Comments on: Moderation Takes a Holiday

By: bnkepukuvexo

bnkepukuvexo — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:36:24 +0000

titnuwuxexopo…

exwopavexuho…

By: Matt Ortega

Matt Ortega — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 05:54:23 +0000

I agree with you on stem-cell research. It is mind-boggling to me why we are not vigorously pursuing this.

To that end, it is equally frustrating when people were lobbying against the HPV vaccination because they feared it would make young women more promiscuous.

My mother passed away from cervical cancer, which can develop from HPV. I don’t want any families to go through my family did. I was eight years old when she passed. I felt, and still do, that opponents arguing that line were condemning people to die. It is insane not to pursue possible cures.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 04:14:57 +0000

Thanks for bringing up the stem cell issue Pete. I hope America returns to our pioneering past in medicine soon. America is not just a source of freedom, but also a source of medical innovation that affects the entire world over. I believe medicine
as a whole around the world is suffering due to this moratorium imposed by a theocratic bent in order to score political points. There’s a reason why America decided to separate the church from the state, for too long we’ve witnessed progress stymied in the name of the “Scripture.” They told Galileo he was practicing heresy in his time but he knew better. It took the Church centuries to admit they were wrong. They then adopted his genius as their own. This is a perfect case in point as to why religion has no right to stymie
or meddle in mans honest pursuit for knowledge and betterment of all humankind. If we can create bombs which can wipe out the whole human species then surely stem cell research cannot be more evil than that enterprise.

By: Pete Abel

Pete Abel — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 03:35:38 +0000

thanks for the words of wisdom guys. of course, I agree, and by the way Jeremy, I have donated time and money and effort to Missouri’s Coalition for Lifesaving Cures — so I am engaged on that level as well. On the larger points, you are both correct.

Also, thanks for the book tip. I’ll have to pick up a copy.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 23:31:37 +0000

I’m being a total spammer today ;P

Christopher Reeve Message to Activists: http://pd.global.playstream.com/ctsg/progressive/CAMR/camr-advocate.mpg

Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR)
http://camr.ctsg.com/

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 23:13:12 +0000

For anyone that is interested in the history of stem cells from a biomedical standpoint and a historical standpoint, I think this is a great book, it is titled: Proteus Effect: Stem Cells And Their Promise for Medicine

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:54:51 +0000

Pete, also, I realize that you have a vested stake in ESCR via your son. I would suggest instead of going at loggerheads with the Pope and his disciples you join a grassroots org. that addresses to root of this problem, ignorance. Perhaps by donating a little time, and or money to a pro-ESCR group you can persuade the people that really matter, the public at large, not the theocractic
stalwarts.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:40:06 +0000

“when (in fact) a â€œliteralâ€ reading of the Bible indicates no such support.”

Pete, Tom is right. This is a pretty silly issue to worry yourself over. I agree with you, that stem cell research is not the ethical matter it’s made out to be–there are those that disagree but who cares? Honestly! how many things have religious fanatics taken literally? and have skewed and molded the Scriptures to fit their own particular political viewpoint? Every conceivable area of the human experience is debatable and up for disagreement.

You cannot change another mans’ views any more than he can yours. Be reconciled to except life’s little disagreements and move on. That’s not to say you should stop believing what you do, but to help others understand it better through your eyes and may the best argument succeed, and if not, logic and time is on your side.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:41:51 +0000

Already posted on the moral dilemma in this situation over at Central Sanity.

Here I’d like to give some personal advice:

Stop imagining fictional scenarios!

I’m very, very familiar with this sort of worst-case thinking, and you know what? 95% of the time nothing of the sort happens! All you do is cause yourself a lot of unnecessary anxiety and waste a lot of thought on pointless worrying!

By: jam

jam — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:18:05 +0000

And precisely what is your argument against the proposition that people should be compelled to subsidize research they reasonably regard as unethical?

[a] You suppose that some (not all) people on the other side base their ethical qualms on a scriptural exegesis that you think is mistaken; and

[b] you have some sort of issue with your parents.

Sorry, I’m unpersuaded. Please don’t kill me.

By: George Donnelly

George Donnelly — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:43:46 +0000

Maybe moderation is just not all its cracked up to be?

By: Michael van der GaliÃ«n

Michael van der GaliÃ«n — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:25:33 +0000

I truly don’t quite see how this forces you out the moderate camp. Moderates should be able to feel passionate about things (that matter to them). I’m with you when you argue – as you’ve done in the past – that moderation is an approach, not a goal.

Then again, I’m a Dutch conservative.