« All But Over for Terri | Main | Reform at the UN - or Replacement? »
March 28, 2005
Overplaying our Hand
The situation with Terri Schaivo has reached the point where I believe that there are many on the "pro-life" side who are in serious danger of overplaying their hand. By this I mean squandering public sympathy by engaging in over-the-top behavior.
It was tricky enough when the President and Congress got involved. These situations are normally resolved by the family and the courts, and one can understand why some were uncomfortable when the case was taken to their level, however necessary it was.
But the actions of some of the protesters encamped around the hospital show have gone over-the top. From the San Francisco Chronical (hat tip Belmont Club)
For days, a life-size crucifix has been dominating the growing congregation of protesters outside the Woodside Hospice. Streaks of red paint symbolizing blood stained the points of the horizontal arms of the cross. On the top of the vertical arm, where a traditional Catholic crucifix bears the letters "I.N.R.I." -- for the Latin phrase "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" -- someone had substituted a sign that read "Terri Schiavo." ...You get the point.
The protesters are comparing Michael Schiavo to Judas, who betrayed Jesus to the Romans. "Betrayed by a kiss: Jesus, Terri," read one handmade poster, apparently alluding to the fact that her husband was the first man Terri Schiavo had ever kissed. "Judas = husband," read another.
Two other posters, hanging side by side from the orange plastic mesh fence that surrounded the protester pen, likened both President Bush and his brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea who allowed Christ to be crucified, citing their unwillingness to intervene more than they already have.
To be sure, most of those who want Terri to live are not like these protesters. But just as ANSWER definded the anti-war movement, these people are in danger of defining us. We must not allow that to happen.
People, we need to tone it down. If we overplay our hand this will come back to haunt us.
I'd write more but got a call and need to run into work early today.
Posted by Tom at March 28, 2005 9:31 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.theredhunter.com/mt/refer.cgi/306
