Posted on 06/09/2004 6:27:12 PM PDT by Not gonna take it anymore
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Laura Bush, whose father died from Alzheimer's, said on Wednesday she admired Nancy Reagan's devotion to former President Ronald Reagan until his death but could not back her call for relaxation of stem cell research restrictions.
Reagan, the 40th U.S. president, died on Saturday at 93 of pneumonia after a long battle with the brain-wasting disease. His wife, Nancy, and children were at his bedside.
Mrs. Bush, whose father died in 1997, said she had great respect for the former first lady and that she was an excellent role model for families struggling to cope with the illness.
"I know how very difficult it is for the patient, obviously, but also for the caregiver. It requires unbelievable strength of character to take care of the person you love as you see them slip away like that -- 'the long goodbye' they call Alzheimer's," the first lady told the CBS "Early Show" from Sea Island, Georgia, where leaders of the Group of Eight countries are meeting.
But Mrs. Bush said she did not endorse Nancy Reagan's call, already rebuffed by the White House, to allow greater stem cell research to proceed in the hope it would provide some answers to the disease or possibly a cure.
The Bush administration has placed restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and opposes using stem cells from most embryos, a stand Mrs. Bush said she supported.
"There are stem cells to do research on and ... we have to be really careful between what we want to do for science and what we should do ethically," the first lady said. "Stem cell ... is certainly one of those issues that we need to treat very carefully."
Pressed on whether she was prepared to endorse Mrs. Reagan's impassioned call for restrictions to be lifted, she replied, "No."
More than 200 members of the U.S. Senate and House (of Representatives have also urged Bush to allow researchers to use embryonic stem cells to eventually provide brain cell transplants to Alzheimer's patients. They also hope to use embryonic stem cells to treat Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, heart disease, diabetes and a range of other illnesses.
Reagan had a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's, which affects the brain, causing memory loss, confusion, mood changes, hallucinations, speech problems and incontinence.
I'm very glad to hear that your Dad is doing better! Two prayers for him, then! :o)
Good for the move, too. Whatever happens, you'll always cherish the times you have with both your parents.
I've lost a ggmother to alzheimers, and my grandmother and great aunt are starting that journey. I would never suggest to them that course of treatment, just to let them live longer. If there was another way, then.... but not at the expense of those who are just starting their life.
No, it says you disagree on this issue. Believe it or not, you do not hold the key to what is right or wrong just because you think you do.
I can sympathize. My former FIL was quite elderly when he began to confuse my children with his and to confuse me with my late MIL.
I tried to alert my in-laws (I was an out-law), but they were in complete denial.
He was a terror to drive with, but the "real" children wouldn't take that independance away from him until he very nearly killed me and my newborn in NJ. I declared I would never drive with him again and earned the wrath of all.
The daughters thought he only needed someone to check in on the weekend, conveniently when they were down for the weekend, They wouldn't listen to me or the other "outlaw" who took care of him. He wouldn't take his meds, he lost control of his bowels, he was like child in temperament.
It was Hell since his wife was long gone.
High five.
First of all Mrs Reagan is wrong for brininging up the subject at this moment. Secondly she is wrong that killing life to enhance another life is a moral act. Thirdly she is wrong for advocating taking my money at the point of a gun to fund the killing of human life for utilitarian purposes.
And finally I do hold the key to what I think is right and wrong, you're less than humble opinion not withstanding.
Since they're in Florida, it may be a good idea to learn as much as you can about the end-of-life issues down there. While you have plenty of time - so you can be aware.
It's always good to be aware.
You are absolutely correct.
What a difficult situation! Our extended family has some experience with Alzheimer's, as well as with ordinary old-age symptoms, and with nutty relatives who won't stop driving. I think that as a group we'll deal with the situation sympathetically, but realistically. My mom is big on facing facts!
As far as my husband and children and I are concerned, we'll be grateful for whatever time, and whatever level of understanding, we have have with Dad. It's funny, I started getting the cold chills about his condition when Johnny Cash died, and now the full impact with President Reagan's death.
Good point, thanks for reminding me!
No, but he did go against God, which I often see this framed as.
People in denial can't cope with those who have healthy boundaries.
You did what you had to do.
Boy, that was one tough situation.
"I know how very difficult it is for the patient, obviously, but also for the caregiver. It requires unbelievable strength of character to take care of the person you love as you see them slip away like that -- 'the long goodbye' they call Alzheimer's," the first lady told the CBS "Early Show" from Sea Island, Georgia, where leaders of the Group of Eight countries are meeting.
First, that is a quote from Bush, not Reagan.
Secondly she is wrong that killing life to enhance another life is a moral act
Second, you can try to be as sanctimonious as you would like and it won't change the fact the abortions are legal and happen. You can't stop it no matter how much you type to the contrary. No one is going out and pillaging women who don't want to do this in the first place.
Thirdly she is wrong for advocating taking my money at the point of a gun to fund the killing of human life for utilitarian purposes
Damn right she is. I agree with you totally there. Now, what are you doing to stop your tax dollars being spent to kill these children in the first place? Other than bitching here, I mean. You're venting about something positive coming from something evil. Try doing something to stop the evil first.
And finally I do hold the key to what I think is right and wrong, you're less than humble opinion not withstanding.
And finally, no, you do not. Your less than humble bloated self-importance in where you think what you percieve is all that matters in this world not withstanding.
You're very welcome. :o)
Galileo was a devout Christian for his whole life.
Oh, it was terrrible! Not to make it about me, but my husband expected me to care for his messed up dad AND a newborn AND a six year old while he was 600 miles away and I had no car and he was only home on late Fridays-early Sundays.
Here I am trying to be unobtrusive in his dad's home with me and the two kids in one room (little in the crib, biggun in the twin bed, me on the fold-out).
THEN, the landlady's pounces her granddaughter on me to take to the pool everyday. She would show up and eat lunch
with me and the kids and then go to the pool. (Picture me pushing a stroller laden with diaper bag and snacks.)
I'd retire to the cabanas to breast-feed my infant and have hysterical mothers anounce to me that the girl had vanished at the snackbar.
I'd go hunt her down, she would put on lipstick and flirt with the little boys! My baby didn't get a nice meal or a sweet nap all summer.
I skinnied away to nothing and was hysterical.
That and the FIL thing lead to the divorce.
I'll remember this when I think I have problems :-). At least things have looked up since then!
Slavery was legal once too. One day the USA will be ashamed of its history of state-subsidized baby murder.
It was a horror.
My own family is aware. If you drive over a tree limb that is obvious to all, you need to quit driving.
If you "sh*t" on the floor when you eat peaches, you need to stay at home until someone else can high you to the doctor.
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