for Terri and LifeNews.com.

A couple of notable quotes from history to remember as the fight for Terri continues:

"Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." (British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II)

"Failure is not an option!" (NASA's Apollo 13 Flight Director Gene Krantz)

Supporting the Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act
Here's the text of the letters I faxed to Senators Mikulski & Sarbanes and Rep. Van Hollen (substituting H. R. 1151 for S. 539 when writing to Rep. Van Hollen). Feel free to borrow this text when writing to your own senators and representative. For links to background on this bill to protect Terri Schiavo and other vulnerable disabled persons, click here.

I am writing to urge you to support and vote in favor of S. 539, the Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act. This bill will ensure that vulnerable disabled persons will have access to federal courts under the “Habeas Corpus” clause of the U.S. Constitution when their rights have not been sufficiently protected by state courts.

This issue takes on special urgency right now with the case of Terri Schindler-Schiavo in Florida, who is in danger of a cruel death by dehydration and starvation if justice is not provided quickly. The legislation is supported by many organizations concerned with human life and dignity including Not Dead Yet, Center on Self-Determination, Freedom Clearinghouse, Hospice Patients Alliance, Mouth Magazine, National Spinal Cord Injury Association, Society for Disability Studies and the World Association of Persons with Disabilities.

Once again, please vote for S. 539, the Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act. Thank you for your attention.

More on Mike Griffin's Vision and NASA
NASA Watch links to some key documents where Dr. Griffin describes his views on implementing space exploration, and also to reaction to his nomination from some of key players in the space community.

Dr. Griffin's technical and management experience has won his nomination strong support from the space community and his bold vision for space is apparent in his prepared statement at a 2003 House Science Committee hearing.

So, recognizing that others may differ, for me the single overarching goal of human space flight is the human settlement of the solar system, and eventually beyond. I can think of no lesser purpose sufficient to justify the difficulty of the enterprise, and no greater purpose is possible.

It's Michael Griffin...
...for NASA Administrator, according to the White House announcement this afternoon.

Mr. Griffin currently heads the Space Department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. If confirmed by the Senate, he likely will push boldly to implement President Bush's plans for exploration of the Solar System. He will also have the opportunity to reconsider the options for the future of the Hubble Space Telescope. It's not clear where Mr. Griffin will come down on this question.

Maryland Politics: Open Senate Seat
Senator Paul Sarbanes today announced that he will retire at the end of his term and not seek reelection next year.

Mr. Sarbanes' decision opens up next years Senate race in both parties. Of particular interest on the Republican side would be a possible run by Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. John J. Miller describes Mr. Steele's positions on life issues.

Catholicism explains two of the issues - abortion and the death penalty - on which Steele has disagreed publicly with Ehrlich. Whereas the governor is pro-choice, Steele is pro-life, even to the point of having qualms about rape and incest exceptions (which is the place where all principled pro-lifers find themselves, though most pro-life politicians have cut corners in order to make their commitments more palatable to voters). And whereas Ehrlich is a death-penalty proponent, Steele has announced grave concerns over its use.

Federal bill to aid Terri Schiavo and others introduced.
The bill is titled the Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act (H.R. 1151 in the House and S. 539 in the Senate), introduced by Rep. Dave Weldon and Senator Mel Martinez, both of Florida. More info on the bill here.

Now, every American can urge their own federal representative and senators to take action to protect Terri and other disabled persons.

The bill is strongly supported by disability rights advocates, according to LifeNews.com.

"The non-voluntary and involuntary starvation and dehydration of people with disabilities is a more prevalent problem than most people realize," the disabled rights group Not Dead Yet said in a joint statement with other organizations.

"The involvement and concern of disability groups in this issue may come as a surprise to many policymakers," the statement explained. "Unfortunately, the media has ignored the disability interests in what has been commonly and erroneously referred to as a 'right to die' issue."

Storming the Hill
Getting ready to participate Monday in this year's March Storm organized by ProSpace.

Legislative Fight for Terri Goes National
A bill to be introduced in Congress would authorize Terri Schiavo and other incapacitated persons to take their case to the federal courts. National Right to Life provides a Q & A background on the proposed federal legislation.

This development will enable concerned citizens around the nation to become more directly involved in the fight for Terri's life.

Meanwhile, continue to check ProLifeBlogs and Blogs for Terri for updates on this and the rapidly changing developments in Florida.

Chalk another accomplishment up for Steve Fossett-and for Burt Rutan
The GlobalFlyer completes solo round-the-world flight on Thursday.

People Everywhere Just Want to Be Free
So goes a popular song from the late sixties, and in the 21st Century the people are getting their way in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Ukraine and now Lebanon.

Michael Ledeen takes a big picture look at the movement for freedom.

Terri Spared for Three More Weeks
Another stay postponing the removal of Terri Schaivo's feeding tube until March 18 was issued today, allowing more time for her family and supporters to continue the legal battle to protect her. (The Terri's Fight web site has been so overwhelmed by supporters and the interested public it is currently down.)

There is so much going on in this case: the legal maneuvers, the grassroots movement, the struggle against the Old Media bias, etc. As I don't have time to cover it all, please follow the sites listed here in the Terri Schiavo Update post. Check the 'list of government and media contacts' for ways to take action and do continue to pray!

Two More Precious Days
Another stay, this time for at least forty-eight hours, is protecting Terri Schiavo from death by dehydration and starvation.

Also, Florida's Department of Children & Families is weighing in to investigate Terri's case. More details thanks to The Bandwagon, who concludes

See?! It is not too late for hope! Continue calling the Governor's office and writing letters and if you are in Florida, please get a hold of your local legislature and tell them you support Terri's right to live! Also if you would like to donate funds, go to BlogsforTerri. They are planning an advertisement to be placed in the St. Pete Times so they can let all those readers know the *truth* about Terri!

And above all else, P R A Y! Terri's family needs strength and peace to see them through these next few days...

Terri Schiavo Update
Terri Schiavo has received a reprieve of one day so far. After her parents appeal was turned down, a stay was issued to delay removal of hydration and feeding until tomorrow afternoon. The situation is still critical. Time for continued prayer and action. Here is a list of government and media contacts.

Developments are occurring more rapidly than I'm able to blog. Frequently updated sites include Terri's family's web site, ProLifeBlogs, Blogs for Terri and 'ThrownBack' (Fr. Rob Johansen).

The Vision Thing
Several recent articles on the web discuss how to approach space exploration in ways so that it realize its full potential to benefit the human future. Stephen Ashworth writes at the Space Review on how government exploration efforts and private enterprise space activity must work in tandem to maximize the benefit to each and to future generations (parts one and two).

Sam Dinkins looks at an incremental approach of lunar development to achieving the vision of space settlement developed in the 1970s by Professor Gerard O'Neill.

Finally, at Space.com, Jeff Liss also sees the Moon as key to developing future space exploration.