Congressman Labels Obama 'Abortion President' Ahead of Stem Cell Reversal

[underpants]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/06/congressman-labels-obama-abortion-president-ahead-stem-cell-reversal/

One of the most outspoken abortion opponents in Congress labeled President Obama the "abortion president" on Friday in response to news that Obama intended to sign an executive order Monday lifting restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., accused Obama of launching two attacks on pro-life measures. In addition to lifting President Bush's stem cell restrictions, Obama intends to lift regulations from the Bush administration that allow health care providers and institutions to refuse to participate in abortions on grounds of conscience.

Smith labeled Obama's stem cell policy an expansion of "human embryo experimentation."

"Why does the president persist in the dehumanizing of nascent human life when better alternatives exist? Human embryo-destroying stem cell research is not only unethical, unworkable and unreliable- it is now, demonstrably unnecessary," Smith said.

The long-promised move on stem cell research will allow a rush of research aimed at one day better treating, if not curing, ailments from diabetes to paralysis -- research that crosses partisan lines, backed by such notables as Nancy Reagan and the late Christopher Reeve. But it stirs intense controversy over whether government crosses a moral line with such research.

But the research is controversial because days-old embryos must be destroyed to obtain the cells. They typically are culled from fertility-clinic leftovers otherwise destined to be thrown away.

[stray cat]

1. Repubs need to be consistent - if they oppose stem cells they must oppose fertility clinics

since they create embryos and incinerate them for discard. They can't have it both ways. All scientists want to do is use the ones that are getting incinerated under the GOP.

[stray cat]

2. self delete - repeat post

[babylonsister]

3. I take comfort in the fact that this -ahem- person is in the minority.

Stem cell research almost passed during dimson's rule. It's way past time, so chris smith can go whine to himself or his minority of holier-than-thou supporters. I'll bet he believes in abstinence, too.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Soon This "Argument" Will Look Foolish

Politically, it's been a loser for the GOOP for years, except for their base...and right now the rushpublicans are fighting to keep that "base" from eroding. "Pro-Life" is a GOOP cash cow. Scream that those evil Democrats are gonna force abortions on everyone...and they don't see stem cells as a life saving measure, but part of this conveluted abortion game they've played for 30 years, and watch the donations flow in. As has been said, the rushpublicans have no interest in outlawing abortion, it'd take a big cash cow away. The same can also be said of stem cell research that has been dovetailed on this issue...call it a two-fer.

The cutting edge in medicine is stem cell and genetic research. It will provide many dividends in the years ahead in an ever widening list of treatments and procedures. This long overdue policy change will open the door to some very big discoveries that could provide comfort and relief to some of mankind's biggest killers. Now when those products become available, will a fundie think twice about using this new technology to save their life or a loved one?

The rushpublicans have no pot to piss in when it come to dehumanizing human life...just ask anyone who who was held without charges and tortured at Abu Grahb or watching millions of our own citizens suffer through losing jobs, homes and hope.

[underpants]

6. I agree but I expected them to use abortion as THE issue in the coming years

Why? because they have nothing else

It is striking to the American public to see this level of "concern" about embryos while they are full aware of how many living breathing soldiers Bush&Co. cast into the pit of Iraq.

[Canuckistanian]

5. They don't get it, do they?

This stem-cell ban is one of the reasons they're on the losing and and sinking fast.

When will they learn that depending on die-hard fundies ALONE for their support is going to keep them marginalized?

[underpants]

7. No they don't

when every move is meant only to "sure up the base" you really are in trouble-we saw this with the Palin selection

[Stellabella]

8. Um, abortions went UP under Bush.

These repukes need to start minding their own fucking business. If they don't like stem cell research, then they can just turn down the treatments and cures when they're available.

If not used for research, embryos from in-vitro are THROWN AWAY. Why can't they get that?

Of course, they'll be the first ones butting in line to GET treatments and cures from this research, because they're such blatant hypocrites.

[billyoc]

9. The Christian Phalangists are their only constituency left.

They might just as well rename the party and get it over with.