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John McCain Hopes You're Stupid by DarkSyde Sun Sep 21, 2008 at 10:30:21 AM PDT The McCain campaign released more newspeak recently, created in part to reassure moderates he hasn't compromised his past promises on embryonic stem cell research. One impression campaign strategists hope to convey is that McCain's controversial running mate, hard-line fundamentalist Governor Sarah Palin, will have to go his way or the highway. John McCain's campaign released a radio ad Friday that calls he and Palin "mavericks" who will, if elected, back stem cell research "to help free families from the fear and devastation of illness." Embryonic Stem Cells are cellular 'blanks' which can grow into entirely different and new tissue types. They're the Rosetta Stone of regenerative medicine. By studying ESC, researchers hope to learn how to reprogram other cells to mimic them and, in the process, create new, revolutionary treatments for every disease and injury known to mankind, from diabetes to spinal cord injury. In 2001, in a pander to social conservatives who feel entitled to demand respect for their reproductive choice while working their asses off to deny it to everyone else, President George Bush crippled regenerative medicine with harsh federal restrictions for embryonic stem cell research. Aside from being based more on science fiction than science, Bush's policy did nothing to prevent the destruction of human blastocysts regardless if they were used for stem cell research. The cell cultures are derived from leftover material produced by IVF clinics and slated for disposal. Unswayed by science or logic, Bush went on to veto several bipartisan bills that would have eased those restrictions. John McCain wisely joined the super-majority of the American people who disagree with the rationale and wisdom of the President's policy. But over the last year, starting well before McCain formerly married his presidential bid to fringe conservative extremists, advocates for regenerative medicine have become more and more suspicious of the subtle changes in language and fringe ideological portent brewing in the McCain campaign. From USA Today: This week, campaign spokesman Ben Porritt cited McCain's Senate voting record but would not specify whether a McCain-Palin administration would support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. He said only that they would "support stem cell research," which could refer to amniotic or reprogrammed adult stem cells. ... McCain's presidential campaign website states that he would "strongly support" funding for amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research and other scientific studies "that do not involve the use of human embryos." A recently rewritten amendment in the official 2008 Republican platform reveals the party's true intent of enacting even more drastic restrictions up to and including a totalitarian ban on any federal, state, or commercial research involving embryonic stem cell lines. Change some terms, cross your fingers, quietly drop the word 'embryonic' and hope no one notices. John McCain doesn't just hope you're stupid, he's counting on it to win. Source: Daily Kos Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [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