Michael J Fox: I Wasn't Off Meds - The Orange Mane

Bronco_Beerslug · 10-26-2006, 07:59 PM

Not that it really matters that he was or not but for Republicans this has to be getting harder and harder.

And I'm sure the religious right is aware that he campaigned for Republicans also?

-------------------------------------------------------
Fox: I wasn't off meds in political ads
By FRAZIER MOORE, Associated Press TV Writer

NEW YORK - In a response to charges by conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, Michael J. Fox defended his appearance in recent political campaign ads, saying he was neither acting nor off his medication for Parkinson's disease.

On the contrary, he had been overmedicated, the actor said during an interview aired on Thursday's "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric."

"The irony of it is that I was too medicated," Fox told Couric, adding that his jumpy condition as he spoke to her reflected "a dearth of medication — not by design. I just take it, and it kicks in when it kicks in."

"That's funny — the notion that you could calculate it for effect," he said. "Would that we could."

The 7 1/2-minute interview with Fox, whose shaking at one point dislodged the microphone clipped to his jacket lapel, aired in two segments taped Thursday afternoon on the "Evening News" set.

Fox drew some conservative criticism after an ad began running in Missouri during the
World Series. It showed Fox visibly shaking while urging fans to vote yes for stem-cell research and Democratic Senate challenger Claire McCaskill — and no to the Republican incumbent Jim Talent.

"They say all politics is local, but it's not always the case," Fox says in the 30-second spot. "What you do in Missouri matters to millions of Americans — Americans like me."

Fox, who supports research on embryonic stem cell for a potential cure for Parkinson's, also has lent his celebrity to Democrats Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin (news, bio, voting record), running for the Senate in Maryland, and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, who is seeking re-election. Both politicians also back stem-cell research.

The ads triggered a backlash, with radio commentator Limbaugh claiming during his broadcast that Fox was "either off his medication or acting." Limbaugh called Fox "really shameless" in his effort to stir up sympathy. Limbaugh apologized later in the broadcast.

Fox told Couric that he did the ads only to advance his cause, and that he doesn't care about politics. "Disease is a nonpartisan problem that requires a bipartisan solution," he said.

"Would you support a Republican candidate?" Couric asked.

"I have," Fox replied. "I've campaigned for Arlen Specter," describing the Republican Senator from Pennsylvania as a "fantastic champion of stem-cell research."

"We have a right if there's answers out there, to pursue those answers with the full support of our politicians," he said.

Fox, 45, who starred on TV's "Family Ties" and "Spin City" as well as the "Back to the Future" films, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991 and revealed his condition publicly in 1998. In 2000, he quit full-time acting because of his symptoms and founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which has raised millions of dollars.

At the conclusion of the first segment of the interview, Couric told viewers that her father has Parkinson's and that she has made contributions for research to Fox's foundation.
http://tinyurl.com/to7em

L.A. BRONCOS FAN · 10-26-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

And I'm sure the religious right is aware that he campaigned for Republicans also?

The cognitive dissonance in which you have to engage to be a republican just keeps getting more demanding everyday.

Oh well, I suppose the same snake handlers who can defend Foley can find some way to reconcile this sort of contradiction in their minds.

If all else fails, they can simply change the subject to Ted Kennedy or Clinton's wiener, as usual.

TheDave · 10-26-2006, 08:13 PM

countdown to Barry coming in and saying something stupid- 3...2...1

Bronco_Beerslug · 10-27-2006, 04:44 AM

Actor Fox sparks debate, support for stem cells
By Deborah Charles Thu Oct 26, 8:47 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Actor Michael J. Fox on Thursday defended political ads he filmed for candidates who support stem cell research ahead of tight congressional elections, saying he did not want to be pitied because he suffers from Parkinson's disease.

Stark campaign ads in which Fox's body jerked uncontrollably were criticized by conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who accused Fox of acting or deliberately not taking his medication.

