Sunday, October 29, 2006
election campaign ads
Some illogical, mistaken, and even a tad cruel assumptions underly the fuss surrounding Michael J. Fox's advertisements. First, Fox isn't some naive guy. He's smart - savvy, even - and a long-time part of a sophisticated complex part of the modern world so when he does something, he knows darn well what he's doing. And when he says he isn't looking for anyone's sympathy or pity, you gotta hear plain out disingenousness. What's the point of a celebrity adding his voice to the fray unless he has influence? It's foolish to pretend that Fox's influence in the stem cell discussion comes from fond memories of Alex Keaton. I mean, he's got to know it comes from sympathy for his unexpected unpleasant disease. But, it was ridiculous of Limbaugh to attack someone whose appeal is based on fondness and sympathy unless he wanted to help Fox. Why? Because even if it's probable that Fox allowed his symptoms to be particularly visible in order to load his message, this is one of those things you can't say, along the lines of no one will accept an attack on Shirley Temple. Then, on the issues (the what?!) the stem cell discussion is nowhere near as simple as funding supporters make out. The election issue is not about trying to stop stem cell research but simply about (a) using federal funds and (b) foresting new stem cells for research. Plus, and importantly, it is still unknown whether stem cells hold the key to curing paralysis or parkinsons or anything else. They may, but they may not. That's why good research is so important. Meantime it's downright cruel to sufferers to suggest that stem cells are nirvana.
Labels: politics
Post a Comment