Stem cell research and Bush’s values

Re “Dead-ender presidency,” Opinion, April 25

Most of President Bush’s “dead-ender” policies will become increasingly hard to sustain, but here’s a suggestion for rallying support for his stand against embryonic stem cell research. The president, his extended family and like-minded political leaders (and their families) should gather at the White House to affirm their beliefs.

With cameras rolling, they can all sign a proclamation stating that they will never, under any circumstances, accept any form of medical treatment for themselves or their children derived from embryonic stem cell research. Example has always been an effective component of leadership.

JOE FIELDS

Pasadena

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Ronald Brownstein suggests that, to appeal to religious conservatives, Bush will not accept the inevitability of stem cell research. I think Bush’s position is better explained by this president’s thinking style: He lives by a strong belief system in which no set of facts can alter his position. This is also true for his views on global warming, the situation in Iraq and the performance of his attorney general. How could any president conclude that Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales’ testimony “increased my confidence in his ability to do the job” unless he were in a state of denial. Bush’s propensity to deny reality pervades his whole record.

ROGER BOURKE

Alta, Utah