Video: “I could give a damn about Rush Limbaugh’s pity”
posted at 8:57 pm on October 26, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Limbaugh apologized this afternoon after Fox explained that, in fact, he was overmedicated for the McCaskill ad. He repeated that point to Couric, as you’ll see.
I included the bit where he knocked his lavalier off and she had to help him fix it. CBS would have cut something like that from any other interview. Not here.
Hard to say yet if the ad worked for McCaskill, but it sure did work for stem-cell research.
Meanwhile, somewhere in New York City… Click the image to watch.
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LOL. Uh-oh, Rather’s on the sauce.
He’s depressed, he needs help. Calling Dr. Daniels, Dr. Jack Daniels!
Lone Star on October 26, 2006 at 9:05 PM
Is it wrong of me to have wished that Michael J. Fox would have lost hold of his crossed leg and it flip up and kick Couric in the face?
Hm. I can’t tell.
Enoxo on October 26, 2006 at 9:06 PM
The Donks are working to focus on Rush’s comments and not on Fox’s ads. Fox’s statements in the ads have been throughly fisked. So what do the Donks have left? Attack Rush for daring to criticize Fox. The “doctrine of infallibility” at work right before our eyes.
Mallard T. Drake on October 26, 2006 at 9:06 PM
Stem cell research is perfectly legal. Let me ask you, if the treatment were viable don’t you think private companies would do the research. They are. So why is California giving 30 billion dollars in research money? Do they really need more money than that?
dougless on October 26, 2006 at 9:09 PM
Look, Fox is a nice man. His disease has been exploited by the Democratic party. In fact, he’s been exploited by the Democratic party. Let’s forgive him and let it go.
ahem on October 26, 2006 at 9:10 PM
That’s the whole point: plenty of private funds are available to fund this research. Using public funds for it–funds from people who disagree with it morally–is another matter.
ahem on October 26, 2006 at 9:11 PM
I thought he gave excellent answers at every point.
Alex K on October 26, 2006 at 9:18 PM
Why is he being exploited any more than Jim Caviezel is?
Allahpundit on October 26, 2006 at 9:19 PM
The dirty little secret of stem cell research is that there’s nothing on the near horizon. Any real benefits are 10-15 years off by the researcher’s own admission, and even then uncertain. There’s been enough spent and done to establish that it won’t be the grand cure-all many have hoped for. A whole lot of fuss over nothing.
Scotsman on October 26, 2006 at 9:21 PM
That was freaking hilarious. Fake but accurate.
infidel4life on October 26, 2006 at 9:24 PM
Michael J. Fox may not give a d*mn about sympathy or compassion from others, nevertheless my heart goes out to him for his condition. I’ve had friends with the same affliction. It’s tough, it’s sad, and it’s also irrelevant.
He is a celebrity who endorsed a candidate in a political battle we call an election…nothing more, nothing less. He did not give a public service announcement for the encouragement of stem cell research. He endorsed a candidate in an election. Politics is a brutal game. If you don’t want to get hit, stay off the field.
Who are the Dems going to get next…Stephen Hawking?
Lone Star on October 26, 2006 at 9:26 PM
“I just say that if there is a Private Industry that is out there, that has thought about it, prayed about it, intellectually groveled about it – Then would they please stand up and pay for this research.”
“Anyone?”
“Hello?”
“Anyone…”
ar_basin on October 26, 2006 at 9:26 PM
I don’t think Fox is being exploited at all. He’s too smart for that. It’s the combination of misinformation and unassailable victimhood (per the dem playbook) that subject him to scrutiny.
Kid from Brooklyn on October 26, 2006 at 9:32 PM
I can’t fault Michael for promoting his cause. If I were in his shoes I’d do the same thing.
I do think that it is greasy of McCaskill and the Libs to use him for their purposes rather than a genuine passion for cell research.
You can’t possibly critisize a man trying to save his own life. You can criticize those using him.
Allah, not sure who Jim Caviezel is.
If he is being used by a republican in a similar way, shame on us too.
BacaDog on October 26, 2006 at 9:33 PM
What’s the misinformation?
Allahpundit on October 26, 2006 at 9:33 PM
Apology from Rush because little Alex was ironically too medicated? What?
It was said that he, himself, admitted to “not medicating” when he went before Congress.
Also, it’s known that he experienced great pangs for a TV show.
ar_basin on October 26, 2006 at 9:37 PM
Fox is purely and simply being exploited by the left. On the other hand, it fits his politcs quite well. Of course he has a right to express his opinion . . . and so does Limbaugh and anyone else that disagrees with him.
rplat on October 26, 2006 at 9:37 PM
I agree with AP.
I also think that Michael Fox’s response was a fair one. I don’t have to agree with him, but you can’t help but respect his opinion.
Rush is a hero of mine, but he’s not perfect and this is an example where he should’ve chosen his words more carefully.
If this was a boxing match, I would award Fox a technical knockout.
realVerse on October 26, 2006 at 9:40 PM
AP,
Here is a link to AJStrata at Strata-sphere….he is a biologist/engineer….it is a pretty good look at the stem cell issue. Made sense to me….
http://strata-sphere.com/blog/index.php/archives/2754
Limerick on October 26, 2006 at 9:41 PM
Well said LoneStar.
