# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/161 "2005-03-24T16:16:20Z")
Just in case anyone is interested, there is a [excellent timeline with links to official documentation which is maintined by the University of Miami](http://www.miami.edu/ethics2/schiavo/timeline.htm). It contains all kinds of nifty stuff including a vast number of the actual court documents. Motions, amicus briefs, rulings, etc. Any lawyer dopers who are looking for primary source materials, here you go. Any non-lawyers, give this a look-over. It is pretty approachable and it helps get your head around the HUGE(15 year) back story of this case. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/162 "2005-03-24T16:16:48Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I’m wondering if this is really going to be the catalyst for the Republican Party - Sane Division to realize just what kind of dilemma they’re in, having hitched their wagon to the particular star belonging to what’s commonly known, in my mind, as the Republican Party - Complete and Total Loon Division. This is the rubber meeting the road, much more so than Massachusetts gay marriage. This is a situation that EVERYBODY could eventually face, not some constitutional abstraction that only affects less than 10% of the population. A lot of right-moderate folks are realizing that Terri’s position could very well be theirs, but for the grace of God, Allah, Brahman, Ahura Mazda, Yahweh, whatever, and giving serious thought to whether they ever want to be in her place. Nope, it’s going to be the catalyst for the end of America as we know it. The loon division of the Repub party won’t be getting the boot, they’ll take over to insure they get their way _each and every time_. Mark my words, this isn’t about people stepping back to reflect on the current direction of the country, this will be about about stacking as many judges in their favor as possible. This horrific incident has served only as an illumination to the loons that they must replace judges. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/163 "2005-03-24T16:18:03Z")
I might, _might_ agree with the OP. Except that 4/5 of Americans think the Republicans are dead wrong on this issue. Let me repeat that, because it’s so overwhelming I almost don’t believe it. The latest [url/[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/23/politics/main682619.shtml](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/23/politics/main682619.shtml)]CBS News poll shows 82 PERCENT of Americans think government should stay the fuck out of the Schiavo case. 74% think the Republicans are only involved for political reasons, because they’re pandering to the religious wing of the party. Only 1 in 4 americans think Terri’s feeding tube should be re-inserted. People are watching this story, talking about it, and overwhelmingly everyone is deciding that they would not want to be alive in Terri’s situation, that Michael is right to let his wife die, and that they would pull the plug if they were Michael. If the Dems had any balls, they’d jump on this issue and say that it is obvious Terri’s rights and wishes have been respected, and she should be allowed to die-- and that in order to prevent similar situations in the future, the Dems will put up examples of what a living will should include on their website, or you can call your local Dem office and someone will mail you a pamphlet indicating what you need to do to make sure your wishes are respected should you end up in a similar situation. But that party doesn’t have any balls. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/164 "2005-03-24T16:25:13Z")
> [@](#): > > But really gobear, this isn’t anything that you haven’t heard and been pitted for about 354 times, and still no change in your behavior. There is absolutely no reason to go into it again. You made an issue out of my comment, not me. The only problem with my “behavior” is that I am the only person here who has the balls to point out the inherent flaws in the magical thinking that religion causes. And if you think I’m mean to the poor li’l theists, read George Carlin or James Randi–they’ll make your head spin. By comparison I’m sweeter than a stolen kiss. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/165 "2005-03-24T16:31:35Z")
But to salve tender sensibilities I won’t be mean in this thread any more ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/166 "2005-03-24T16:36:42Z")
**Barbarian** , it’s also possible that they are actually trying to act with some dignity here instead of contributing to the sea of fury. And while Terri remains alive, that may actually work. They can say later that they were not the ones who tried to bend the law to their will and that they believed in the Constitutional framework and the right of an individual to choose. But increasing the bitterness right now might not do very much for them. I think the prevailing wisdom is that when the other guy is shooting himself in the foot, you let it happen and don’t get involved right away. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/167 "2005-03-24T16:55:38Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Calling Bush on his hypocrisy of signing a Texas law that allows the fucking hospital to stop a feeding tube if the patient can’t pay anymore and his signing of the Schiavo bill … Fine. Now I dislike Bush with a fiery passion. I think his signing of the Schiavo bill is blatant pandering and hypocritical. However, I think the claims that the Texas bill allows hospitals to pull the plug because someone can’t pay is wrong and unnecessarily inflammatory. It does allow hospitals to pull the plug over the wishes of a patient or legal guardian if it is medically determined to be futile and they are given time to find a facility willing to take over treatment. [I’ve read the bill](http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=76&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=01260&VERSION=5&TYPE=B) and it seems to me to be ethically sound. I believe withdrawing support for merely financial reasons would not be considered ethical and would subject the hosipital and doctors involved to civil, and possibly criminal, action. The relevant part is > [@](#): > > 28-12 Sec. 166.046. PROCEDURE IF NOT EFFECTUATING A DIRECTIVE. > 28-13 (a) If an attending physician refuses to honor a patient’s advance > 28-14 directive or a treatment decision under Section 166.039, the > 28-15 physician’s refusal shall be reviewed by an ethics or medical > 28-16 committee. The attending physician may not be a member of that > 28-17 committee. The patient shall be given life-sustaining treatment > 28-18 during the review. > 28-19 (b) The patient or the person responsible for the health > 28-20 care decisions of the individual who has made the decision > 28-21 regarding the directive or treatment decision: > 28-22 (1) shall be informed of the committee review process > 28-23 not less than 48 hours before the meeting called to discuss the > 28-24 patient’s directive, unless the time period is waived by mutual > 28-25 agreement; and > 28-26 (2) is entitled to: > 29-1 (A) attend the meeting; and > 29-2 (B) receive a written explanation of the > 29-3 decision reached during the review process. > 29-4 (c) The written explanation required by Subsection (b)(2)(B) > 29-5 must be included in the patient’s medical record. > 29-6 (d) If the attending physician, the patient, or the person > 29-7 responsible for the health care decisions of the individual does > 29-8 not agree with the decision reached during the review process under > 29-9 Subsection (b), the physician shall make a reasonable effort to > 29-10 transfer the patient to a physician who is willing to comply with > 29-11 the directive. If the patient is a patient in a health care > 29-12 facility, the facility’s personnel shall assist the physician in > 29-13 arranging the patient’s transfer to: > 29-14 (1) another physician; > 29-15 (2) an alternative care setting within that facility; > 29-16 or > 29-17 (3) another facility. > 29-18 (e) If the patient is requesting life-sustaining treatment > 29-19 that the attending physician and the review process have decided is > 29-20 inappropriate treatment, the patient shall be given available > 29-21 life-sustaining treatment pending transfer under Subsection (d). > 29-22 The patient is responsible for any costs incurred in transferring > 29-23 the patient to another facility. The physician and the health care > 29-24 facility are not obligated to provide life-sustaining treatment > 29-25 after the 10th day after the written decision required under > 29-26 Subsection (b) is provided to the patient or the person responsible > 30-1 for the health care decisions of the patient unless ordered to do > 30-2 so under Subsection (g). > 30-3 (f) Life-sustaining treatment under this section may not be > 30-4 entered in the patient’s medical record as medically unnecessary > 30-5 treatment until the time period provided under Subsection (e) has > 30-6 expired. > 30-7 (g) At the request of the patient or the person responsible > 30-8 for the health care decisions of the patient, the appropriate > 30-9 district or county court shall extend the time period provided > 30-10 under Subsection (e) only if the court finds, by a preponderance of > 30-11 the evidence, that there is a reasonable expectation that a > 30-12 physician or health care facility that will honor the patient’s > 30-13 directive will be found if the time extension is granted. > 30-14 (h) This section may not be construed to impose an > 30-15 obligation on a facility or a home and community support services > 30-16 agency licensed under Chapter 142 or similar organization that is > 30-17 beyond the scope of the services or resources of the facility or > 30-18 agency. This section does not apply to hospice services provided > 30-19 by a home and community support services agency licensed under > 30-20 Chapter 142. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/168 "2005-03-24T17:01:11Z")
**Barbarian** , is that the same CBS poll I linked to last night? It’s also important to note that the poll oversampled Republicans relative to Democrats by a nearly two to one margin. ---
**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, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/169 "2005-03-24T17:02:43Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > It does allow hospitals to pull the plug over the wishes of a patient or legal guardian if it is medically determined to be futile and they are given time to find a facility willing to take over treatment. So let me understand; the hospital may invoke this law if the patient’s family can’t pay their bill, but they are given time to find a different hospital who, with any luck, doesn’t mind not being paid? This makes it OK? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/170 "2005-03-24T17:08:20Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > In GD I’ve called it “Argument by Attrition”. My favorite example is an old _Knights of the Dinner Table_ story in which the party is faced with a demon who could flatten them all without breaking a sweat. Brian (the rules-lawyer of the group) announced that he’s throwning a handful of pebbled at the demon and insists on rolls to see if the demon is distracted, is injured, loses his balance, etc, leading to the punch line “Did you roll for **each** pebble?” ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/171 "2005-03-24T17:11:19Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > Jeb scrounged up an obscure doctor with an admitted agenda, and even then Chesire’s intellectual honesty kills the case. Well, that’s his problem. Jeb turning for help to someone with any intellectual honesty is like Superman turning for help to someone with a pocket full of kryptonite. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/172 "2005-03-24T17:19:42Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > Now I dislike Bush with a fiery passion. I think his signing of the Schiavo bill is blatant pandering and hypocritical. However, I think the claims that the Texas bill allows hospitals to pull the plug because someone can’t pay is wrong and unnecessarily inflammatory. You are, of course, correct. The bill does allow for a hospital to remove feeding tubes against the wishes of the next of kin. I was wrong to intimate that the lack of payment would be the deciding factor in that determination. And, from my brief reading, I would probably support the bill myself. My post you quoted was, obviously, meant to be inflammatory. It was to emphasize the massive degree to which Bush is a hypocritical bastard. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/173 "2005-03-24T17:19:55Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > So let me understand; the hospital may invoke this law if the patient’s family can’t pay their bill, but they are given time to find a different hospital who, with any luck, doesn’t mind not being paid? This makes it OK? No. They must find that the treatment is **medically futile or inappropriate**. Withdrawal of treatment for inability to pay is considered unethical and would probably lead to censure by the state medical board and open the hospital and doctors to civil and criminal charges. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Cooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@Agent\_Cooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Cooper)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/174 "2005-03-24T17:22:15Z")
If it is even remembered at all come elections, it will be… “Wow! Can you believe those liberal activist judges murdered that lady?! We should give more power to Dear Leader to stop our courts from committing such crimes against Our Gawd!” ---
**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, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/175 "2005-03-24T17:30:29Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > **Zoe** , while you may share a personally pleasant relationship with **Starving Artist** , I do not. My reaction to a sentiment like this (which involves both complete falsehood and character assassination) is that only a complete fucking tool would post it. :: yawn :: ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/176 "2005-03-24T17:36:02Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > You’ve probably been decieved by that video clip so ubiquitous, that seems to show her responding, grunting, trying to communicate, recognizing faces and responding to love. What you don’t see is the rest of the story, which is that persons afflicted as she was frequently do just that even when there is no one in the room to respond _to_, its just a very complex sort of reflex. Facial recognition is not an intellectual activity, there are people with certain brain injuries who cannot recognize faces _at all_, but are pretty much normal in every other regard. I’m sure this is covered somewhere in the 12,456 (at last count) threads on this Board, but this is the only one I’ve actually opened up (so don’t go calling me any names in 64-point font). **luci** (or whoever wants to take up the gauntlet), do you have a cite for this? I ask not in a confrontational manner, but more in a scientific, “How intriguing” fashion. Has anybody ever recorded a person in a Persistent Vegitative State when people were NOT around? Is there footage of this online somewhere? Clinically speaking, devoid of any sort of emotion, the incredible number of shades of gray between “alive” and “dead” are incredibly fascinating. I for one would like to learn more. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/177 "2005-03-24T17:39:11Z")
> [@Steve MB](#): > > My favorite example is an old _Knights of the Dinner Table_ story in which the party is faced with a demon who could flatten them all without breaking a sweat. Brian (the rules-lawyer of the group) announced that he’s throwning a handful of pebbled at the demon and insists on rolls to see if the demon is distracted, is injured, loses his balance, etc, leading to the punch line “Did you roll for **each** pebble?” If Brian was ever in a game of mine I would have thrown his ass out so fast it’d violate Einstein (not in that way!). Dealing with fools like Abbie, though, you have to wonder if people who keep trying are making the situation better (smacking her ignorant ass down on an hourly basis) or worse (for not ignoring her for a near-troll). -Joe ---
