I don’t think this is going to go down in the annals of press releases.
It may have world cycling champ Lance Armstrong, Republican Gov. Rick Perry and former Democratic Comptroller John Sharp as cheerleaders, but a $3-billion bond proposal for cancer research hasn’t won the hearts and minds of Harris County Republicans.
The executive committee of the Harris County Republican Party recently voted unanimously in opposition to Proposition 15, despite the cancer initiative’s bipartisan support in Austin.
“By this stance, we in no way are implying or should it be construed that we are against solving cancer,” said Ron Brunner, precinct chairman for the Greenway Plaza area, who raised the motion.
What’s that old expression? “If you’re bragging, you’re winning; if you’re explaining, you’re losing.” I think if you have to start off by saying that you’re not actually opposed to curing cancer, you’re not exactly bragging. I’m just saying.
Here’s a statement from State Rep. Ellen Cohen about this:
Today’s announcement by the Harris County Republican Party in opposition to Proposition 15 is shocking and upsetting, especially coming during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The bipartisan team that worked on this legislation included prominent Republicans such as Ways and Means Chairman Jim Keffer, Health and Human Services Chair Jane Nelson, and Governor Rick Perry, who I stood with today while visiting M.D. Anderson and urging support of this measure. As a cancer survivor, and the widow of a man who battled valiantly against this disease, and the representative of District 134, I will continue to campaign strongly for this measure. I will proudly stand with Lance Armstrong tomorrow in support of Prop. 15 and will campaign for passage on November 6th. I plan on celebrating with Democrats, Republicans, and independents who realize what this investment means to cancer prevention, treatment, and the hope for a cure. I urge people of all political persuasions to support Prop. 15.
The Statesman and the DMN have been following Armstrong around on his statewide shoulda-been-a-bike-tour. I’m greatly enjoying Karen Brooks’ bloggage on this – see here and here for more good stuff. Or just read Armstrong’s own blog.
Lord know this 3 billion dollars will be the difference between curing cancer and not curing cancer. Certainly no money has ever been spent on cancer research, and this bill needs to be passed. And why 3 billion – why 3 trillion?
Tangerine tree growing time, if the following research holds true.
Tangerine peel could help fight cancer Reuters
Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:57am EDT
LONDON (Reuters) – Tangerine peel could help in the fight against certain cancers, researchers said on Wednesday.
Human cancer cells, which contain an enzyme called P450 CYP1B1, were destroyed by a compound contained in tangerine peel, Salvestrol Q40, scientists at Leicester School of Pharmacy found.
The findings may offer a new approach to uncovering a treatment for cancers such as breast, lung, prostate and ovarian cancer, the scientists said.
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