Supreme Court Sends Jeb Bush
Packing in Schiavo Case!
Press Release
Marietta, GA - January 25,
2005
"Until laws protect the
right of every adult to a peaceful, dignified death, Final
Exit Network will be there to support those who need relief
from their suffering today!"
Derek Humphry, founder of the Hemlock Society, Final Exit
Network Advisory Board
Editor's Note:
Today, Final Exit Network issued the following Press Release
in response to yesterday's Supreme Court decision to NOT
hear Florida Governor Jeb Bush's appeal to reinstate "Teri's
Law" in the protracted struggle over whether to withdraw
life support in the tragic case of Teri Schiavo.
We encourage all readers to submit the
press release and letter to the editor to their local papers.
Press Release
Unconstitutional Effort to Override
Prior Court Rulings
Final Exit Network applauds
the US Supreme Court for ruling against Florida Governor
Jeb Bush's last-ditch appeal to defend "Terri's Law,"
itself a blatant attempt to subvert numerous court decisions
that ruled in favor of withdrawing Ms. Schiavo's life support.
Last September the Florida Supreme Court issued a unanimous
ruling declaring this was an unconstitutional effort to
override prior court rulings - a clear violation of the
separation of powers. This latest appeal was a transparent
delaying tactic by the Florida Bush administration to subvert
Ms. Schiavo's court-determined right to a peaceful, dignified
death.
It's Wrong for Government to Trample
the Rights of Individuals
"This isn't a decision about whether or not to withdraw
life support," said Earl Wettstein, President of Final
Exit Network. "That decision was made, again and again,
long ago. This decision unequivocally reinforces that it's
wrong for government to trample the rights of individuals
and arbitrarily impose its version of morality on others
by violating its own rules," Wettstein adds.
"This seemingly never-ending battle has certainly imposed
terrible suffering on Ms. Schiavo and all those who love
her," said Wettstein. "We have great empathy for
the anguish that Ms. Schiavo's parents and her husband have
endured during this protracted struggle. The Florida Bush
administration's efforts to use Ms. Schiavo as a pawn in
a moralistic crusade have been a terrible injustice to all
involved," stated Wettstein.
Make Your Final Wishes Known
Final Exit Network encourages everyone to make his or her
final wishes known. Ms. Schiavo's case is a profound demonstration
of the importance of preparing an Advance Directive (living
will) and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
Appeal to the Supreme Court: Uphold
Oregon's 1998 Physician-Aid-in-Dying Law
Soon the Supreme Court will hear another case in the relentless
assault on the last human right. Justices may rule next
month whether to entertain a Bush administration challenge
to Oregon's 1998 physician-aid-in-dying law. Former Attorney
General John Ashcroft launched another end-run around the
law by announcing his plans to use DEA agents to intimidate
and criminally charge doctors who are legally prescribing
under the Oregon law. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
sent Ashcroft packing, so as one of his last acts in office,
Ashcroft set the wheels in motion for an appeal to the US
Supreme Court.
"We, too, appeal to the Supreme
Court to sustain lower court rulings and uphold states'
rights to regulate medical practice," Wettstein said.
He adds, "Once and for all, please put an end to the
Bush administration's crusade to impose its narrow moral
view on the citizens of the United States."
Final Exit Network
Live Well ~ Leave Well
Final Exit Network is a
new, national, nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt corporation,
based in Marietta, GA, dedicated to serving people who are
suffering intolerably from an incurable condition.
Goals:
