Terri Schiavo’s death was pushed from the front page almost two weeks ago by the death of Pope John Paul II. By the time he was buried, Prince Charles was marrying Camilla . . . and so it went.
But in the grand scheme of things, the Schiavo story holds the most significance for Americans, left and right. Those who consider abortion to be a heinous act aligned themselves on the side of Schiavo’s parents, and we will hear from them again even though the daughter is gone.
I am frightened that the conservative right seems to be held hostage by religious fanatics, especially when our President is trying to reduce religious fanaticism in countries half way around the globe. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe in abortion, but I don’t believe in bombing the facilities of those who perform them or crassly demonstrating outside hospice facilities where one severely brain-damaged woman lay.
More than one acknowledged authority sided with Michael Schiavo in the various court appeals concerning his wife over the past couple years. Given that matters such as abortion, same sex marriage, and end-of-life issues have traditionally rested in the hands of the various fifty states, the matter should have rested there.
But Congress got involved. The Supreme Court got involved, at least to the point where it said it would not become involved. Everyone from Tom DeLay (quite possibly not a paragon of virtue) to Bill O’Reilly to the ACLU got involved. And, of course, Jesse.
As I said, I personally don’t believe in abortion; but I respect that others might have reached a different conclusion about the beginning of life. And I would prefer that the law of the land be as broad as possible. I certainly don’t want nine mortal men (even those who are women) to decide what I can and can’t do with my body. At the same time, if my religious beliefs are more rigid than the government’s, then perhaps I need to side with my faith while acknowledging that others do not. The same goes for end-of-life issues and all issues in-between.
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