Liberal Talk Radio

Freshman Rep. Dave Reichert, representing Seattle’s Eastside, voted “No” on the Schiavo law. He was one of only five Republicans to do so.

I don’t want to dwell too much on this issue, because I think it’s absurd that it’s gotten to this. I basically agree with Dahlia Lithwick, even though I appreciate the argument that Michael Schiavo is not a saint. But allow me to get out a few thoughts.

The ridiculous line of logic being put out by the GOP is getting more intellectually dishonest by the second. In the Senate this weekend, “Dr.” Bill Frist said that, after reviewing the videotapes of Ms. Schiavo, he didn’t believe that she was in a vegetative state. Just plain old didn’t believe it. It’s irresponsible for a doctor to make an off-the-cuff diagnosis like that, and Dr. Frist should have his license revoked for such stupidity.

Then, on Hannity and Colmes tonight, at least according to the commercial, they had an hour completely dedicated to the case, including “the story of a woman who woke up from a coma!” Never mind the fact that Terry Schiavo isn’t in a coma. People in a coma have their cerebral cortex. Ms Schiavo, tragically, does not. But the general association between a woman waking from a coma and this case is enough to fire up the morons who watch H&C.

The main issue, however, is the awful precedent this sets. I don’t care how many provisions they put in the bill to ensure that it wouldn’t extend beyond this case. The precedents go beyond the bill itself. Look at what happened when Congress created the Victims Compensation Fund after 9/11. It was a mess. Families of victims of the 1993 WTC bombing are wondering, “what about us?” As are families of the Oklahoma City bombing.

When congress blatantly overreaches and acts out of emotion instead of reason and precedent, unexpected things happen, and they’re rarely good. The system of checks and balances can always be overridden if our leaders are determined to steamroll them. The Executive Order is a good example.

The Constitution has lasted so long becuase it’s based on a simple set of logical precepts that hold up over time. The more we muck with it, the more untenable it becomes. Pretty soon, you end up with stairs that lead nowhere, and you’re a crazy old lady.