Federal Review

So the last chapter in the Schiavo case (hopefully) has come to a close. Her brain damage was irreversable and completely deprived her of any consciousness.

GOP Senators were unrepentant:

"My concern was for due process, and due process is not a medical issue," said Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.). Asked whether he had any regrets, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), who visited Schiavo at the hospice in her last days, responded, "None whatsoever." He added: "If a state court decides to take the life of someone, there should be a federal review."

How I wish Estoppel was a legitimate political argument. "If a state court decides to take the life of someone, there should be a federal review"? Next time Santorum and his buddies want to railroad someone through death row, throw that back at them.

And yes, I know that death row inmates do invariably get federal appeals. Too often, they are as cursory as, well, the review Schiavo got. Since presumably Santorum is not satisfied with the results of said hearing, I think it is fair to assume he wants a higher standard of review for Death Penalty inmates as well.