I wasn’t a fan of Christopher Reeve (or those red boots he wore in “Superman”), but I liked the first and second “Superman” movies, especially the first. I had a crush on Clark Kent but not on Superman. Strange?
I liked him in this movie.
Reeve lobbied for more stem cell research, a very controversial topic I’ve never written about. Here’s all the information you’ll ever want to know about Reeve and a site devoted to the Superman character.
Wait a minute…now that I think about, I didn’t like the blue tights, either!
Substantive blogging to resume tomorrow. Come back and see me!
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Somewhere in Time is a classic. One of the best romance movies of all time.
My ultimate movie, I own it
let it be known he was especially interested in killing babies to harvest their parts. (aka embyonic stem cells)
Christopher Reeve was and is an inspiration to me. Christopher Reeve made the best of his circumstances. His was a life well-lived– a rich life, filled with love and accomplishment.
My sister in law was paralyzed almost 2 years ago. Using amazing technology, she learned to use a computer, which opened the way for her return to her 15 year teaching career. Except, her school superintendent stood like a rock, blocking the way. Some of his concerns were reasonable, and fell into the category of due diligence. Most of his concerns were unreasonable– the result of misinformation and/or lack of information. Crucially, he was unwilling to engage or to be educated about his areas of concern. My brother and sister in law were contemplating legal action to compell the resumption of her career.
Then an amazing thing happened. The superintendent went to a convention, and Christopher Reeve was a guest speaker. The school superintendent came home, called my sister in law, apologized for his previous actions, and reinstated her as of the start of this school year. She is completely thrilled to be back in the classroom. Both Christopher Reeve and the school superintendent are making a difference in her life, and in the lives of her students, as she is a brilliant teacher.
Many are unaware of the massive, gigantic jolt Christopher Reeve gave to fund-raising and research efforts for spinal injuries:
“As Reeve transformed his body, he morphed into an advocate, first for better benefits for people with long-term disabilities, and then for science to help the 250,000 Americans who suffer paralysis. The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation has given $40 million to spinal cord research since he merged it with the American Paralysis Foundation in 1999. “(Yahoo News)
Also important, and unknown to the general public, is the spirit-lifting jolt he gave to paralyzed persons and to scientists all over the nation. When Christopher Reeve boldly announced that he would walk again, he sent an electric bolt into people who needed all the hope they could get. Christopher Reeve’s statement was a classic case of setting a goal that no one quite knew how to achieve, yet many were inspired by the audacity of the statement. It was Kennedy saying we’ll go to the Moon. It was Churchill saying Britain would fight on alone, all the way to victory. It was a classic example of leadership and inspiration.
Some weeks after her injury, Christopher Reeve’s foundation sent a letter from Christopher Reeve to my sister in law. In a time of spiritual test, when you’re surrounded by people who can’t quite know what its like to be paralyzed, she really appreciated that letter. His foundation was also excellent about sending out information upon request.
Happy Trails, Christopher Reeve. Well done.
Way to take the high road, Joshua. If you were confined to a wheelchair, you might be interested in the same research.
Dear SCSIwuzzy.
I know that if I were confined to a wheelchair, I would probably be tempted to kill myself. But killing myself wouldn’t be right just because I was in that chair.
Bad things don’t become good because they’d make things easier for you.
So, the question of whether or not embryonic stem cell research is OK has to be decided intrinsically.
Cheers.
Adrian
La Shawn, I loved somewhere in time. It is one of my all time favorite movies. Funny thing, I preferred Clark to Supe, too. I liked how shy and considerate he was.
not at the expense of the most innocent among us.
It is proven that adult stem cells have had 100% more success than embyonic stem cells.
Sorry for my pessimism. I have alot more respect for JONI EARECKSON TADA
http://www.joniandfriends.org/about/tadabio.shtml
My goodness woman! I haven’t been in here for a few days (O.K. maybe more like a week, but I have been traveling and my daughter has had a serious medical issue), but look at all those comments! I love all the hits and people talking. Good for you
I think stem cell research isn’t bad, but that they shouldn’t get the lines from embryonic tissues. Adult stem cells are more successful anyway.
Rep,
That’s what I’ve been sayin’.
Come by and see my last two posts.
