Actor (Michael J) Fox Urges Congress on Stem Cell Bill

[meganmonkey]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Actor Michael J. Fox is pushing Congress hard to lift President Bush's restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.

``Embryonic stem cell research holds enormous promise,'' said Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, in remarks prepared for a Capitol Hill news conference on Wednesday. ``More federal funding and more lines are needed or progress will stall.''

The Senate is considering a House-passed bill to lift Bush's 2001 restrictions on federal funding for such studies, but the measure is facing stiff resistance from conservatives who believe the process is unethical because it destroys embryos.

Fox is one of many celebrities who have for years urged passage of the bill, including former First Lady Nancy Reagan and actress Mary Tyler Moore, who suffers from diabetes. As she did during debate in the House, Mrs. Reagan has begun calling undecided lawmakers before Senate floor debate, expected next week, said her friend, Hollywood producer Doug Wick.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5138165,00.html

Those damn Holly-wierd Lie-bruls :P

[hadrons]

1. I remember when Fox was big with 'Family Ties' and he gave an interview...

where he didn't call himself a Repuke, but hinted at it ... now that all his money won't do anything for him, but stem cell research might, he'd changed his tune

[meganmonkey]

2. There are quite a few 'moderate' republicans

who have spoken out in support of stem cell research. I think it is mainly the fundies who are against it. They tend to be loud, and Bush tends to go along with them, but in general I think many republicans don't really have a problem with it. It's just another political wedge issue unfortunately.

[Moose_head]

3. at least it cuts down on the number of "one-issue" voters-

now they have 3:

abortion, stemcell research, and gay marriage.

[Dogmudgeon]

6. It wasn't politics ...

He simply grew up.

Facing adversity also has a way of wising a person up real fast.

I wish Mr. Fox well. He's taken a situation that would defeat most of us and reinvented himself. He's educated himself and has become a proponant of a medical technology opposed by a loud and powerful foe, including the pResident.

--p!

[lateo]

4. He is just being selfish.

Think of the undead babies MJ and of your prior support for these people who now stand in the way of helping you.

sarcasm of course.

I wish him the best of luck in this fight but I don't think they are going to listen.

[dogman]

5. For more info go to www.StemPAC.com

Join up and support a good cause.

[BrotherBuzz]

7. In my dream world Christopher Reeve would be doing the talking

and Michael J. Fox would be there in a supporting role.

[maseman]

8. Nancy Reagan

Whom I would hardly call a democrat has blasted the White House and Congress about passing the bill. Of course her husband's Alzheimer's Disease is the reason, but at least she has a concious to fight her own party for a good cause.

[BrotherBuzz]

9. I've never been keen on Nancy Reagan....

but I applaud her efforts and work on the stem cell fight. One can only assume that her clout will add to the momentum to neutralize this one wedge issue from the republican party platform.