Dr. Forbush Thinks

Eighteen months ago I wrote a little piece suggesting that the attack on Iraq did not alleviate the threat of terrorism as effectively as an attack on Iran, Syria or Hezbolla would have. Apparently some Israelis must have been reading my blog. They must have been saying to themselves, “If George W Bush was justified in attacking Iraq and claiming a terrorist threat they could use the much easier case that a preemptive strike on Lebanon would be easily justified.”

But, maybe they were missing the point of my original post. What I had said was that If George W Bush was searching for a terrorist threat to attack it would be advisable to attack the most dangerous threat first. I didn’t actually say that attacking otherwise peaceful countries on the pretext that they have terrorists living there was the wisest policy. And, this was not the only place that I said it (example) .

In fact, in an earlier post I have also pointed out the entire idea of preemptive war is flawed, because other countries that choose to attack any other country are certainly justified now as long as they claim a terrorist threat. And, certain countries that feel that the US possession of nuclear weapons could be used to kill civilians may feel that the US is actually a terrorist threat to them. Following this to its logical conclusion could justify any country’s intention to attack the US in any way to preempt the US use of nuclear weapons. So, in preemptively attacking Iraq George W Bush has justified any country in a preemptive attack on not only its neighbors, but the US as well.

Now, with the Israeli attack on Lebanon and the lack of condemnation of this attack by George W Bush we are moving further down the road to an uncivilized world. In the eyes of George W Bush I see hatred. What else could possibly explain the lack of compassion for the innocent lives being lost in the Middle East? Imagine the situation reversed. Imagine Lebanon preemptively attacking Israel. Would George the Lesser have the same response? Could anyone imagine George the Lesser saying that Lebanon had the right to protect itself? Where is the outrage at the loss of human life?

I suppose if you preach the theory of “Shock and Awe” warfare you have no sympathy for innocent civilians, unless they will buy you American votes. There is no other explanation for George W Bush’s desire to save stem cells with his veto of the stem cell research bill, but his lack of empathy for those who could benefit from this research. He tried to mock this legislation by bringing children to the photo op veto ceremony. He is saving the stem cells so they can be flushed down the toilet, instead of being used to help those who are suffering from genetic diseases. And, his faux compassion for this issue completely ignores those soldiers who are being killed and maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, stem cell research could also be the key to helping to restore the ability to walk to those who have been paralyzed.

Maybe George the Lesser is actually working in the interest of the pharmaceutical industry. By vetoing this legislation private industry will be the only class to do this research, and patents will protect any discovery. The benefits to the American people will be restricted to those who can afford restricted access to these private discoveries keeping the cost high. Once again, it seems that George the Lesser is acting out of interest to himself and big business. I only see greed and hatred in his eyes, as he talks with his mouth full of food and vulgarity.

My biggest confusion doesn’t really lie in the personality of George the Lesser. Instead I am more confused by those who support him. How can these well meaning people not see through him? Obviously there is a large group of people who still feel compassion for life. These are the people who opposed abortion because they feel deep down that the fetus within is special and deserves to live. But, where is their compassion when they see their uncle laying in bed, not able to move his legs? Where is their compassion for their aunt who needs someone to pound on their chest every morning and evening so that she will be able to continue to breath? Where is the compassion for their mother who no longer remembers who they are, how they got their or what might happen the next day? These people are already born and hope for technology to stop or even reverse the disease they have. If a human embryonic stem cell is frozen waiting to be thrown away, what is the harm to using this cell? How can this cell be considered self aware, the one human trait that sets humans aside from animals is the religious sense? But, animals are sacrificed every day so that we can eat. How can a human stem cell be considered more than that?

Some people are squeamish when it comes to killing pigs or cows for food. There could certainly be a large number of those who feel this way. Many people who even eat meat would not be able to find the strength to go to watch an animal be slaughtered. Should we pass laws restricting the killing of animals because of these few people? How many rednecks would be screaming foul if their meat were taken off the table? Are these the same people who hear the stem cells scream?

It seems to me that these people are the victims of a miss informed marketing campaign and we will all suffer for it.







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Don't forget what Stephen Colbert said, "Reality has a well-known liberal bias."


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