Also, FaithMouse has an interesting link to Hollywood Jesus, where they parallel the first Superman movie with the Bible.
http://www.faithmouse.com
The fact of the matter is that literally millions of embryos
are created in the process of in vitro fertilation… the vast majority of these embryos are indefintely frozen or are destroyed. These are the embryos that stem-cell-research supporters want to be used…
Funny how you almost never hear those who oppose embryonic stem cell research campaigning for bannning in vitro fertilization… why is that? Because they know that the vast majority of the public no longer has any problem with in vitro fertilization… if Bush is going to be consistent, how come he isn’t campaigning to ban in vitro fertilization????
Christian Medical and Dental Associations (cmdahome.org) has a good comparison of adult vs embryonic stem cell research. They discuss past results and future possibilities.
LaShawn, I am enjoying your blog very much.
Thanks,
Carrie
Jab,
That is a very good point. If it destroys humans, I am against it.
Eugenics, or anything remotely similar, is wrong.
We should not harvest human beings, to help the rest of the living.
Read Stand to Reason’s article intitled, Baby Skin Lampshades’ by Gregory Koukl
http://www.str.org/free/commentaries/abortion/babyskin.htm
I would rather sit in a wheelchair knowing that my life is all the better for not having extinguished another life for my own personal benefit of being able to get out of my wheelchair.
This is called humanity.
400 years of scientific achievement and all we can aspire to achieve are discarding embryos?
“Funny how you almost never hear those who oppose embryonic stem cell research campaigning for bannning in vitro fertilization… why is that? Because they know that the vast majority of the public no longer has any problem with in vitro fertilization… if Bush is going to be consistent, how come he isn’t campaigning to ban in vitro fertilization????”
As a matter of fact, I’m largely opposed to in vitro fertilization, and have been for years. In my opinion, keeping babies frozen indefinitely isn’t much better than killing them outright and harvesting their stem cells.
Why isn’t Bush campaigning to ban in vitro fertilization? I don’t know, frankly. He hasn’t confided that particular bit of info to me. One possible reason might be that he’s pursuing a policy of incrementalism. After all, it worked for the anti-smoking lobby; you didn’t see them out 20 years ago demanding that smoking be banned in public places. Instead, they first lobbied to have smoking banned on airplanes, and progressed from there. An incremental policy might be similarly effective in regard to the rights of the unborn.
Adrian, Joshua,
The point I was making was not whether embr. stem cell research is right or wrong, but that calling the guy a baby killer or advocate of baby killing, at this juncture, is pretty low on the class-o-meter. He was a human being, and thus not perfect, but the man is dead now. Let the body cool before spitting on the grave.
I’m not a moral relativist, but it is not like the man was advocating that people have babies just so someone could then abort and experiment on them.
while other stem cell research is more effective now, I can’t blame the man for hoping. Not that I would help him get the research funded, but I can sympathize.
I saw the first two SUPERMAN movies and wow what great movies they were that last two i did,nt see but they were pretty bad and now no more chris reeve what a shame he survived falling from the horse and now its as if SUPERMAN is realy dead
Dear La Shawn,
Thank you for your passion and work on this site. Over the last two weeks, your site has become a “must read” for me. Most of all, I enjoy reading the discussion threads between people that respect one another’s opinion/beliefs, even when opinions/beliefs differ. How refreshing. -kjl
Dear AWG,
I do see some differences in embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) versus in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF extends to the unborn the opportunity to become “born”; ESCR does not. IVF does give parents the opportunity to “go forth and multiply” if traditional methods of conception do not result in living children.
I agree that there are some heavy ethical issues surrounding infertility treatment. It is true embryos may be frozen during the course of IVF treatment; however, that is not the desired end. My perception is that your real distain is the destruction of embryos and not IVF per se. Would it be fair, then, to say that you might not mind IVF if a couple gave every embryo an opportunity for life? Couples can and do choose that option. Even if the couple is unable/unwilling to implant every single embryo themselves, couples may still allow other couples to adopt the remaining embryos.
-kjl
OK, that does it…I have GOT to see “Somewhere in Time.” Just last week, on the radio morning show where I work, we had people call and tell us their favorite sad movies, and that one kept popping up. No one could believe I haven’t seen it yet. This seals it…I’m renting that movie!!!
By the way, LaShawn, I blogged about you today.
Kerry promoted to JESUS CHRIST!!!!
John Edwards in his best sleazy attorney voice seizing an opportunity on the news of the death of “Superman” said and I quote “When John Kerry is elected, people like Christopher Reeve will get up out of that wheelchair and walk.”
