Bush Discusses Schiavo (3/31/05 11:31AM EST): "Today millions of Americans are saddened by the death of Terri Schiavo.... I urge all those who honor Terri Schiavo to continue to work to build a culture of life, where all Americans are welcomed and valued and protected, especially those who live at the mercy of others. The essence of civilization is that the strong have a duty to protect the weak. In cases where there are serious doubts and questions, the presumption should be in the favor of life."
We are all aware that there were no remaining serious doubts and questions about the Schiavo case from a legal perspective for quite some time, regardless of the Schindler's and the right's determination to press on in the courts.
However, Bush's comments above clearly highlight his hypocrisy on our duty to protect the weak. I will no longer allow my right-leaning friends to discuss the "culture of life" without my redefining that term to mean we must have universal heath care for all children and protection of full Social Security benefits for our elderly.