Fox responded to Limbaugh in an interview with CBS, saying: "He used the word victim and on another occasion used the word pitiable. Understand that nobody in this position wants pity.

"We don't want pity. I could give a damn about Rush Limbaugh's pity or anyone else's pity. I'm not a victim," said Fox, who twitched and rocked throughout the interview.

The 45-year-old actor, best known for his roles in "Back to the Future" films and "Family Ties" sitcom, dismissed the claim that he exaggerated his symptoms.

"The notion that you could calculate for effect ... People out there with Parkinson's are going, would that we could."

Fox, who was diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 1991, said the tremors could result from a lack of, or too much of, the medication many Parkinson's sufferers take to allow them greater mobility.

In the run-up to the November 7 elections, Fox taped ads for Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, as well as Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, all of whom back stem cell research. Fox is appearing across the country with other candidates.

The races are among the most closely watched in next month's election as Democrats try to take the congressional majority from Republicans.
President George W. Bush has limited federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells and issued his first-ever veto against legislation to expand it.

Fox told CBS he hoped that the ads would get the nation talking about stem cells prior to election day, "and we are, and I'm completely gratified."

"If bringing the message means the messenger gets roughed up a bit, I'm happy to be that guy," Fox said.

A poll released late on Wednesday showed that U.S. voters' support for stem cell research jumped 5 percentage points after they viewed Fox's television ads.

The national poll by HCD Research and Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion surveyed 955 people on Tuesday and Wednesday and found support for stem cell research at 83 percent after viewing the ad, up from 78 percent previously.

Missouri voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to protect embryonic stem-cell research and treatments from legislative restrictions, as long as they are permitted under federal law.

Opponents of the measure include the Roman Catholic Church and anti-abortion groups who say it immorally encourages human cloning as well as the unnecessary destruction of life.

http://tinyurl.com/yzxo8d

defenseman · 10-27-2006, 06:34 AM

Good read. Gives us all another angle on Mr. Fox...dman

L.A. BRONCOS FAN · 10-27-2006, 09:41 PM

10-26-2006, 07:59 PM	#1
Bronco_Beerslug Angling in the Deep Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Texas Riviera, Southern Mountains Posts: 24,281	Michael J Fox: I Wasn't Off Meds Not that it really matters that he was or not but for Republicans this has to be getting harder and harder. And I'm sure the religious right is aware that he campaigned for Republicans also? ------------------------------------------------------- Fox: I wasn't off meds in political ads By FRAZIER MOORE, Associated Press TV Writer NEW YORK - In a response to charges by conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, Michael J. Fox defended his appearance in recent political campaign ads, saying he was neither acting nor off his medication for Parkinson's disease. On the contrary, he had been overmedicated, the actor said during an interview aired on Thursday's "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." "The irony of it is that I was too medicated," Fox told Couric, adding that his jumpy condition as he spoke to her reflected "a dearth of medication — not by design. I just take it, and it kicks in when it kicks in." "That's funny — the notion that you could calculate it for effect," he said. "Would that we could." The 7 1/2-minute interview with Fox, whose shaking at one point dislodged the microphone clipped to his jacket lapel, aired in two segments taped Thursday afternoon on the "Evening News" set. Fox drew some conservative criticism after an ad began running in Missouri during the World Series. It showed Fox visibly shaking while urging fans to vote yes for stem-cell research and Democratic Senate challenger Claire McCaskill — and no to the Republican incumbent Jim Talent. "They say all politics is local, but it's not always the case," Fox says in the 30-second spot. "What you do in Missouri matters to millions of Americans — Americans like me." Fox, who supports research on embryonic stem cell for a potential cure for Parkinson's, also has lent his celebrity to Democrats Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin (news, bio, voting record), running for the Senate in Maryland, and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, who is seeking re-election. Both politicians also back stem-cell research. The ads triggered a backlash, with radio commentator Limbaugh claiming during his broadcast that Fox was "either off his medication or acting." Limbaugh called Fox "really shameless" in his effort to stir up sympathy. Limbaugh apologized later in the broadcast. Fox told Couric that he did the ads only to advance his cause, and that he doesn't care about politics. "Disease is a nonpartisan problem that requires a bipartisan solution," he said. "Would you support a Republican candidate?" Couric asked. "I have," Fox replied. "I've campaigned for Arlen Specter," describing the Republican Senator from Pennsylvania as a "fantastic champion of stem-cell research." "We have a right if there's answers out there, to pursue those answers with the full support of our politicians," he said. Fox, 45, who starred on TV's "Family Ties" and "Spin City" as well as the "Back to the Future" films, was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991 and revealed his condition publicly in 1998. In 2000, he quit full-time acting because of his symptoms and founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which has raised millions of dollars. At the conclusion of the first segment of the interview, Couric told viewers that her father has Parkinson's and that she has made contributions for research to Fox's foundation. http://tinyurl.com/to7em

