Harvard Scientists Say White House Distorted Their Research On Stem Cells
Harvard Scientists Say White House Distorted Their Research On Stem Cells
In Aug. 2005, researchers at Harvard University developed a way to turn “ordinary skin cells into what appear to be embryonic stem cells — without having to use human eggs or make new human embryos in the process.”
This month, the White House Domestic Policy Council (DPC) put out a report citing this research as evidence that embryonic stem cell research is unnecessary.
But according to the authors of the Harvard study, the White House has distorted their research. In a letter to Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Mike Castle (R-DE), the authors write:
We are surprised to see our work on reprogramming adult stem cells used to support arguments that research involving human embryonic stem cells is unnecessary. On the contrary, we assert that human embryonic stem cells hold great promise to find new treatments and cures for diseases. …
The work that we performed and that was cited in the White House policy report is precisely the type of research that is currently being harmed by the President’s arbitrary limitation on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. …
We feel that the President’s restrictive policy has directly impeded research that provides a hope for cures for millions of Americans. …
The White House has clearly gotten it wrong. The overwhelming consensus in the scientific and medical community is that embryonic stem cell research holds the greatest potential to cure diseases and end the suffering of millions.
Read the full letter HERE.
(American Progress’s Jonathan Moreno and Samuel Berger have more on the DPC’s distortions.)
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What! The White House distort data for their own political purposes?
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:02 pmNever!
I’ve never heard of such a wild accusation.
My lands.
Gag orders on NASA scientists regarding global warming, “cooking the books” on stem cell research….aren’t these crimes any longer?? In my world, they certainly are! Let’s get this chimp of a leader out of office – impeach him now! How much more does this country need to see of his corrupt methodology, outright lies, and the mass sacrifice of our troops in a criminal, worthless war before they say “Uncle”??? (or IMPEACH THE FRAUD)???
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:06 pmThe White House has clearly gotten it wrong.
Just insert this statement into anything the White House has done, written about, believed, thought, spoken of, clarified, etc.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:06 pmThe overwhelming consensus in the scientific and medical community is that embryonic stem cell research holds the greatest potential to cure diseases and end the suffering of millions.
If this statement is true, why does the research need federal funding. If it were true, why aren’t private interests lineing up for the research and developement, as in other industries (technology, genetics, medicine, etc).
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:06 pmCLEARLY, THIS THUG HAS GOT TO GO! INVESTIGATE, INDICT, AND IMPEACH…NOW!
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:07 pmThis is an outrage…..what is it – the world according to George W. Bush? A fictional world where scientific facts can be monkeyed with? Where one man can tamper with history and rewrite it? Where Truth no longer exits in any nook or cranny of the white house? This house used to be a symbol of justice, honesty, integrity, and truth – it’s become a hall of corruption, lies, deceit and the worst human characteristics known to man.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:09 pmwhy would everyone in the white house lie on teevee about everything they are asked?
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:11 pmthe old saying is now gospel to the new fundamentalists. meet the new boss
“everything I say is a lie”
paul said:
“The overwhelming consensus in the scientific and medical community is that embryonic stem cell research holds the greatest potential to cure diseases and end the suffering of millions.
If this statement is true, why does the research need federal funding. If it were true, why aren’t private interests lineing up for the research and developement, as in other industries (technology, genetics, medicine, etc).”
Um… paul? Maybe it’s because private interests don’t see the kind of return on that investment needed to make it worthwhile? Ya think?
Perhaps if the cure came in pill form and could be advertised during the Super Bowl and sold at inflated prices through the President’s prescriptoin drug plan, THEN we’re talking some Return on Investment.
Cha-ching!
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:16 pmI just want to make sure that everyone here understands that Bush is not outlawing embryonic stem cell research, he simply opposes federal money going to fund research. If you’re that upset about the decision and the potential is so great, start up a company to do the research and become rich. Most of the sentiment about Bush’s opposition to funding, would seem more appropriate if he was actually banning the research.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:16 pmDrug companies need suffering people, and Bush needs drug companies. He won’t allow ways to stop people from needing help.
It’s also why Americans don’t realise that a lot of health issues have already had cures found for them in the East. Easterd medicine. It can, and has cured many people in Asia.
But in America, we think the only cures come in bottles advertised on TV.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:16 pmI’m curious the percentage of media outlets covering this statement by the scientists versus Bush’s original (incorrect/distorted) citing of this report…
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:21 pmI’m not so sure when the world’s rich and powerful (people with means) get sick, they fly off to Asia for treatment. And Castro, who recently had three surgeries, flew in a surgeon from Spain, bypassing his own governmentally controlled heathcare. Federal funding in not the answer to effective healthcare; just look to where it has been tried and failed.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:23 pmJust in:
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:26 pmThis years’ diversionary topic in Dubious’ State of the Union speech will be “health care reform”
Another smoke screen to draw attention away from the past failures and present disasters.
Last year was the “Return to Space Exploration”
It was “Social Security Reform” when he was planning the Iraq invasion…
Anybody else see a pattern here?
The U.S. has resisted governmental control of healthcare that exists in many parts of the world. If more governmental control is a better way to find cures and keep people healthy and Bush’s resistance to federal funding prevents the required research here; won’t the governments that control their healthcare fund the research that shows so much potential. (Afterall, they also want cures and wish to make their citizens healthy). When they make the breakthoughs, that Bush is unwilling to fund, the only losers will be the greedy U.S. corporations that won’t make the profits. Who here would have a problem with that?
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:30 pmNothing wrong with seeking health care elsewhere. If one can afford to, go for it.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:31 pmMy personal objection is the corporate cycle of products and practices which cause illnesses and dis-ease, so that they can maintain a steady consumer base for the drugs and procedures they also peddle.
LOL the white house distorted information to push forward their agenda!!! I am shocked I tell ya, shocked and appalled.
hehehehehehe
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:36 pmActually Paul,
Generally people in countries with government run health services, are far healthier then the average American. I had a friend of mine up in Canada, he was off work for 4 months after surgery to his eyes. The surgery was covered, the recovery was covered, and he didn’t have to worry about losing his home while he couldn’t work.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:38 pm#13 – You betcha ~
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:44 pmFirst the smoke, then the mirror…
Granted there are places where”federal funding” ( Federal is such a funny word, isn’t it? So many possible interpretations and connotations…..) has failed, there are many instances where socialized medicine is working very well. Canada, as mentioned, Britain, the Scandinavian counrties, many others……
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:47 pmIt’s because the citizens of those nations care enough about themselves and each other, they want to be healthy, and are willing to pay for it through taxation.
Health care in those places remains a skilled and honorable Profession, and not simply an occupational vehicle towards making a lot of money.
If the religious kooks really think stem cells are human beings, they need to organize to shut down fertility clinics and the evil couples who go there seeking assistance to have a child meanwhile creating thousands of embryos destined to sit in liquid nitrogen for their whole lives.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:47 pmIf this statement is true, why does the research need federal funding. If it were true, why aren’t private interests lineing up for the research and developement, as in other industries (technology, genetics, medicine, etc).
Comment by paul — January 22, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Same reason oil companies won’t fund alternative fuels. It costs them fewer profits to keep things status quo.
They make more money off drugs that keep sick people from full-blown cures. As only sick people take medicine, curing sick people will delete your profit margin.
Or, in a word – GREED. Yes, these people are that unethical.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:52 pmI just want to make sure that everyone here understands that Bush is not outlawing embryonic stem cell research, he simply opposes federal money going to fund research. If you’re that upset about the decision and the potential is so great, start up a company to do the research and become rich. Most of the sentiment about Bush’s opposition to funding, would seem more appropriate if he was actually banning the research.
Comment by paul — January 22, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Let me see if I understand this. The majority of the people and their representatives support federal funding of stem cell research. GDumbya, our supposed representative in the WH, opposes it. gDumbya is supposed to carry out the will of the people. However, a small segment of the population, upon which Gdumbya relies for money and votes (he is completely reduced to that now) opposes federal funding. So who will GDumbya listen to? Why, himself and his supporters.
That’s what this is about Paul. Not the false crap they disseminate about stem cell research, not the ideological leanings of a minority of the population. Its that GDumbya is opposing (ignoring) the will of the people.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:53 pmDieNowForPeace. I’m sorry that if I disagree with you, that it makes you angry. I wish you peace and hope you don’t have to die to find it. ;)
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:53 pmAmen to that. I have a friend in Canada whose husband had CF and the treatments he received were all cutting edge and on a moment’s notice (opposite of the FUD that you have to be on a long waiting list, as if there arent long waiting lists in the USA) and free. His waiting time for a double lung transplant was like two weeks. I’d love to see it happen that quick in the USA (Canada has more aggressive organ donation laws in that the family cannot override the donor’s wishes if the donor has already registered their wishes, plus more Canadians are willing to donate their organs).
In addition, when she was preggers, she went half-time at work and the government paid the other half. And in addition to that, she was able to take a month preceeding and two months off after birth (that’s a hell of a maternity leave) and still got 1/2 her normal paycheck during that entire period. She absolutely loved the Canadian healthcare system and wouldn’t want it any other way.
And here we are with our premiums constantly going up, coverage going down, service going down, and we think that the tax burden of health care versus the premiums we already pay is worse? I don’t think so.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:54 pmIf you’re that upset about the decision and the potential is so great, start up a company to do the research and become rich.
Comment by paul — January 22, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Since it takes money to make money, where do you suggest we get that? Hmmm… Federal funding?
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:56 pm#16. Raven. I share your belief that the focus should be on healthy lifestyles and prevention, rather than promoting unhealthy lifestyles to cure with drugs (to profit). I not sure if that is an issue to be tackled by the government.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:57 pmIf it were true, why aren’t private interests lineing up for the research and developement, as in other industries (technology, genetics, medicine, etc).
Comment by paul — January 22, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
This statement is fallacious. The government funds research in all those areas, directly (by actually giving companies federal funds) or indirectly (through tax breaks, tax incentives, etc.)
The government is responsible for establishing the framework to ensure the viability of a scientific venture, or the adoption of a new technology as it is the case now with High Definition TV.
If your logic were used in all scientific, technological areas, space exploration might have never happened, and the US would probably not have communication satellites.
January 22nd, 2007 at 1:58 pmPeople like paul tend to ignore that much of the research that is threatened by cutting off these funds, is done in academic settings instead of at a drug company. Millions of breakthroughs and discoveries have been done at Universities across this country. Free of the need to make a profit.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 pmI had a friend of mine up in Canada, he was off work for 4 months after surgery to his eyes. The surgery was covered, the recovery was covered, and he didn’t have to worry about losing his home while he couldn’t work.
Comment by Krazny — January 22, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
Canada is making year-round winter sound more and more tolerable. :)
They are also the most educated country in the world. So, for those who can’t do the logic – let me explain. If a country is the most educated and also offers national healthcare – then clearly national health care is an educated decision (smart).
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:02 pmThe overwhelming consensus in the scientific and medical community is that embryonic stem cell research holds the greatest potential to cure diseases and end the suffering of millions.
If this statement is true, why does the research need federal funding. If it were true, why aren’t private interests lineing up for the research and developement, as in other industries (technology, genetics, medicine, etc).
paul how naive are you? theres no money in cures….. dont you know how drug dealers make their money?
on the “come-back”
…I’m certain that this feigned stem cell indignation seemingly made to pander to their hipocritcal biblehumping “save the all the white embryos, kill all the brown people” base has the added benefit of masking the real motivation behind impeding this research.. big pharma not wanting someone to be able to take one pill that makes thier problem go away forever.. who do you think drug dealers.. erm i mean pharma companies make more money off?.. the AIDS pantient who needs to pop their pills for the rest of his life, or one who could take one pill and be cured? oh wait, thats a kooky conspiracy, and the only conspiracy that exists involve “islambic super villians with magical terror powers”
isnt it funny how unrestrained capitalism and religion can come together in such perfect synergy to stifle progress?
oh, and as a side note, take a random guess about how much drug research is federally funded.. why spend tons of money on year on unprofitable preliminary research when you can convince some senator that the governments should do it for you…
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:04 pmunbelievable. I listen to what you had to say with an open mind.
gogreen. I think that is why the founding fathers created the new government as a representative republic and not a true democracy.
Raven. Wow! you are very reasonable and could change the way I view (by degree) the way I view government involvement in healthcare. Are you as attractive as you are intelligent?
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:05 pmMillions of breakthroughs and discoveries have been done at Universities across this country. Free of the need to make a profit. Comment by Krazny
Yes and if they choose to do embryonic stem cell research on their own dime or through other funding sources, is there a risk of losing government funds for other research? If not formally, I would wager it happens informally.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:10 pmAre you as attractive as you are intelligent?
Comment by paul — January 22, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
http://www.match.com
:D
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:10 pm#9 – I understand 100%.
Now you tell me this: How does it makes moral sense to allow funding of all all other SC research, whilst not funding embryonic SC research?
Isn’t that like saying, well sure, you may destroy innocent life, so long as govt isn’t paying you to do it. What kind of moral stance is that? You know, hasn’t the government got an obligation to stop murder occurring, period? Or does Bush not have the courage of his convictions to do this?
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:11 pmsimplicio. #22. that is a great point I haven’t heard before. You’re right. If those who believe the embryos are a viable life, they should oppose the formation of embryos in addition to those that will be brought to term.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:11 pm#36 by unbelievable
LOL!
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:13 pmLet’s call a spade a spade. The single reason that Bush and the few diehards left are opposed to stem cell research is the religious aspect.
In their dim minds, ’tis better to flush the blastocyst out with rest of the shit, than to use the cluster of cells for research.
That cluster of cells might have a “soul”. It has the potential to become human. So do the cells you flush down the drain when you shower.
Not that many years ago these same religious freaks were fighting against blood transfusions, that was an affront to God in their eyes. Then they opposed organ transplants, then using valves from a pig’s heart on humans……
“I don’t want my tax dollars to support the taking of a life” says the pious, ingignant Jebus freak.
Well I don’t want my tax dollars being pissed away in Iraq either.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:14 pmLOL!
Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian(PLC) — January 22, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Have you noticed how the conservative men do this?
Think it’s okay to hit on women in here.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:16 pmQuick question,
Would someone who made in the neighborhood of $600k in pharm stocks be concidered a whore to big pharm?
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:17 pm“I don’t want my tax dollars to support the taking of a life†says the pious, ingignant Jebus freak.
Well I don’t want my tax dollars being pissed away in Iraq either.
Comment by nanlichi — January 22, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Touche!
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:18 pmPaul wrote:
“…And Castro, who recently had three surgeries, flew in a surgeon from Spain, bypassing his own governmentally controlled heathcare. Federal funding in not the answer to effective healthcare”
C’mon now making the argument by citing Cuban “governmentally controlled healthcare” as the standard for effective healthcare is a bit like citing Donald Rumsfeld as a standard of a great war tactician.
Not valid, try again.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:20 pmI am not religious, but I do have a belief that conception is when life begins. For that reason, I have difficulty with the research on embryos. My view on nationalized healthcare, however has come closer to yours (Raven, unbelievable, Kranzy, Gregor Samsa and others) than I sure yours has come to mine. Thank you. Good crowd. Gotta go.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:21 pmun – #34
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:22 pmBWAAAAAAWAAAAAHAHAHAHHAH!!!~~
PLC,
I don’t have an answer for your question. it has been many years since I have had any connection to academic research. I know that it is done. I know that it is almost a cottage industry, if you can write good grant requests, you can make a mint. I also know, that often the research performed is less in the interest of making money, and more for the common good. A researcher at the University of Washington, has to justify the research, not come up with a 100% profit.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:24 pmWould someone who made in the neighborhood of $600k in pharm stocks be concidered a whore to big pharm?
Comment by hacker bob
No, that’s called being a wise investor, who knew of the perks given to BIG PHARM in order to increase their profits which would benefit anyone who bought stock. Same thing happened in the Energy Sector.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:25 pmIn their dim minds, ’tis better to flush the blastocyst out with rest of the shit, than to use the cluster of cells for research.
Comment by nanlichi — January 22, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Make no mistake: This is a manufactured outrage, and a fake problem. It is a theme that the religious right has taken on as a “wedge issue”, nothing more.
Of course they know about the fertility clinics, but they choose to ignore them because they cannot be used to rally their faithful followers.
Not to mention that, if Pres Bush and his followers were so concerned with human life (as they claim), they would ban the death penalty or at least pardon a whole lot more people. I won’t hold my breath.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:25 pmI am not religious, but I do have a belief that conception is when life begins. For that reason, I have difficulty with the research on embryos.
Comment by paul — January 22, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
Then you should also have problems with eating animals. Are you a vegetarian?
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:25 pm#38 nanlichi – reminds me of my late Bible thumpin grandpa Clarence.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:25 pmWhen Richard Debakey (sic) did the first heart transplant he ranted for months about it being an affront to god!!! The human heart to him was akin to the soul, and under no circumstances should god allow it to be replaced, repaired or tinkered with, damn it!
Gregor – or institute the death penalty for masturbators…
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 pmRUCerious,
LOL!
Good one…. the possibilities are mind-boggling indeed ;-)
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:29 pmGregor – or institute the death penalty for masturbators…
Comment by RUCerious — January 22, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
ROTFL!
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:30 pmQuick answer: No
$600,000 is chump change to these people. Now if the amount was in the millions I might answer differently.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:31 pm“she was able to take a month preceeding and two months off after birth (that’s a hell of a maternity leave) and still got 1/2 her normal paycheck during that entire period.”
Actually I believe that maternity leave in Canada is 12 months! Not sure as I am male and my wife and I don’t have kids but my niece got 12 months of maternity leave – with job waiting.
“Canada is making year-round winter sound more and more tolerable. :)”
LOL I see the smile at the end of that sentence. One good thing about having a winter is there are way fewer bugs!
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:32 pmThe human heart to him was akin to the soul, and under no circumstances should god allow it to be replaced, repaired or tinkered with, damn it!
Comment by RUCerious — January 22, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
The Egyptians used to scoop out and discard the brain, because they also believed that the heart was the center of intellect, thought and reasoning skills…
Religion can be just as archaic as a 3,000 year old culture’s concepts of anatomy.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:35 pmNo, that’s called being a wise investor, who knew of the perks given to BIG PHARM in order to increase their profits which would benefit anyone who bought stock. Same thing happened in the Energy Sector.
Comment by DieNowForPeace
So, the investors are not the evil ones? I think I understand. Just like the people that invest in Oil are not the evil one. But because of the breaks these Oil and Pharm companies get, the investors get a larger return.
The tax breaks feed the investor. So why would the investor try to do anything that would harm their investment?
I am not trying to argue, just trying to understand the logic chain here.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:36 pmOh my, a lefty AND a natural redhead…
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:36 pmI’m yours, my little ivory billed woodpecker…
LOL I see the smile at the end of that sentence.
Yeah, I was joking. I know you guys get about two weeks of warm each August :) Actually after two summers in Georgia, year round winter sounds like a treat :)
One good thing about having a winter is there are way fewer bugs!
Comment by Yikes — January 22, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Or tourists :)
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:38 pmCan stem cell research be used to selectively remove neocon ignorance and prejudice from future generations?
Maybe this is why they are so afraid of it
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:44 pmWould someone who made in the neighborhood of $600k in pharm stocks be concidered a whore to big pharm?
Comment by hacker bob — January 22, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Did big pharma wine and dine this person? Pay for their golf trips abroad? Was the stock granted with a suspicious discount at a suspicious time (backdating), or was it purchased? Did the person in question sponsor bills/laws favorable to big pharma? Did the stock price go up as a result? Did big pharma contribute big $$$ to this person’s PAC?
