Just say yes to Nancy Reagan

June 7, 2005

That Nancy Reagan is an enthusiastic advocate of federal support for stem-cell research is well known. What’s interesting however, is her willingness to literally get on the phone to lobby lawmakers directly on behalf of the policy.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan called members of the California congressional delegation shortly before the House voted May 24 on a stem-cell-research bill, urging support. Reagan’s support for the bill puts her squarely at odds with President Bush, who has vowed to use his veto for the first time to squash the stem-cell measure.

The former first lady’s backing may explain why so many California Republicans backed the bill — nearly half, or nine out of 20 in the state’s congressional delegation, compared to barely one in five in the whole GOP caucus. […]

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) confirmed that Reagan had called him and “several” other members of the California GOP delegation, including Rep. Ken Calvert, who ultimately supported the measure.

“I know a few of them received phone calls from Nancy Reagan,” another House member from California said. “[Rep.] David Dreier, he was undecided until a few days before, and then he got a call from Nancy Reagan.”

This leads me to ask two questions. One, what will Bush say when he gets a similar call from the former First Lady whose husband died of an ailment that could be treated through advances from stem-cell research?

And two, what will Nancy Reagan do when Bush snubs her request?

For Bush, it will be business as usual. Outside advice is offered, anguished pleas for compassion are made, solid science and analyses are shoved under his nose, and our spoiled, stubborn 5-year old brat says “fuck you.”

To get an idea of just how spoiled and stubborn Bush is and how he will lead to America’s downfall, go read the article by Mark Morford, a columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle entitled, “Bush, the Spoiled Man-Child” at: http://sfgate/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2005/06/03/notes060305.DTL

If you go to the Morford article, I highly recommend that you also click on the hot link for the “monkey trap” article, as it describes a scientific phenomenon that perfectly explains Bush’s (and, for the most part, the radical right wing of the Rethug Party) inability to change course in the face of impending disaster, all for the sake of a perceived goal that is just within their grasp. Fools, and each of us is their cat’s-paw.

I agree with most commentators that federal funding for embryonic stem cell research will split and trash the Rethugs at the ballot box in the 2006 mid-terms. Another issue, also (I think) widely supported by a broad cross-section of America, is the state- and doctor-authorized medical use of marijuana that the SCOTUS just overruled. If Congress fails to act to reverse that decision, it will just add to the drip, drip, drip of the Rethug political high tide going down the electoral drain.

P.S. Way OT, I know, but has there EVER been another time that O’Connor and Thomas were on the same side in a written opinion case, especially on the Dissent side? Whether for the same rationale or otherwise? Seems strange indeed.

  • Analytical Liberal

    The second link worked without haveing to scroll. It’s safe everybody, and it’s a good article.

  • Alzheimer’s is not a condition likely to be helped by cell replacement and is therefore not considered to be among the diseases and conditions most likely to be helped by embryonic stem cell research. Mrs. Reagan understands this very well. While the media has associated her support for the research and her husband’s illness it was actually the plight of the granddaughter of a family friend who suffers with juvenile onset diabetes that first brought the potential of the research to the former first lady’s attention. Mrs. Reagan has been making the case for ESC to Bush for some time now. Her efforts on behalf of the research have opened many doors and minds on Capitol Hill.

  • How about suggesting to Bush that every legislation that enjoys majority support deserves to be a law just like every justicial nominee that enjoys majority support deserves a up or down vote.

    Nay, that couldn’t be right 😉

    • Comments are closed.