Michael J. Fox stars in ad for Claire McCaskill (mucho views at YouTube) re: Stem Cell Research

YouTube ^ | 10-21-06 | Me

[GraniteStateConservative]

He supports Claire McCaskill because he says Jim Talent doesn't support the expansion of stem cell research and wants it criminalized. He explains why someone from outside Missouri wants to see McCaskill win. For those who aren't all that passionate about opposing stem cell research (and are either for it or don't care), it's probably a powerful ad. Fox is very likeable and he doesn't come off as harsh and mean-spirited, or even as a liberal-- he's a great salesman for whatever you'd want to sell.

The campaign ad (pops)

[Sloth]

So you contend that celebrities only support money for diseases they have?

No, it's not universally true. Cokie Roberts promoted breast cancer research for years before she got it herself. Rush Limbaugh has long supported leukemia/lymphoma research. I don't think Jerry Lewis has any immediate family members with muscular dystrophy. But what I'm saying is that the efforts of those people are more altruistic than Christopher Reeve (spinal injury), Magic Johnson (HIV+), Betty Ford (alcoholism), Mary Tyler Moore (Type I diabetes), etc. I don't *fault* them for doing what they can, I just don't see it as particularly deserving of praise.

[ljswisc]

NO cure has come from them, only some terrible mistakes."

Is this still true? I heard that a long time ago... that there have been absolutely no successful therapies developed from fetal stem cells but many from adult stem cells. I haven't heard anything lately though... so this is still the case?

I don't get why no one cares about adult stem cells then. Why don't more people state this information.. cuz I've only EVER heard it come from conservative forums.

Can no one break through the barrier into mainstream media with that information? Or is it not exactly accurate?

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Hollywood Leftist Ping!!!

Please FReepmail me if you want on/off this ping list.

[italianquaker]

He also supported skerry, so who really gives a sh-t about what who he supports

[italianquaker]

He also supported skerry, so who really gives a sh-t about who he supports

[Rumplemeyer]

Read the last part of my post about the abortion movement.

To answer your first question, no, no good results have come from Fetal or Embryonic stem cell research.

I am not brave, but I not afraid of death, it will come for us all.

If this is the journey God has chosen, then he must have a purpose, my life, as is everyones, has always been in his hands, maybe he's just scared, we all get scared, you just have to have faith.

[SheLion]

I used to like him.......................

[tcostell]

Americans like him... isn't he Canadian?

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

" I don't *fault* them for doing what they can, I just don't see it as particularly deserving of praise."

A great many ordinary people work for charitable organizations that they, or people close to them stand to benefit from. Look at any breast-cancer fund raising march -- most marchers have some direct connection to the disease. That does not make their efforts any less laudable.

As Adam Smith said about the invisible hand of free enterprise -- society benefits when everyone pursues their own self interests. Altruism is praiseworthy -- but it isn't essential for the public good to be done.

When A-list celebrities lend their name to a cause, they are making a very valuable donation. The publicity, or image polishing benefits they receive in return are outweighed by the service they provide to the charity.

What rankles me are B-list "celebrities" jumping on trendy causes in order to gain publicity, and promote their own career.

[ottothedog]

This is the way demokrats do things these days. The use widows, the infirm, and "victims" of all sorts out there to make their arguments, because they can't win any other way. McCaskill is using someone with Parkinson's as a human shield. Now that is sick!

[HighlyOpinionated]

If he'd do a little research, Michael J Fox would know that it's ADULT stem cell research which has the most promising results.

This "fetal" stem cell propaganda is nothing but thinly veiled ABORTION agenda.

People who are for abortion might do the world a favor and "post abort" themselves.

Yes, that was ugly, I apologize to FR for offending anyone's sensitivities.

[x_plus_one]

Missouri and Kansas have always been easy targets for Eastern concerns.

The New England Emmigrant Aid Society touched off a border war by bankrolling "illegal immigration" to the Kansas territory for the sole purpose of stuffing ballot boxes for the anti-slavery issue.

Kansans & Missourians are wary of "foreign" influences in their politics. More California and New York money has gone to Talent and McCaskill than in state money.

[B Knotts]

http://www.nationalreview.com/smithw/smith200409090835.asp

[B Knotts]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17047-2004Aug19.html

[Eric in the Ozarks]

This is a replay the John Edwards' promise to raise Christopher Reeve out of his wheelchair. if Republicans weren't so stingy, he would have walked upright again...

[mockingbyrd]

I think he is very vulnerable and is being manipulated in order to pull the most possible heart strings. If he really knew anything about this issue, he would know that those treated with embryonic stem cells develop tumors, complete with teeth and hair. And he would know about the advances being made with adult stem cells.

[montag813]

The D's continue to profoundly distort the stem cell issue with no end in sight!

Doesn't matter. The ad is quite effective. Prayers for Jim Talent. McCaskill is a disgraceful phony.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

I've seen the data, including precisely those studies alluded to in your link, and have worked with adult stem cells. These data are not in any way indicative of a 'cure'. It is very early. I do, however, totally agree with the premise of your post that embryonic stem cells are much more complex and even further away from providing 'cures'.

[MarkL]

Another piece of propaganda to make people believe that somebody Michael J Fox would be cured tomorrow if only those evil Republicans and Pres Bush would let Federal tax dollars pay for killing embryos or fetuses. Fox could care less about anybody else in his desparate effor to save his own bacon. If anybody has seen the South Park episode about Christoper Reeves eating fetuses to regain his ability to walk, that pretty much sums it up.

That was my very first thought...

Mark

[GraceCoolidge]

Although he was (is?) Canadian, it seems he has become an American citizen. I would have thought that marvelous Canadian health care system we keep hearing about would have cured him by now.