The one conservative/Republican blog that I read with any regularity is
http://www.redstate.org , because (a) it was one of the few that allowed comments and discussion and (b) the main contributors were relatively reasonable.
Over the last few months, (b) has become less and less true, and a front-page post early this morning confirms this. They've gone over the edge, driven in this case by Bill Frist and stem cells.
Follow me below the fold:
The story link is
http://www.redstate.org/story/2005/8/1/05447/86874
This is a front-page article by one of the main contributors.
Do not, ever, misunderstand me on this: I rank this little expedition into the old jungles of human depravity as one of the worst, stupidest atrocities this country has ever countenanced. When we seriously contemplate making people to use them as experimental tissue; when we justify the dismemberment of already-made people with "they were going to die anyway"; when we offer human lives on the altar of Better Medicine for the Rest of Us, well, let it simply be said that Harry Blackmun is smiling from his little outpost in the Ninth Circle right now.
From the way this is written, it sounds like the author has just seen a screening of The Island, which features clones bred strictly for organ replacement. Since no-one is taking that position, this entire article/rant is attacking a strawman.
And although embryonic stem cell research is still all about the potential benefits, the instant it was sold as a potential cure for everything from arthritis to Alzheimers to Parkinson's to everything short of death, the jig was up: Something that could cure every ailment of the human condition some day simply would be in the toolkit, and exciting alternatives to slaughtering kids can be damned, because we haven't been adequately promised that they can cure us of being human.
Our Priesthood has declared that embryonic stem cell research is vital. When The Scientific Community tells us that we need something to put off death, we embrace it wholeheartedly. Scientists are no different from other human beings: They want to do Big Things, they want their work to Make a Difference, and they are, as are we all, selfish, flawed creatures. I'm not quite sure when or why we decided to elevate them to the level of a secular priesthood, but we did so, and they are now solemnly assuring us that they need to be able to take people apart for spare parts. Like a good group of Faithful, we will bow to our betters and give them what they demand, for they will reward us with the divine gift of an extra month in the actuarial tables for our fidelity and obedience.
As a practicing scientist, the only thing I can say in response is "Igor! Get me another brain!" (I actually do have an "assistant" named Igor; it's an amazing graphing/analysis software package).
Oh yes, and since I'm apparently a member of the new secular priesthood, I'll expect all of your tithes to be delivered by tomorrow...
We must do the same thing here. We must advertise the science of human life. We must remind people that the difference between an embryo on the cutting line and one on the way to becoming a baby is merely coincidental location. Men may be depraved, but they have better angels to whom we can appeal over time. We must make Republican and, yes, Democrat politicians pay for supporting this policy, by denying them our time, talent, treasure, and votes. And we must make clear to them why we're so doing.
Millions will die. Mark me.
Nothing like a little bit of understatement to make your point.
I could go through this article and dissect its silliness, leaps of logic, false assumptions, etc., etc., but why bother? Instead, I'll simply note that the social conservatives are enthusiastically driving a wedge between themselves and the rest of the population.
-dms