Stem Cell Proposal Splits Missouri G.O.P.

[ruggerson]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/national/12stemcell.html?_r=1&oref=slogin


— A ballot proposal promoting embryonic stem cell research is turning conservatives against one another in Missouri and threatening to tear apart the state Republican Party at the height of its modern-day influence.

The measure — sponsored by a coalition of medical groups, researchers, businesses and advocates for patients — would make Missouri the only state besides California to include the right to stem cell research in its state constitution.

Partly by pulling together business interests with religious conservatives opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage, Republicans in Missouri have surged in the past five years, winning the governor's office and control of both houses of the Legislature for the first time since the 1920's. The party also holds both of the state's Senate seats.

But the debate over embryonic stem cell research is breaking up the partnership. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports the ballot measure, for example, while Missouri Right to Life vehemently opposes it.

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[KingFlorez]

1. HA HA HA!

I hope this leads to the electoral failure of the Republicans

[VegasWolf]

8. Love the pimp picture! Someone should send it to Leno! nt

[SpiralHawk]

2. Couldn't happen to a more deserving Party

Have at it fellas, and don't spare the Low Blows, Propaganda, and Character Assasintation you so gleefully hand out to Dems.

Do unto Yourselves as you do to others.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. This is becoming a very hot issue

The latest is they are now arguing about cloning. The people who wrote the referendum included specific language which bans human cloning. But the RW pro life group is saying there will still be cloning and they are arguing that the type of stem cell research this referendum allows is actually human cloning. :wtf:

Robert Novak also wrote a column recently saying MO is going to allow cloning. I emailed him and sent him a copy of the referendum where it says "NO HUMAN CLONING" but he didn't respond. LOL

[NVMojo]

4. Shame on these clowns!

[BadGimp]

5. The primary GOP strategy:

"by pulling together business interests with religious conservatives opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage"

[Coastie for Truth]

6. This posturing on stem cell research is what is killing America

as the creme d'la creme of our bioscientists go elsewhere, as our post-9/11 visa requirements make it almost impossible for foreign scientists to work in the US, and pro-life groups file frivolous law suits aganst stem cell research.

And then the bull about teaching "intelligent design" -- and denying global warming and peak oil, and the pablum about the hydrogen economy. And on and on and on - we are now second rate power -- nd becoming a third rate power.

See:

The Republican War on Science by Chris Mooney and With God on Their Side: How Christian Fundamentalists Trampled Science, Policy, and Democracy in George W. Bush's White House by Esther Kaplan.

Are you better off now then you were with Clinton? Will your kids have it better then your parents (the "Greatest Generation") did?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. right to lifers against medical research to preserve life. how funny. NOT

There are too many people in politics who have kids or parents who can be cured with new technology. But, these morons are solely concerned with the first 9 months of some cells, then to hell with them after birth.

[gizmo1979]

9. At least they are split

here in WI,trying to be the leader in stem cell research,the GOP is unanimous in it's opposition,and they hold both houses.So we can't get any funding approved and they are constantly introducing policy to hamper the study of stem cells.

[ruggerson]

11. So why doesn't someone organize a citizen's ballot initiative?

n/t

[gizmo1979]

12. they're putting them on the ballot.

That kind of scares me.

[Crunchy Frog]

10. The corporatists vs. the religious nuts.

Well, at least it has some entertainment value.