He obviously wants to get his message out. McCaskill offered him a forum via a political ad and MJF took it. However, his reasons were personal and McCaskill’s were greasy.
BacaDog on October 26, 2006 at 9:41 PM
Here’s the full text of the proposed Amendment to the Missouri state constitution:
http://nocloning.org/amendment.pdf
Dave Shay on October 26, 2006 at 9:41 PM
From now on, I don’t wanna hear jack shit from the left whenever Bush “exploits” a limbless veteran.
The infallibilty gloves are off.
The Ugly American on October 26, 2006 at 9:44 PM
AP, not to take away from this serious debate, but Bethany always agrees with you.
BacaDog on October 26, 2006 at 9:45 PM
IMHO, something is up with MJF’s condition. I watched him around a year ago on Inside the Actor’s Studio (Nov ‘05) and he wasn’t nearly that bad. Even when he got to a point where he had to take a break to take some more medicine, he wasn’t that bad. IMHO, he’s playing up the condition for the ad and for this Couric interview. I find it hard to believe that one year could have changed his condition that much.
Of course I could be wrong but even if I am that doesn’t change the fact that embryonic stem cell research is happening in the US at the moment and that it hasn’t yielded the results of adult and umbilical stem cell research.
Benaiah on October 26, 2006 at 9:55 PM
isn’t much of an apology.
don’t think fox was out of line with his ad at all. in fact his reaction to the backlash was admirably moderate in proportion to the backlash.
jummy on October 26, 2006 at 9:56 PM
Fox is exploiting himself.
vcferlita on October 26, 2006 at 10:04 PM
It’s interesting how when they “respect” our views against embryonic stem-cell research, nothing really happens. But the definition of us “respecting” their views in favor of embryonic stem-cell research means that it must be legalized and supported by the tax payers.
tiekitwist on October 26, 2006 at 10:07 PM
Ha. That’s not Bethany. That’s one of the realVerse producers.
Allahpundit on October 26, 2006 at 10:08 PM
Was that an accident or was he acting? (jk..maybe)
vcferlita on October 26, 2006 at 10:09 PM
What has struck me most about the liberal response to Rush’s comments on the MJF ad is that so many of them have been saying things like, “Fox has a right to say these things,” as if Rush, by challenging MJF, is somehow taking away MJF’s right to say what he wants about stem cell research. For example, this is what Diane Sawyer said in her interview with Hannity the other day:
I am always soooo annoyed when people say something like that because clearly MJF does have the right to say it–he said it and no jack-booted thugs grabbed him and locked him up, did they? By arguing against what MJF said, Rush in no way took away another citizen’s right to speak freely. He just exercised his own right to free speech in opposition. But libs love to paint any criticism of their points of view as someone trying to squash their right to free speech.
aero on October 26, 2006 at 10:20 PM
Rush should have been more careful with the comment about the meds, but nothing else he said was out of line at all. MJF has entered the political arena, has made an ad that is grossly misleading with regard to embryonic stem cell research, and has done it in favor of two candidates and at the expense of another, not in support of the issue itself.
In the case of Cardin, Fox should have checked his voting record for the vote against funding stem cell research. If he did know of Cardin’s vote, then his ad was doubly misleading in that case, and if he didn’t, he was at best negligent for not getting a better handle on the position taken by the candidate whom he was endorsing.
Furthermore, the implicit suggestion behind his endorsements is that voting for the other guy in those races will cause him to remain in his condition.
thirteen28 on October 26, 2006 at 10:22 PM
What I find interesting is how MJF had been asked by organizations to be a spokesman for various causes and always refused. Now that he is suffering . .
Sorry, but that wins no respect.
- The Cat
MirCat on October 26, 2006 at 10:28 PM
The problem is MJF, whether knowingly or not, is essentially lying to the public, and able to do so becaue of his celebrity, about the prospect of cures for diseases from embryonic stem cell research.
RightWinged on October 26, 2006 at 10:33 PM
Fox is allowing himself to be exploited by using his disease as the excuse to support a liberal, and in that ad we are being told to hold a pity party, and allow Fox to get his cure. What cure?!?! Can anyone point to any scientist telling us that this “research” WILL give the cure to so many diseases that a book could be written on all of that?
Fox tried to sell the idea that Sen. Jim Talent is trying to remove any hope of him being cured…
“Unfortunately, Sen. Jim Talent opposes expanding stem cell research,” Fox says in the 30-second spot. “Sen. Talent even wanted to criminalize the science that gives us a chance for hope.”
Shall I cry a river of tears? I don’t think so.
I feel bad for Fox, but I believe he became an American citizen so as to have an easier shot at our better health care system, and for him to do this self serving
crapad definitely makes him fair political game. Also, Rush was correct when he said that something wasn’t quite right, that Fox was acting, or was off of his medication as Fox had admitted to doing before. In this case, Fox admits to being OVER-medicated when he did the ad.I appreciate Michael’s acting talents, but we don’t need another actor preaching to us about science.
DannoJyd on October 26, 2006 at 10:33 PM
Fact is, had he received an embryonic stem cell transplant, he would display much more dyskinesia than even in the ads. The research is ongoing everywhere, he is just fighting to have your federal tax dollars fund it. That is the only relevant debate here.
