chirp.

[sisyphusshrugged]

Nancy Reagan (never a fan, but I have to say, I admire the way she has made clear to everyone concerned that she cares more about her husband than about what propaganda use can be made out of his name) spoke to a juvenile diabetes fundraiser and strongly endorsed stem cell research.

"There are so many diseases that can be cured or at least helped. We have lost so much time already and I just really can't bear to lose anymore," she said.

At a juvenile diabetes fund-raiser, she spoke of her husband's battle with Alzheimer's, one of many diseases scientists believe cells from discarded embryos may one day cure, reports CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales.

"Ronnie's long journey has finally taken him to a distant place where I can no longer reach him," she said. "Because of this I'm determined to do whatever I can to save other families from this pain."

Mrs. Reagan's stance puts her at odds with President Bush, who has placed strict limits on stem cell research, and the anti abortion rights movement which objects to the use of cells from human embryos.

Foetal stem cell research is, of course, one of the five Life issues that the Catholic Voter's Guide [sic] currently being distributed by, amongst others, the Archdiocese of St. Louis, says debars politicians from support by Catholic voters (although they seem to be giving a pass to Sen. Frist on that one).

Oddly, I haven't been able to find any articles by the usual suspects condemning Mrs. Reagan.

Perhaps reminding their audience that they're opposing something that could have helped save their hero from the hell he and his family are in now would be counterproductive.

Particularly since the stem cells Mrs. Reagan is talking about are produced as a byproduct of in vitro fertilization techniques, which Our Fearless Leader does not appear to wish to spend his political capital by opposing. Currently, those excess embryos which are produced for in vitro procedures are destroyed.

There's your respect for Life right there.

Comments

[supergee.livejournal.com]

The Right is held together by what might be called the Republican Marriage--between conservatives and capitalist/libertarians--and the stem cell issue is a prime divider. Stem cell research can make a lot of money and provide longer lives for old rich guys, but the religious right realizes that it gets in the way of the fear (usually called respect) people are supposed to feel about sex and reproduction.

[jmhm.livejournal.com]

Hell, I was in labor for 36 hours without medication with a not-quite-ten-pound child. I have a healthy amount of, er, respect for reproduction.

What I want to know is why with all the kids out there who need parents but are currently being cared for by the government we aren't hearing a little more about principled opposition to the industry which destroys the most "potential life" in this country from the "Life" supporters.

[lawgeekgurl.livejournal.com]

it's amazing how many crusaders of yore will make an about-face when life catches up to them. Nancy Reagan now supports stem cell research because she now sees firsthand what Alzheimers does to people. I guarantee if this issue had come up during her husband's presidency she's be on the "protect the sanctity of eventual life" drumbeat.

[jmhm.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's worse than that, Jim - she was always part of the Betsy Bloomingdale wing of the Republican party. She thought the religious right contingent were completely de trop (so sloppy looking, and my dear, the outfits...). She was just a loyal eleventh commandment kinda wife.