You've already no doubt read today's
blog entry by Ed Kilgore:
But as the legal case for the Schindlers fades with each adverse judicial ruling, and absent any real evidence of medical error (unless you believe the diagnosis made by Bill Frist, M.D. from a videotape of Terri Schiavo has any real standing), what remains is essentially a religious case. And that case has merged with the extra-constitutional claims of the more militant elements of the Right to Life movement, which have become conspicuously involved with the Schindlers.
Here's another
tip:
Gary McCullough, a media adviser to activist Randall Terry, says the Schiavo case grew from 10 pickets and a couple of TV cameras at her parents home to a national debate in 18 months because of careful "packaging." And the save-Terri forces made an early tactical decision to focus on Gov. Jeb Bush, who has been adamant in his support of reconnecting the stricken woman's feeding tube.
Google Gary McCullough, and you find him cited as adviser, press agent, family spokesman, or media coordinator for the Schindlers, and editor of the "Christian Wire Service".
Of course, Media Matters is on top of it, too:
MSNBC and Fox News both identified the group only as "Operation Save America." On MSNBC, correspondent Mark Potter reported that "Six members of a group called Operation Save America" were arrested for trespassing when they stepped onto the grounds of the Schiavo's hospice. Potter's report lasted about two minutes and provided no additional detail on the group's history. Fox News hosts consistently referred to the group as "Operation Save America" during more than 20 minutes of live protest coverage. Fox News' on-screen text displays noted that " 'Operation Save America' will try to bring water to Schiavo" and "'Operation Save America' attempts to bring Terri water" but offered no further detail on the group.
Now that the over-the-top actions of the Bros. Bush and the Congressional Rethugs have gotten everyone's attention, perhaps this would be a good time to do a bit of research, and let everybody know who has organized and funded the effort to hijack the case of this poor woman and turn it into a full-bore attack on the judiciary, while further shredding the constitution, in the service of letting the American Taliban take control of all our bodies through the power of the State.
This could turn out to be a good "teaching moment" to show the general public just how pernicious this unholy alliance of the sleazo-cons and theocrats really is, and what the real consequences can be for their lives.