Shaheens stem cell “Surge”

Governor Jeanne has launched a counter attack against the Republican War on Science.  This surprised me because I didn’t even know we had one.  But My curiosity was rewarded when it became clear that the forefront of this war–at least from Shaheen’s crooked little corner of the world–was Senator John Sununu’s voting record on embryonic stem cell research.

Embryonic stem cell research requires the destruction of human embryos.  Some people have expressed some moral concerns over this idea.  Not being God, and not really knowing exactly when life begins, I myself have chosen to err on the side of caution, so I have to agree with Senator Sununu.  But unlike he or I, Jeanne collects a lot of campaign contributions from pro choice groups like Emily’s list, who gave her close to half a million in 2002, and currently-with other women’s and pro choice groups-have provided well over $200,000 so far this cycle.  They are donating to her precisely because she has no moral concerns on this issue.  So she can’t be in favor of anything but embryonic Stem cell research even if we could prove to her it’s a genetic dead end.

“As a grandmother and as an American, I am angry that we have lost seven years of promising research because of President Bush’s restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research,” Shaheen said

Well Jeanne, as a taxpayer and a voter, I’m getting tired of your half truths and misleading statements.

Outrage we can believe in

Obama’s campaign is offended again.  (OMG!)

I just picked this up from the from the Concord monitor online.  It’s the latest cover of the New Yorker on which “radical positions” appear projected upon a caricature of the Obama’s–presumably in the living room of their posh Hyde Park domicile–asperhaps a parody of their real politics of meaning™?  Yes, that’s an American flag burning in the fireplace.

As this is the New Yorker I have to assume this is a parody of right wing concerns deigned to make the Right look like chicken-littles. 

 But it’s no surprise they are put-off.  But being offended is the one campaign ritual which Senator Obama has not had to come out and contradict.

…spokesman, Bill Burton, said: “The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama’s right-wing critics have tried to create,” Burton said. “But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree.”

This cartoon has not sparked rioting among the faithful, and no American lives are believed to be in danger. (Not yet anyway)

Becoming Illegal

This is supposed to be an actual letter to Tom Harkin but to be honest, it doesn’t matter.  I found it quite entertaining. Take a few minutes and treat yourself to a few laughs.  Just don’t cry when the truth of it strikes you.

 

 Becoming Illegal

The Honorable Tom  Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Phone (202  ) 224 3254
Washington DC, 20510

Dear  Senator Harkin,

As a native Iowan and excellent  customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am  writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate, and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill’s provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.