Is anyone else disappointed in Harkin's siding with Reps on Schiavo?

[CoffeeCat]

I just watched part of CSPAN's coverage of the DeLay press conference, during which they were discussing the new bipartisan legislation regarding the Shiavo case.

I was stunned to see Harkin standing with DeLay and other Republicans who are inserting themselves into this personal, private health matter.

99 percent of the time, I adore Harkin. However, I am pretty miffed about this. The Republicans don't care about Schiavo. They're pandering to the religious wacko faction of the party.

It's bad enough that some Dems sided with Reps on this--but to see Harkin up there--towing the line for the Republicans--was really depressing.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. I'm very disappointed in him for this.

[CoffeeCat]

2. Glad I'm not the only one...

...when I see things like this, it makes me feel really down--like we're losing the entire battle.

Paul Wellstone and Harkin were best friends.

Harkin knows better than this.

He's one of the last, true progressives.

If we can't count on him--the situation appears very bleak.

Trying to stay positive--but it's difficult these days.

[Southsideirish]

4. I agree. I'm totally crestfallen. My hero's have feet of clay.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. according to an ABC News poll, 83% of Americans...

would NOT want to live if they had to "live" like Ms. Schiavo is.

[DU9598]

3. News to me

Thanks for sharing. I will be chatting with the Senator this week and this will now be the first thing I will discuss with him.

Traveling in rural Iowa today I listened to right wing hate radio on the way back to Des Moines. They sure are in a tizzy about this. I came up with the idea that I would ask the Congress to pass a bill just for me to make sure that if I am ever brain dead that I am allowed to die in peace.

[CoffeeCat]

5. LOL...I like your idea, the "Me Bill"...

Hey, you have to look out for yourself! You could get your bill attached to the upcoming farm bill! :)

Harkin seemed to tie in the Schiavo case with his work on the Americans With Disabilities Act.

On CSPAN he discussed how troublesome it is when incapacitated (or disabled), people have family members with conflicting views on life-or-death, health-care issues.

I do appreciate Harkin's stellar work on the ADA. That was stellar. However, I do not agree that Schiavo is "disabled."

Say hello to Senator Harkin for all of us.

I bet we were listening to the same hate radio today--right outside of Des Moines. The shows on Saturday, are especially nasty.

I hope you enjoyed your time in Iowa!

[IADEMO2004]

9. We all need to send our living wills to Washington

and have them entered into the congressional record. What happened to all the "sanctity of marriage" we heard during the election?

[rurallib]

11. Ask for a health care bill

that will help prevent people from getting in such a state. I know Shiavo had an accident, but a lot of people arrive in a vegetative state due to lack of health care.

[pstans]

6. I am

I was so proud when Harkin stood up and spoke about election fraud, but then this. :thumbsdown:

[Bluzmann57]

8. Well if this is all that Harkin has done to disappoint people

who are Liberal, then he's still done a pretty good job. We are not going to agree with everybody on everything so I guess Harkin just feels strongly about this case. He is a man of faith after all. A real man of faith, not some fundalmentalist wack job and perhaps he let that guide his decision. I am sure he has a good explanation.

[Blue Gardener]

10. I agree with him most of the time

I'm sure this is related to his long time support for people with disabilities. Although I am certainly disappointed with this one decision, it doesn't change the respect I have for him.

[progressoid]

12. Yes - severely disappointed

in fact, I'd like to know the names of ALL of the Democrats that thought this was a good idea.

This is from Harkin's website. Dated 3-18-05

"“I have long been an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. Many in that community are keenly aware of the risk of incapacitation. In such cases, I believe that every precaution should be taken to learn and respect their desires regarding the removal of life supports.


“Over the last week, I have been working hard, and in good faith with Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL), Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), and others to come up with legislation that would allow federal review of the Terri Schiavo case. Yesterday afternoon, we came up with bipartisan measure that did just that and many of my Senate Republican and Democratic colleagues deserve praise for their hard and swift work.


“Unfortunately, the House Republican Leadership refused to take up the bill before sending members home for a two week vacation. There is no excuse for stalling a matter of such an urgent and life threatening nature. They are solely responsible for the consequences Ms. Schiavo and her family now face, as well as for today’s unfortunate events. Congressional action is this area should be based on respect for the wishes and dignity of those who are incapacitated.


“It is my belief that people with disabilities and those who are incapacitated deserve the utmost dignity and respect. I plan to continue to work with my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle to give cases like this an opportunity for further review in federal courts.”

[Debi]

13. This isn't about disability....I agree it is about respect

Respect for a person to decide how they want their lives to be lived or ended when the quality of life is monumentaly diminished.

Schiavo's husband says she'd never want to be like this...why doesn't Harkin believe him?

I'm getting my living will and so is my husband.

[Hobarticus]

16. Most interesting line from this release:

"Unfortunately, the House Republican Leadership refused to take up the bill before sending members home for a two week vacation. There is no excuse for stalling a matter of such an urgent and life threatening nature."

So...they bring this up, and then refuse to vote on it?

Whaa?

[emulatorloo]

14. Harkin stood up on election fraud, on Rice, etc etc etc

Please call his office when he does something good. . .I try to, and everytime I do I get the sense that they are overwhelmed with negative callers regarding every progressive thing he does. . . .

That being said, I'm sorry he became part of the Schiavo Circus, but I'm not gonna dump him yet.

[HuskiesHowls]

15. I guess it depends on how much he really knows about it.

If he is just listening to all the hype in the news about it, and not finding out what has really gone on in this case, he could have made a bad decision about this.

If he made this statement, and supported this knowing all that has gone on, yes, I am very disappointed in him.

However, I still support him for the good that he has done for this state, and for the country.

[9119495]

17. I'm disappointed but I'm glad we're free to have our own opinions

on the matter. I'm glad Dems didn't fall for the trap of forming a "party position." The leadership largely left it alone--as they should have.