Reply #149: Much ado about nothing...

[icycanadian]

I think bkcc hit the nail on the head. This whole stem cell research drama has been nothing but a well organized exercise in political theater.

Everybody knew Bush would use his veto and that it would not be overridden. Yet despite this, politicians still staged their whole song and dance like it really mattered, like the outcome was not already known.

Like the constitutional amendment to ban flag burning or the attempt to ban gay marriage, this stem cell circus was probably first conceived by social scientists or PR people analyzing the results of focus groups and opinion polls. They no doubt concluded that this stem cell issue was something dramatic and high profile that politicians facing re-election could take a principled stand on, one that would appeal to a certain constituent they need to get re-elected.

I am sure that most politicians are quite happy with the outcome of all this nonsense.