|
Letter to the Editor
Supreme Court Sends Jeb Bush Packing
in Schiavo Case!
January 25, 2005
Today, Final Exit Network issued
the following Letter to the Editor 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.
Earl Wettstein
President
Supreme Court Sends Jeb Bush Packing
in Schiavo Case!
January 25, 2005
To the Editor:
Final Exit Network applauds the US Supreme Court
for ruling against Florida Governor Jeb Bush's appeal to defend
"Terri's Law," a flagrant attempt to subvert numerous
court decisions that ruled in favor of withdrawing Ms. Schiavo's
life support. The Florida Supreme Court unanimously pronounced
"Terri's Law" was unconstitutional - a violation
of the separation of powers. This latest appeal was a transparent
delaying tactic to subvert Ms. Schiavo's right to a peaceful,
dignified death.
This isn't a decision about whether or not to
withdraw life support. This decision unequivocally confirms
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.
This battle has imposed terrible suffering on
Ms. Schiavo and all those who love her. We have great empathy
for the anguish that Ms. Schiavo's parents and her husband
have endured during this protracted struggle. Using Ms. Schiavo
as a pawn in a moralistic crusade has been a terrible injustice
to all involved.
Soon the Supreme Court will decide in another
case in the relentless assault on the last human right. Former
Attorney General John Ashcroft attempted an end-run around
the constitution by announcing plans to sic DEA agents on
doctors who are legally prescribing under Oregon's 1998 physician-aid-in-dying
law. After losing in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Ashcroft
appealed 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. 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.
"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
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:
-
To serve people who are suffering
intolerably from an incurable physical condition which
has become more than they can bear;
-
To foster research to find new peaceful
and reliable ways to self-deliver;
-
To promote the use of advance directives
with durable power of attorney for health care; and
-
To advocate for individuals when
their advance directives are not being honored.
|
