We’re in trouble on both counts. Let’s start with global warming. The consensus of scientific opinion is that Global Warming is a reality and there is a high probability, 90% or so, that it is being driven by human activity. Both the Japanese and the European Union have started to move out on solutions. However, if the U.S. and China don’t get on the bandwagon, there’s not much the Japanese and European efforts can accomplish other than leaving us in the dust economically.
Why do I say that? It’s because some 85% of Americans agree with the scientific assessment and will be attracted to products and services that address the issue, especially when backed by government support and subsidies.
There’s a similar issue with Embryonic Stem Cell (ESC) research. This is a frontier with the potential of revolutionizing medical science. Many states, including New Jersey and California, are financing ESC research on their own but the reality is that federal funding is needed in order to keep pace with Japan and Europe on this front as well.
Bush’s Evangelical Christian based aversion to this technology is adding to the potential that the U.S. will become a scientific backwater. Claiming that the embryos that are the source of ESCs are potential humans is horribly misleading. These excess embryos are going to eventually be destroyed. That’s reality. No one is going to suddenly start maturing them in-vitro to develop viable human beings so why not use them for research? There is no moral issue here. The so-called moral value involved is purely imaginary so let’s stop the nonsense.
Is it possible the scientific community is wrong about Global Warming and Senator Inhofe and Fox News are right? Sure it’s possible; it’s about as possible as I’m going to be the next president due to a grass roots write in vote. Anyway, what would be the harm it taking measures to reduce the amount of hydrocarbons released into the atmosphere and take some other environmentally smart steps, such as weaning ourselves away from a dependence on Middle Eastern oil, as well? Oh yeah, that’s right, it would hurt Bush and Cheney’s big oil buddies at Halliburton and Exxon.
Is it possible that we’ll all go to hell if we allow ESC research? Sure it’s possible; it’s almost as possible as the scientific community is wrong about Global Warming. I go back to the quote attributed to Galileo, “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forego their use.”
Bottom line, the Senate should approve the ESC research bill and we should vote out any politician that opposes either ESC research or taking government action to address Global Warming. Who's going to be the JFK of the Global Warming crisis and promise a timetable for a solution like JFK committed to a timetable for reaching the moon?
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