U.S. Judge in Schiavo Case Withholds Ruling on Feeding Tube

Bloomberg is reporting -- A federal judge declined for now to order a feeding tube reinserted in Terri Schiavo, the brain- damaged Florida woman who has been in a vegetative state for 15 years.

U.S. District Judge James Whittemore, after hearing arguments for about two hours in Tampa, gave no indication of how soon he may act on a request by Schiavo's parents to order the tube inserted.

``I will not tell you when, how or how long it will take,'' Whittemore said.

Today's hearing was prompted by an extraordinary post- midnight session of Congress aimed at authorizing the federal courts to intercede. President George W. Bush signed the measure early today.

This is unconscionable, Terri's starving to death and this clown goes home to have a steak and think things over.