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Many of us heard Ron Reagan's call at the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday for people to vote for a presidential candidate who advocates an end to restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. I enjoyed his speech, and I was particularly impressed by the fact that he illustrated his speech with Parkinson's Disease. Who was his audience? Was it the delegates sitting there in Boston? Was it the electorate who had planned to vote for the Democratic Party across the U.S.? Were his motives altruistic and intended only to express his strong feelings on the subject? I hope so, and I certainly don't accuse him of anything else. But consider this: His audience was also President Bush and the Republican Party. His eloquently delivered message might also be interpreted in this manner: "Mr. Bush, change your stance and end the restrictions on stem cell research. Follow my lead and my mother's [Nancy Reagan's] lead." His speech ended, "Whatever else you do come November 2nd, I urge you, please, cast a vote for embryonic stem cell research." According to Murray Charters' recent posting, "75 Percent of Americans Support Call For More Stem Cell Research," and Ron Reagan has urged them to vote for Kerry. But if President Bush changes his stance, responds to the populace, and begins to support embryonic stem cell research, then Reagan's message to all of the Democrats assembled in Boston and people listening on television throughout the U.S. is no longer necessarily supportive of Kerry. Now, wouldn't that be interesting? It might give Mr.Bush the Reagan's votes and the votes of many others who will follow the Reagans, and it might get Mr.Bush reelected. And that's not exactly what the Democrats were hoping for when they asked him to speak. But more important, it could get embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. back on track - something that most of us on this list (and apparently a majority of the U.S. population) would like to see. Art ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn