I wasn't implying that you did.
SmileWavy

I heard Rush talking for about a minute before I had to switch it off in disgust. I saw Imus this morning with video of Rush flailing around mimicking MJF. Sure seemed like mocking to me, but then maybe he was just trying to be a compassionate conservative and that was the best he could do.... no, it was mocking :->

I can't believe what Im reading from some of you...

Were John Kerry and Hillary Clinton there in the studio with guns pointed at MJ Fox forcing him to do the commercial? How has the "left" *exploited* anyone here? That argument is total nonsense.

This is not a Left/Right issue, Parkinsons is not political, nor AIDS, nor cancer. This is about showing a disease for what it is, explaining the votes for what they count for, and asking viewers to make a choice.

God bless him, Chris Reeves, Magic Johnson, Lance Armstrong, and anyone else with a disability who is willing to stand up, show disease for what it is, and ask us to make a choice. If Rush wants to stand up and use his podium to bring awareness to the misery of addiction I'll back him 100%. We deserve to see the faces of the issues, not just read or listen to rhetoric from a fat-head drug-addict with a microphone.

The "soft shoe" should be done to music, Len.

I'm worried about daddy ... this election has quite plainly detached him even further from his already tenuous grip on reality.

He was always insensitive (soldiers die, so what? blah blah), but at least he had the ability to distinguish, say, night from day.

No longer. It's nothing but darkness now.

Rearden:

Larry King was on the set where the show to which you were referring was filmed and reported that multiple takes of the scenes with MJF were required in order to get one that would be free enough of the shakes so as to be usable.

len...I do not know what to say to you. Up until now, I thought you were a reasonable sensitve, mature individual, capable of understanding political motives and separating them from real world tragedy. I confess I was wrong. Your defense of one individual mocking another for any reason is, in my book, a sign of total immaturity. Regardless of the number of people who listen to Mr. Limbaugh, there should be some negative reaction. Are you not the sam peson who demanded "proof" that the pres & company just might have been involved in some of the questionable tactics during the past two presidential elections? Yet you defend Rush without an iota of proof. There is no discussing logic with youon these subjects. Your mind, when it comes to politics, as turned to solid f(l)int.

God help the country when the emotional/rational IQ sinks to this level.

Limbaugh is an asshat (had to get that one in there).

I used to listen to his show back in the mid 90s when he was still sane. Now it seems he has sold his soul to the devil in search of ratings and has become the Al Sharpton of the right. I honestly can't even listen to the show anymore because Limbaugh is either ranting about something from way right field or some mindless idiot is calling to tell him how wonderful he is and blow smoke up his ass.

Limbaugh needs to go away, he has served his purpose. If only we could vote him out of office too...

I have met Len and he is not a monster nor am I. Todd, I am sorry to hear that you lost a loved one to Parkinsons. I myself, am all for stem cell research. The reason Rush commented is that stem cell research IS unfortunately a political issue (NOT PARKINSONS!). I a staunch republican, but I disagree with the right's stance on stem cell research.

I also have always been a fan of MJF, however I agree with Rush that MJF was shown to help gain further support for stem cell research (duh). I don't have a problem with it and I hope it helps win some people over in regards to stem cell research, but there is some truth to Rush's comments.

I don't listen to Rush (not that there is anything wrong with listening to him), but no one should be shocked that on the air, he is against stem cell research.

Once again Todd, sorry for your loss. My mother has been diagnosed with MS and the ensuing years will not be pleasant, however, I doubt she takes any offense at what Rush said. I know I don't even though I have always been FOR stem cell research even before my mother was diagnosed with MS.

Tim:

I do not care if they are from the right or from the left. Personally, all of these "opiners" should be paid in part by the enemies of the country since their major contribution to our culture is hate and division.

What ticks me off is how some people can take exception to a comment, demanding "proof" and then turn around and defend these hate mongers without an atom of cold, hard facts.

What REALLY ticks me off is the blind and irrational faith people put in some of these people. What ever happened to thinking for one's self?

Not quite sure where you were aiming that Bob, but I think for myself and end up on the republican side of the fence on MOST issues. I live in a rural area and work in the city which means I don't have cable so I listen to the big three's evening news and I listen to NPR during my work commute. I DO NOT WATCH FOX NEWS OR LISTEN TO RUSH (well maybe 1/2hrs worth per year). My opinions are all mine.

TIm..Not really "aiming" for anyone. Just ranting about something that I find dangerous to our society. Debate and disagreement do not have to be totally confrontational ass some would like it to be. If someone could plese point out to me what, in socio/political circles is pure white or pure black.

I would say that, in most cases, you and I tend to agree somewhat since I do not think either of us see things as absolutes, but as subtle degrees of difference. You already stated that you are what I would consider a bit more "choosy" about your news sources. THat more were like that.

So, I ain't after you, just those who have all the answers yet really do not understand the situation. Don't these people tick you off as well?

