I almost titled this "Truscott calls stem cells irrelevant", but I backed off.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday asked citizens to voice their support for easing restrictions on stem cell research in Michigan by signing an online petition.
The move was criticized by a spokesman for GOP gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, who called it an "irrelevant political stunt."
"She's doing these online petitions to make it appear she's doing something, but they result in absolutely no action," said DeVos campaign spokesman John Truscott.
Well, John, WHY do they result in "no action"? Could it be that Republicans in Washington and Lansing REFUSE to listen to the overwhelming desire of the people? That they kowtow to the whims of the Radical Right and block legislation that could bring relief to millions who suffer from deadly disease? Not to mention the jobs and prosperity that such research would bring to our state?
So, why don't you tell us, John, why these things result in "no action". Perhaps you would care to explain to the public why your Party refuses to do anything on this issue that so many want to see go forward.
We are waiting.
Granholm campaign spokesman Chris De Witt said the stem cell petition is simply a way to enlist citizens to show the Republican-controlled Legislature that people want lawmakers to adopt a law easing restrictions on stem cell research.
The Democratic governor said in a news release that a growing number of families, researchers and education leaders support stem cell research, but Michigan continues to be hampered by a law that bans research on embryonic stem cells while allowing it on adult stem cells.
De Witt said the governor's petition, hosted on a state Web site, is not political.
"The issue of stem cell research is very important ... from a humanitarian standpoint for those who would benefit from the fruits of that research," De Witt said. "Only those with extreme views are opposed to this kind of research being done in Michigan. A large number of other states allow for this kind of research, and Michigan should not be left behind."
I love that she is doing this again in the face of the criticism the Pubs threw at her last time. Absolutely love it.
Earlier this year, Granholm asked motorists upset with high gasoline prices to sign an online petition urging President Bush to take action. She sent the signatures of 275,858 people to Bush in late May.
State GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis this month criticized the Granholm campaign for soliciting support from people who signed the gasoline petition. He asked Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Attorney General Mike Cox, both Republicans, to investigate whether it was proper for Granholm to contact signers by e-mail.
Yes, the Granholm people used the same list that the GOP had asked for first, but were too stupid to fill out the paperwork correctly.
The state Republican Party filed a FOIA request for the online petitions before the Granholm campaign.
GOP staff have filed three FOIA requests to the state seeking information from the petitions. After the second request, the party was provided the names of all signers, but not their e-mail addresses. Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said she believed the state GOP will receive a computer disc containing the addresses in response to its third request.
The Granholm campaign apparently got the list faster because its FOIA request was more precise, Boyd said.
And the MI GOP was going to contact those signers by e-mail, to tell them that their privacy had been violated by being contacted by e-mail.
Wrap your head around that one.
Anderson said Republicans initially sought the names and addresses because they "suspected this was not about gas prices." She said Republicans may send out an electronic message to the gas-price petition signers when they get the list, but only to tell them "they've been used by the Granholm campaign."
So go sign the petition. Not only will you be doing the right thing for mankind, you will piss off Saul Anzuis. Two birds with one stone.
I wonder if we will see the day when initiatives/referendums can be done like this. After all, we voted in the last caucus by internet, could we make it secure enough to petition proposals?
Something to consider.