Yello!

I promised myself that I wouldn’t get carried away with political issues on this blog, but Rush Limbaugh made such an insensitive and stupid comment today – that I could hardly let it pass without commenting. If you hadn’t heard, Michael J. Fox recently made a commercial supporting a Missouri senatorial candidate who supports stem-cell research. Fox is suffering from Parkinson’s disease and was visibly shaking due to the effects of his disease. Research done with increased accessibility to stem-cells could possibly improve the chances of treating horrible diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Rush Limbaugh, in his infinite lack of wisdom, made the statement that Michael J. Fox was exaggerating his symptoms and doing a good job of “acting”. What an idiot! I’m glad that Fox is joining Nancy Reagan and others who have spoken out against the current administration’s backward stance on limiting federally-funded research in this country to a handful of existing stem-cell lines. A few years ago Jesse was invited by our state legislator to testify in favor of stem-cell research at UNO’s Med Center. He did speak out at the legislative hearing and referred to Grandma Agnes’ decade-long decline due to Alzheimer’s disease. In my opinion, stem-cell research should be given a chance to help those who suffer from these devasting illnesses while, at the same time, giving some meaning, worth and honor to the existance of abandoned frozen embryos that would otherwise be destroyed. One thing stem-cell research cannot do though is to cure the big mouth and stupid comments of narrow-minded people like Mr. Limbuagh!