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Re: In stem cell debate, truth falls between the slogans, Aug. 24.
Human embryos are alive. That is not religious dogma; it is scientific fact. Piercing them to extract stem cells for any reason destroys them. That's no different, I believe, than plunging a knife into someone's heart.
It's no wonder there's so much debate about embryonic stem cell research. Consider that the embryo is microscopic. It's easy to become dispassionate about its destruction when you cannot see an arm or a leg or any part of a person on the petri dish. Make no mistake. That organism could one day be a person. Dead things don't grow.
"Embryonic stem cells," the Times points out, "are taken from an embryo in the earliest stage, just after conception." Yes, and it is the "earliest stage" of human development, which is life.
"Advocates counter that embryos used in stem cell research are essentially leftovers," the Times continued, "created for infertile couples to use for in vitro fertilization. Those not used are typically destroyed anyway." Horrible. Creating people in a lab, using only the ones you need and throwing away those you do not, sounds very much like the ghoulish experiments of another time and place.
There should be no debate about embryonic stem cell research. The truth is that no cure, not even the promise of one, can justify the profane creation and subsequent destruction of life.
Life is sacred, no matter the size, even too small to see.
Re: The demise of good ol' Republican restraint, Aug. 24.
Well, it's finally been said: There is no GOP left. I feel sorry for today's old-time Republicans, the ones who valued "fiscal discipline, limited government and individual accountability." They've got no party to represent them. What those forgotten Republicans need to do is to distance themselves as far as they can from George Bush and his power crew, and re-establish the Grand Old Party. Reject the right-wing "conservatives" and radical Christians who are using the party to foster their own agendas, which definitely do not reflect Republican values (or even American ones).
There used to be little difference between Republican and Democratic principles, only differences in how best to exercise them. Democrats haven't moved, Republicans have. Do something good for your country: Bring the GOP back.
Since George Bush has been the presumptive 2004 nominee since the day he originally took office, why doesn't the Republican Party cancel the convention and use the millions and millions of dollars it will cost toward some worthy purpose - such as helping to alleviate the miseries of the victims of Hurricane Charley?
Re: At what price will we drill?, letter, Aug. 23.
Better questions to ask regarding the high price of oil would be: At what price will we park our overstuffed SUVs? At what price do we back, fund and use public transportation? At what price do we buy and drive hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell cars or those that use alternative fuels? At what price do we use solar and wind power?
We should never ask at what price do we destroy our environment, pollute our seas and pump filth into our skies.
Re: Florida jobless rate drops, Aug. 21.
It's amazing how the St. Petersburg Times downplays good economic news with such meager coverage. Florida leads the nation in job creation in July and has a jobless rate of 4.4 percent, well below the national level. The Tampa Bay area gains nearly 16,000 jobs, and the area jobless rate is 3.7 percent.
Why does the Times play down this story with a small item and a very small headline? Why not a headline of "Florida leads nation in jobs creation"?
It seems good economic news that aids Gov. Jeb Bush and President Bush in an election year must be told in a whisper.
Re: Study: Border officers split on security, Aug. 24.
As I read this item I took note that 44 percent of the people asked thought the United States was no safer or less safe than before the 9/11 attacks. This bothered me until I read at the end of the article that 53 percent think the country is safer. But the story is constructed so that you think it is more important that the minority believes United States is less safe. It is made into a negative story by placing the words "a slim majority" before stating what the majority is. If you actually look at how they put the story together, you too can see the bias.
Every day, thousands line up throughout the country to have our purses and bags searched or scanned in an effort to keep our homeland secure. Every day, thousands fill out forms and wait, following the legal procedure to enter our country.
Why then, do I read about and see pictures of illegal aliens who are, obviously, known to be in this country? You just need to read the Times to know that this is true. The key word here is: illegal. Why is that okay?
If people are here illegally, why are they not sent home? Why do we bother with immigration laws and procedures if it is okay not to follow them? Why do we bother with all the effort to keep our country secure when you can be here illegally and it doesn't seem to matter?
Re: Anti-American fears in Athens are dulling our athletes' edge, by Maureen Dowd, Aug. 21.
Anti-American fears are dulling our athletes' edge? How does one explain the glittering performances of Michael Phelps and Carly Patterson?
Puerto Rico defeated Team USA the same way Detroit defeated the seemingly invincible L.A. Lakers at this year's NBA finals: They played a great technical game. They had a solid grasp of the fundamentals. Contrast that to the "me-first" antics of Team USA.
Has everyone forgotten that basketball is supposed to be a team sport? For some time now, the NBA has had too many showboaters who are more interested in fat salaries and looking good for the highlight reel on SportsCenter than in mastering the fundamentals of the game.
If a loss at Athens can embarrass the NBA into injecting some actual teamwork back into the game, I will be all for it.