does anyone wonder about the political ramifications of Chris Reeve's death?

[giggleygirl25]

God, I hate to be ghoulish like this...the brilliant man has been dead less than 24 hours but my dad was wondering what this would mean in the terms of the policies for stem cell research and i was wondering if anyone around here has...yes i know it's bad to be thinking about it at a time like this and i'm really beating myself up about typing it but my curious lil mind won't let the question rest :(

[venray]

The thought had crossed my mind, dear...and posting it here instead of in the gen dis area shows very good taste....(expected nothin else outta ya!) Thanks, love.....

It is a hard discussion to have , but probably a needed one...

Any ideas out there? (try to keep it civil though)


Ray

[giggleygirl25]

yeah i was hoping to never have this discussion and wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to string me up for starting it...(he was my first crush when i was about 4 or 5 years old)

anyway, imho...maybe his death will be the catalyst that starts everything...more funding, more stem cells etcetera. i'm not saying that it would force the Bush Adminstration to do it...BUT it may drive other countries to do the research and fund it.

[venray]

Originally posted by giggleygirl25
yeah i was hoping to never have this discussion and wouldn't blame anyone for wanting to string me up for starting it...(he was my first crush when i was about 4 or 5 years old)



I was all set to pounce on the first one to bring it up in the reeve thread in general discussion, but as I said there is a place for the discussion and it is here.....;)

[qjakal]

I think much of what he did in regards to furthering spinal cord and stem cell research will live on for decades, and he may eventually be remembered in the future more for his activism in these areas rather than his acting career.

His support and endorsement pushed spinal recovery research far ahead of it's former snail-like pace. It should be interesting to see what provisions he may have made in his will for funding and ongoing work.

Q

[the_Baron]

mr. kerry is already claiming that reeves called him from his deathbed to thank him for his pro-stem cell research stance.

and didn't jesse jackson hold MLK jr. after he was shot?

[giggleygirl25]

:sowrong: that isn't exactly what Senator Kerry said, but since i respect the memory of both Mr. Reeve and Rev. King...i will refrain from arguing further.

[drew70]

So what exactly did he say, then??

[MrMacphisto]

He said... *cue the music* "I think I'm a clone now... there's always two of me just a-hangin' around... I think I'm a clone now.... 'Cause every chromosome is a hand-me-down"

[giggleygirl25]

fine since we have to waste time playing this game instead of actually talking about what will happen to the embryonic stem cell research...

from the blog on johnkerry.com :

Kerry on Christopher Reeve
John Kerry released the following statement today on the death of Christopher Reeve:

“Today, we lost a man who was truly America’s hero – Christopher Reeve. Teresa and I were privileged to have known him as a friend and were deeply saddened to learn of his death. We send our prayers to his loving wife and steadfast partner Dana, his children, and the entire Reeve family. He was an inspiration to all of us and gave hope to millions of Americans who are counting on the life-saving cures that science and research can provide. He met every challenge with a courage and character that broke new ground in this struggle. As Christopher once said, ‘So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.’ Because he had the strength to carry this cause, I know one day that we will realize that inevitable dream.”


and from friday night's debate: (according to cnn.com)

KERRY: You know, Elizabeth, I really respect your -- the feeling that's in your question. I understand it. I know the morality that's prompting that question, and I respect it enormously. But like Nancy Reagan, and so many other people -- you know, I was at a forum with Chris Reeve is a friend of mine.

Chris Reeve exercises every single day to keep those muscles alive for the day when he believes he can walk again, and I want him to walk again. I think we can save lives. Now, I think we can do ethically guided embryonic stem-cell research. We have 100,000 to 200,000 embryos that are frozen in nitrogen today from fertility clinics. These weren't taken from abortion or something like that. They're from a fertility clinic.

and finally from the speech on monday the day after Chris's death:

Before we begin, let me say a few words about the loss of a man who was truly America’s hero – my friend, Christopher Reeve. Teresa and I were deeply saddened to learn of his death, and we send our prayers to his loving wife Dana, his children, and his entire family. Chris was an inspiration to all of us. Without leaving his wheelchair, he was able to make great strides toward a cure for conditions like his. His tireless efforts will always be remembered and honored – and in part because of his work, millions will one day walk again. As Chris once said, “So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” I know that one day we will realize Chris’ inevitable dream.

as you can see gentleman, no mention of a deathbed phone call:rolleyes:

[venray]

Very few of us thought that there was GG......Once again showing that if you post something as fact you NEED TO BACK IT UP....


Thanks for the clarification for those that tend to post rumor an innuendo...

R

[MrMacphisto]

Thanks for the info, Giggley... I figured the whole deathbed convo rumor was bogus... As for what will probably happen to future stem-cell research issues, with people like Bush in power, there's a good chance that the religious right will probably hijack the issue due its relation to abortion.

Perhaps, we can get other celebrities involved to save this research and funding. Keanu Reeve(s), maybe? :p

[giggleygirl25]

no problem, i just wanted to keep that type of b.s out of this thread but since it was brought up...i figured that i'd clarify the issue:)

[jugner]

I'm almost certain in the coming debate Kerry will say something to the effect of "let's not let Christopher Reeves mission to have been in vain"