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Where's Limbaugh's rational stem cell argument? Mike Pound CNHI News Service I hate to be a cynic here, but I think something fishy is going on. Either Rush Limbaugh is acting or he's not been taking his anti-moron medication lately. How else can you explain Limbaugh's take on the Michael J. Fox commercials in support of stem cell research, created on behalf of Democratic candidates who support such research? Fox, an actor best known for his role on the NBC sitcom "Family Ties," was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991. In the commercials, Fox speaks calmly but he twitches and sways back and forth uncontrollably. He looks and acts like a guy, well, like a guy with Parkinson's disease. I should say he looks like a guy with Parkinson's disease to non-morons. To morons like Limbaugh, Michael looks like political pawn. A partisan. A (GASP!) liberal. A faker. Limbaugh, who apparently is an expert on Parkinson's disease, told his listeners the other day that Fox is "exaggerating the effects of his disease." He said Fox's shaking and twitching was "an act." The thing is, I don't really think Limbaugh believes Fox is faking. I don't think he truly thinks that the twitching, the shaking and the swaying back and forth in the commercials is an act. Limbaugh, I think, knows that Fox has Parkinson's and the symptoms he displays in the commercials are real. And that makes me mad. Look, I know the whole stem cell research issue is a complicated matter. There are passionate, well-intended people who are camped on both sides of the issue. And I respect those folks. I happen to support stem cell research. I just figure if there is a chance that through stem cell research, we can find cures for diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and a host of others, we should explore those chances. But I also know that a lot of people don't share my opinion, and that's fine. There are people who, for religious or personal feelings, are opposed to stem cell research, and I respect those folks for their position and I hope they respect me for mine. If Limbaugh wants to present a rational and well-reasoned argument against stem cell research, that would be great. There was one other thing that Limbaugh said that really ticked me off. He said that Fox "is allowing his illness to be exploited and in the process is shilling for a Democratic politician." No, Limbaugh. Fox is allowing his illness to be exploited because he believes that stem cell research has the potential to cure him and hundreds of thousands of other people. Hey, debate all you want about Fox's position, but don't attack him personally for his stance. In other words: Don't be a moron. Mike Pound writes for The Joplin (Mo.) Globe. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn