Sam Brownback is a dangerous idiot (on stem-cell research)

Look, I'm not entirely hostile to Senator Brownback. Some of what he does -- on Darfur, for example -- is quite admirable. But the fact is, he's an extremist on abortion and he's an extremist on stem-cell research. And that extremism came out as naked as ever in a recent Senate debate on stem-cell legislation (the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, which would provide federal funding for stem-cell research -- see here for the details).

As Think Progress reports, "during debate on the bill, [Brownback] held up a picture of an embryo drawn by a 7-year-old girl. Relaying a conversation with the girl’s mother, Brownback said the embryo was asking the Senate, 'Are you going to kill me?'"

Great. Brownback thinks he can influence this debate -- and kill the bill -- by putting words in the "mouth" of an embryo. Or, rather, by exploiting the ignorance of a little girl in an act of pure political showmanship.

Maybe the senator from Kansas isn't dangerous after all. Maybe having to resort to such a low reflects his impotence in the face of reality.

For reality is clear: The bill should pass. Even Senator Frist supports it. The only question will be whether Bush vetoes it -- and then whether there will be enough votes to override what would be Bush's first veto.

I have no doubt that Senator Brownback is sincere in his beliefs. I even hesitate to call him a dangerous idiot. (Though I'll leave the title of this post as is -- just take it for what it is.) He obviously believes that stem-cell research is wrong. Unlike many on his side of the aisle, his morality isn't tainted with cynicism and convenience. And, too, he has a constituency -- a base, if you will -- that is no doubt equally sincere... if terribly wrong on this crucial issue.

As I've put it before, like so many others, stem-cell research will save lives. An embryo is simply not a human being -- yes, to be sure, that's my sincere belief, but I also have science on my side. And an embryo certainly can't talk.

Opponents of this legislation, like Brownback, take what they deem to be the fundamentally moral position. But the truly humanitarian position, what I would call the truly pro-life position, the one that could benefit the lives of those suffering now and of those who will suffer in the future from incurable diseases, is to support (and fund) stem-cell research.

Their lives are worth something, too, are they not, Senator?