"Pro-Cure" vs. "Anti-Cure." Our new stem-cell research meme.

Jonathan Alter, from Newsweek, offers an interesting frame to the stem cell research debate in an MSNBC article today. He begins by explaining that some Republicans found the Michael J. Fox advertisement to be in "poor taste," but then explains:

The problem with the "poor taste" defense is that for anyone who has suffered from diseases that could some day be cured by such research--the ones you might expect to be appalled--the ad is not in the slightest bit offensive. It's dead-on. Literally. It's the "pro-cure" spot those of us suffering from serious diseases have been waiting for--the one that might hasten the political change that could give us more life.

(boldtype mine)

It was a single phrase in that paragraph that grabbed my attention like a ton of bricks...

"PRO-CURE"

From The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition:

meme: A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another.

Much has been made on this blog of how effectively Republicans have used language to frame issues, the most obvious example being "pro-life" when the more appropriate bothers you so mframe is "anti-choice."

It's time to capture the battle of language on stem cell research. Again, from the Jonathan Alter article.

Stem-cell ads have been already used in Wisconsin for Gov. Jim Doyle and in a half dozen House races. In Dupage County, Ill., Tammy Duckworth, who lost both legs in Iraq, will be joined Wednesday by Fox on the trail. Duckworth is facing an anticure Republican, Peter Roskam.

An anti-cure Republican. Just. Freaking. Brilliant!

It's time to begin asking of those who oppose stem-cell research:

Why do you oppose finding cures for Parkinson's disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and spinal cord injuries?

What is it about curing devastating illnesses that bothers you so much?

Why are you ANTI-CURE?

•  Bonus item.

  To contribute to a pro-cure Democrat, click here.

  by betterdonkeys on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 03:32:23 PM PDT

•  pro-cure

  I like it, betterdonkeys.

  by OLinda on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 03:37:16 PM PDT

•  Great frame

  I'm adding it to my personal list.  Thanks for the find, bd.

  by demandcaring on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 03:38:00 PM PDT

•  I have a disease

  that usually kills.  My disease is in remission now and theres a better than 80% chance that it will stay that way.  I have a son and grandaughter who might have inherited this disease.  I want a cure for them.  If repubs really believed in a culture of life they would let these eggs(that will be thrown away anyway) be used for research.  My grandaughter is only 10.  She deserves a future.

  by Owllwoman on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 03:40:05 PM PDT

  •  Amen to this.

    First, Owllwoman, all the best to you in the hopes of good health through a sustained recovery.

    And this is exactly the point - exactly the point. Why on earth would we not pursue what is likely to be the most effective option available to us, to cure these devastating illnesses?

    by betterdonkeys on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 03:43:34 PM PDT

•  I like it!

  I'll be using it.

  by Loquatrix on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 03:48:56 PM PDT

•  excellent meme.. and...

  When these anti-cure Rs start showing up at campaign rallies and so on, the thing to do is

  One, grill them relentlessly using the question "Do you believe in science?"

  Two, have a bunch of people in the back break out in song: the Monty Python song "Every Sperm is Sacred."  

  ---

  It's not a LIFE, it's a BLOB!

  by G2geek on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 03:49:19 PM PDT

•  Pro-Science v. Anti-Science

  Anti-Cure fits right in with Conservative Anti-Science Intelligent Design Mythology.

  Maybe that guileless hunk-of-pork Rush Limbaugh should pray for that liberal actor-shill Fox and sort out his failed motor neuron control.  Alternatively, I would like to duct-tape the barrel of prescription pills Rush keeps hidden under his fat fold to a Toyota Prius and drive it up to where he stores his intelligence.

  by dr tunafish on Wed Oct 25, 2006 at 04:54:06 PM PDT

•  Rhode Island

  Rhode Island is giving It to WhiteHouse

  by Brits for Kerry on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 06:21:54 PM PDT

  •  sorry forgot to say Rhode Island news

    Was saying It is def Whitehouse

    by Brits for Kerry on Tue Nov 07, 2006 at 06:23:57 PM PDT