Yesterday, Sen. Bill Frist reversed his position on embryonic stem cell research, taking the position that the future of medicine is predicated on developments that will come out of such studies. His position is not popular among his fellow extreme-right Republicans, and has led to criticism of his motives from both sides of the aisle.
Today, Republican candidate for governor Jerry Kilgore criticized Republican Del. Bradley Marrs for his recent attack on his conservative independent opponent. Marrs sent out a fundraising letter that accused his opponent of accepting a contribution from — horrors — a gay man. Kilgore’s spokesman declared such attacks “out of bounds,” distancing Kilgore from such campaigning. Kilgore’s position is not popular with the like of The Family Foundation, who favor something closer to burning gays at the stake, and isn’t likely to win him much support from his base.
Does Frist realize that he has no shot at the presidency so long as he continues to oppose such essential and popular medical advances? Is Kilgore trying to ensure that his questionable donors are off-limits for scrutiny? Has Kilgore examined polling results and realized that the public just doesn’t care about this sort of thing?
I don’t care. Both Sen. First and Mr. Kilgore have taken positions that are unpopular with their own parties, but are clearly the right thing. Instead of criticizing such moves, Democrats should simply give them their due respect, and leave it at that.
I won’t defend Frist myself. There is just something discomforting about using embryonic stem cells. Discounting the criticisms of abortion, this goes into shady areas of cloning and uses what potentially could be very unstable (think cancer cells but on a bigger scale). I don’t know enough to prove any of those feelings, but I’ve found that often enough, instinct can trump theory.
I do, however, think that Jerry Kilgore is doing the right thing. He probably could’ve stayed out of the whole Marrs mess, but he did take the right side. I think, all too often, conservatives are viewed as anti-gay. Not true, most of us believe what Democrats say; that they deserve all the same rights as anyone else (regardless of their behavior). My big problem is what is perceived as a right. Marriage does not fall under the area of rights. It is a privelege. But, the gay man who contributed to Marrs’s opponent was fully within his rights to do so. This is a capitalism, and he can do with his money as he wishes (within the bounds of law). Marrs would have been better advised to criticize gay “marriage” than gays.
As this entry is about stem cells it would seem appropriate to wish Waldo a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
As to Delegate Marrs, I will say what Mirabeau said of Tallyrand: “He would trade his soul for a pile of dung, and he would be right to do so.”
Thanks, friendly neighborhood stalker. :) I’m late to the party — gotta run!
Happy Birthday knucklehead. :)
Let’s remember that Tim has been criticizing Jerry’s “questionable donors” because of what they have done. Marrs questioned Pence’s contribution to Waddell because of who he is. Big difference. One would hope that Jerry “gets” the distinction and simply said what he said because it was the right thing to do. Oh, yeah, my middle name is Pollyanna….