As with many public figures the only news that shows up in the headlines is the bad news. The President of the United States is not exempt from this problem. It's so easy to point fingers and denounce people for their decisions no matter their position.
In President George W. Bush's memoirs, Decision Points, he discusses one of the major issues that he faced during his first week in office, stem cell research. I think it's so easy to forget or overlook peoples accomplishments especially when they do not bare fruition in the short term. President Bush made his decision and stuck to his principles, which I immensely respect. He told America of his stance and decision in an address to the people:
"While we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means."
"Embryonic stem cell research offers both great promise and great peril. So I have decided we must proceed with great care...I have concluded that we should allow federal funds to be used for research on these [existing] stem cell lines, where the life-and-death decision has already been made. Leading scientists tell me research on these sixty lines has great promise that could lead to breakthrough therapies and cures. This allows us to explore the promise and potential of stem cell research without crossing a fundamental moral line, by providing taxpayer funding that would sanction or encourage further destruction of human embryos that have at least the potential for life...I have made this decision with great care. and I pray it is the right one."
While at that time he received more praise than any other criticism, it wouldn't be long before this fair and balanced decision would be attacked. Activists, politicians and scientists alike came down hard against his policy drawing a line that he was allowing too much or not enough in terms of stem cell research.
Twice the Congress tried to send through a bill to reform stem cell research policy to allow funding of harvesting from embryos but the President stood his ground that he would not allow federal money to promote the proactive killing of human embryos and vetoed the bills both times.
Just five months after vetoing the bill for the second time the front page of the New York Times read, "Scientists Bypass Need for Embryo to Get Stem Cells." Needless to say President Bush was thrilled by this news and I'm sure he was happy to know his prayer years before had been heard and answered. Columnist Charles Krauthammer, put it perfectly writing, "The verdict is clear: Rarely has a president - so vilified for a moral stance - been so thoroughly vindicated."
I just wanted to share this because like I said, it is rare that those who are deserving, get credit where credit is due and I think this decision is one that clearly adds to the legacy of his presidency.
Respectfully,
~Steve
