"Death In Iraq, Not In The Test Tube"

Following the recent House passage of a bill authorizing the use of Federal grants to fund Stem Cell research using existing embryos, President Bush, in a surprise announcement, said that he will recommend to the Congress that they pass legislation making it a crime to harm a human embryo in any way.

In prepared remarks, President Bush reiterated his past positions about the sanctity of life, as well as commenting on his election campaign promise that had been based on a pro-life stance. He said these embryos truly represent the purest form of life, and he is prepared facilitate this protection of life as a matter of national policy.

He went on to indicate that the Federal Government would finance the safekeeping of these embryos in perpetuity. Furthermore, it will be his intention to completely fund this program with at least $75,000,000 annually, and he will introduce further legislation to finance this program over time.

He has been previously quoted as saying that the use of a single embryo in the process that in any way harms the embryo is an affront to our creator, and a crime against humanity. He also commented that he would introduce legislation to restrict the States from invading the sanctity of embryos in order to facilitate further stem cell research. This promises to bring the Federal government into conflict with existing State laws, but he is determined to do everything in his power to save "life"

The President would also recommend that the State Department determine which nations are allowing unlimited stem cell research, and that he would consider economic sanctions against them.

The new law would hold the operators of stem cell storage facilities responsible for the well being of this life (embryos), but would not protect the separately stored eggs and sperm as these elements build life, but do not represent life. And he indicated that criminal violations of the law would be punishable with Federal Incarceration of between 1-3 years for each violation, with a maximum penalty of 10 years.

Now, here is the very good news. EVERYTHING above is a lie, and I made up every word. However in certain respects it is consistent with what might be considered by President Bush in order to "have his way" on pro-life issues. The last 4 plus years have been scary for this 72-year-old Bronx Jew, and I fear the next 3 plus years even more.

Norman Horowitz

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