Stem Cells

The Washington Post says (link) that scores of Senators, including 14 Republicans and several die-hard anti-abortion Democrats, have asked the Bush Administration to change its rules on embryonic stem cell research. This surprising turnaround is a result of Nancy Reagan's appeal on behalf of her late husband.

Interesting. Up until now, these Senators have opposed stem cell research out of moral conviction that abortion is murder, and that destroying any embryo to obtain stem cells (evan an embryo that would be destroyed anyway) is morally repugnant, if not downright stinking evil.

No matter that the research might ultimately help millions -- destroying embryos is abortion, and abortion is evil, and once we start down that slippery slope there is no stopping until we see polygamous unions between men, goats, and assorted household appliances. (No, wait, that's the other slippery slope.)

Unless...unless it's a matter involving the health of Saint Ronnie. Then, of course, all moral imperatives vanish. If stem cells could save a poor single mother with Parkinson's, no no no! But if stem cells might possibly have extended Saint Ronnie's crotchety life for another few months -- then hell, yes, what are we waiting for!?

Pfah! The Ivory Madonna is glad to see such a clear example of exactly how much these Senators' heartfelt moral convictions are worth.

M.

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The Ivory Madonna's story is told in Dance for the Ivory Madonna by Don Sakers.