On the death of Terri Schiavo

By Paul Rasavage

Dear President Bush,

As a lifelong Republican and staunch supporter of you and your policies, I feel compelled to write to you today, during this Easter season of life and liberty from sin and death, where we all come together to experience the transcendent joy which traditionally marks the anniversary of our Lord Jesus Christ's passion, death and resurrection.

However, with great sadness and in stark contrast to the joyous atmosphere which traditionally permeates the collective soul of our nation in springtime, here today we stand together instead to watch one of our own, Terri Schiavo, starve to death at the very hands of the people who claim to be her fellow Americans, indeed, those same individuals who swore oaths to be her protectors and defenders.

With this incrimination, we implicate all three branches of our government, for all three are equally to blame for her death. Murderers on the one hand, cowards on the other.

But the one who shares the most blame is the person who yields the most power and authority to promote, protect and defend, yet chose not to exercise it on her behalf.

I am speaking specifically of you, Mr. President.

By your overt lack of effort, you have disappointed your faithful constituency to an indescribable, immeasurable and now, unrecoverable extent.

You are just beginning to see the consequences of your failure being reflected in the polls. Your credibility, domestically and internationally, has been irreparably destroyed by your own hand.

Frankly, Mr. President, as a consequence of your tacit lack of action in assisting and protecting the innocent, the defenseless and the helpless, which you had full authority to do, you have forever branded yourself a coward.

You had all of our support. Our loyalty was boundless. Our hopes and expectations in your leadership were limitless — until now. Support, loyalty, hope, expectation — these now lie in shattered pieces on the ground. Do you realize what you have done? Can you comprehend the magnitude of destruction? How many more will follow Terri to the grave before God is ready to receive them now that the gates of hell have been unleashed?

You had the opportunity to become a truly great president. This opportunity rested in the palm of your hand. Yet, you chose to throw it away, for it was inseparably linked to the precious life of Terri Schiavo. Your greatness, along with the respect that we had for you, now lies in the grave with her.

History will not place your marble bust along side those of Washington and Lincoln, who heroically and by demonstrable faith led our nation through very dark and dangerous times into safety and prosperity to become "one nation under God." Such an honor is not befitting men in authority who betray oath, trust and loyalty as you and others have done.

No Mr. President, your bust will be placed next to that of Pontius Pilate where, like him, you, too, will be provided a marble wash basin to forever rest in front of your image.

Mr. President, history will record that at the moment of Terri Schiavo's death, you did not eliminate Saddam Hussein — you became him.

Paul Rasavage

© Paul Rasavage