Taylor's Bits

OK, I'm going to touch on a political issue. I've been in political limbo for a while, for I don't want to just talk about political issues.

The latest issue surrounding Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is something I've been following for a while. It's an issue that grinds as the core of why I hate our President.

Now, Bush has recently vetoed his first bill (it took 6 years). The bill passed in the house, but couldn't get the 2/3 vote to override the veto. It also passed in the Senate. Now, there are several main points I'm going to touch on why not passing this bill is wrong:

1. This bill that he vetoed allows the use of embryos donated by couples who no longer need them for fertility treatments. What this means is that you know those fertility clinics that keep frozen embryos from couples that need help getting pregnant? Well, the couple supplies sperm, egg and they are artificially conceived. Then, they are frozen to be used by the couple when they want. Well, they get a bunch of these embryos going & if the couple only winds up using 2, then the rest are thrown out. Those ones that are thrown out are the ones that could be used for stem cell research, if the couple agrees to it. So, the problem with Bush's argument is that if he's against them being destroyed, he should be against them being destroyed as they are now. So, why isn't he banning artificial insemination? All the bill is saying is, hey, these embryos are being thrown out anyway, why not use them for scientific research? We can potentially cure a lot of ailments with this research, but of course religion trumps science with Bush.
   
2. We all know that Bush is heavily playing to his religious base. The religious nuts in this country got him elected based on 'morality'. Now, this is a topic I can rant on, so I'll try and keep it short. Basically, the bottom lines is: Religion and politics should not mix in this country. There is a doctrine adopted in this country that says there should be separation of church and state. Bush has eliminated that. He's making decisions in the White House based on religious beliefs and catering to the religious people of this country. He is also federally funding Christian churches (watch 'The Jesus Factor', below for more info. on this). So, I ask this: what is the difference between the connection between Christianity - the White House and the Ayatollah - Islam. In my mind, there is no difference. Once we have religious beliefs controlling and making laws in this country, we lose religious freedom and adopt an anarchistic moral vision based on the beliefs of a certain few.
3. This will be a political issue for mid-term elections. This is an issue that many Republicans broke away from Bush (surprisingly) and voted for this. Key Republicans that are for it are: Bill Frist (TN) and John McCain (AZ). The majority of Americans also support stem cell research as well. Mark my words: eventually, federally funded Stem Cell research will be passed. Whether while Bush is in office, or when the Democrats take over in 2008.
   

Additional Reading/Watching:

• The Jesus Factor - You must watch this PBS Frontline special about Bush's religious background. It scares me to death the part in Chapter 3 where he's holding up the Bible saying, that the Bible is THE Handbook. Well, he should be holding up the Constitution.
• National Institute of Health resource for Stem Cell research.
• Bush Discusses Stem Cells - His letter written in 2001 about Stem Cell research. He addresses some of the questions I've asked here, but of course, he doesn't answer them.
• Washington Post