Letter to Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman... RE: Stem Cell Research and Other Disability Issues

Sometimes one must correct good intentions that are ill guided.  See my letter below to Norm Coleman in response to his e-mail about a new stem cell breakthrough creating them from skin cells.

 

From: Mark Felling [mailto:Mark@Felling.US]
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 6:01 PM
To: Opinion@coleman.senate.gov
Cc: Norm@coleman.senate.gov
Subject: Stem Cell Research and Other Disability Issues

 

Norm,

 

Thank you for the information!  It was also good meeting you at the state fair at the channel 5 tent this summer when we were both on the morning show.  (I doubt you remember, but I was the guy in the wheelchair who designs unique adaptive solutions for disabled individuals with limited use of their hands and arms).  www.GimpGear.US   

 

I was recently appointed by Tim Pawlenty to the Minnesota Governors Advisory Council On Technology for People with Disabilities.

 

I completely and wholeheartedly agree with all of your statements below.  In whatever manner the research moves forward I am in full support of it.  However, I also firmly believe embryonic stem cell research may have possibilities other forms of stem cell research do not it is important to leave all options available and continue to explore all available possibilities.

 

I completely agree with getting legislation moving forward that would provide funding ASAP for this kind of research and similar that involves adult stem cells.  However, this legislation your pushing should in no way restrict the future possibility of also exploring options in other areas of stem cell research, including embryonic as the debate may change over time (especially as Mr. Bush gets out of office).  In my opinion he hasn't earned the title of president.

 

The concern I had was that your legislation also restricts other possibilities.  As you state below, technology moves much faster than politics and just as quickly as this discovery was announced it could be shown to provide less than ideal or optimal results.  In my own designs they are constantly changing and improving and consequently maximum flexibility needs to be allowed for.  Pushed through the funding now and get things rolling but do not restrict the possibilities of exploring other areas in the future!

 

If you ever like to discuss this in more detail, or other disability issues such as regarding adaptive technology (my specialty), I can be reached at 612-851-1040. 

 

Mark Felling
Quadriplegic Engineer & Inventor, MBA
President, Gimp Gear by Broadened Horizons   

 

From: Opinion@coleman.senate.gov [mailto:Opinion@coleman.senate.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 5:43 PM
To: mark@felling.us
Subject: Responding to your message

 

Dear Mr. Felling :

 

As someone who has worked tirelessly to support stem cell research, while at the same time respecting the ethical concerns surrounding human embryos, I could not be more pleased to let you know about an exciting scientific breakthrough that was announced last week.

 

Recently, scientists in Japan and Wisconsin discovered a groundbreaking method that creates pluripotent stem cells - the equivalent of embryonic stem cells - by reprogramming the chromosomes of human skin cells, without having to make or destroy an embryo. Using the new technique, scientists will be able to generate unlimited stem cells to learn about illnesses and potentially find cures for some of the most devastating and complex diseases. Moreover, this process will create an unlimited number of stem cells for therapies that will be compatible with any and all patients. While there is certainly still a lot of work to be done before this breakthrough can be applied to specific diseases, this announcement shows that it is possible to move stem cell research forward without harming or destroying human life. This announcement is truly proof positive that science is moving faster than the political debate on this issue. For more details please see the following New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/21/science/21stem.html .

 

As you know, I have been working diligently in the Senate to promote stem cell research without getting stuck in the ethical debate that has divided our nation. Earlier this year, my legislation, the Hope Offered through Principled and Ethical Stem Cell Research (HOPE) Act (S. 30) passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate. This important step forward would permanently authorize federal funding for the kind of stem cell research mentioned above. Unfortunately, the House has not yet taken up this legislation, but I am hopeful this new breakthrough will reenergize the stem cell debate, and persuade my House colleagues to vote on the HOPE Act before the end of the year.

 

This new discovery proves that it is possible to move stem cell research forward without harming or destroying human life. This means that now, more than ever, Congress needs to provide scientists with the funding and support to develop and perfect these pioneering types of stem cell research methods. This funding will not only promote scientific advancement, but it will also offer hope to patients and families around the world.

 

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to share this important update with you, and for your unyielding dedication to this noble cause.

 

Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
United States Senate

 

Taxes

This is too true to be very funny
 
The next time you hear a politician use the
word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about
whether you want the 'politicians' spending
YOUR tax money.
A billion is a difficult number to comprehend,
but one advertising agency did a good job of
putting that figure into some perspective in
one of its releases.


A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were
    living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and
    20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at
New Orleans It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division .
.

Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress
for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans.  Interesting number, what does
it mean?

A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of
     New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you
    each get $516,528.

B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in
      New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.

C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family
    gets $2,066,012.


Washington, D.C HELLO!!! ... Are all your calculators broken??


Tax his land,
Tax his wage,
Tax his bed in which he lays.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes is the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirts,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his booze,
Tax his beers,
If he cries,
Tax his tears.

Tax his bills,
Tax his gas,
Tax his notes,
Tax his cash.

Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.

If he hollers,
Tax him more,
Tax him until he's good and sore.

Tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in which he lays.
Put these words upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom!'

And when he's gone,
We won't relax,
We'll still be after the inheritance TAX!!

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
Liquor Tax,
Luxury Tax,
Marriage License Tax,
Medicare Tax,
Property Tax,
Real Estate Tax,
Service charge taxes,
Social Security Tax,
Road Usage Tax (Truckers ),
Sales Taxes,
Recreational Vehicle Tax,
School Tax,
State Income Tax,
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
Telephone State and Local Tax,
Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
Utility Tax,
Vehicle License Registration Tax,
Vehicle Sales Tax,
Watercraft Registration Tax,
Well Permit Tax,
Workers Compensation Tax.

 
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago,
and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.    
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the
world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened?  Can you spell 'politicians!'

And I still have to 'press
1' for English.

I hope this goes around THE
USA at least 100 times
 
What the heck happened?????

 

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