crossposted at BlogHer.com

I wasn’t expecting to get emotional over stem cells. I’ve heard the arguments, I’ve seen the promise, I’ve listened to the pundits drone on and on. I never really thought of it until I began reading and researching  in order to write this post.

First, came the announcement from the White House:

“From tiny embryonic cells to the large-scale physics of global warming, President Barack Obama urged researchers on Monday to follow science and not ideology as he abolished contentious Bush-era restraints on stem-cell research. ‘Our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values,’ Obama declared as he signed documents changing U.S. science policy and removing what some researchers have said were shackles on their work.”-yahoo news.

I have to admit this brought a smile to my face. President Obama went on to address the “controversy” surrounding stem cells head on saying the order was designed so it “never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction.” Such cloning, he said, “is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society or any society.”

I realize this is a touchy subject with a segment of the population. I can’t pretend to understand the objections, because I very truly do not. Even Time acknowledges the “fake” controversy.

Feministe sums up my thoughts pretty well,

“Obama also said that he hopes Congress will continue to support stem-cell research legislatively. All of this is incredibly excellent news, and I cannot possibly express how very happy I am about the development. It looks like we may in fact be moving towards a real ‘culture of life,’which values the lives of actual people. Go President Obama!”

Of course that “culture of life” reference is not a mistake. The controversy surrounding stem cells is directly related to the potential for human life and the anti-choice movement. Me? I am reminded of Galileo and others, and the notion that religion can repress discovery.

I am also offended that stem cells destined for destruction anyway are being protected by people OVER the protection of those I know and love.

Because I learned a lot reading the many, many articles about stem cells- almost more than I bargained for. You see, my father has a low-grade form of leukemia. Did you know they are using stem cell research to attempt to advance treatment and find a potential cure for leukemia?

Did you also know stem cell research may one day help someone right here at BlogHer?

BlogHer Contributing Editor, Nordette writes,

“At some time in the future, I will need kidney and stem cell research offers hope beyond hoping I find a matching donor and get approved for transplant…I remember while I was going through domestic violence counseling, the counselor and I discussed my being ill, needing a kidney for reasons the doctor’s don’t understand, and I told her that I was realistic about the news I’d received at age 43, that by age 53 I’d need a kidney. I said that I’d accepted that it was unlikely I’d get one because most people don’t, and so, I wanted to live my life like I’d never be approved as a recipient.

She looked me in the eye and said, ‘I don’t want to hear you talk like that. Medical science is making progress in all areas and for all you know by the time you need a kidney they’ll be growing them in a lab.’

Her words comforted me six years ago, and sometimes I try to look at life that way: What if I make it? What if I have another 40 years ahead of me and not another 5-10?”

And here’s where I cry and get angry. Why Why Why would anyone deny this chance to my father, to my friend Nordette, to the many millions of people suffering from various things? All  for a clump of cells destined for destruction? They value the clump of cells more than my father? MY OWN FATHER.

Which is why, when my tears dry, I’m glad we have BlogHer Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan to break a complicated issue down with FACTS and a great video:

Of course, speaking out on stem cells will get you mocked by some on the Right. Some who may or may not be the leading voice of the Right… but, I digress.

I hope President Obama’s actions turn into solutions and science will lead the way in helping not just my father, not just Nordette, but all those in need of help.

The President’s words ring true and it really is about time we “make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.”

BlogHer is non-partisan, but our bloggers aren’t! Read more News & Politics. Contributing Editor Erin Kotecki Vest also blogs at Queen of Spain blog.

crossposted at BlogHer.com

As a progressive it’s not hard for me to admit I’m enjoying the power struggle in the GOP. It seems it’s not very clear who is in charge. Some days it’s the newly elected chairman, Michale Steele, other days it’s a talk show host.

Over the weekend Steele called Rush Limbaugh’s rhetoric “incendiary” and “ugly” and insisted that he, not Limbaugh, is in charge of the GOP. Now CNN reports Steele is looking to kiss and make-up with the talk show host and has apologized saying “There are those out there who want to look at what he’s saying as incendiary and divisive and ugly. That’s what I was trying to say. It didn’t come out that way.”

It didn’t take Louisiana Governor (and current “chosen one” in the GOP) long to chime in:

Now believe me when I tell you it was not very long ago Democrats were in disarray and the Republicans were taking swipes at their “lack of clear message” and “disorganization.” But I’m not sure a talk show host was ever running the show. Keith Olbermann was not setting the Democratic agenda.

However it now appears Rush is not just setting the GOP agenda, but forcing it’s chairman and it’s biggest names to kiss his ring.

I’d like to just review some Rush Limbaugh classic moments, if you don’t mind.

“Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.”

“This is no different than what happens at the Skull and Bones initiation…I’m talking about people having a good time, these people, you ever heard of emotional release? You ever heard of the need to blow some steam off?” –on the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal

“We’re not sexists, we’re chauvinists — we’re male chauvinist pigs, and we’re happy to be because we think that’s what men were destined to be. We think that’s what women want.”

“The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies.”

“They oughtta change Black History Month to Black Progress Month and start measuring it.”

“Look, let me put it to you this way: the NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.”

“Sorry to say this, I don’t think he’s been that good from the get-go. I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.” –on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, while working as a commentator on ESPN

And let’s not forget the very best of his racist remarks:

1. I mean, let’s face it, we didn’t have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back; I’m just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark.

2. You know who deserves a posthumous Medal of Honor? James Earl Ray [the confessed assassin of Martin Luther King]. We miss you, James. Godspeed.

3. Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?

4. Right. So you go into Darfur and you go into South Africa, you get rid of the white government there. You put sanctions on them. You stand behind Nelson Mandela — who was bankrolled by communists for a time, had the support of certain communist leaders. You go to Ethiopia. You do the same thing.

5. Take that bone out of your nose and call me back(to an African American female caller).

Yes, GOP…this is your leader. Wow, you must be so very proud. So on top of being sexist and racist, Rush apparently has trouble with the constitution as well- you know, that document I’m fairly sure most conservatives live and die by. Firedoglake points out Rush’s gaffe:

See a pattern here?

Karen Hughes misattributed the phrase “One nation under God,” Sarah Palin didn’t know what the First Amendment is or what the Vice President does, and now this.

“We believe that the preamble to the Constitution contains an inarguable truth that we are all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life. [Applause] Liberty, Freedom. [Applause] And the pursuit of happiness. [Applause] Those of you watching at home may wonder why this is being applauded. We conservatives think all three are under assault. [Applause]”

Zzzzzt!

So sorry, El Rushbo, those words are not from the Preamble. They’re in the Declaration of Independence.

All this love wingnuts claim to have for the Constitution never seems to manifest itself in, like, actual knowledge of the Constitution.

Now Erin, perhaps Rush is just misunderstood, perhaps (you say) I just don’t understand his satire or his parody or his style…Emily Hummel tries to explain via twitter:

“The RNC catering to Rush Limbaugh is why we Republicans have a bad name. Honestly everyone is not that bad!”

I hope she’s right. However just the decorations at the recent CPAC conference makes me leery the party of the “Big Tent” does more than alienate everyone under it’s umbrella.

With that in mind I would like to propose a theory: the GOP is alienating itself from just about every segment of America one-by-one and isolating itself into irrelevance.

The party that started and came into it’s own with an entertainer, will now end with an entertainer.

BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren’t! Read more of our coverage in
News & Politics. Contributing Editor Erin Kotecki Vest also writes at Queen of Spain Blog

Go check out the full story at BlogHer Backtalk

A project I have been working very hard on is launching tomorrow over at BlogHer. Please take a look at BlogHer CEO Lisa Stone’s announcement:

“Why videoblogging? Since we launched BlogHer.com three years ago, YouTube.com has ballooned into the second-largest search engine in the world. For BlogHer.com to deliver on our mission as a one-of-a-kind news service devoted to raising the profile of what women are writing and saying on our blogs, it’s essential that BlogHer.com start sharing your news in video, as well as text.

The focus of our first BlogHer Backtalk episodes will be parenting. Of the 14 million women our network reaches every month, the majority are parents. And after watching mainstream television attempt to cover moms who blog, we knew there was room for an authentic alternative. The bloggers we invited to kick off the conversation — Lindsay Ferrier, Chris Jordan, Kelly Wickham and Erin Kotecki Vest — were excited to launch BlogHer Backtalk as a news service about what’s really happening on parenting blogs, to spotlight amazing stories and issues that those of us in the community consider most important.”

I hope you join us tomorrow for our first episode.

crossposted at BlogHer.com

It’s an issue I, like many Americans, don’t know enough about.

You see it on the news- a celebrity mentions the name or a non-profit begs for your attention. You hear about it on blogs, and when charity events roll around. But are you truly paying attention to Darfur? Do you really know what’s going on there?

I didn’t, that is until my interview with Suzie Armstrong of SaveDarfur.org. As I celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama in DC I stopped by the Save Darfur offices to sit down with Armstrong to discuss the new administration, the ongoing efforts in the region, and most importantly how YOU can get involved. (*editor’s note: please turn up your volume, thank you)

Take action at SaveDarfur.org.