Letter: Bush acts to save political career in stem cell decision

Friday, Aug. 17, 2001 | 4:33 a.m.

I don't get it. Recently high-ranking Republicans, including Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, have praised and accepted President Bush's decision on stem-cell research. For decades they have championed the sanctity of innocent human life and strongly condemned the taking of it at any stage and for any reason.

Yet somehow, because "their" president is in office, they have managed to give him a pass on something they supposedly passionately believe in. They are conveniently ignoring the fact that these stem-cells exist because a living human embryo no longer does.

The president is now going to fund experiments on living cells that pro-lifers believe have been murdered. Isn't that what they've always said? But I guess it's the old "where you sit is where you stand" on any given issue theory.

If President Clinton had made this decision, these same people would have blasted him for being on both sides of every issue, for following the polls and having no morals. Oh, the hypocrisy of it all!

President Bush has compromised on his stated pro-life beliefs to save his political behind, but by putting limits on the amount of cells scientists are allowed to use, he is refusing to compromise his beliefs to potentially save millions who are suffering from dreaded diseases.

If anyone believes that the "honor and integrity" president and his top advisers' decision wasn't carefully and politically calculated, to come down right in the middle of the political road where most Americans travel, then there's a bridge in Brooklyn we can talk about ...

JOYCE SEGAL