embryonic stem cells cure blindness

(To Representative Jeff Fortenberry, R-NE)


Digression: What does it say about your values that the selection of "topics" for communication via the house.gov website lumps "Education and Labor" together whilst having no entry at all for Science?

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In your recent "Bad Science" press release you assert "However, embryonic stem cell research has shown no clinical success." This easily falsified statement might well fool the Republican base here in Nebraska - there were apparently a village-full of people at the taxpayer-supported Lancaster Event Center for Teabagging on the 15th. Despite its popularity at home, a false statement about embryonic stem cell research is still false.

As articles such as this reach my attention, and if I'm not otherwise occupied, I'll be sending them in. While I honestly don't expect you to change your position anytime soon, at minimum you could stop telling this particular falsehood to your constituents.

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www.timesonline.co.uk

From The Sunday Times
April 19, 2009
Blind to be cured with stem cells

BRITISH scientists have developed the world’s first stem cell therapy to cure the most common cause of blindness. Surgeons predict it will become a routine, one-hour procedure that will be generally available in six or seven years’ time.

This week Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical research company, will announce its financial backing to bring the therapy to patients.
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Pfizer. One of your local corporate sponsors, no doubt.

Don't often hear that

"I ask you to look it up for yourself; you will not find it" claims Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D., alpha male of NARTH, responding to a suggestion that the APA has a statement on their website that is somewhat critical of NARTH and its methods.

As the robust discussion between Nicolosi and a real scientist continued, the host of the interview busied himself with the Internet where he found, and subsequently read aloud, the highlighted section below:

American Psychological Association
Office of Public Communications
August 10, 2006

Statement of the American Psychological Association

For over three decades the consensus of the mental health community has been that homosexuality is not an illness and therefore not in need of a cure. The APA’s concern about the position’s espoused by NARTH and so-called conversion therapy is that they are not supported by the science. There is simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. Our further concern is that the positions espoused by NARTH and Focus on the Family create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish.
   Pamela Willenz
   Manager
   APA Public Affairs Office
   202-336 -5707
   pwillenz@apa.org
   ###


'Doctor' Nicolosi's response? "... I am very shocked. You got me on that one, you got me on that one" and with a chuckle, Owen Bennett Jones concluded the interview.

But. Notice the date on the Statement. One cannot read much on the NARTH website without recognizing their running battle with the APA. Google shows 299 instances of 'apa' on narth.com. It is simply inconceivable that in the past two-and-one-half years that Nicolosi hasn't been made aware of that APA Statement. Obvious conclusion: Nicolosi is a liar.

Much like the Republican Party motto: It's not Fascism when we do it, lying for Jesus is okay, especially if it's anti-gay.

Newshour, BBC World Service, 24 April, 2009.

The one-minute revelation (audio only):


The full nine-minute article (audio only):

Where the Money Does Go

"In fiscal year 2008, the federal government spent $3 trillion..." or you can just read their 4-page report. It's simple enough that even Gribbit or Grundel should have no further excuse for their flaming dog-poop-in-a-sack ignorance.

Scott, Sean, Adolph - BFF!

Nebraska radio boy has Hannity/Hitler hard-on, hopes for higher ratings. Thanks to PZ for the pointer to the goings-on in River City, but, really, this isn't exactly the attention we all had imagined.