By a vote of Congress and the signature of the president, Terri Schiavo's case has been moved from Florida courts - where the judicial system signed her death warrant - to the federal courts.
A clash of cultural and legal forces has threatened to overwhelm the particulars of the case of a woman in a "persistent vegetative state."
Ms. Schiavo's husband, who has moved on to another woman and has two children with her, says Terri expressed to him and others before her heart stopped 15 years ago the desire not to live as she does. Her parents say they will take care of her; why can't Michael let go of his commitment to her deathâ¢
The case took another turn this morning as U.S. District Judge James Whittemore refused to order the reinsertion of Terri's feeding tube.
As the clock tolls and Terri starves, the questions multiply:
n Is Terri's Law constitutional in its retroactivity and particularity to her case⢠Has Florida denied Terri her right to life⢠Has Congress usurped a judicial prerogativeâ¢
n Is Terri alive in any meaningful sense⢠Does prolonging her life prolong useless suffering⢠Is taking away the simple provision of food and water something any government may ever orderâ¢
These questions do demand answers -- finally, when the brightest of lights shine upon them.
What those answers will be, we do not know. We hope the federal court restores her feeding tube. Then, perhaps, an ordered and rational debate on Terri and the larger issues may begin.
