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the Stem Cell Page time and ignorance are the enemies |
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The Olbermann Lesson |
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October 12, 2006
I’m a Keith Olbermann junkie. I can’t help it. His MSNBC program Countdown is thought provoking and intelligent. It features great interviews and commentary - and segments that blend in Olbermann’s special blend of satire. The guy’s great to watch. Period.
His hour long show contains a brief nightly piece called, “Worst Person in the World.” He bestows this award upon people who make blatantly errant blunders, usually at the expense of others. He’s even published a book of the same title, a collection of these public faux pas.
For those of you unfamiliar with this ignominious award, here are a couple of examples. You can click on the links, which will take you to the selected video clips:
“Cut and Run” Click here
“A three-fer: O’Reilly, Limbaugh and Coulter” Click here
Of course, Olbermann has an entire staff to seek out such gaffes and get them on the air. But despite what I’m sure is a formidable and professional crew, they blew it. They missed the “Worst Person in the World” opportunity of a lifetime.
During the Missouri senatorial debate in St. Louis last night, KSDK news director Mike Bush asked the candidates, incumbent Jim Talent and challenger Claire McCaskill, the following question:
“A year ago, a man I know named Sam Goldstein, was diagnosed with ALS. On average, if you’re diagnosed with ALS you have 3 to 5 years to live and up until now there is no treatment, nor cure. Many scientists believe embryonic stem cell research means real hope for patients with ALS. So what’s your message tonight to people like Sam Goldstein and others like him?”
Bush had made it clear his question was more than simply political. Though it was about disease and seeking for cures, it was about also his friend Sam – and Sam’s time is very limited. It had personal relevance.
Senator Talent answered: “My message to Sam is that my vision for them would be that, we go in a hospital, somebody goes in a hospital in 10, 15 years from now – they know both that they’re getting the best medical treatment, Mike, and they’re getting it in a way that doesn’t violate their conscience.”
I was appalled by Talent’s insensitivity. Ten to fifteen years? Sam doesn’t have that long. And what makes Talent believe that embryonic stem cell research violates Sam’s conscience? Nothing.
I happen to know Sam Goldstein and his lovely wife, Jo Ann. For your information, Senator, they’re both embryonic stem cell research advocates. Unlike you Mr. Talent, Sam understands that Amendment 2 has everything to do with the rights of Missourians to accept treatments they want or reject those they find objectionable, and to do so without interference from politicians.
Talent went on to make a reference about cloning. “I don’t want to live in a world,” he cracked, “where I’m walking down one side of the street and I see myself coming in the other direction.” Never mind that Amendment 2, opposed by Talent, would ban precisely that.
So, to Sam and Jo Ann: On behalf of all of us who know and love you, my apologies to you that our Missouri senator could be so insensitive – and so wrong.
To the staff at Countdown: I very much enjoy your stuff but somebody was asleep at the wheel. Too bad you missed the big one.
To Senator Talent: I wouldn’t want to see a second you coming down the street either. One of you is quite enough.
And finally, at the risk of being sued for stealing an idea from a show I love, Keith Olbermann’s Countdown, I declare...
Missouri Senator Jim Talent: the Stem Cell Page’s ‘Worst Person in the World!’
- Jeff Eisen
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Sam and Jo Ann Goldstein
Stem cell advocates, living with ALS. |
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