WaxWorks
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Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Time for the Religious Right But Not for Al Qaeda
I was reading an interesting article in the New Yorker concerning the Bush Administration's politicization of science, and the fact that they have caved to the religious right in almost all aspects of their approach to and funding for science, particularly in the area of stem cell research.
I then remembered that Bush made his major address on stem cell research in August 2001, in which, out of deference to the religious right, he limited federal funding for stem cell research to only the existing lines (which he pegged at 60, but in actuality are only around 30). Bush gave his speech on August 9, 2001, but it is clear that he was dealing with the issue and how to handle the religious right throughout his vacation:
The issue Bush grappled with was whether to stand by his previous
statements opposing federal funding for any embryonic stem cell research, or to
reverse course and support the position backed by many of his closest advisers,
including Thompson, Vice President Dick Cheney, Chief of Staff Andy Card and
White House counselor Karen Hughes, according to sources.
Among those who recommended against any change in position, these sources
said, were strategist Karl Rove, the top White House liaison to conservative
Republicans....
But the president came under heavy pressure to reconsider and had grappled with the issue for more than two months, holding dozens of meetings with medical and scientific experts, ethicists, religious leaders and others....
White House officials said Bush reached his decision since arriving in
Texas for his working vacation and decided Wednesday he wanted to announce it on
Thursday in the nationally televised address. These officials said he had made
clear he wanted to be the first to disclose it.
So, in the days before August 9, 2001, I think it's safe to say that Bush spent a fair amount of time dealing with and discussing the issue of stem cell research. And, in particular, how not to anger the religious right.
But what did Bush receive on August 6, 2001? That's right, the infamous PDB entitled, "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US." It is undisputed that Bush did nothing in response to this PDB.
So, true to form, Bush ignored the urgent threat of a potential terrorist attack on U.S. soil while he focused his precious free time during his vacation to not alienating the religious right.
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