Without more information, it sounds to me the person in question is just a good/wise investor…
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:44 pmI just want to make sure that everyone here understands that Bush is not outlawing embryonic stem cell research, he simply opposes federal money going to fund research.
Comment by paul — January 22, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Paul, ol’ boy…I do think there’s a bit more to it than that. He may not be outlawing it, he may oppose federal funding, but he’s also against it. Period. Why? As mentioned before, to keep the religious right on his side.
From TP, dated 8/24/06:
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Paul, 55% of all pharmaceutical research is taxpayer funded already. Are you saying you’re ok with taxpayers funding research into boner-enhancing drugs, but not for stem cells?
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:49 pmGood discussion, folks.
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:50 pmFertility clinics & blastocysts won’t mean much to Bush. Literally. As our favorite Neoslut, Richard Perle admitted, ‘he (Bush) doesn’t know much’.
We’ll see that confirmed tomorrow night at the SOTU address. Isn’t it pathetic how the ‘pro-lifers’ quit caring once the fetus arrives? Bush, the ‘Texecutioner’ has no problem taking life. Or sending our young to give up a life. Or leaving thousands in NO to try to keep alive.
Impeach. Imprison. Immediately.
Hey Paul,
Your right… Bush isn’t apposed to stem cell research, just federal funding of it.
I think there is a huge flaw of logic when he will approve federal funding to attack a country and kill under false pretenses rather than using that money to help people live better lives.
So much for being a “uniter”
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:51 pmSo why would the investor try to do anything that would harm their investment?
Comment by hacker bob — January 22, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Yes, you are trying to argue, and your argument is that there is no way Pelosi would do anything that would harm her holdings in pharmaceutical companies.
Hypothetically, you might be right. However, the same logic can be applied to all representatives and senators who have investments in other areas: Real estate, restaurants, hospitals, construction, etc.
Your logic would preclude any politician from investing their money anywhere -including putting it in a bank accout (their political decisions might impact the economy, which might push interest rates up, which might make them money).
As long as there is no direct conflict of interest, I say let’s give those people some leeway or they won’t be able to do anything…
January 22nd, 2007 at 2:56 pmActually, my point was to stop the “holier than thou” crap a lot of people spew out. If you make money from oil/pharm or whatever AND you are of a different political ideology you are a whore. If you make money from big pharm/oil and haev the same political ideology, you are a wide investor. That was the entire reason I posted Pelosi’s info financial disclosure statement.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:02 pmOtherwise known as an argument.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:10 pmRUCerious, please don’t tell Grandpa Clarence that I worked 7 days last week. He would be obligated to seek me out and blow me away, have to keep the Sabath Holy you know, and the penalty is death.
As long as we are in full confession mode, I have worn cotton and wool at the same time, touched a woman when she was not clean, and have been know to spill my seed on the ground, and took the lord’s name in vain once.
Damned I am!
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:13 pmIf you make money from oil/pharm or whatever AND you are of a different political ideology you are a whore.
Comment by hacker bob — January 22, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
I don’t agree with this statement and it is not my position.
However, if the person in question receives substantial amounts of money from lobbyists, then it is a whole different story. If the person gets elected thanks to that financial support, and then sponsors bills that benefit the lobbysts’ clients, then -again- it is a whole different story.
If it’s stock bought through a broker, and no financial gain was made from insider trading, I have no problem with politicians making money. I wish they passed laws to benefit people who are not so fortunate, but I don’t think it makes them a “whore” for this or that industry.
By the way, yours was an argument disguised as a question to try to “understand the logic chain”.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:13 pmCan we just disban the US government, they have been completely nuts for decades.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:18 pmGregor and Spudge,
Sorry about that. It was actually both. I am trying to understand the logic while taking an opposing side. I know it seemed a little trollish. Sorry.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:30 pmIt’s all good hacker bob.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:56 pmSorry about that. It was actually both. I am trying to understand the logic while taking an opposing side. I know it seemed a little trollish. Sorry.