Valiant on October 26, 2006 at 10:35 PM
Fox makes a great argument with his remarks to what people, a majority in Democratic societies, decide should carry some weight in policy.
Except when it comes to gay marriage, I presume…
Hoodlumman on October 26, 2006 at 10:35 PM
Michael Fox thinks embryonic stem cell is the answer to his problem, but plenty of people disagree and point to other lines of research that are producing very encouraging results. Since that procedure requires the death of another human being, doesn’t Fox have at least some respect for that concern? Evidently not. It looks like he is just self-righteously mad that not everyone is seeing it his way. Second, Fox admitted that he was off his medication in order to dramatize his condition while testifying in Congress. So, in a sense, he was misleading Congress, and under oath? Now, he haughtily explains that Rush Limbaugh is over the line when Rush essentially was simply surprised to see him in that condition, having seen Fox (unlike most of the unwashed public) in person, not in that condition. What was Rush supposed to think? His own eyes were showing him two contradictory things. Rush was wrong, because, well, Fox now explains that he was under- medicated for Congress, but over-medicated for the political ads. Ah ha! Parsing the reply! Rush is absolutely right, Fox has been manipulating his condition for effect, tailoring it to his targeted audience. And we are all supposed to think that’s okay, even if we smell the stench of deception? The ends justify the means?
Sounds like Fox has been in the habit of playing fast and loose with his prescriptions. His doctor have anything to say about this now that it is public knowledge? Like “stop screwing with the dosages I prescribed for you!” If Fox keels over one day doing a political ad or interview with too much or without his medications, will the media blame Rush for that too or will they blame the man who made the decision to pull such stunts?
naliaka on October 26, 2006 at 10:46 PM
Well, didn’t the Missourri ad say that Talent wanted to “criminalize” “life saving” “stem cell research”? That’s misleading at best.
Didn’t the Maryland ad say that Cardin was the only candidate who supported “life saving” “stem cell research”, when he actually voted against something or another… I think those are valid criticisms that are worthy of being called misleading, if they are all true.
DaveS on October 26, 2006 at 10:59 PM
Why? Why should Rush have chosen his words more carefully? Are we back to ‘don’t criticize the sick guy. He has absolute moral authority.’ Fox either lied his a** off knowingly or he was duped. Has he apologized to Jim Talent for mischaracterizing his position? So has anyone plumbed the depths of ‘absolute moral authority’? I mean, could Cindy Sheehan or Michael J Fox order Rush to be killed? Would the assassin have ‘absolute moral authority’ by proxy? Or would MJF or Bad Mutha Sheehan have to pull the trigger themselves? Instead of the insanity plea we could have the ‘absolute moral authority plea’. No, I’m sorry. You don’t PLEAD absolute moral authority. You DEMAND IT. Anyway, I see a few people are eager to make Rush pay for having the temerity to address comments by a Hollywood star lying through his teeth; while MJF decides how to have the flesh flayed from Rush’s insensitive bones, I have some torches and some pitchforks..anybody up for a road trip to Palm Beach. Don’t sweat the law..my dad has Parkinson’s..I think I should be able to protect an unruly mob of up to 50.
austinnelly on October 26, 2006 at 11:01 PM
As for Fox – the only thing that bothered me was the dishonesty of his ad. Make the distinction *clear* between adult and embryonic cells – make it clear who supports which – make it *clear* what the science actually is – and I don’t much care.
Speaking of the science: I hate this debate because the truth is, 99% of those babbling about it – including us – couldn’t even come close to defining a “stem cell.”
I dunno. Maybe Fox picked up his microbiology degree after Family Ties went off the air? Must be a bitch for him using a microscope these days …
Professor Blather on October 26, 2006 at 11:02 PM
Oh Allah, and on top of the stuff I just posted, the Missouri ballot initiative has nothing to do with the legality of stem cell research, only (tangentially) on the legality of a particular means of obtaining embryonic stem cells.
Once again, that’s assuming that what I’ve been hearing is true. I haven’t read the damned ballot initiative, but I still think it’s fair to characterize Fox as being intentionally misleading–which is what Rush was doing when he muttered the one, relatively insignificant statement that everyone is focusing on.
DaveS on October 26, 2006 at 11:02 PM
Acting! I am an Actor!
He is an actor, and actors are always acting, as his statements on his testimony in front of some congressional committee prove.
I couldn’t give a sh*t about his opinion on embryonic stem cell research just because he is suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and I don’t care any more or less about him because of Parkinson’s. I have a dear friend who is suffering from Parkinson’s and his opinion on the issue hasn’t changed a bit.
He is a midget leftist Canadian actor, and knows jack spit about embryonic stem cell research. Why give him all this leeway? Yes, of course he is being exploited, but Republicans do the same crap, witness any State of the Union speech. What will McCaskill pull next, find a leftist military mom and have her waving the bloody shirt in a commercial. Same difference…
Jaibones on October 26, 2006 at 11:13 PM
why is it that MJ Fox only looks shakey when he wants to?
Suspicious to me. I don’t doubt his condition, only his motives.
sMack on October 26, 2006 at 11:15 PM
He could easily have deteriorated that much in the past year. My father has gone down hill tremendously in the last 9 months. To the point where my sister has had to place him in a home, because they couldn’t care for him anymore. At the beginning of this year, we were still in conversation about him living with my sister for the next 5 years. It’s amazing in retrospect how much has occurred this year.
Parkinson’s can be very stable for long periods of time, and then suddenly make large advances in its grip on the neurological system. It’s insideous. I hate it. It’s devastating and everyone involved feels tremendously helpless in the face of what seems to be an implacable enemy (sorry for the horrible metaphor, but that’s the way it feels).
I’ve been swinging back and forth on this whole topic. On the one hand, the ad campaign has felt extremely sleazy (it’s running here in MD, too, against Steele). On the other, I can so sympathize with Fox. I’m sure he’s grasping for any kind of hope, however misguided it may be. He’s something of a hero to me, if only because he’s been willing to be so public with his disease, and has brought so much attention to the subject. I’m sorry that he has taken this particular path, but … it’s his life. He has a right to take this stand. He has the cache that the Dems feel like they can exploit. Shame on them for stooping to this level.
My 2 cents.
Allah. Keep up the good work. You are invaluable.
nukemhill on October 26, 2006 at 11:16 PM
There is misinformation since the amendment starts like this:
1) No person may clone or attempt to clone a human being.
(2) No human blastocyst may be produced by fertilization solely for the purpose of stem cell research.
when in reality is a pro-cloning amendment
Ropera on October 26, 2006 at 11:38 PM
(cont)
Fox makes us believe that this is a pro-anti Stem Cell Research issue when in reality is a Pro-Anti cloning issue
Ropera on October 26, 2006 at 11:39 PM
There are means to control the shaking. I saw an interesting story on 60 minutes about an operation that puts electronic nodes on the brain, that with a switch can turn the shaking off and on. I don’t know if MJF has had this operation himself, but it would be well worth it for him to look into it. Also…he is an American citizen with the right to speak and vote as he feels. You might not agree with the man’s politics, but unlike alot of Hollywood types, he is married to the same woman, and a good role model for his kids. If I were in his position, I would grasp at anything that might help. He has shown that being an actor and famous and wealthy doesn’t make him any less mortal.
Now, having said that, stem cell research is making great headway, as far as adult cells are concerned. Perhaps there is a good reason as to why embyonic cells are not promising, but my feeling is that this is the one straw the pro abortionists have in justifying their grisly trade.
Jewel on October 26, 2006 at 11:47 PM
The ad is a pure strawman logical fallacy.
It starts by talking about “stem cell research” as if all such research is the same. Then it says that whoever is the Republican target opposes or wants to limit such research. That’s the misstatement of the Republican position.
I noticed that during this interview, Mr. Fox even took extra time to make sure he tarred Republicans with his overly broad brush. He said, “People that are against stem cell research, embryonic or otherwise, whatever…”
As far as I know, the only Republican opposition to any kind of stem cell research is to Embryonic research. I’m sure there are various positions ranging from “fund it all” to “outlaw it all”, but only in regards to ESC research.
On the other hand, I don’t know of any opposition to non-ESC research at all! That is where Michael’s lie is: He states or otherwise implies that ALL stem cell research is under threat by the targeted Republicans.
Back to the ad: Now that he has set up a false version of the Republicans’ position (they oppose ALL stem cell research) he then drives the point home by talking about how the person he’s endorsing supports such “lifesaving research” and leaves the implication that the targeted Republican doesn’t want any cures to be developed.
It’s deceptive pure and simple.
EWTHeckman on October 27, 2006 at 12:09 AM
I’m going to be a litle bit nastier than I usually am here:
Hey McFly; I could give a damn about your problems and I have no pity for you.
I’m not sure of having ‘absolute moral authority’ to enter this discussion, (even though I essentially gave up my own life for the last 9 years to take full time care of my mother who has Parkinson’s, and my father who had Alzheimer’for several years prior to his passing.)
So, I’ll just present to you all my mother’s own feelings on this subject:
“Federal taxes going to EMBRYONIC stem cell research is just wrong. Even if there was an instant cure for my problem from EMBRYONIC stem cells; I wouldn’t accept it because it is completely against to my religious beliefs.”
LegendHasIt on October 27, 2006 at 12:13 AM
I don’t have a problem with criticizing michae j. fox, but there’s no point in doing so because no matter what you say or how valid it is all the dems and the media have to do is put him in front of a camera and let him sit there and shake. They’ll win everytime without saying a word. I realize that sounds crude, but the whole thing is pretty crude as far as i’m concerned.
Scot on October 27, 2006 at 12:15 AM
I disagree, morally, with paying for some junkies SSI/Disability or paying for some welfare momma and her children. But yet, I still pay. We all do. The reason being, it benefits everyone. Just like stem cell research. If it finds cures, we all benefit from it. Therefore, public funds could and should be used to research it.
BUT! If there were ready cures to be found from embryonic stem cell research, why haven’t any been found in places where it is not illegal to research stem cell therapy? As far as I know, most of Europe, Asia, and just about every other continent on Earth doesn’t have a problem with it… and they have quite capable doctors, scientists and researchers.
I also like the way MJ sits like he’s riding in a hay truck on an Apalachian dirt road… then Couric leans forward and he manages to be quite still
Hmmmmm………..
SilverStar830 on October 27, 2006 at 12:23 AM
As it is relevant, here is the link to Stemcellresearch.org courtesy of Rushlimbaugh.com .
