So Bush decided that he wanted to veto the embryonic stem cell research bill because:
It crosses a moral boundary that a decent society needs to respect.
Not because he knows the benefits the research has produced and could continue to produce if allowed to go on. They have actually proven that stem cells can be used to regrow organs, redevelop neural pathways, and many other amazing things. They have proven that they can use stem cells to help people walk again, overcome disease that ravages their organs, and again, many other amazing things. BUT, because it is a “moral” issue as to whether or not embryonic stem cells (the most basic building blocks that can be used for countless purposes in the fight against disease and human suffering) should be used for research, one man uses this issue to stop this potentially life altering research. Does he know that embryonic stem cells can do these amazing things? Probably not, he probably doesn’t care. He, like many other Americans incorrectly see this as “taking a life”; which totally brings back the abortion issue (which I would rather not rehash). See, if using these embryos (notice they are called embryos, not children or babies), which are often donated by people that freeze several extras in order to have success with IF, is wrong, then how is throwing them away is better? I just don’t understand that. It is almost like you would cut off your arm rather than treat a wound on your hand.
I also notice how Bush continually waves around his “morals” and “values”; I just wish he would actually abide by them from time to time, instead of continually acting like a hypocrite. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?
I think it’s even more telling that he’s apparently been quoted as saying the destruction of an embryo is the same as murdering a human.
I guess all those fertility clinics that toss out the old embryos better watch out for the Justice department.
It just goes to show you how disconnected from reality Bush is.
I’m totally in agreement this bill was vetoed. Not because of the moral reason that Bushie cited but because it’s not the place of government to get involved in this nonsense. We’ve got private organizations for that.
But, since you brought it up…
Which is it, does he not know or does he not care? I believe he knows, but weighs his moral beliefs above the advantages. Not saying he’s right in doing so, but you’ve gotta respect a man that sticks by his morals in spite of huge opposition.
So, if I call a ready-bake-cookie a lollipop then that means it’s no longer a cookie in waiting?
Wait… you do or do not want to him abide by his morals and values? I’m confused… when has he not? I thought the fact that his morals were different than yours was one of your problems with him?
bush is all about protecting “innocent” human life, but since no man is born without sin, once you’re out of the vagina, you’re fair game. Where are his morals in using napalm and white phosphorous on people? Where were his morals when he left people to drown in New Orleans?
“We’ve got private organizations for that.” Yah, so the patents can be owned by the rich and only benefit the rich.
The rich aren’t the ones getting the handouts. Instead, they’re the ones paying the tax dollars can be spent on the handouts.
Come on, get off the high horse about this crap. Yes, there are tons of people that don’t get the attention they need because of monitary reasons. There’s also a ton of people in the world that don’t attempt to work so they can afford the medical attention they may deserve one day or for that matter, the food, shelter, and clothing they need today.
The private sector is FAR better at innovating and bringing products to market than any governmental program. Plus, most pharmaceutical companies have programs where they give away their medicines to qualifying deadbeats… err… I mean less unfortunate.
I, for one, am not rich but I sure as fuck don’t want one cent of my hard earned money to pay for a single Tylenol to be given to some worthless piece of crap just as I don’t expect someone to pay for my medicine when the time comes I need it. Am I fortunate? Am I lucky? Am I blessed? No… I’m a total asshole but I don’t put the value of my life over anyone else’s paycheck.
Um, both of my grandparents are (or, now, my grandfather is, as my grandmother passed away in March) on a drug-payment assistance program. They are one of your so-called “worthless piece[s] of crap” that are, at least financially, part of the less fortunate, as mounting medical bills have rendered them unable to pay the exorbitant prescription costs. I take serious offense to your lumping them into “qualifying deadbeats” - they are not lazy people by any means. My grandmother worked to the day until her doctor told her that being on her feet would kill her - she loathed to give up her job. And up until the death of his wife of 50 years, my grandfather worked every day that he wasn’t in surgery or recovery.
Now that he’s being moved into my uncle’s house, as he isn’t healthy enough to continue working, he’s going to require more assistance from these pharmaceutical companies.
Additionally…
Nonsense? I think the government SHOULD be behind this every step of the way. It SAVES LIVES. These stem cells are essential in the research and development of cures for diseases that we don’t currently have ways of combating.
