Explain yourself, John

I agree with all the Democrats and Republicans who are crying foul on the new stem cell ad from the McCain Palin campaign. "Embryonic" is never mentioned, since right on his web page he says what he's against: "John McCain opposes the intentional creation of human embryos for research purposes. To that end, Senator McCain voted to ban the practice of "fetal farming," making it a federal crime for researchers to use cells or fetal tissue from an embryo created for research purposes. Furthermore, he voted to ban attempts to use or obtain human cells gestated in animals. Finally, John McCain strongly opposes human cloning and voted to ban the practice, and any related experimentation, under federal law." However, in 2006 he voted aye, as did Obama, on a bill the president vetoed. Later in 2007 a procedure was announced that didn't need embryos. Democrats haven't been happy about that. However, remember, it's never been illegal to perform embryonic stem cell research in the U.S.--it's just not for federal money beyond a few lines. Most stem cell research in the world has been done by U.S. researchers--it's just one more anti-Bush myth that we were falling behind.

But most people won't listen that carefully to this ad. They won't go to McCain's web page. Here's the script:

John McCain will lead his congressional allies to improve America's health.

Stem cell research to unlock the mystery of cancer, diabetes, heart disease.

Stem cell research to help free families from the fear and devastation of illness.

Stem cell research to help doctors repair spinal cord damage, knee injuries, serious burns.

Stem cell research to help stroke victims.

And, John McCain and his congressional allies will invest millions more in new NIH medical research to prevent disease.

Medical breakthroughs to help you get better, faster.

Change is coming.

Congressional allies is code for Democrats not conservatives like Palin; and stem cell research hasn't produced any of the claims in this ad. It's a hope for change--and where have we heard that? Investors love a good cure--there's millions to be made if it worked. So far, it's just expensive experiments. Unless he wants to lose those of us who jumped on board because of a true conservative at his side, he'd better pull this or listen to Mrs. Palin's team.

Besides, as I noted in 2006 after Bush's veto, "All you evolutionists should just wait around and see if some mold in the corner that the janitor missed turns into a highly developed, functioning human being. If it happened once without help from the Big Guy, you should be able to do it with a few spores, some ammonia and fairy dust."