Schiavo Case

     Christopher Smith said there is a "compelling" Federal interest in the case.  Terry Schiavo happens to hold, within her brain-damaged mind, the secret of eternal harmony, a new atom-bomb, and secret Chinese plans for world domination.

     Donald Manzullo thinks Congress has the right to give or take away jurisdiction from all courts.  There is no Constitution which defines jurisdiction in any way.  He said "this body could go case by case if it wanted to" totally ignoring the. "Terri is in the process of dying, and people are worried about precedent?" Mr. Manzullo had the wrong answer

Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, and laws impairing the obligations of contracts, are contrary to the first principles of the social compact, and to every principle of sound legislation. ... The sober people of America are weary of the fluctuating policy which has directed the public councils. They have seen with regret and indignation that sudden changes and legislative interferences, in cases affecting personal rights, become jobs in the hands of enterprising and influential speculators, and snares to the more-industrious and less-informed part of the community.

[James Madison, Federalist Number 44, 1788]