**Author:** ![quixotic78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ab097/32.png) [@quixotic78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quixotic78)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/178 "2005-03-24T17:39:19Z")
Doh, I forgot to ask: I’ve seen in a couple places claims from a nurse that Ms. Schiavo can say, “Hi Mommy” or whatever. What’s the scoop on such claims? I suspect that it’s similar to a scene in _The Simpsons_ when Maggie burps and Homer exclaims, “Did you hear that?? She said burlap!” But I’d like to know for sure. And feel free for taking me to task for not looking for the answer in the plethora of threads. I can take it 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/179 "2005-03-24T17:55:30Z")
> [@quixotic78](#): > > Doh, I forgot to ask: I’ve seen in a couple places claims from a nurse that Ms. Schiavo can say, “Hi Mommy” or whatever. What’s the scoop on such claims? I suspect that it’s similar to a scene in _The Simpsons_ when Maggie burps and Homer exclaims, “Did you hear that?? She said burlap!” But I’d like to know for sure. > > And feel free for taking me to task for not looking for the answer in the plethora of threads. I can take it 😉 [Here’s a story about the nurse](http://mediamatters.org/items/200503230001). Oddly enough, the Judge read her affidavit and stated: > [@](#): > > The remaining affidavits deal exclusively with events which allegedly occurred in the 1995-1997 time frame. The court feels constrained to discuss them. **They are incredible to say the least.** Ms. Iyer details what amounts to a 15-month cover-up which would include the staff of Palm Garden of Lago Convalescent Center, the Guardian of the Person, the Guardian ad Litem, the medical professionals, the police and, believe it or not, Mr. and Mrs. Schindler. Her affidavit clearly states that she would “call them (Mr. and Mrs. Schindler) anyway because I thought they should know about their daughter.” The affidavit of Ms. Law speaks of Terri responding on a constant basis. Neither in the testimony nor in the medical records is there support for these affidavits as they purport to detail activities and responses of Terri Schiavo. It is impossible to believe that Mr. and Mrs. Schindler would not have subpoenaed Ms. Iyer for the January 2000 evidentiary hearing had she contacted them as her affidavit alleges. My emphasis added. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904/180 "2005-03-24T17:56:28Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > So let me understand; the hospital may invoke this law if the patient’s family can’t pay their bill, but they are given time to find a different hospital who, with any luck, doesn’t mind not being paid? This makes it OK? Not quite. Firstly the care has to be determined to be futile. That decision is automatically reviewed by a board, on which the original doctor can not sit. If the board agrees the care is futile then they provide a document to this effect to the responsible party. A ten day clock starts at this point. They can either continue care or transfer the patient to another physician or facility. If another facility can not be found in this timeframe, but maybe with some more looking, then the responsible party(next of kin for the patient generally) can appeal for an extension of the timeframe. Once the time runs out the doctor/facility may choose to cease to provide futile care. Nothing in the bill mentions cost of care. All it does is allow doctors to be able to refuse to administer care which has been deemed futile and that analysis has been backed up by an automatic review by a seperate medical/ethics board. In general the law states that doctors and facilities must do anything in their power to keep people alive regardless of their ability to pay. Also, in general, doctors and facilities don’t mind keeping people on ventilators and life support as long as there is capacity and funding. So about the only place where futile care runs afoul of the prohibition on refusing care is when there is no money to pay for the care. Then the law generally forces doctors and facilities to provide the care anyway and this bill gives a small out in the specific case of futile care. Futile care, by the way, is defined as care being given to terminal patients with no hope of recovery. Terri Schiavo is not terminal. Persistent Vegatitive State is not considered a terminal condition. Chronic, yes, but not terminal. She could live in PVS for 30-40 years and eventually die of natural causes. Enjoy, Steven [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-the-schiavo-case-will-backfire-on-republicans-youre-a-fool/295904.md?page=10)