I don't think so. Up until the past few days, I've been very ambivalent about the Schiavo case. Mostly, I've been trying to ignore it, other than to the extent that it impacts on my professional life, being as that tends to involve consulting with clients on things like wills, trusts and advance medical directives (a/k/a living wills).
Business perks up when right-to-die cases hit the headlines.
But for purposes of this blog, what strikes me is the probably unanticipated political ramifications of the last few days' events. A prominent and well-respected Philadelphia lawyer makes this comment on an estate planning listserve:
Some thoughts re: Schiavo aftershocks:
1. The thousands of clients I have written living wills for are terrified
that the government won't let them die with dignity now.
2. Those same clients are wondering why the government won't fund stem
cell research that may help them lead healthier and longer lives.
3. The same administration that tries to convince us that it is for
states' rights and original intent continues its onslaught on personal and states'
rights.
4. The people finally wake up and kick these buggers out of office.
5. The Bushes have finally been exposed as "wearing no clothes."
I can't disagree with any of it except #5 but, OTOH, in light of #s 1-4, #5 could be harder to dispute.
It's just possible that in one fell stroke the Bush administration has evaporated a good chunk of whatever political capital it's built up over the past three and a half years with everyone other than the wacko extremist "religious right." Wouldn't that be a hoot? All because the parents of a virtually brain-dead woman in Florida want to keep her alive as a vegetable, the pendulum swings and the virtually brain-dead idiotarian left returns to power and renders the entire nation helpless in the face of the terrorist threat?
Way to go, Mr. DeLay. Right on, Mr. Reid. Kudos, Mr. President. This will be your legacy. Hope you're proud.
Then again, there's hope that Judge Whittemore will quickly reach the obvious conclusion that this case is over. And then maybe people will forget that most of the U.S. Congress forgot its oath of office this morning.
