Una verdad simulada

Here is video of a 11-minute speech by president Barack Obama before he signed an executive order to allow federal funding for Embryonic Stem Cell research (via Pharyngula). After eight years of ideological and political interference with science, its good to see a president ready to do the right thing and ready to talk to people as adults.

A big difference between Obama and Bush was that the latter, after a narrow victory in 2004, stated that he had earned political capital and intended to spend it during his presidency. On the other hand, Obama acknowledges that there are many who oppose this research on religious / moral grounds and says that “we must respect their point of view;” still, majority believe that stem cell research is the right course of action and his administration will support it.

There is a fundamental difference between the two styles. Only one of them is taking decisions based on issues and not dogma; only one of them is open to discussion. The end result is unlikely to be different; still, discussion and delibration are cornerstones of democracy.

And that is something liberals and conservatives would agree with.

Tags: General //