UN-BE-LIEVE-A-BLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNCONSCIOUNABLE
These two cats are as low as you can go.
One thing folks. There is nothing yet proved that stem cell research can do anyting for spinla injuries.
A-HAH!!! And y’all thought I was jokin when I said that Bill Clinton died on the cross for black people, huh?? And that I actually saw the boy nailed to a cross in a black church, belly hangin out, pale white ashy legs & all. (Oh, I’m goin to hell for that one. Punch me a ticket for Hell Express.)
Anyway, now, his cheap southern democrat pretty boy knock-off is using that SAAAAAME divine democrat power…….to heal the crippled. Who knew?
I have, therefore, been vindicated. (nah-nahnah-nahnah-nah!!) And I’m changin my vote to the Democrat Christs.
They will heal me AND they are shameless.
Cindy, let me know how you like it. BRING A LOT OF TISSUE!! It to me is the ultimate love story. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!
Joshua- The embryos that scientists and pathologists harvest to produce stem cells were never going to be implanted in wombs (and very few of even those have been used so far). You may have the late Mr. Reeve’s advocacy somewhat inaccurate.
KLand,
Thanks for your reasoned response. You are more or less correct, which is why I said that in vitro fertilization “isn’t much better than” harvesting stem cells from unborn children. And I wouldn’t be nearly as opposed to in vitro if every child conceived in that matter were brought to term. True, a fair number of couples do, but a fair number of couples also opt to keep their “extras” on ice, on the offhand chance that they might want to “decant” another child. It is this treating of human beings as commodities to which I object.
Somone else who has heard of, and liked, Somewhere in Time! Cool
I wasn’t much into the Superman movies, but I really love SiT.
I thought John Edward’s statement about “get up out of that wheelchair and walk” was reprehensible.
To this point, Stem Cells have regenerated spinal function in lab rats.
Nasal stem cells have allegedly regenerated some spinal function in a British man, though I’m a bit skeptical, as details about this man are sketchy.
Nasal stem cells have regenerated some spinal function in a 17 year old South American girl. I have seen a film about her and her case. Very slowly, over a 6 month period after the operation, she began to regain some movement in her feet. As more months go by, she is beginning to regain some nerve connection to other leg muscles. Her case is ongoing.
When you have a cold or a sinus infection, a lot of nasal cells die. Your nasal stem cells are waiting to step in and assume the form needed to allow proper nasal function. These cells will assume whatever local properties are needed if they are injected into other areas of the body.
To my knowledge, spinal research with embryonic stem cells is either nonexistent, or virtually nonexistent. This is the case, even though embryonic stem cells are available for research projects, and federal funds are available for the same projects. John Kerry reprehensibly demagogued the issue in his second debate, acting as if funds are not available. At the moment, embronic stem cells and funding are available for any legitimate scientific research. Separate from the life/not life ethical debate, it is detestable that Kerry/Edwards/Ron Reagan are going beyond the truth and demagoging(sic) this aspect of this issue.
My sister in law’s spinal cord was not severed in her injury. This makes her a reasonable candidate for nasal stem cell research, and she is in the beginning stages of being evaluated for same.
Dear SCSI,
I’m sorry if I sounded harsh. Of course R.’s interest in stem cell research is understandable. And, yes, as a description of Reeve’s probable psychological motivations, Joshua’s statement is false. That having been said, the fact remains that embryonic stem cell research does involve embryos, and I would argue that embryos are people, too. My point, then, was not that we are entitled to judge the state of R’s soul, but only to say that we’ve got to be careful precisely of the combination of “compassion” and utilitarian moral reasoning.
Thanks.
A.
Adrian,
That was my issue all along. You can disagree with the opposition, but when you start using exaggerations like Joshua’s, it only hurt your (our!) position.
That, and the whole notion of love the man, hate the sin…
LB,
I had the opportunity about 4 years ago to spend a weekend at the Grand Hotel on Makinac Island (Somewhere in Time was filmed there). Just being there was like stepping into the movie. No cars allowed on the island, horse and buggy rides everywhere. I kept expecting to round a corner and run smack into another era. Loved it and can’t wait to go back.
It made watching the movie again so much more romantic.
Pamela - No cars allowed. That sounds like a great place to hang out for a week or two. Welcome to my blog, and to all the new commenters, too!
