I was talking with some co-workers today, about Schiavo, and one of them just couldn't understand why it became an issue.
I said that it was like fluoridation in the 1950s.
He must have never seen Dr. Strangelove, so he didn't get the reference.
Here is fluoride: the short form.
After discovering that Fluoride reduced tooth decay, it was added to toothpaste, and then the ADA suggest that it be added to municipal drinking water.
Suddenly, the wacko right wing went crazy.
They were claiming that Fluoridation was an attempt to poison the American public, a communist plot, and the cause of their unwed daughter's pregnancy.
Sensible people were left stunned and confused. After all, this was just stuff to harden teeth.
The thing was, it wasn't really about teeth, or Fluoride. It was about power.
Specifically, the leaders of the Birchers, Minute Men, etc. chose this issue as a way to flex their muscles.
They created a phony controversy to show their power, and to stir up the base.
That is what Schiavo was.
The question is whether the Democrats need a Fluoridation issue of their own.