# If you think the Schiavo case will "backfire" on Republicans, you're a fool **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 23, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904 "2005-03-23T17:01:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/61 "2005-03-23T20:37:07Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Then you must not know how to read or something, because you would have to be deaf and blind to miss the blaring point that this whole legal battle has been about determining her intentions. Well, we _are_ talking about **Starving Artist** here… As for the OP, I must depressingly agree – the people most likely to support the GOP are too dense to let something like this sway their vote. If a bungled war on nonexistent WMD that’s eating up the budget won’t do it, neither will this. And for those who are interested, it looks like this whole case [is about money](http://www.sptimes.com/2003/11/23/Tampabay/Schiavo_clash_is_root.shtml) after all. > [@](#): > > The Schindlers told lawyers they thought their son-in-law would share his $300,000 with them. Through the years, they said, they helped him financially. The Schindlers said they were owed more than $10,000. …Schiavo denied making such promises. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/62 "2005-03-23T20:44:17Z")
Now rjung, I don’t think that’s fair. I’ve read the GAL report, and I believe the testimony that both sides of this case are sincere in their desire to either keep her alive or let her die, not motivated by devious purposes (though perhaps sharpened by mutal emnity). But goodness, is EVERYONE going to agree with me? What good is a pile-on pit of agreement? Can’t we at least get Bricker or Sam Stone in here to nyah nyah their agreement and the continued rise to dominance of their party? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/63 "2005-03-23T20:48:18Z")
I’ve seen Republicans say we have judges overruling the wishes of the majority in this case. (Because, of course, a judge’s job is to let the majority do what it wants. :smack:) That does indicate to me that they either don’t know what’s going on, or are intentionally making statements perpendicular to reality. In any case the Democrats do need to start making some noise in opposition. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/64 "2005-03-23T22:04:17Z")
I wish a reporter would ask if judges should rule against the constitution if the mob wants them to, and watch them squirm. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/65 "2005-03-23T22:08:02Z")
The lengths that policitians are going to in this case is just amazing. I cannot BELIEVE that they are spending so much time and energy on one person who is pretty much dead, but don’t give a SHIT to those who are suffering every day because of lack of basic necessities. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/66 "2005-03-23T22:42:28Z")
Perhaps so, wouldn’t be the first time I was a fool, not likely to be the last… But on the gripping hand… Yes, it does play right to the hard-fundy base that GeeDubyaCo is trying to hold on to. Which at least somewhat implies they aren’t so sure of their grip any more. They have made a lot of political capital off these people making extravagant promises to return America to the Ozzie 'n Harriet golden age, but haven’t _really_ delivered much. Numero Two-o, Tom DeLay. My many admirers will both recall how I’ve pointed him out as the canary in the shit mine. If he bites it, and he very well may, it will be huge. He’s thrown himself headlong into this turd souffle, expecting to reap rewards. If he can’t pull it off, the circling congresscritters will smell blood in the water. And will turn upon, and rend asunder. A gleeful prospect, to be sure. And then there’s the price: you may have noticed some of our more intelligent and honest Pubbies are getting a bit green around the gills. Sure, they wanted to win, but didn’t realize they would have to publicly fellate the Fundy Right after the election was safely tucked away. The Mammonites care about entrepreneurship and a healthy business climate, the issue for them isn’t whether or not gay people are good citizens, are they good customers? So, no, not expecting backlash. More interested in erosion. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/67 "2005-03-23T23:01:45Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > The irony of couse is that if only she were a murderer, the left would be moving mountains to keep her alive and claiming the situation was in reality a back-door death penalty. The irony is that in another thread you talk about a left wing media bias and in this thread you support the idea that the “republican media machine” has encapsulated the minds of Americans on this issue. Nice way to defeat your own arguments. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/68 "2005-03-23T23:05:52Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > The Mammonites care about entrepreneurship and a healthy business climate, the issue for them isn’t whether or not gay people are good citizens, are they good customers? That’s something that has bothered me ever since the Christian Right and the Republicans started getting cozy so many years ago (roughly the same time the GOP kissed guys like be goodbye). I’m a good left-leaning capitalist and I want to know what’s in it for ME if people start stomping all over my customers. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/69 "2005-03-23T23:22:42Z")
Again, I don’t think you get the point of this thread. You/myself are all FOOLS. You/I obviously all still think that repeating facts or snark about an inability to understand the facts is relevant to anything. It isn’t. You’ve/We’ve already been outmanuevered. GG! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/70 "2005-03-23T23:28:25Z")
