To George W. Bush: Don't Veto H.R. 810. Use A Signing Statement

[berni_mccoy]

I, like many others, am affected by a disease that stem cell research will likely provide an answer for. You see, my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a year and a half ago. Since then, I've learned that I can keep my son from going into a coma from blood sugar that goes too high or to low. I've also learned that I can't keep his blood sugar in normal range all the time and that when his blood sugar rises or falls too quickly, it does damage to his body. In fact, it will do enough damage over his life time to shorten his life by 15 years. He's already showing signs of neuropathy, a form of nerve damage, that results in damage from blood sugar fluctuations. Throughout his life he will be at high risk of stroke, kidney failure, heart disease, limb amputation, blindness and many more complications. You see Mr. Bush, insulin is not a cure. It's life support.

Type 1 diabetes is a disease that stem cell research can provide a breakthrough on. Type 1 diabetes is an immune disorder where the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Scientists have been successful in transplanting modified donor cells and reversing the disease. The only problem is that it takes TEN donors to provide enough cells for a single successful transplant. So only the most extreme cases of type 1 diabetes can receive this procedure. What is needed is a breakthrough in cloning donor cells. Stem cell research provides that answer. You can learn more about it here: http://www.jdrf.org.

And that is why I ask you to not veto H.R. 810. Like over 700 bills you've placed signing statements on, I hope that you will do the same for this one. I hope that your signing statement will go something like this: "I don't believe in stem cell research and so I do not think it applies to me or to other extreme right-wing religious conservatives. We extremists refuse to participate in the benefits of this research." Isn't that simple enough? If you don't like the research, don't benefit from it. But let the MILLIONS OF CHILDREN WHO SUFFER from this terrible disease, and others who suffer from other terrible diseases on the brink of a cure, benefit from this miracle of science. After all, it's the least you can do after cutting funding for Diabetes Research over 200 million dollars over the last three years.

[babylonsister]

1. Oh, berni_. I have a step-son who has a disease, too.

It's obscure but not for him. Called Friedrich's Ataxia, he got it from the combining of his parents' sperm and egg. Neither of them have it, his sister doesn't, but he does.
He's 36, just had his third child, uses a walker and hand controls in his car because his feet and legs don't work well, and his prognosis is really very horrific. He's still holding down a good job until he's no longer capable of getting there; his brain works wonderfully but his body is slowly being conquered by a hideous disease that's unheard of by most. Stem cell research could definitely help Scott.

[berni_mccoy]

7. Bush's veto will be unconstitutional

He will be allowing his religion to dictate policy over the majority who do not share his religious belief.

His view that it is murder is ridiculous and has already been discounted by both Congress and the Supreme Court.

The majority of Americans see that pursuing this research is *the* moral obligation.

[az chela]

2. I am sitting here with tears running down my face

After reading this I feel sick!!! I am a type 2 diabetic and my daughters fiance died last year from type 1.
If there is any justice in this world this bill will not be vetoed.
No one can be that cruel to take life away from so many people that will benefit from stem cell research.
I already sent an email to the white house to not veto this what else can we do???
I am willing to do what ever it takes

[babylonsister]

3. az chela! How are you doing?

[pansypoo53219]

4. sorry

as much as i pray he will do the RIGHT thing, he will be a talibornagain prick. screwq the living to save the soon to be destroyed.

because he is a know nothing asshole who believes only what he is told to believe.

[Carla in Ca]

5. How can this be so?

I am speechless right now, from sadness for you and all who could be helped and from anger for this pathetic little man who will play God.

He considers it murder to use stem cells, but he has no problem that they are thrown in the trash if not used?

God help us all.

[Zookeeper]

6. Excellent letter, berni....

My daughter was diagnosed 10 years ago at age four, so I know the struggle.

What the heck is it with Bush and his kind? I simply don't believe that he is making a "moral" decision....he is just pandering to his ignorant and superstitious base. (And possibly protecting the profits of his friends in Big Pharm.)

This is really the time to push this issue. If Bush goes through with his veto threat and we can't get enough Senators to override the veto, I have no idea how much longer our children and others will have to wait. :-(

[berni_mccoy]

8. It will take 2/3rd majority to overrule the veto. Serious arm twisting

in Congress will be required. Perhaps after the 2006 election, it will be possible.