What the Parkinsons community says about Bush's veto

[DanCa]

www.parkinsonaction.org

The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) on Wednesday released the following statement, following President Bush’s veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

“The veto is devastating to the Parkinson’s community along with other Americans who have worked so hard to push for this research,” said Amy Comstock, CEO of PAN. “It is unconscionable that the President’s first veto kills legislation dedicated to the health of Americans. The strong bipartisan support we saw in the House and Senate sends a clear message that the majority of Americans are in favor of this advanced and potential life-saving research. The president’s veto is completely out of step from the feelings of the American public. I am saddened that politics have gotten in the way of the great possibility of saving the more than one million people living with Parkinson’s and the more than 120 million Americans suffer from chronic and life-threatening diseases.”

H.R. 810 would have expanded current policy to allow for federal dollars to be used for stem cell research on donated embryos from fertility clinic patients. The legislation would not have prohibited the adoption of the leftover embryos or so-called, ‘snowflake babies.’

“The argument that these embryos will all be adopted just does not add up,” Comstock said. “Just over one hundred have been adopted versus the nearly four hundred thousand that will be medical waste.” On behalf of the Parkinson’s community, I thank those Representatives and Senators who supported the bill and I pledge that we will remain steadfast in your efforts to expand federal funding for stem cell research.”

[northernsoul]

1. My dad was recently diagnosed with Parkinsons

It's really taking a big toll on him.
I can't tell you how infuriating this is for me and my family.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. I'm so sorry to hear about this tragedy.

[Olney Blue]

6. I am hoping that major breakthroughs will occur in more enlightened

countries of the world, and that the therapies will be available to Americans. Furthermore,
I am hopeful that breakthroughs will happen in our private sector.

I'm sorry about your Dad. :hug:

[DanCa]

7. If you need help please, please pm me.

No one should go thru this only. :hug: I promise you I wont stop fighting for a cure no matter how much I hurt.

[Olney Blue]

2. This is why the blivet didn't invite Michael J Fox to the veto

announcement. I don't have anything against snowflake babies, but my god,
it was one of the most shameful moments in our history.

[tsuki]

3. And so the question is: Did you vote for this pResident because

he would keep you safe, Ms Comstock?

[DanCa]

4. I met her at the pan event in DC two years ago

Trust me she's a kerry supporter. Especially after the pro lifers snuck into the lobby of the hotel we were at and staged an improtu protest

[tsuki]

9. Forgive me for asking, but I had to. My former exec assistant, (fancy

name for a helper who taught me more about organizing than anyone I have ever known,) is a wonderful person. I love her to death.

When I hired her, it was under the understanding that I would pay her health care, she would pay her husband's. Under Gov. Chiles, this was not so bad. When the Bush took the Governorship, he screwed us. In six years, my health insurance per employee went from $175 to $965 a month.

She was part time with enough hours to qualify her for my company insurance (company ins. is different from private, covers more.)

Then, her husband is diagnosed with MS. Massive Bills, but company covers them. For three years (until he qualifies for medicare,) we finagled her hours and the coverage. Hell on wheels under the Bush Governor.

This year, she left. She can get a private policy that covers nothing pre-existing for her. But her husband is declining. They are going to take a trip and see the USA, from coast to coast, before it gets so bad that her husband cannot.

I love her. She is a sister to me. But I cannot understand, she votes Republican, against her own best interest.

And so, I had to ask the question.

[TexasChick]

8. Parkinsons is what killed my grandfather in the late 80s. Rotten

Chimp-bastard!