DannoJyd on October 27, 2006 at 12:33 AM
He is being dishonest/misleadig regarding the Republicans position on the issue, so it seems fair to question whether he was “acting” (perhaps subconsciously).
I’m tired of all the faux-outrage of the Dems this season (Foley, Ford “call me” ad, MJF, etc.).
mockmook on October 27, 2006 at 12:54 AM
MJF was clearly being misleading regarding the Republicans position on the issue; so, I think it is fair to question whether he was acting (perhaps even subconsciously).
I’m tired of all the Dems faux-outrage this season (Foley, Ford “call me” ad, Rush, etc.).
mockmook on October 27, 2006 at 12:59 AM
Forgive my naivete, but is so much to ask the MSM that they quote more than like, three words at a time of Rush’s actual comments, before they supply their own bogus paraphrasing? Is it so much to ask that they actually interview him? Aren’t they in business or something? Wouldn’t scoring “the Rush interview” do good things for the ratings? Hello, Katie of the tanking ratings, can you hear me? I can think of some, oh, let’s say 20 million people who would tune in for an interview with Rush on this subject. Oh wait, I forgot, this was all supposed to part of an October surprise–I thought we were talking about the *news* media there for a second. Must remember–big 3 TV networks are the media relations arm of the Dems.
smellthecoffee on October 27, 2006 at 1:01 AM
Smellthecoffee, the main reason that Rush is the #1 radio talk show host is because he has taken on the job of correcting the faux MSM reporting. Let’s not put him out of a job. ;oD
DannoJyd on October 27, 2006 at 1:20 AM
Benaiah on October 26, 2006 at 9:55 PM
Good point.
That reveals the fact that Michael J Fox is an advocate for Embryonic Stem Cell research FUNDING by the taxpayers.
He should be explicit about THAT differentiation in his public appearances discussing with apparent sincerity and stark personal need those “People that are against stem cell research, embryonic or otherwise, whatever …”
I doubt he is so misinformed that these words just trip off his tongue unbeckoned for effect.
* * * *
Professor Blather on October 26, 2006 at 11:02 PM
Yes, at least this kerfuffle ought to be used as an opportunity to promote public education about the science.
See the following. [LINK]
Stem cells, a narrator on the video says, are “building blocks of the body” that “have a remarkable capacity to replace or heal damaged tissues and cells.” They can be found in human embryos, although harvesting them requires the embryos’ destruction, she says. But stem cells also are found throughout the human body in skin cells, nose cells, bone marrow and even in umbilical cord blood, she adds.
“After 25 years of research with embryonic stem cells — mouse and human — there’s very little evidence that embryonic stem cells are effective in treating disease and repairing tissue,” David Prentice, senior fellow for life sciences at FRC, says on the video. “In the meantime, there are thousands of patients who have been successfully treated with their own adult stem cells.”
The video interviews Jacki Rabon, a young woman who was paralyzed after an automobile accident but is walking with braces now following a surgery that transferred her own adult stem cells into her spine.
“[Adult stem cells are] from your own body,” she says. “You’re not harming anybody. You’re healing yourself. … With the embryonic [stem cells], you’re using somebody else’s life to heal yourself, and I think that that’s wrong.”
Contrast this video with the message of Michael J Fox’s ad and various public appearances. The afflicted are shown in the video to educate; Fox’s obvious affliction has been used (and continues to present himself) to misinform on the essential point in contention.
The irony is harsh. Destroying embryos, human beings, is at stake. But the Dems who are pushing the funding issue for embryonic stem cell research are the same who are outraged by images of aborted human beings.
Maybe irony is the wrong descriptor. Is hypocrisy the trump card that Dems understand best — and if, yes, then how come this is lost on them with THIS issue in THIS election season?
F. Rottles on October 27, 2006 at 2:30 AM
You know, I hate it when these people play the victim just to push their radical agendas. The worst is Nancy Reagan. Just because her husband died doesnt mean she has the right to push for stem cell research. GODB LESS AMERICA FREEDOM 4EVER!1!!!!11!
omgamericaftw on October 27, 2006 at 3:42 AM
That’s a damned neat trick, given that researchers didn’t derive the first human embryonic stem cell line until 1998, 8 years ago. Meanwhile, we’ve been working with human ASC’s since 1963, 42 years ago.
What did he do, take an average? Where do you find this crap?
Pablo on October 27, 2006 at 3:59 AM
SilverStar830,
Good example. And then there’s war, which many people vehemently disagree with as it violates their moral and/or religious beliefs because it kills human beings. Should they be also able to opt out, or should we never spend a Federal dime on war because they don’t like it?
Are those of you who think that ESC research violates the sanctity of human life also against military intervention that violates human life of the most incontrovertible sort, i.e. living breathing human beings?
If not, how do you reconcile the two?
Pablo on October 27, 2006 at 7:34 AM
A CBS “exclusive” for Katie.
Her ratings have dipped so much that there were probably, what, 20 – 30 people watching this?
BTW, embryonic stem cell research hasn’t shown much promise in providing a cure for Parkinsons…
Corky on October 27, 2006 at 8:34 AM
So why is federal money needed for this magical research? What makes federal dollars better than private funding?
