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I think one cannot discuss medical research and our quest for a cure for Parkinson's without considering politics and i think this is true in all our countries - not just the U.S. In his State of the Union Address, President Bush called for BILLIONS of dollars to fight AIDS internationally and BILLIONS of dollars for research on vacines against possible biological warfare. Important goals of course. But there was not one mention of continuing the existing 5 year goal of doubling the NIH budget or increasing funding for Parkinson's research, as called for in the Parkinson's Research Agenda or for funding research for other chronic diseases that currently afflict millions of people throughout the world. He did call on Congress to pass a ban on ALL human cloning - and based on his past statements - he was referring to therapeutic cloning for medical research as well as reproductive. Surely political issues such as these are relevant to the lives of everyone on this list, and should be open for discussion and debate that includes all viewpoints. I think they must be addressed. Please recall that the PIEN was instrumental just a few years ago in the grassroots efforts for the passage of the Udall Act - the first bill in the U.S. to authorize funding specifically for Parkinson's Disease. It was through the political discussions and postings on this list that many of us became aware and educated about the Udall bill. It was through this list that we became aware of the efforts of the Parkinson's Action Network to give PWP a voice and a presence on Capitol Hill. It was through this list that many of us became politically active for the first time. It is through this list now that we can continue to fight for our fair share of research funding to put an end to this miserable disease. My interpretation of the list's guidelines is that discussion on any issues - political or not - that are directly related to Parkinson's is permitted . I hope that my understanding is correct. Linda Herman PIEN member since Dec. 1995 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn