What Next?

Not satisfied with the ruling of Federal District Court judge in Tampa, James D. Whittemore, the parents of Terri Shiavo have appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta to intervene on their daughter’s behalf. After congress passed extraordinary legislation to have the federal court review the case, the decision by Judge Whittemore was not the one the “right-to-life” movement had hoped for. In a thirteen-page ruling he stated that the Schindlers (Shiavo’s parents) had not established a "substantial likelihood of success" on the merits of their arguments if a new trial were held in federal court. He also said that Ms. Schiavo's "life and liberty interests" had been adequately protected by the Florida courts, and that despite "these difficult and time-strained circumstances," his court was obliged "to apply the law to the issue before it" and deny the parents' request to restore nutrition and hydration to their daughter.

Now the appeals court has denied their motion this morning. Of course, the Supreme Court is the next logical step, by they have declined to hear the case three times in the past. What next? The United Nations security council? Perhaps Bush and company can put together another “coalition of the willing” to trample over the rights of the people of Florida.

Meanwhile, Republican strategists are growing concerned that negative public opinion polls may indicate congressional Republicans made a costly political blunder. Oh really?