If stem cells really were the cure all, those evil corporations would be all over it so they could make more money.
chilipequin on October 27, 2006 at 8:52 AM
Has anyone heard anything from McCaskill, it is after all her ad not Michael J. Fox’s. I haven’t heard a peep out of her. Did she duck and run when the you know what hit the fan over this?
vcferlita on October 27, 2006 at 9:02 AM
He’s already had this surgery. He had the implant when he was in his mid-thirties, I believe. We researched it for my father. The thing about the implant is that it doesn’t make you ‘better’. It only gets you as well as you possibly could be at that time. I.e., it doesn’t reverse the course of the disease. And it is not recommended for patients who have other issues, like Dimentia, Alzheimers, depression, etc. They tend to diminish the effect of the surgery.
nukemhill on October 27, 2006 at 9:10 AM
you would think that those in favor of embryonic stem cell research would favor private funding. Government funding would only put more restrictions on it.
pullingmyhairout on October 27, 2006 at 9:14 AM
Screw Fox. His ad was misleading to say the least, and he was endorsing a politicain. To put it simply, he lied, got called on it and now has his panties in a bunch. Screw ‘em.
darwin on October 27, 2006 at 9:25 AM
Why does (yet another) Hollywierd minion get airtime to hammer the circumstances of his personal tragedy into attempt to shape national policy??
What about…(So many possible scenarios, it’s hard to pick one!)….the soldiers killed so far in Iraq?
These brave men aren’t overmedicating on national TV…..They’re DEAD! And with a few looney exceptions, their families are rightly proud of them and their ultimate sacrafice, not AGAINST national policy, but FOR it.
Of course, Michael J. Fox played a hero in a science fiction movie back in the ’80’s, so we should drop everything and listen to HIM!………..lol
Left_Behind on October 27, 2006 at 9:32 AM
Did anyone notice the media did not interview the one that was being attacked, Talent or the one paying for the smear?
You would think the MSM would at least have the two candidates on to debate the issue.
Of course, that would blow the lid off the phony ad which is presented like it is a Parkinson’s type of public service message.
MJF has my sympathy for his disease but I am outraged at his attempt to LIE and mislead about an issue.
It is the MSM using smoke and mirrors again simple as that. They have become the spokes hole for the DNC.
ScottyDog on October 27, 2006 at 9:56 AM
Michael Fox, I wish you well and hope you find some cure for your disease and for those who suffer maladies such as yours, just not at the expense of another life.
Viper1 on October 27, 2006 at 10:03 AM
MJF’s ads aren’t only for a few senate candidates that he thought could help him, it seems for the whole Democrat slate. Here in Wisconsin he is campaigning for the governors re-election. This ad is pure political with the disease/illness as a backdrop.
confused on October 27, 2006 at 10:12 AM
I hate to say it but I think Rush made a mistake. He crossed a line when he claimed that Fox “was acting”. I wish he would have never said it, because it fires up the left.
The same thing happened in Philly (in 2003) when he said the national media wouldn’t criticize Donovan McNabb because they want to promote a black quarterback” (something like that) and it energized the Left and swayed anyone even considering voting for Katz (the Republincan) vice John Street for Mayor. The turnout was enormous and Street won by almost 40 points.. (granted the FBI bug thing happened a couple weeks later, but the Rush statement started their “racist” claims and the FBI “racist” claims just sealed it).
This was very regretable. The left knows how to get mileage out of incidents like this. Couric will probably interview him everyday till the election…
flagwaver on October 27, 2006 at 10:17 AM
All this poor me and look at what President Bush and the nasty Republicans have done to me only goes to prove Ann Coulter is correct.
Wade on October 27, 2006 at 10:26 AM
Rush didn’t claim that Fox was “acting;” he said that Fox was either acting or had gone off his meds, which Fox himself admitted to doing to make emotional appeals to the public about his affliction.
MJF is an actor-duh. Anyone remember Daniel Day Lewis in “My Left Foot?”
Rush has much to say on the topic all week.
Long story short, Fox confessed that he had purposely upped his medication to induce dyskinesia to make himself and others with this same condition more pitiable (which it is), but that being said…this is manipulative and Fox wasn’t making either a public service announcement or an appeal for a Parkinson’s charity, but a political plug.
Thus making himself fair game to the criticism of Rush and others.
As for the Donovan McNabb controversy, the media continue to push McNabb as a fabulous QB even though he gives very little evidence for that (except against Dallas last week, Dammit).
I find it hard to believe that Rush swung the election for Philadelphia mayor John Street, but I noticed among other things about this charmer that he’s penalized the Boy Scouts in Philly for not allowing gay scoutmasters.
Experience will teach you that Rush and Ann Coulter are right virtually all of the time.
Jen the Neocon on October 27, 2006 at 11:17 AM
The thing is, maybe Fox isn’t being taken advantage of, but he certainly seems to be a Democratic tool rather than a tool for his cause.
As has already been proved, not only is ESC research legal despite what Fox seems to claim, and one of the ads he did (Cardin) was for a man who doesn’t even support his cause.
As for the difference between him and Jim Caviezel. Well, I haven’t seen the ad yet (can’t view youtube at work), but I’ve gotten the impression that it was an ad specifically against the bill being proposed, not in favor of or against a particular candidate.
