Some Thoughts:

....regarding federal funding of stem cell research

This may possibly shock some of my regular readers, but I can see the fundamental point of those who oppose government funding of stem cell research when the stem cells are derived from either aborted fetuses or embryos from fertility treatments that will never be implanted into a womb because they are not needed.

Do I agree with that fundamental point? No, but I can see where the objection arises, and I cannot condemn the objection.

Let me make myself clear, I am a cold-hearted SOB when it comes to "potential" children. If they are not already viable outside the womb, I do not regard an embryo as a human being, much less a person.

In other words, I feel that the valiant efforts to save premature babies that otherwise would not survive without the heroic intervention now commonplace is in reality breeding us for having more premature babies, not saving life in the long term.

If you feel that makes me a cold-hearted SOB, I wouldn't necessarily say you are out of line for thinking or even saying so.

Given that is my belief, according to my personal set of morals and ethics, it is OK to create embryos or clones for the express purpose of providing spare parts for people already alive, and it is OK to use embryos that would otherwise never be implanted to become babies as a source of stem cells for research into many seemingly otherwise insoluble afflictions.

However, I am very willing to admit that my views are far from the mainstream, and I am also very willing to admit that it is difficult to argue with those who believe that human life begins at conception.

Yet, I am completely unwilling to have those who believe that human life begins at conception enforce their beliefs upon everyone.

I do believe that restricting government funding of stem cell research in some fashion is a reasonable compromise, as long as privately funded research is NOT restricted.

Does this put the United States at risk of falling behind other nations that have fewer moral qualms?

Yes, it does.

Some who are self-described as on the right-wing side of the political spectrum are not entirely happy with the position of the Bush administration on this issue.

For me, one who is a self-described moderate who leans left, there are so many other areas in which the United States is endangered that I believe are far more critical, areas that I believe are worth much more effort to ensure that my nation remains pre-eminent than stem cell research that I conserve my resources for what I believe are the key battles.

Let President Bush exercise his veto on this issue, I prefer to save energy for the more important fights on fundamental principles affecting people already alive yet denied basic freedoms we ourselves declared essential in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.