**Apos** , your point is clear. That doesn’t make it right. I agree with **Neurotik**. You’ve overthought this and if you look foolish, that’s the reason. Not being outmaneuvered. For a change, you’re giving these people too much credit. Their actions have not been subtle and clever. They strongarmed their way into this case, and their actions have been clumsy and stonefooted. I think the possibility exists that this will be that time when the Religious Right goes too far for everybody and starts doing damage to itself, and I’ll hope that’s what happens. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/71 "2005-03-23T23:34:45Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > I wish a reporter would ask if judges should rule against the constitution if the mob wants them to, and watch them squirm. But it’s not about the mob here, the judges’ decision is actually consistent with public opinion polls. What it defies is the will of the _elected representatives_ of the people (i.e. Congress and President). ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/72 "2005-03-23T23:39:43Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > But it’s not about the mob here, the judges’ decision is actually consistent with public opinion polls. What it defies is the will of the _elected representatives_ of the people (i.e. Congress and President). Whom do you **think** I meant by “the mob”? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/73 "2005-03-23T23:51:00Z")
The Sopranos? ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/74 "2005-03-24T00:00:53Z")
> [@](#): > > For a change, you’re giving these people too much credit. Excellent: I’m wrong, because Republicans are morons that hence don’t understand politics. I mean, it’s not like they engineered a several decades long campaign to regain their status as the dominant political force in this country, or anything! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/75 "2005-03-24T00:06:19Z")
A few words from Rep. Tom “The Hummer” DeLay, (R, Undead)… > [@](#): > > One thing that God has brought to us is Terri Schiavo, to help elevate the visibility of what is going on in America," Mr. DeLay told a conference organized by the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group. A recording of the event was provided by the advocacy organization Americans United for Separation of Church and State. > “This is exactly the issue that is going on in America, of attacks against the conservative movement, against me and against many others,” Mr. DeLay said. > > Mr. DeLay complained that “the other side” had figured out how “to defeat the conservative movement,” by waging personal attacks, linking with liberal organizations and persuading the national news media to report the story. He charged that “the whole syndicate” was “a huge nationwide concerted effort to destroy everything we believe in.” [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/22/politics/22cong.html](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/22/politics/22cong.html)? ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/76 "2005-03-24T00:23:52Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > Whaddya want from me, blood? (Don’t answer that!) FYI, I don’t normally make a habit of laboriously researching every possible angle to every post I respond to, and furthermore I have no intention of doing so. If, on occasion, that means I’m in error and have to eat crow, well, I have a pretty good grill out back and I can hack it. > > Furthermore, I would be willing to bet any amount of money you would care to name that you’ve done the same, if not here then elsewhere. > > So get down off your high horse, missy! It gets you nowhere. I know crow is a tough meat, but you eat it as gracefully as it could be done. Gracious in victory, magnanimous in defeat. That’s our **Starving Artist**. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/77 "2005-03-24T00:29:49Z")
I just watched Pat Buchanan get his head handed to him on Hardball with Chris Matthews. Buchanan was reduced to advocating that the President should take Terri into protective custody by executive order, whether it is supported by the Constitution or not. We are witnessing the implosion of the rabid right wing of the Republican Party, and the GOP will be better off after they self-destruct on America’s TV screens over this issue. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/78 "2005-03-24T00:32:23Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > That’s our **Starving Artist**. \ Announcer: Tonight’s episode of _Leave it to Starving Artist_ was brought to you by Armana Ice Boxes. Armana! The last name in boxes for your ice! ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/79 "2005-03-24T00:34:38Z")
Thank you, **Excalibre**. I appreciate that very much. (Care for a bite? I have some excellent BBQ sauce here.) ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/80 "2005-03-24T00:37:17Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > [this one.](http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20050321202109990007) > > " The federal law President Bush signed to prolong Terri Schiavo’s life in Florida appears to conflict with a Texas law he signed as governor, attorneys familiar with the legislation said Monday. > > The 1999 Advance Directives Act in Texas allows for a patient’s surrogate to make end-of-life decisions and spells out how to proceed if a hospital or other health provider disagrees with a decision to maintain or halt life-sustaining treatment." Thanks **aldiboronti**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904.md?page=5)