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Revisiting A Mechanic's View on Dubya's Big Decision.... PRO & CON I would like to thank those who wrote in support of this... I haven't changed my mind. I added a coupla (notes)... * * * On 9 Aug 2001, at 22:53, Murray Charters wrote: Hi All, I just sent the following to USA Today... But I doubt they'll print it.... (they didn't of course) I'm a mechanic with Parkinson's... Dubya is to be applauded for committing $250,000,000 for stem cell research. That is the PRO... Pres. Bush said: "I also believe that great scientific progress can be made through aggressive federal funding of research on umbilical cord, placenta, adult and animal stem cells, which do not involve the same moral dilemma. This year your government will spend $250 million on this important research." Yeah right... Spent this year? Is it in the budget? Will it pass Senate & Congress appropriations? (I have been assured by reading Dr. Varmus in the media, that $256,000,000 was in fact budgeted, etc. by the Clinton administration, is part of NIH grants every year, and feel now that Bush conveniently assumed "credit" by dropping it into his Big Decision speech.) Note this is NOT (funding) embryonic stem cell research! Dubya and his team of advisors have managed to stifle embryonic stem cell research, put that science back a year, then allow some "research" in guarded tones, without committing a nickle, (should fund is not a commitment!) and essentially put embryonic stem cell research right where it was previously... And take credit for it THEMSELVES all the while appeasing the religious, the political, the media etc. That is the CON.... Make no mistake... The American public were subjected to a very well orchestrated CON at the expense of science, research, potential cures and advances, etc. No federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, no more cell lines over those previously developed with private funds, guidelines on hold while a new federal agency is developed, abortions continue and fetal material is discarded, ivf continues and excess embryos are discarded... (Bush moved to block the research when he came into office by ordering a policy review of the Clinton administration National Institutes of Health guidelines. The White House also called off an NIH meeting to review applications for federal grants for stem cell research, effectively leaving the matter in limbo until this "Big Decision.") (more restrictions etc. and no funding until 2002 fer sure, meanwhile time takes it's toll on our bodies and our brains, and for many time will soon run out...) (Tell me again how this new plan is better than "before Dubya".) I'm disappointed... murray (PS: I know we have to get over the disappointment, move on, regroup, work with what we now have, keep a stiff upper, etc. but.... I hope someone took notes and will remember next election....) * * * [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn