Don Walton: Embryonic stem cell debate coming
Get ready for a statewide debate on embryonic stem cell research. This issue may go before the Legislature and the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, but it’ll be settled by the people.
Either through the political candidates they support or oppose, or more likely by a vote of the people themselves.
Perhaps in 2008.
The wheels are turning.
Drew Miller told his fellow regents over the weekend they need to consider prompting, or encouraging, a petition drive to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot ensuring the use of embryonic stem cells — and fetal tissue — in medical research or risk the Medical Center’s research future.
Julie Schmit-Albin reacted a day later by urging pro-life Nebraskans to “light a fire under their legislators now that we want this issue addressed in the next legislative session.”
Pro-life’s most consistent voices in the Legislature, Adrian Smith and Mike Foley, will be gone when a new kind of half-rookie Legislature convenes next January.
Embryonic stem cell research now under way at the university is limited to the strict restrictions imposed by President Bush in determining federal funding for such research.
It looks like this issue ultimately will be settled by the people, perhaps with consideration of competing constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by competing petition drives.
It’s hard to imagine a more dramatic collision of fundamental values and beliefs.
Scott Kleeb’s first TV ad in the 3rd District is unique.
The Democratic congressional nominee faces the camera and says this to the viewer:
“I’m Scott Kleeb. Some candidates start their campaigns by talking about themselves. I’d like to start mine by listening to you.
“Your ideas about how to get Congress working for you.
“So send me an e-mail. Let me know what you’re thinking. And be sure and stop and talk with me when I’m in the neighborhood just so we can get to know each other better.
“I approve this message because it’s time for a breath of fresh air and new ideas in Washington. Together, we can make that happen.”
If you don’t think Nebraska’s Republican Party is worried about this guy, you ought to see the barrage of news releases from the GOP directed at him.
As Congress moves through a September agenda devoted to fashioning 30-second TV ads and scoring political points, Chuck Hagel says it’s failing the country and should be held accountable.
“We’re leaving a dozen or two dozen big issues at the doorstep,” Hagel said during a telephone news conference last week.
“That’s clearly the reason why poll numbers are so low for Congress and the president. We have failed to do what we were sent here to do.”
The result of that failure, Hagel said, is “all incumbents are going to be in some trouble” this election year.
Left unresolved are comprehensive immigration reform, healthcare reform, Social Security reform, all “the big issues critical to the future of our country.”
It requires “courage, discipline, leadership, substance” to deal with those issues, he said, “and we are not known for a great abundance of any of the above.”
Finishing up:
* The Sept. 19 gubernatorial debate scheduled for McCook has been moved to Scottsbluff-Gering. The third and final debate will be in Omaha on Oct. 2.
* Scheduled 1st District congressional debates: Norfolk Lifelong Learning Center, Oct. 3; LIBA luncheon in Lincoln, Oct. 15. Maxine Moul wants Jeff Fortenberry to agree to three more.
* Fortenberry met with UN Ambassador John Bolton when he was in Lincoln to urge development of a peer review process that ensures the human rights records of UN member states are critiqued in an open forum.
* Doug Bereuter’s dad died last week at age 95. His mother died two months earlier. A difficult summer for a very decent man.
* Expected, but nevertheless an important boost for Adrian Smith in his 3rd District congressional scrap with Kleeb in western and central Nebraska: Endorsement by Nebraska Right to Life.
* A resolution adopted at the Democratic state convention last month placed the party on record in opposition to the proposed constitutional lid on state government spending. Both Dave Heineman and David Hahn oppose the lid.
* National Journal’s Hotline last week rated Ben Nelson as “increasingly safe” in his Senate contest with Pete Ricketts. Its assessment: “Nelson has gone a long way toward labeling Ricketts the liberal in this race, i.e. pro-amnesty for illegal immigrants, pro-tax.”
* As a north stadium fan, all I ask is: Since I can’t watch instant replays anymore on a nearby TV screen, at least restore my access to the running scores of other games. We’ve lost contact with the outside world.
* Five years ago this morning.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@ljournalstar.com.
Either through the political candidates they support or oppose, or more likely by a vote of the people themselves.
Perhaps in 2008.
The wheels are turning.
Drew Miller told his fellow regents over the weekend they need to consider prompting, or encouraging, a petition drive to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot ensuring the use of embryonic stem cells — and fetal tissue — in medical research or risk the Medical Center’s research future.
Julie Schmit-Albin reacted a day later by urging pro-life Nebraskans to “light a fire under their legislators now that we want this issue addressed in the next legislative session.”
Pro-life’s most consistent voices in the Legislature, Adrian Smith and Mike Foley, will be gone when a new kind of half-rookie Legislature convenes next January.
Embryonic stem cell research now under way at the university is limited to the strict restrictions imposed by President Bush in determining federal funding for such research.
It looks like this issue ultimately will be settled by the people, perhaps with consideration of competing constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by competing petition drives.
It’s hard to imagine a more dramatic collision of fundamental values and beliefs.
Scott Kleeb’s first TV ad in the 3rd District is unique.
The Democratic congressional nominee faces the camera and says this to the viewer:
“I’m Scott Kleeb. Some candidates start their campaigns by talking about themselves. I’d like to start mine by listening to you.
“Your ideas about how to get Congress working for you.
“So send me an e-mail. Let me know what you’re thinking. And be sure and stop and talk with me when I’m in the neighborhood just so we can get to know each other better.
“I approve this message because it’s time for a breath of fresh air and new ideas in Washington. Together, we can make that happen.”
If you don’t think Nebraska’s Republican Party is worried about this guy, you ought to see the barrage of news releases from the GOP directed at him.
As Congress moves through a September agenda devoted to fashioning 30-second TV ads and scoring political points, Chuck Hagel says it’s failing the country and should be held accountable.
“We’re leaving a dozen or two dozen big issues at the doorstep,” Hagel said during a telephone news conference last week.
“That’s clearly the reason why poll numbers are so low for Congress and the president. We have failed to do what we were sent here to do.”
The result of that failure, Hagel said, is “all incumbents are going to be in some trouble” this election year.
Left unresolved are comprehensive immigration reform, healthcare reform, Social Security reform, all “the big issues critical to the future of our country.”
It requires “courage, discipline, leadership, substance” to deal with those issues, he said, “and we are not known for a great abundance of any of the above.”
Finishing up:
* The Sept. 19 gubernatorial debate scheduled for McCook has been moved to Scottsbluff-Gering. The third and final debate will be in Omaha on Oct. 2.
* Scheduled 1st District congressional debates: Norfolk Lifelong Learning Center, Oct. 3; LIBA luncheon in Lincoln, Oct. 15. Maxine Moul wants Jeff Fortenberry to agree to three more.
* Fortenberry met with UN Ambassador John Bolton when he was in Lincoln to urge development of a peer review process that ensures the human rights records of UN member states are critiqued in an open forum.
* Doug Bereuter’s dad died last week at age 95. His mother died two months earlier. A difficult summer for a very decent man.
* Expected, but nevertheless an important boost for Adrian Smith in his 3rd District congressional scrap with Kleeb in western and central Nebraska: Endorsement by Nebraska Right to Life.
* A resolution adopted at the Democratic state convention last month placed the party on record in opposition to the proposed constitutional lid on state government spending. Both Dave Heineman and David Hahn oppose the lid.
* National Journal’s Hotline last week rated Ben Nelson as “increasingly safe” in his Senate contest with Pete Ricketts. Its assessment: “Nelson has gone a long way toward labeling Ricketts the liberal in this race, i.e. pro-amnesty for illegal immigrants, pro-tax.”
* As a north stadium fan, all I ask is: Since I can’t watch instant replays anymore on a nearby TV screen, at least restore my access to the running scores of other games. We’ve lost contact with the outside world.
* Five years ago this morning.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@ljournalstar.com.
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