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Florida Congressman Dave Weldon and Florida Senator Mel Martinez today introduced the Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act. The act is designed to be a final avenue of review in the federal courts for people who have been incapacitated for whatever reason and are unable to make their wishes know. It is meant to ensure that the incapacitated person's Constitutional rights to due process are preserved and provides for separate legal council for the person independent of any other interested or involved parties. . . . Weldon, an MD, said that this bill would afford the same protections to incapacitated persons that death row inmates are now afforded. The act would not apply in cases where there is a written legal directive. If this is bill is to be enacted in time, quick action is needed.
If there is anyone who needs independent legal protection, it's Terri Schindler Schiavo. Right now, her fate is in the hands of her "husband" who (just to review):
- Has been co-habiting with his fiancé for the past eight years and has two kids by her
- Has denied Terri physical therapy that could lead to her partial rehabilitation for the past 12 years.
- Has a significant monetary interest in seeing Terri dead.
- Has allegations of abuse against him that have yet to be fully investigated because, as Terri's guardian, he controls the bone scans done of Terri that show possible abuse. The state of Florida is asking that these be unsealed and that Terri's execution be stayed until they have had time to investigate the abuse allegations.
Despite the publicity, this case isn't exactly on the top of everyone's list of number one concerns. But this landmark pro-life case should be. Part of the apathy on the part of most folks has to do with a misunderstanding of Terri's condition. The prevailing wisdom is that she's a vegetable, go ahead and pull the plug. Most people don't know that:
- "The plug" is merely a feeding tube. Terri isn't on life support.\
- The only reason why the tube is in is because they are afraid Terri's swallow reflex isn't strong enough to swallow food. Otherwise, she could eat through the mouth and would be today if she were given the physical therapy her "guardian" has denied her.
- Not only is she not on life support, she's not in a persistent vegetative state either. She responds to people and music, follows objects with her eyes and smiles at the sight of friends and family. These are hardly "involuntary spasms" or whatever the pro-death crowd would like you to believe.
Anyone who has been reading my posts on the Terri Schiavo case is very clear on what my opinion on the matter is. If you share my opinion, there is something you can do now. Email or call your congressman or senator and urge them to support HR 1151 or S 539 -- The Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act. You can find contact information at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov Time is running out on this critical sanctity of life issue.
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Action Points:
- Write and/or call your senator. Ask him or her to vote for S 539 -- The Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act. Also tell him/her that you want this legislation fast-tracked and passed before March 18.
- Write and/or call your representative. Ask him or her to vote for HR 1151 -- The Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act. Also tell him/her that you want this legislation fast-tracked and passed before March 18.
- Write and/or call Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. (His phone number is 262-784-1111.) Tell him that you want this legislation fast-tracked and passed before March 18.
