“Missouri Viewpoints” Returns and Goes One-on-One with Ed Martin

Former Blunt Chief of Staff Discusses Stem Cell Research, Funding and the Missouri Roundtable for Life

(Grandview, MO) – “Missouri Viewpoints”, Missouri’s top online public affairs television program, kicks off 2009 by featuring an interview with one of 2008’s most controversial public figures. In a special two-part interview series, Martin discusses one of Missouri’s most controversial, complex and emotional issues: stem cell research.

Martin, who served former Governor Matt Blunt as his Chief of Staff, now works with a pro-life organization founded in 2006 called the Missouri Roundtable for Life. Martin says that, despite the statewide vote on Amendment 2 in 2006, which legalized stem cell research and funding, the debate on the research and specifically the funding of it are far from over.

“Our focus, right now, is on taxpayer dollars…” explains Martin as he states that the Missouri Roundtable for Life will appeal a recent ruling in Cole County Court that sought to block state funding of embryonic stem cell research “…if you want to [conduct embryonic stem cell research] with your own money, do it with your own money, but I think that most Missourians don’t want tax dollars [to fund it].”

Martin also explained that efforts are underway both in the state legislature and in putting a statewide ballot initiative before voters in the 2010 election that would, if successful, overturn much or all of Amendment 2.

The first half of the interview with Ed Martin is now available at www.missouriviewpoints.com. The second half of the interview will be released this Wednesday, January 21^st.

You can learn more about the Missouri Roundtable for Life at www.moroundtable.org.

In addition to the interview, “Missouri Viewpoints” is making guest commentary a permanent feature in the show. Missouri Libertarian Party Chair Glenn Nielsen delivers the first opinion video of the year, providing a basic overview of the libertarian philosophy and how it applies to some of today’s major economic issues.

The opinion segment for Wednesday’s program is provided by Missouri Democrat Allie Zaroor, who has a special report from South Korea on international reaction to the incoming Obama presidency.

Permission is granted to show (or embed) this edition of “Missouri Viewpoints” in its entirety on other websites and blogs or in broadcast form. The use of quotes, video and/or audio clips or other accounts of this program is always permitted for news coverage and commentary purposes with proper credit.