The Democrats' Painful Silence

Michael Medved -
The tragic dispute over Terri Schiavo reflects America's partisan divide. Nearly all Republicans want her to live, while no prominent Democrat has opposed starving her to death.This is perplexing because the core argument comes down to a battle between Terri's parents and her one-time husband, who has long since entered a relationship with another woman who has born him two children. Why should Democrats so universally give priority to a marriage-–especially one so visibly frayed--over unbreakable bonds between parent and child?The Democrats' desire to hasten Terri's death unfortunately has little to do with reverence for marriage, and everything to do with abortion politics. Anything that echoes right-to-life arguments, even vaguely, becomes anathema to a party dominated by pro-abortion activists.A prominent liberal--say Hillary Clinton--could show courage by speaking up for Terri's parents, but in the midst of a life-and-death struggle the Democratic silence remains complete and painful.