I’m suprised by how many have commented about that movie, but it is romantic. Someone stepping back through time to find you!
Everyone - Little did I know last night that so many would comment on the Reeve post. I put it up mainly as fresh content because I didn’t have time to blog anything more. I guess the stem cell issue is what’s driving the discussion. I have my thoughts on that and I’m sure you can surmise what those are. I’ll do some research and blog about it.
Dear SCSI,
Thanks.
I didn’t know where you were coming from—whether you were going after Joshua’s style or after the anti-embryonic stem cell research position. I guess I should have asked for a clarficiation before firing. Sorry about that.
A.
My favorite Christopher Reeve movie was “Remains of the Day” co-starring Anthony Hopkins.
Did anyone notice Mr. Reeve was bald-headed in his last days? This was not done merely for convenience. He was afflicted with Alopecia Areata, a condition in which the bodies own defenses attack hair follicles, causing partial baldness and bald patches. While Mr. Reeve certainly had greater challenges for the last nine years of his life, his struggle with Alopecia dogged him early in his career.
Embryonic stem cells aren’t anywhere near clinical trials, and here’s how I know this:
When President Bush announced that he was not going to fund any research on embryonic stem cells except for the existing lines, the research scientists complained that all the existing lines were virtually worthless. They were contaminated with mouse cells, which had to be used to start the cloning process before the techniques were refined, and therefore could never be used in humans. Well, if ALL the existing stem cell lines were contaminated and couldn’t be used, and they didn’t even have any new stem cell lines started that weren’t contaminated, then ALL of the promises being made about what they could do were pure conjecture.
Meanwhile, adult stem cells are already being used to CURE people. Also, they don’t promote the dehumanizing of the unborn.
I used to hate it when Christopher Reeve complained about the pro-lifers. In his state, in Nazi Germany and some other places, pro-lifers would have been the best friends he had. Still, I wish he could have lived to see a cure, and I really thought he would.
Alopecia Areata
Really? I thought he was just sporting a baldie.
My sister and I used to talk about Reeve from time to time, particularly that he wasn’t saved, after everything he’d been through.
There are those who reject the good news of the risen Saviour, even in trial. Remember Judah in its last days? Great suffering, and yet the people still pushed God further away (told in II Chronicles and Jeremiah).
Embryonic stem cell experimantation comes perilously close to peddling flesh; and, if successful, creates a profitable market for same. This should not be surprising, since the USA also cuddles up to a nation that is knee-deep in this practice (China). Pray for our society.
Christopher Reeve was one of my earliest childhood crushes (along with Johnny Carson - go figure). He had a cause he came to champion and he did it for a reason. I don’t agree with it, but I can’t blame him for wanting to believe what he espoused. I remember the day his accident happened - this is a man who wasn’t expected to survive that. Given that he did, it isn’t hard to imagine that he believed, with the right science, he could move freely and even walk again.
It’s hard to imagine, seeing him at the end, that he was only fifty-two.
Laura, that’s why they wanted taxpayers to take on the risks of research. What they know already doesn’t look promising so ‘let’s get Uncle Sam to foot the bill’ and if anything comes of it run with it.
boy, am I ever gettin’ a smack down in this thread!?
I apologize for my less than honorable statement. By calling Reeves a baby killer.
The fact is the process destroys embyos. Embyos are human babies. So the practice he condoned kills babies. So I logically came to the conclusion that Reeves condoned killing babies.
hmmm.. sounds like a logical conclusion to me.
So the new standard is “the vast majority of the public no longer has any problem”?
Well, let me remind you that the vast majority of German’s did not object to Auschwitz!
Joshua:
I’m not disagreeing with your assessment of what embryonic stem-cell research is: it does involve the killing of/experimentation on innocent human beings. My only point is that calling R. a baby-killer is factually wrong—as a description of R.’s psychological motives. He may have had the best intentions in the world for all we know. The issue is the moral quality of the type of action, not the psychological state of the person performing or advocating it.
A.
I’m not a big chick-flick fan, but when it came out I was 14 years old, and it left an impression on me.
I fell head over heels for Jane Seymour after watching that movie.
TV (Harry)
Remember at the end of SUPERMAN 2 when he carrys old glory back to the damaged whitehouse? pure patriotic they just would not allow it today especialy from a creep like micheal moore
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