If Fox had done just that, then I’d feel differently about his situation, but as it is, it seems he has either been manipulated into believing Democrats (despite their votes) hold the cure to his disease or that he’s just a Democrat who wants Democrats in power.
It’s not much different. I’m sure you could still say that Caviezel is being used, but I wouldn’t agree that they’re on the same level.
It was nice to hear what he had to say with Katie though. I’ve always liked him as an actor, and I wouldn’t even say his reaction agaisnt Rush was all that harsh, especially considering how people have been playing up what Rush said.
Esthier on October 27, 2006 at 11:20 AM
Here’s the link to just about everything you need to know about this flap at RushLimbaugh.com.
Read, educate yourself and be informed.
Jen the Neocon on October 27, 2006 at 11:22 AM
sorry, try this link:
RushLimbaugh.com
Jen the Neocon on October 27, 2006 at 11:31 AM
Shame on Michael J. Fox. My daugher has a unknown genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos. It gets very little funding at the NIH and is grouped in with lesser known disorders.
My message to Mr. Fox is, take your damn meds, the way you’re suppose to. Stop abusing the federal dollars that have been spent that allows you to have medication to help you. Be thankful you are not my daughter, who lives in excruciating pain, every day, and has no medication to even take the edge off.
moonsbreath on October 27, 2006 at 11:55 AM
And another thing (while I’m on a rant), shame on you for having 3 more children after your diagnosis.
My daughter is called a genetic “fluke,” meaning no one on either side of the family had EDS.
Michael has sentenced his 3 children to a 50-50 chance of getting Parkinson’s.
moonsbreath on October 27, 2006 at 12:03 PM
I’m so sorry to hear that moonsbreath. I’ll say a prayer for her.
One of the sad byproducts of this MJF story has been to hear of so many other Americans who have suffered from Parkinson’s disease and other afflictions and know only too well that embryonic stem cell research holds out nothing for them, nor do many of them have the resources that MJF does.
Fox really shouldn’t have done this and the Dem Party should be reviled for giving the go ahead to these ads.
Shameless and heartless.
Jen the Neocon on October 27, 2006 at 1:24 PM
Government funding is common for medical research. Salk’s lab was partly funded by the government. I suppose the notion is that primary research is best done with pooled resources rather than each individual pharma company doing its thing, at least in the priliminary stages. The results of govt funded research are available to private companies.
Which isn’t really the point of this discussion. The point is was this a good thing for the Dems or not? I would say yes in that it puts on a face on the issue. I find the argument that Fox is unassailable a bit disingenuous–the OxyMoron wasn’t assailing his point of view, he was assailing Fox personally. Particularly liked the mocking of the tremors–that wins friends and influences people for sure!!!
honora on October 27, 2006 at 4:48 PM
Rush didn’t mock the tremors, honora.
Check it all out at the link I posted, if going to his site doesn’t cause you to melt down too much.
We don’t need to pay taxes to pay for this research and if embryonic stem cell research were as promising as all you Libs maintain, private funds would be chasing it down to beat the band, but they’re not.
(Hence their desperation to get taxpayer dollars.)
That’s one of its problems.
The other is that many of us can’t stomach the moral and ethical breaches that are involved in the basic materials of the research–human embryos and fetuses.
Fox’s add was for an amendment to the Missouri constitution for cloning, not any kind of stem cell research. Cloning is on even shakier moral and ethical grounds than SCR.
This is not gonna happen and Fox’s ad will backfire on the Dems.
They pulled it from the World Series program just last night.
Jen the Neocon on October 27, 2006 at 5:03 PM
What I want to know is if MJF was over medicated on purpose. How come no one is asking this question? There is no need to act if the meds do this. I have seen interviews where he claims to be off the meds when not in public. He seems to have a good knowledge of what dose he needs to take. How did he get overmedicates for these commercials? Seems to me like it would be easy to overmedicate to make a point.It also seems to me he would have done this for show and could do it easily. From his and the democrat point of view he can’t lose. If someone like Rush brings it up they get bad press. If no one asked you get a better show. Both ways they win.
crow on October 27, 2006 at 5:03 PM
Sadly this debate isn’t going away anytime soon, and it’s already so clouded. I’d have to cut MJF some slack though, maybe he really believes they can find a cure, I really can’t judge his motives. If I was afflicted with something similar, or had a terminal disease I’d be latching on to any glimmer of hope. It’s just so maddening, all we’re talking about here is federally funding this research.
Maybe Fox can get together with Ali and raise some money on their own. Everyone who is for embryonic stem cell research can simply make a nice tax-deductable donation and get the research going. Why is it so important to secure federal dollars? Is there any such group? – I really don’t know. Americans are pretty damn charitable, and the private sector is 1,000 times more efficient than the feds.
The real villian here is McCaskill, that’s where the anger needs to be directed.
reaganaut on October 27, 2006 at 5:04 PM
To the tune of $28.6 billion this year. Yep, pretty common.
Pablo on October 27, 2006 at 5:06 PM
Oh great, yet another one of my favorite actors falls off the cliffs of the left coast! Good luck Mike, I pray for a cure for your disease. Ya know, I really used to enjoy your work.
“What happens to us in the future? What, do we become assholes or something?”
How prophetic.
