Frist's Flip-Flop?
I, for one, was extremely heartened by Bill Frist's change of heart regarding the stem cell debate.
"Bill Frist is a surgeon, he can't just pretend to be an idiot like the rest of his party!"
Well, whatever his motivation, I am thrilled by this development. Though my political views on some issues tend to be more liberal than those of the Orthodox party line, using already created embryos for stem cell research, as opposed to the issues of euthanasia and abortion, is an issue where Jewish Law is at odds with the views held by those on the right.
Let's all hope that this research actually gets somewhere, and brings refuah (cure) to any and all who need it.
WASHINGTON — Breaking with President Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist on Friday threw his support behind legislation to expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research so long as it stays "within ethical bounds."Those on the extreme left are accusing him of being the very type of flip-flopper that his ilk accused John Kerry of being in the lead-up to the 2004 election. They are also questioning his motives:
"It's not just a matter of faith, it's a matter of science," Frist, R-Tenn., said on the floor of the Senate.
Was Frist worried that his alignment with the Circus Clowns has hurt his chances at a run for the White House? The Schiavo matter didn't help him and the gang of fourteen made him look even weaker. Was this a calculated move? Probably.Those on the extreme right are livid, accusing Frist of betrayal of their values, and are also - what else? - questioning his motives:
There is simply no justifiable reason for Dr. Frist to have changed his position on such an important matter, except in some crass attempt to appeal to a biased media. After years of claiming to be a pro-lifer – after accepting money, support, and applause from the pro-life community – Dr. Frist throws them overboard for the sake of The New York Times...Of course, he could just have come to his senses on this. As my brother-in-law said yesterday at the Shabbos table:
"Bill Frist is a surgeon, he can't just pretend to be an idiot like the rest of his party!"
Well, whatever his motivation, I am thrilled by this development. Though my political views on some issues tend to be more liberal than those of the Orthodox party line, using already created embryos for stem cell research, as opposed to the issues of euthanasia and abortion, is an issue where Jewish Law is at odds with the views held by those on the right.
Let's all hope that this research actually gets somewhere, and brings refuah (cure) to any and all who need it.
posted by orthomom at 8:43 AM
4 Comments:
"Let's all hope that this research actually gets somewhere, and brings refuah (cure) to any and all who need it."
OM, you always seem to cut right to the bottom line. Good job.
Well said. There are worse crimes than changing one's mind.
The tide is turning on the stem cell issue. Republicans know they can't win this one. Frist showed that he had absolutely no integrity during the Shiavo fiasco, when he claimed as a doctor that her doctors' diagnosis of a persistent vegetative state was incorrect based on viewing a videotape. I see no reason to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I'm glad for his new position anyway.
Well, at least he thinks he'll make it past the primaries. His stem cell switch is one he knows h will hurt him in the primaries but help him in an election.
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