March 31, 2005: Terri Schiavo

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2005 — -- What bothers me is when politics and ideology get in the way of logic and consistency.

For example, it's probably fair to say that most opponents of the death penalty tend to be more liberal than conservative. Not all, but many of them would eliminate the death penalty rather than run the risk of executing even one innocent person. It's a compelling argument; but one that doesn't seem to carry much weight among social conservatives.

Even though many of them would argue that you have to maintain the life of someone in Terri Schiavo's condition because there is always the chance -- no matter how remote -- that brain function may be restored. You would think that this could be fertile common ground.

After all, both conservatives and liberals are drawn to the argument that favors the protection of innocent life -- regardless of the odds. But often, it seems, this is true only when it suits a preconceived political position.

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