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Don Walton: Embryonic stem cell debate coming

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Monday, Sep 11, 2006 - 12:09:57 am CDT

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.

Story Photo

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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Charles wrote on September 11, 2006 6:38 am:
" The will of the PEOPLE is that embryonic stem cell research go forward. Anyone who has a loved one or good friend who has endured the suffering and death caused by Alzheimer's disease knows this. We can find a way to stop this misery if this research can happen. Nowhere else has G. W. Bush failed so badly. I hope all Nebraskans will step up to the plate on this one. LIVING people need this! "

 Ricky wrote on September 11, 2006 7:18 am:
" Let's do decide whether to go full bore into Embyronic stem cell research! Do not let the minority decide to stop the important research! Put it to a vote! Ricky From Omaha "

 Kleeb yes, Smith no wrote on September 11, 2006 8:15 am:
" Scott Kleeb is such a refreshing alternative to "business as usual." Adrian Smith might be a new member of Congress if elected, but he would just add to the do-nothing gridlock - - he proved that by spending his debate time complaining about Nancy Pelosi. If Smith was unable to be a leader in a small, not especially partisan body of fewer than 50 legislators, how is he going to be a leader for Nebraska in a highly contentious body of 435? It takes more than firecrackers to improve quality of life for Nebraskans. Scott Kleeb understands this; Adrian Smith does not. "

 Locke wrote on September 11, 2006 9:18 am:
" Stem cell research is pro-life. Any representative who does not understand this needs to be removed from office, because they are not representing the will of the people. "

 ordinary citizen wrote on September 11, 2006 9:43 am:
" Of course this research is badly needed. Only the minority is withholding "our" funds from the research to find those crippling diseases. As far as anyone who opposes this research, then may you roll the dice and not have any close relative or friend be affected by the terrible diseases. Living like an osterich makes you more like them day after day, ya big bird. "

 Yay Scott Kleeb... wrote on September 11, 2006 10:22 am:
" Another member of the third district who has your vote. "

 Need a smart congressman wrote on September 11, 2006 10:24 am:
" Adrian Smith is not mentally up to the task of serving in Congress. We need smart people there, not another Jon Christensen. Scott Kleeb holds a doctorate from Yale and, to visit with him, one can see that he is an intelligent, clear thinker. Adrian Smith just repeats what the far right wing of the GOP has told him to say. "

 3rd District wrote on September 11, 2006 1:27 pm:
" One thing wrong with the reporter's comments----Kleeb does not respond when voters send emails asking him for his stand on important issues. I have sent a total of 4 different emails....not one response. A similar email to Smith brought a phone call the very next day. Which one do you think will be most responsive to consituents if elected? I know, I know it is an easy question to answer. Bottom line is that many 3rd District voters will join me in voting for a Nebraksan who has a very clear voting record, and not someone from Connecticut who's only voting record is that he voted for himself in the primary. It is an easy choice to make...a Nebraskan or an East Coast liberal Democrat. "

 eddie wrote on September 11, 2006 1:34 pm:
" A question to all of you who favor embryonic stem cell research. How old must living, growing, maturing human beings be before you think we should NOT experiment on them, three weeks, eight weeks, three months, six months, or maybe two years? You all are so intelligent and wise, so tell me how old must they be before experimenting on them should be prohibited. If we let them grow to five or six years old, we can harvest their organs for transplant. That would probably save alot of lives and since they have multiple organs to be harvested a single life might save three or four other lives. Sadly, I think most of my post will blow right past you who advocate experimenting on living human beings. "

 Fair & Balanced wrote on September 11, 2006 2:05 pm:
" I'm sure Mr. Walton will be re-printing Adrian Smith's commercial like he did for Kleeb here. "

 pac wrote on September 11, 2006 2:44 pm:
" If I lived in the third district, I would be voting for Scott Kleeb. My mom, who is a democrat, but a very conservative one at that, is supporting him - even going so far as to offering to put one of his yard signs in her yard! We need another GOP in office like we need a hole in our heads.... "

 Clever tactic wrote on September 11, 2006 5:11 pm:
" Embryonic stem cell research is just a propaganda shell game to make abortion more palatable to the ill-informed. Sure you might feel bad about aborting, but you could help blah blah blah. The most clever tactic for promoting embryonic stem cell research is the accusation that anyone who opposes it is also against non-embyonic stem cell research. Adult stem cell research shows great promise, with many breakthroughs, and so private money is wisely there by the bushel. Embryonic stem cell research is thus far without positive results, and so private money wisely avoids funding that research. "

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