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Debating Stem Cell Ethics
Tweet Share on Facebook March 18, 2009 Comment (9)When President Bush banned federal funding for embryonic stem cell research except for certain lines already in existence, he did so with perhaps the most compelling, certainly most complete speech on medical ethics ever given by a U.S. president ["Stem Cells: 10 Diseases They May--or May Not--Cure," usnews.com]. President Obama only stated that we will not use clones for human reproduction—how is that any worse than creating living human embryos only to destroy them and use them for medical research? Where is the moral distinction? Second, every advance in treatments derived from stem cells have not come from embryonic stem cells, but from other stem cells. When embryonic stem cells have been used in attempts to treat medical conditions, the results have been catastrophic.
Comment by Paul of IL
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Is the GOP Due for an Overhaul?
Tweet Share on Facebook March 18, 2009 Comment (3)I grew up as a conservative, and not coincidentally I found that I didn't wholly identify with the Republican Party right around the first time I heard Limbaugh speak in the early '90s ["Frum's Right on Limbaugh and GOP: Conservatives, Republicans Must Evolve," usnews.com]. It took until 2003 before I flat out rejected the Republican Party completely (I was more or less independent for a few years). For the foreseeable future, I'm more interested in the reasonable and practical views of many Democrats. You can call me "Liberal," "Socialist," or whatever you want to call me; but I continue to utterly reject the despicable philosophies of Limbaugh, G.W. Bush, Sarah Palin, Tom Delay, Ann Coulter, etc., in favor of anything else available. Reading this article (from both Cary and Frum) leaves open the possibility that one day I could see myself as a Republican again. It's going to be a long, uphill battle to win me back, though.
Comment by Jason of OH
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Reader Comment of the Day
Tweet Share on Facebook March 17, 2009 Comment (2)[Appearing on Jay Leno's Comedy Show] Obama is simply taking advantage of the chance to communicate with the American people, perhaps even some people who don't normally pay attention to the news.
Liz of MO in response to Mary Kate Cary:
Obama Turns Down Gridiron, Accepts Leno? -
Reader Comment of the Day
Tweet Share on Facebook March 16, 2009 Comment (1)"Where is The Daily Show when we really need them? Accusing Cramer of causing all our financial problems..."
Don of IL in response to Robert Schlesinger:
Fire the AIG Bonus Babies -
Stewart—Cramer Showdown
Tweet Share on Facebook March 16, 2009 Comment (31)Jon Stewart has the luxury of hiding behind his imaginary shield of comedy, and thus, no matter what the outcome of his statements, can just fall back on, "Hey, it was just a joke" ["Jon Stewart Ices Jim Cramer With Earnest Anger, Not Bombast," usnews.com]. But what Stewart is really doing is perpetuating a society of victims, in which none of us need to take responsibility for our own poor choices. It's always easier to blame someone else, after all. Make no mistake about it; taking financial advice directly from a television personality is absolutely foolish. Neither Jim Cramer, nor CNBC are to blame, but rather, it is those people who religiously tuned into his show every night. Typically, I am a fan of The Daily Show, but I honestly believe Jon Stewart has taken a low blow with this verbal scuffle with Jim Cramer. Not only is it mean-spirited and unnecessary, but it's not funny. And just as Cramer is paid to excite us about Wall Street, Stewart is paid to make us laugh. I wish he'd get back to work.
Comment by Matt Hart of ME
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Obama and McCain: The Conundrum Continues
Tweet Share on Facebook March 16, 2009 CommentThis article presents the most simplistic, artless talking points since McCain's ad compared Obama to Paris Hilton ["Who Really Won, Obama or McCain?" usnews.com]. Anyone who didn't know that Obama is a pragmatist wasn't paying attention. He'll do what he has to do to shore up the economy, get healthcare for Americans, end the war in Iraq, and generally get our country back on track. McCain was another Bush. And the earmarks? They were in the budget from when Bush was president. Signing statements? He taught constitutional law and will only use them when it's necessary. Bush used them to empower the executive branch and emasculate the legislative branch.
Comment by Laraine of WA
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Reader Comment of the Day
Tweet Share on Facebook March 13, 2009 CommentSpeechwriting credentials hardly qualify one as an expert on turning a political party around.
Brian Tremblay of NC in response to Mary Kate Cary:
David Frum is Right, GOP Must Evolve -
Bristol Palin's Plight: Abstinence, Teen Pregnancy, and Conservatives
Tweet Share on Facebook March 13, 2009 Comment (11)My heart goes out to Bristol because being a teen mom isn't easy ["Sarah Palin Lacks the Maturity, Smarts of Her Single, Teen Mom Daughter Bristol," usnews.com]. Being a mom isn't easy period. (I should know, I have a 3-1/2 year-old and a 22 month old). I agree with Bonnie Erbe that it was a good thing that Bristol broke off her engagement. I don't know the kids or the situation but at least she has the support of her family and close friends to help her out. Like someone else said, you can have the best intentions as a parent and practice what you preach, but what it comes down to is this: kids will and do make bad decisions. Good kids can come from bad parents, and I've seen bad kids come from good parents. People should quit speculating and judging and wish this young woman and her child the best. No one is perfect or even close to it, so don't get all high and mighty.
Comment by Meredith of TX
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Debating the Nation's Top Nursing Homes
Tweet Share on Facebook March 12, 2009 Comment (2)I just finished reading about the top nursing homes in United States ["10 Worst States for Top Nursing Homes," usnews.com]. Most are nonprofit, not part of a chain, and very small (50 beds or less). That tells me a lot. I've been an RN in nursing homes for over 30 years. I stayed in it because of the patients, not because I made lots of money, or the work was easy. I've fought many a battle with owners/corporations that say they want the best care, but are only willing to pay for a minimum number of staff and unskilled workers. Regulations need to be streamlined and the taxpayers should have their moneys worth! "Surprise" inspections are a figment of the imagination! All nursing homes know when their annual survey is due, and for that 1-3 month period, they beef up staff and enforcement of regulations. Only when the state surveyors are sent out on a complaint are inspections a surprise! Then the facility fixes that problem and the surveyors come back at a designated time to "re-inspect." Give me a break! I'm about to reach full retirement age, and I'll be out of it! God help the nursing home I end up in! I'll be a horrible patient! I know what's going on there!
Comment by J.P. of NC
I work in a nursing home. I love all the residents like they were my family. I take the very best care of them that I can. There are so many people in nursing homes who do not need to be there. If only their insurance which is usually Medicaid or Medicare would pay for those people to have someone come in and check on them. It would be a lot cheaper and better for all. Maybe the new president should check into this. We waste too many tax dollars paying for people in nursing homes that do not need 24-hour care. Residents at my nursing home do not get treated as well as they should because corporations that run it are trying to make as much money as they can by not giving the staff supplies that we need. Nurses have to spend way to much time on paperwork. It also never stops amazing me how low the pay scale is for us. We are dealing with America's family's here—human beings. People who handle boxes at factories make more than I do. All this just doesn't seem right.
Comment by Shannon Jones of IN
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Reader Comment of the Day
Tweet Share on Facebook March 12, 2009 Comment (2)If the Republican Party is not going to continue to be conservative, what good is it? Those of us listening to Rush aren't worried about whether or not the party approves. Rush is right, as always.
David Kessler of OR in response to Washington Whispers:
Poll: Limbaugh is a Drag on the GOP
