Please turn your thoughts to Ed Gorman, on his way to a scary procedure. Ed is one of the founding members of the mystery world as it stands today, and having him go shaky is frightening for us all. Strength, Ed. And we’e2’80’99re going to miss your blog.
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And while we’e2’80’99re on grim things. Molly Ivins checks in on the anti-torture amendment Senator John McCain, who knows about the subject of torture, wishes to attach to the current military appropriations bill, and which has caused Bush to threaten to veto said bill:
‘e2’80’9cThis is the United States of America. It is our country, not George W. Bush’e2’80’99s personal property. The United States of America still stands for the rights of man, for freedom, dignity, and justice. We do not torture helpless prisoners.
‘e2’80’9cRemember, we invaded Iraq because Saddam Hussein was such a horrible brute that he tortured people. This is beyond disgusting. The House Republicans, who have no shame will try to weaken McCain’e2’80’99s amendment. They need to hear from decent Republicans all over this country. Don’e2’80’99t leave this hideous stain on your party’e2’80’99s name. This is NOT what America stands for. We’e2’80’99ve had more loathsome and more dangerous enemies than al Qaeda and managed to defeat them without resorting to torture.’e2’80’9d
This is from my paper, if anyone wants to post a link to this online, please do.
And I hope changing the posting process to include word recognition hasn’t been a hassle for you. Thank spammers for making our lives easier and more pleasant.
Wimindance says
October 17, 2005 at 4:43 pmHere is the link to Molly Ivin’s commentary: http://www.creators.com/opinion_show.cfm?next=2&ColumnsName=miv You’ll probably have to copy and paste into your browser address line.
Thanks, Laurie, for caring about Ed Gorman and our country.
Mama Rose says
October 17, 2005 at 4:59 pmI think people are getting used to the word verification. I had to use it on my blog and I don’t get near the readership you do. My readers are mostly friends and family. So, I don’t think you need to worry about it. 🙂
Linda
WDI says
October 18, 2005 at 12:21 pmEvery time I think it’s not possible to loathe this administration more deeply, something like this comes along.
I am reminded of a bumper sticker my daughter and I saw in North Carolina recently. Actually, it reminds me of both of the ones I really liked:
“Republicans for Voldemort”
and, most appropriately after reading MI’s column
“If you’re not completely outraged, you haven’t been listening”
———
I actually kind of like word recognition procedures — I find myself making up funny words out of the random letter combinations, or trying to figure out associations between the letters and numbers. Just a little geek in me, I suppose 🙂
Anonymous says
October 26, 2005 at 6:23 pmso frustrating! I worked on many AIDS, Cancer and stem cell research projects in my previous life.
I wish someone would explain this stuff correctly! It’s not a black and white issue! Most stem cells are grown to make blood and blood products -not little cloned humans! Yes, it is possible to do this but most scientists are interested in saving lives not being frankensteins.
Also, so many good sources are ignored. Most people will give blood and some will give platelets but how many would give umbilical “cord” blood? After childbirth, while the placenta is in place, the cord can be milked for blood. That blood is chock full of stem cells, life-saving stem cells.
If these cells are given growth factors for blood cell differentiation -they will grow liters of life-saving white cells or red cells. Cancer patients need transfusions of these cells daily. It’s a no-brainer. But why hasn’t anyone asked a pregnant woman to donate? We sign donor cards, give blood, and organs but we are too squeamish to ask for cord blood? oh, well thanks to Bush that’s a mute issue…
grumble grumble grumble!
if you really want to help call your hospital and give platelets. It’s the same as giving blood but they use both arms and it takes two hours -they let you watch a movie and treat you like royalty! I knew people who did this weekly for years! It actually makes you feel better too!
Each platelet session gives a cancer patient one transfusion! They have been irradiated for the bone marrow transfusions, so in the two weeks they need to start producing new blood with the new bone marrow -they are defenesless and need a transfusion of platelets daily!
I know not eveyone can take two hours every week to do this, but I know many like me who will at least do this on their birthday and maybe on their children’s or husband’s birthdays. Imagine two hours and you’ve given a child or adult one day of life! Karma has to be good for that!