I simply don’t understand how Bush is okay with throwing away embryos that go unused (in the example of the fertility clinics), instead of putting them to use to save millions of lives that are affected by terminal illnesses.
Maybe I’m just expecting too much from the leader of our country.
No, you’re expecting too much from your government.
Duane, you need to understand what you’re talking about before you criticize it. Bush’s veto does not “stop this potentially life altering research”. It doesn’t allow federal funding for it. Big difference. As dpb pointed out, there is no reason for the government to be involved in this. I agree there are plenty of benefits that embryonic stem cell research leads to but the private sector is where that research needs to occur. If you’re gonna bash Bush then bash him for the out of control spending his administration has allowed this term. I’m sure it frustrates people when his first veto is basically pandering to the religious right but the reality is we do not need to spend tax dollars on this. And the New Orleans reference by Robbuy…are you serious? You don’t think local government should have handled that situation from the beginning? I’m not even talking about the people taking responsibility for their own actions here (ie getting the fuck out of dodge when a cat 5 hurricane is bearing down on you). I’m talking about a Democratic Mayor and Governor that shit the bed on helping their constituents. But I know it’s much easier to blame Bush because of your hatred for everything he stands for. Did you know 911 was an inside job? Our secret!
Hypocrite is what he does…It’s all he does.
dpb,
You may not want the hand out but this rich bitch will gladly pay for your mental health treatment since you obviously need it. Consider it my gift to humanity.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9776982/site/newsweek/
While this article is a bit dated, I found it pretty interesting. Could this actually be the issue that seperates the religious “right” from the republicans?
I have a friend who is 23 and has MS. Some days are better than others. If anything can help explain/help/cure disease, I’m all for it. Poor, wealthy, lazy, motivated, whatever. Nobody deserves to suffer.
Wow, talk about a heated debate!
Just a few points that I just had to add my 2c to…
1. dpb, I sincerely hope that you never have a debilitating disease and that no one in your family will ever experience it. Then you would truly have to get your head out of your ass and realize that a welfare state is not created by supporting continued research that can improve quality of life for millions - not just in the U.S. but around the world.
2. Slubbage, if you were amongst those people who couldn’t afford to take a bus downtown like many of those affected and killed by Katrina, how exactly would you have gotten the fuck outta Dodge? Just curious.
3. Actually, I’m fine with Bush vetoing the funding. It just means that we Canadians and the rest of the world will pick up the slack, take in the researchers who want to help save and preserve human lives and finally give it to the world when we’ve cured these horrid diseases. Then you can come begging for it.
There, I’m done.
For those of you that are telling me that the government has no place funding research like this, think about the prospect of the government not funding other types of research, like for cancer, HIV, etc. That would be catastrophic. If you can’t see the benefits this research will have, then that is your prerogative, but when the government says that it is wrong, well, I just think that is wrong. Something so important shouldn’t be ignored; that’s all I am saying.
I am also tired of people using that “people need to help themselves” excuse on everything; not everyone stands on equal ground, so that isn’t possible for everyone. Not all people are “just lazy” and “want to live on the government”; some people just aren’t as fortunate as others; as was the case with MANY of those devastated by Katrina. To suggest otherwise is ignorant and hurtful, in my opinion.
Gary…you’re Canadian….enough said
Sorry…that was supposed to be “Eric…you’re Canadian”.
Who’s this Gary character? (Weird Science - 1985)
Back to Eric…as far as getting the fuck out of dodge, please don’t tell me that you think all of those people you saw on TV were too poor to get out of town. I’m tired of people shirking their own responsibility and wanting to blame everyone else for their decisions. Sure there were some people that couldn’t make it out but most of the people became victims because they made a choice to stay in New Orleans despite the warnings to leave. It’s very similar to these folks that the US is busting their ass (and spending tax payer money) to get out of Lebanon right now. You see interviews with a lot of them on TV saying how slow our response is and how miserable it is traveling from town to town and how George Bush created this whole thing in the first place….blah blah blah. Let me get straight to the point here. IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRAVEL TO LEBANON THEN EXPECT SOME SHIT TO GO DOWN WHEN THE TERRORISTS GET ANTSY! It’s not the governments responsibility to protect you from everything bad that might happen in this world. Much like it’s not the governments responsibility to spend tax dollars on embryonic stem cell research. That is what the private sector is for people.