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10-26-2006, 08:13 PM	#3
TheDave Sauced... Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15,120	countdown to Barry coming in and saying something stupid- 3...2...1

10-27-2006, 04:44 AM	#4
Bronco_Beerslug Angling in the Deep Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Texas Riviera, Southern Mountains Posts: 24,281	Actor Fox sparks debate, support for stem cells By Deborah Charles Thu Oct 26, 8:47 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Actor Michael J. Fox on Thursday defended political ads he filmed for candidates who support stem cell research ahead of tight congressional elections, saying he did not want to be pitied because he suffers from Parkinson's disease. Stark campaign ads in which Fox's body jerked uncontrollably were criticized by conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who accused Fox of acting or deliberately not taking his medication. Fox responded to Limbaugh in an interview with CBS, saying: "He used the word victim and on another occasion used the word pitiable. Understand that nobody in this position wants pity. "We don't want pity. I could give a damn about Rush Limbaugh's pity or anyone else's pity. I'm not a victim," said Fox, who twitched and rocked throughout the interview. The 45-year-old actor, best known for his roles in "Back to the Future" films and "Family Ties" sitcom, dismissed the claim that he exaggerated his symptoms. "The notion that you could calculate for effect ... People out there with Parkinson's are going, would that we could." Fox, who was diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 1991, said the tremors could result from a lack of, or too much of, the medication many Parkinson's sufferers take to allow them greater mobility. In the run-up to the November 7 elections, Fox taped ads for Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, as well as Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, all of whom back stem cell research. Fox is appearing across the country with other candidates. The races are among the most closely watched in next month's election as Democrats try to take the congressional majority from Republicans. President George W. Bush has limited federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells and issued his first-ever veto against legislation to expand it. Fox told CBS he hoped that the ads would get the nation talking about stem cells prior to election day, "and we are, and I'm completely gratified." "If bringing the message means the messenger gets roughed up a bit, I'm happy to be that guy," Fox said. A poll released late on Wednesday showed that U.S. voters' support for stem cell research jumped 5 percentage points after they viewed Fox's television ads. The national poll by HCD Research and Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion surveyed 955 people on Tuesday and Wednesday and found support for stem cell research at 83 percent after viewing the ad, up from 78 percent previously. Missouri voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to protect embryonic stem-cell research and treatments from legislative restrictions, as long as they are permitted under federal law. Opponents of the measure include the Roman Catholic Church and anti-abortion groups who say it immorally encourages human cloning as well as the unnecessary destruction of life. http://tinyurl.com/yzxo8d

10-27-2006, 06:34 AM	#5
defenseman Ring of Famer 2007 record pred. (7-9) Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 9,232	Good read. Gives us all another angle on Mr. Fox...dman

10-27-2006, 09:41 PM	#6
L.A. BRONCOS FAN Mo' holla fo' yo' dolla! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In a bunker in an undisclosed location Posts: 52,697