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While John Cottingham's posting re: The Grinches Who Stole Christmas sparked some interesting dialogue, I'd like to add my two cents to try to get some positive political support. Some are deeply offended and others are letting off steam but what we really need to do is get our legislators to focus on the real issue around the Udall bill and Parkinson's funding in general. THIS IS NOT ABOUT ABORTION! It is not too early to start shaping the issue for next year. PWP's and others who are part of this list or those who want to work to put an end to this dreaded disease must make their voices heard. Those who identify themselves as 'pro-life', Christian Coalition, Christian Right (or whatever label works for you) have a unique opportunity (and RESPONSIBILITY) to let your voices be heard. If Chris Smith was trying to appease pro-life supporters by putting up obstacles for the Udall bill, let him know that this is not the way to do it. Let's not kid ourselves that these are not in fact mean-spirited actions and that as we will not tolerate such in our elected officials. The abortion debate is too contentious, too unwinnable, and not even that relevant to the Udall bill. Medical ethics and government regulations clearly dictate the protocols for fetal tissue research. By law a woman's decision to abort cannot be influenced by the possibility of the tissue serving a purpose, such as for research. Ironically it has been the limited research using human fetal tissue that has moved the field to the more promising, and less politically charged area of porcine (pig) fetal tissue transplants for PD. Please, to everyone who considers themselves 'pro-life', let the groups who represent your interests, and the legislators who share your views know that the Udall bill and Parkinson's research are not the battleground for the abortion issue. Those of us in desperate need of a cure must stand together and help all of our representatives to do the same. -Lynn Fielder (34/2.5) [log in to unmask]