Medical use of embryos is not abortion
8/11/2001It's obvious from his Saturday Essay last week that Pastor Jim Snapp is under the na ve delusion that embryos, if used in medical research to extend life, and possibly cure and alleviate devastating diseases, etc., is a form of abortion. Forget about the living! Save that teeny weenie glob of stem cells. It may, according to him, contain a soul. Do chicken eggs squeal when plopped into the frying pan? Is Mr. Snapp suggesting, that in the near future, any scientist who may investigate the potential benefits of stem cell research be convicted of the crime of aborting an embryo?
To assume there is a soul in the cellular structure of an undeveloped embryo is an absurdity. Especially when such a premise is not based on evidence, observation, facts, or scientific investigation. Biology is not theology.
His commentary was an exaggerated misrepresentation of reality. It was the expression of an individual vainly attempting to promote an extremist pro-life agenda that is now rejected by a majority of the thinking public.
The Bible, and even the venerated Thomas Aquinas, say that there is no human life until quickening, about 80 or 90 days after embryonic cells have, if viable, continued to develop and evolve over this extended period of time.
LELAND W. RUBLE
Orchard Street
----
I recently became aware of the Higher Education Act of 1998, which delays or denies federal financial aid to any student with any drug offense. Placing obstacles in the path to education is not a productive approach to the problem of substance abuse. This law discourages young people who have had minor legal troubles from taking the best step available for turning their lives around: education.
Here are some reasons the HEA drug provision is wrong.
Judges already have the power to rescind financial aid eligibility as individual cases warrant. The HEA drug provision removes that discretion. The vast majority of Americans convicted of a drug offense are convicted of nonviolent, low-level possession.
The HEA drug provision represents a penalty levied only on the poor and the working class; wealthier students will not have the doors of college closed to them for want of financial aid.
The provision will also have a disparate impact on different races. African-Americans, for example, who comprise 12 percent of the population and 13 percent of all drug users, account for more than 55 percent of those convicted of drug charges. No other class of offense carries automatic loss of financial aid eligibility.
Access to a college education is the surest route to the mainstream economy and a crime-free life. Congress is poised to debate H.R. 786, a bill to repeal this unfair act. Let's give these poor kids a second chance and make the “compassionate” Christian Congress responsible for its charitable claims.
FRANK COUSINS
Oak Harbor
----
My son attended the Insane Clown Posse concert. He lost, among other items, his cell phone. This letter is to compliment your fire department.
When I called Casey's phone, a person by the name of Craig Ball answered and explained that they had had some trouble and he found the cell phone on the floor. He went on to explain that he would leave the phone at the station and someone would help me retrieve it from there. Next I spoke to Greg Yingling. He reassured me that Casey's name was not on the injured list and the kids had just gotten a little out of control, which made a mother three hours away feel a lot more at ease. Last, I spoke to Mike Sbrocchi. He was the person holding the phone for me at the station. He was such a nice person. I offered to send him the necessary money to retrieve the phone but he refused it. He insisted on mailing it to me at no expense. Let me also add that he put it in the mail the very same day we spoke.
I know very little about Toledo but I do know you have a great group of people working for your fire department. I have had nothing but kindness and professionalism extended to me. They deserve a pat on the back.
BIRCHIEL MAUPIN
Hamilton, Ohio
----
Each summer 1,400 young men (high school juniors) from all over the state of Ohio gather on the campus of Bowling Green State University to participate in a very positive life experience known as Buckeye Boys State. Since 1936 more than 83,000 young men of Ohio have participated in the program. The participants are selected by the recommendation of school officials and members of the American Legion Post in their respective communities.
Being selected to attend Buckeye Boys State is considered a honor not to be taken lightly. The goal of Buckeye Boys State is to educate and train the participants in this country's most precious freedoms; the democratic form of government, and help to prepare them for future leadership roles.
Each young man is required to be a candidate for a political office within a working state government. Everyone performs a function within the government, complete with salaries, checking accounts, and bills to be paid (very similar to the real world).
Guest speakers included state Sen. Randy Gardner, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court Thomas Moyer, Gov. Robert Taft, U.S. Congressman Michael Oxley, and a surviving soldier from the battle of Iwo Jima.
Although coverage was given in The Blade, TV news did not. Yet night after night on the local stations we were subjected to the followers of Insane Clown Posse and their idiotic behavior. When will we begin to focus on the majority of young people among us who are involved in a positive way within our communities?
The next time someone wants to paint his or her face, go out in public, and act like a moron, thank a veteran, because without their sacrifices you would not have the freedom to do it.
GARY TURSKI
Maumee
----
Cooperation does exist between Oregon and Toledo. During the recent drought situation (which continues), Oregon was able to purchase treated water from Toledo. By so doing, Oregon was able to meet its daily output to all of its residents, including Genoa, Millbury, and parts of Northwood and Curtice.
We commend Mayor Finkbeiner and all of his water personnel for their cooperation.
JAMES A. HALEY
Mayor
City of Oregon
----
I have never met Jerry Chabler but am aware of his active community life. Perhaps this positive image of him from The Blade and local television stations was the reason for my surprise at the threatening tone of Mr. Chabler's letter to The Blade regarding Councilman Peter Ujvagi's vote against him. To me the wording was vindictive. It appears that Mr. Chabler has a chip on his shoulder and believes that “If you are not with me, you are against me.”
I believe Mr. Chabler has forgotten that Mr. Ujvagi, as an elected official, has every right to vote his conscience. Ours is still a democracy and no vendetta should be forthcoming toward Mr. Ujvagi.
BARBARA MURRAY
Sylvania
----
We are a retired, fixed-income farm family. This week we got a $600 tax rebate. What will we use it for? What a surprise ... Just looked up our real estate taxes for the year, and they are up $600 plus or minus some change. Then add on surcharges and higher gas prices along with some other necessities.
But here's the real shocker, our health insurance cost last year was $9,960 ... and this year it is $12,598. This insurance has a sizable deductible and involves co-pays. So I'm sure the co-pays will be higher also. It looks to me like we'll be behind last year in the neighborhood of $2,838, or more.
I guess we won't have to look for places to spend that $600 Uncle Sam sent us. I wonder if Canada has any good deals.
ROBERT SCHETTER
Swanton