Tony737 on October 27, 2006 at 5:45 PM
Ooops, I wasn’t done yet.
Family ties was one of my favorite shows growing up, Alex P. Keaton is one of the reasons I’m a Republican today. (Well, not really, but at least I could relate to him).
Tony737 on October 27, 2006 at 5:48 PM
Apples and oranges. Defense is one of the damn few legitimate, Constitutionally-authorized functions of the federal government.
p.v. cornelius on October 27, 2006 at 6:37 PM
Hyperbolic reaction by Pablo:
Correct about ASC but you have misread the quote.
If you doubt that, read the article that was linked for context. Follow the available links to the online video. Read and listen with greater care.
As you may know, ESC were first isolated in mice in 1981, 25 years ago just as the quote said.
Also, since that time, little evidence has been produced to show that ESC are effective in treating disease and repairing tissue. Obviously, in context, the quote does not refer only to human disease and tissue.
Of the 25 years mentioned, 8 have included human ESC. But research on human disease and tissue would follow where promise had been indicated with the prior research on mice. So the 8 years with human ESC are part an parcel of the “25 years of research with embryonic stem cells” that has produced “little evidence that embryonic stem cells are effective in treating disease and repairing tissue”.
As for where I found the quote, follow the link I supplied to the article about the DVD. The video is also available online. See my comment above for that link.
F. Rottles on October 27, 2006 at 8:55 PM
My response was not the least bit hyperbolic, but 100% accurate and correct, thankyewverymuch.
And no human cures yet? Golly gee, Wally. That rots.
The first human stem cell line, which marked the beginning point of our ability to conduct human embryonic stem cell experiments was in 1998. Knowing that something exists is not the same as conducting medical research with it. With ESC’s that has been going on for just 8 years, and largely without federal funding, which ASC research has been able to get.
We know they’re very effective at creating tissue and those who study these things think it’s a worthwhile endeavor. Of those people, the vast majority also study ASC’s, so their expertise is more relevant than yours or mine.
ASC vs ESC is a false dichotomy and a lousy argument.
That has absolutely nothing to do with my question, unless you’re ready to scrap the National Institutes of Health. Are you? That would prevent funding for research that offends you. BTW, medical research is part of promoting the general welfare.
So I’ll ask again: Why should money not be spent on things you morally disagree with, where it’s ok to spend it on things other people disagree just as strongly with?
Pablo on October 28, 2006 at 12:12 PM
Pablo,
The quote with which you take issue is 100% accurate. Your complaint, considerly less so. That has not changed with your repeating the error, and the hyperbole, in an effort to reframe the facts.
Both sentences are irrelevant to your now refuted nitpick.
Creating tissue is not repairing tissue nor is it treating disease — of any kind (human or otherwise).
The technical experts agree on this point. Twenty five years and very little evidence that ESC could do either.
But hopeful speculation? Laden with emotional promise? Sure.
So in their area of expertise, the technocrats agree. On matters of moral and ethical import to society at-large, their opinions carry no greater weight than the opinions of the rest of us.
Destroying a human being (or harming or risking the harm of a human being) as the forseeable consequence of one’s argument for research funding is an important distinction.
Pablo, what criteria would you propose to use by society to determine when public funding of this or that research is a-okay? Maybe you can cite a technical expert to speak on your behalf.
F. Rottles on October 28, 2006 at 1:03 PM
No it isn’t. We have NOT been doing medical researc with ESC’s for 25 years. that is simply false. Trying to spin it into truth is right next door to lying. Your quote is misleading and it is wrong.
You’ll find a large amount of disagreement on your characterization, particularly among the 64 United Styates Senators that voted to expand funding. But what do you think about incinerating embryos intact? How is that more ethical than trying to help sick people with them?
Peer review of grant applications in a competetive process works pretty well. Having participated in many such peer review groups, can I cite myself?
Pablo on October 28, 2006 at 1:22 PM
Is anyone going to actually answer this question, or are we going to just dance around it?
Pablo on October 28, 2006 at 1:54 PM
Way to elicit a response by contolling how you phrase the question. Why don’t we try that another way?
How dare you object to your money being taken from you by force to pay for things you find morally repugnant?
See how that works?
Nobody’s objecting to folks choosing to spend their own money on whatever research of any kind they want. Nobody’s outlawing ESC research.
The Constitution limits the federal government. The general welfare clause is not a blank check, an open-ended blessing for Congress to do every little last thing they damn well please just as long as they can get a popular majority to go along.
Defense is specifically authorized by the Constitution. ESC research is not.
p.v. cornelius on October 28, 2006 at 5:36 PM
That is not the question. Using your frame, it would be “How dare you object to your money being taken from you by force to pay for things you find morally repugnant while you support taking other people’s money away from them to fund things they find morally repugnant?” That phrasing is fine with me.
It doesn’t matter what the Constitution specifically authorizes funding for. It doesn’t specifically authorizes highway funding either. Yet we do it. Your point has absolutely zero to do with the question. It is a strawman, and this time of year that dude belongs out in the yard.
How about answering the question now?
Pablo on October 28, 2006 at 7:56 PM
That’s also funny, given that creating new tissue is a big part of the success ASC research has yielded. You really have no idea what you’re talking about, do you?
Pablo on October 28, 2006 at 8:14 PM
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