Only if their opinion differs from mine:)

Len's POV is very similar to mine so he, IMO does not fit your above description (nor does Nostatic, Superman, Speeder, Fint, Nathans Dad etc). There are only a few here that I find truly riduculous in their over the top political hate fests. We all, on occasion, jab back and forth, but I am sure the majority here would all get along just fine over a couple of beers. :)

I happened to catch Rush yesterday while I was driving and heard the whole thing on MJF. Don't recall anything approaching Rush having mocked MJF. I also saw a lady on a news show last night who said Fox admitted in his book that he goes off his meds when he testifies on the Hill or what not, so people can see the ravages of his disease. I believe that factoid was in the Wash. Post today too. That would make it not much of a stretch to think he went off his meds to do this commercial.

Either way, the stem cell issue in MO is a state issue, but the MJF commericial is for a federal election, slamming Sen. James Talent. Talent's vote in the U.S.Senate has ZERO to do with a state ballot issue in MO. Furthermore, stem cell research is not illegal anywhere in the US. For some reason, people think a lack of fed. funds is the same thing as a ban. It's not. Someone got duped here or at least hoped the commerical would dupe a lot of others who skipped civics class in HS.

Are you saying showing Michael J. Fox without his meds is an attempt to "dupe" voters? Actually, I'd say if he were ON his meds his relative physical control would be misleading.

The fact is the disease has him in its grip and without his meds he can hardly function. Eventually he will NOT be able to function even with the meds. Thats why displaying the disease in a person from popular culture - a person many feel they have a "connection with" via his TV and movie roles is so effective. It makes them sort of "know" someone with a disease they might otherwise not relate to. It is a MORE informed decision. Not a less informed decision.

It is easy to make decisions on issues of public debate when you aren't in touch with the impact of the decisions that are made. Get up close and personal with: abortion, capital punishment, illegal immigration, term limits or any of a host of issues and we might all feel differently....maybe.

Face it, the commercial was a political one. Not taking one's medications to solicit pity in a political ad to help the left push their agenda...It really is pitiful and clearly makes Fox the tool of the left...whether that was his intent or not. The left is usin g him just like they did Cindy Sheehan....and before that, John Kerry. It appears that there is a large section in the liberal playbook that says to present arguments that you cannot win with reason with folks that cannot be challenged with fact. As posted earlier, there is nothing illegal about stem cell research. If Fox wants to give all his money to it and solicit his rich friends to also do so...he is certainly free to do it. The folks that really should be ashamed are the ones that asked Fox to make this commerical in such a state when he makes his paid appearances otherwise.

No, the real duping is in the fact that the commercial slams Sen. Talent on a state issue that a US Senator, regardless of who wins, has zero control over. BUT, since Fox HAS, by his own admission, gone off his meds in the past to dramtize the effects of his disease, but is otherwise on them to minimize those effects, I'd say the commerical is a little over the top, no matter how you cut it.

I feel sorry for him, both because of his disease and beause he was used like a doormat for a political issue his clearly does not understand. BTW, I've heard he's gonna run a similar ad in MD, though the Dem. candidate, Ben Cardin, himself, voted against fed. funding for stem cell research and the GOP candidate, the current lt. gov. of MD, is part of an admin. that DID expand state funding for stem cell research. Can't make this stuff up.

I hope the rantings here shed light on Limbaughs point. It's not a discussion about the issue, it's a discussion about how big of a monster those are that challenge him (the whole point of the ad).

The proof is in the pudding.

The score:

Adult Stem Cell Research: Over 70 therapeutic treatments developed

Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Zero

Respected medical journals have researchers on record as saying that embryonic stem cells show no promise of leading to therapeutic treatments for many decades and adult stem cells may have advantages over embryonic cells. Meanwhile, adult stem cell therapies have been developed and continue to show promise as the research continues.

The stem cell debate is purely political. The left wants to de-sanctify the embryo to create a pathway to liberalizing abortion rights.

THe right sees it just like gun control. If you restrict the sales of assault weapons, in a few years it will be illegal to own a pea shooter.

So let's cut the crap. The left doesn't want to help people with debilitating diseases. They want to further their larger political agenda, which is to secure part of their base: left wing screwball women. It's the same reason they cannot agree to ban partial birth abortion which has little support in polls except with the fringe left abortion rights advocates.

Sure, women that don't want the government to exercise control over their bodies are "left wing screwballs," all right. :rolleyes:

The only left wing screwballs here are the so-called "conservatives" that can't seem to get enough government intrusion and control over the private lives of American citizens.

They can number us, spy on our conversations, throw us in a military prisons on the president's order, and tell us what medical procedures we can an cannot have.

The "new conservative" American -- all government control, all the time. :mad:

Embryonic Stem cell research is in it's infancy (tasteless pun intended). So yes, zero results as of yet.
Certainly you can see the weakness in that argument.
"We just poured that concrete sidewalk."
"Yes, but you can't walk on it right now, so why waste your time pouring anymore?"

Took a little while to figure out the earth isn't flat too.
Or maybe yours is?
:rolleyes: