In 1836, 200 Americans were massacred at the Alamo by an arrogant ruler. In 1941, 2400 American service men were killed by the Japanese Empire in an unprovoked attack. Rallying cries were forever etched in history to inspire justice: “Remember the Alamo” and “Remember Pearl Harbor.” These slogans propelled our nation toward a free Texas and a defeated Japan. Terry Schiavo’s torture and death may prove just as historic as Americans again rise up against injustice.

The preservation of life was the cornerstone of America’s founding… “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” How did our nation deteriorate to a culture that can tolerate the starving to death of a 41-year-old woman, unable to defend herself? Too many questions about her execution remain unanswered!

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Remember Terry Chiavo

Comentary by Missouri Rep. Ed Emery (R-126)

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government. T. Jefferson

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The explanation of America’s cultural decline is twofold. First, it has declined gradually, a step at a time, and we have “adjusted” to each decline. Secondly, cultural decline has followed a loss of Constitutional integrity. America’s Constitution took power out of the hands of England’s elite judges and put it into the hands of the people. It acknowledged a clear delegation of powers from God, to the people, to government. We have watched as God has been progressively removed from our culture. But as God has been removed, government has subtly moved up to assume His power - the power of life and death over the innocent.

The branch of government least accountable to the people (Judiciary), has assumed control over life and death. The courts deemed Terry Schiavo unworthy of life because she could not feed herself and had to be fed by someone else. The defenders of the courts’ actions must ignore both history and conscience to side with the all-powerful courts.

At last, Americans are catching on to what we have allowed to happen. We have allowed political dogma to supplant compassionate deliberation. The trend has been predicted by a few: no fault divorce, abortion, partial birth abortion, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and now euthanasia. Terry Schiavo’s death may have brought the cultural struggle into clear focus.

We could easily give up, but America has a history of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. If we determine to restore meaning to the constitution, faithfully enforce checks on the courts, and return to defending life at every stage, America may once again become a defender of life. Remember Terry could become the rallying cry.

Please pray for Terry Schiavo’s family and pray for America.

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