Comment by hacker bob — January 22, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
try tempering your tone and call it “devil’s advocate”…
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 pmjust sayin’…
Bob,
’tis allright. No harm done.
Peace.
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:01 pmGregor and Spudge
I love you guys (not like bill and monica or george and barney)
katy, If I do that upfront, it’s no fun..lol
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:06 pm“devil’s advocateâ€â€¦
just sayin’…
Comment by katy
I like that one.
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:07 pmI love you guys (not like bill and monica or george and barney)
hmmmm… that line sounds familiar… :-)
katy, If I do that upfront, it’s no fun..lol
Comment by hacker bob — January 22, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
oh… one of those kind, eh? … fun!
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:58 pmI like that one.
Comment by Zooey — January 22, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
hey, it takes all kinds…
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:00 pmmakes it interesting too…
My goodness, the White House has distorted reports to support their position? My, my. I never! Tsk. Tsk.
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:40 pmI am so surprised — there must be an explanation.
After all, Bush attended Harvard. Why would he twist the results? Bush is such an honorable alumnus.
Sam Cooke sang of George Bush years ago…
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:46 pmDon’t know much biology
Don’t know much about a science book
Bush was allowed to enter Harvard Business School on a “legacy” after failing to get admission to University of Texas Law School. Can you imagine being a 17th legacy from Yale, having a father and grandfather in congress and NOT being admitted to U. of Tex Law School???!!! That’s how incompetent George W. Bush is.
January 22nd, 2007 at 6:51 pmYou really don’t know? Why, it’s simple. It is not in the best interest of the pharm community to find a cure to…well, anything, really. Anything that can delay the disease or condition, temporarily suppress the symptoms of the disease or condition, or otherwise offer a renewable prescribed medicines that (hopefully many) people need to survive.
It is not the doctors themselves who are generally at fault here (though there are certainly a select percentage of douchebag doctors that are willing to look the other way if it means $$$). It is the pharm people. They are insidious, they will do anything to get doctors into their programs, prescribing their medications, etc. The doctors generally want to find a genuine cure. As do many of the researchers at pharm companies. It is the pricks who run the show, the execs, the salesmen, etc, who dick over the world, and do everything in their (lobbying and pocketbook) power to keep actual cures out of the market.
This is one of many, many reasons why health care, more than virtually any industry, needs strong ties to amazing social programs. This is one of many, many reasons why we need universal health care. This is one of many, many reasons why lobbying with $$$ should be illegal, and carry with it strict and prolonged sentences if you are found bribing government officials and employees.
There’s the rub.
January 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 pmI’m a Christian. Like Bush, I don’t believe in the science. It’s witchcraft and scorcery, I tell you! Whenever someone gets really sick in my house, we just pray harder to Jesus. I know it didn’t work for Mary and Stevie as they died, but I’m sure God has a plan for them which I am not allowed to understand.
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:52 pmPaul wrote:
“…And Castro, who recently had three surgeries, flew in a surgeon from Spain, bypassing his own governmentally controlled heathcare. Federal funding in not the answer to effective healthcareâ€
In fact was a political move to give credibility to the Castro’s recovery. No one would believe it if a series of cuban doctors said that Castro is in a healthy shape, but flying a doctor from a western country to confirm his recovery, they got some more credibility.
And, the Cuban doctors are very good. You can find doctors by the dozen in Cuba. country which health system has specialized in exporting health care to other countries in South America, very often free of charge.
And there are so many doctors in Cuba because health care is free and formation for doctors is very cheap. Simply, Castro decided that health care was a strategical sector in the cuban society long ago.
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:49 am[...] We are surprised to see our work on reprogramming adult stem cells used to support arguments that research involving human embryonic stem cells is unnecessary. On the contrary, we assert that human embryonic stem cells hold great promise to find new treatments and cures for diseases. … [...]
January 23rd, 2007 at 7:17 pmget THEM out!!!
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