All Intensive Purposes

The Washington Post reports on federal legislation to prolong the Schiavo ordeal, not to mention the poor woman's life:

The legislation, which congressional leaders said they plan to pass today or tomorrow, would allow a federal court to review the case. Lawmakers said Schiavo's feeding tube will have to be restored while that review is underway.

President Bush said he will return early from his ranch in Crawford, Tex., to sign the bill. The legislation would prolong a medical and legal drama that has pitted the incapacitated Florida woman's husband against her parents.

Republican officials declared, in a memo that was supposed to be seen only by senators, that they believe the Schiavo case "is a great political issue" that could pay dividends with Christian conservatives, whose support is essential in midterm elections such as those coming up in 2006.

What we need, evidently, is a new standard-form durable power of attorney that specifically contemplates federal legislative grandstanding.