Seizure Read Online Free Page B

up . . .” Daniel began.
    â€œThen don’t,” Stephanie interjected, having an immediate inclination of where Daniel was heading.
    â€œBut I should,” Daniel said. “In fact, I have to, and this is a better time than later. Several days ago, you said you were going to research our tormentor, Senator Ashley Butler, with the idea of possibly giving me some help for tomorrow’s hearing. I know you looked into it, but you didn’t say anything. How come?”
    â€œMy recollection is that you agreed to forget about the hearing for tonight.”
    â€œI agreed to try to forget about the hearing,” Daniel corrected. “I haven’t been totally successful. Did you not bring up what you learned because you didn’t find anything helpful or what? Help me here, and then we can put it all aside for the rest of the night.”
    Stephanie looked off for a few beats to organize her thoughts. “What do you want to know?”
    Daniel let out a short, exasperated laugh. “You’re making this more difficult than it needs to be. To be truthful, I don’t know what I want to know, because I don’t know enough to even ask questions.”
    â€œHe’s not going to be easy.”
    â€œWe already had that impression.”
    â€œHe’s been in the senate since 1972, and his seniority gives him significant clout.”
    â€œI’d assumed as much, since he’s the chairman of the subcommittee,” Daniel said. “What I need to know is what makes him tick.”
    â€œMy impression is he’s a rather typical, old-fashioned Southern demagogue.”
    â€œA demagogue, huh?” Daniel questioned. He chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment. “I suppose I have to admit to my stupidity here. I’ve heard the word demagogue before, but to tell you the truth, I don’t really know exactly what it means other than its pejorative sense.”
    â€œIt refers to a politician who makes use of popular prejudices and fears to gain and hold power.”
    â€œYou mean, in this instance, like the public’s concern about biotechnology in general.”
    â€œExactly,” Stephanie admitted. “Especially when the biotechnology involves words like embryo and cloning. ”
    â€œMeaning embryo farms and Frankenstein scenarios.”
    â€œPrecisely,” Stephanie said. “He plays on people’s ignorance and worst fears. And in the Senate, he’s an obstructionist. It’s always easier to be against issues than for issues. He’s made a career of it, even bucking his own party on numerous occasions.”
    â€œIt doesn’t sound good for us.” Daniel moaned. “It rules out trying to convince him with any kind of rational argument.”
    â€œUnfortunately, that’s my take as well. That’s why I haven’t told you what I’d learned about him. It’s depressing someone like Butler is even in the Senate, much less having the seniority and power he has. Senators are supposed to be leaders, not people who are there for power’s sake.”
    â€œWhat’s depressing is that this dimwit has the power to block my creative and promising science.”
    â€œI don’t have the feeling he’s a dimwit,” Stephanie corrected. “Quite the contrary. He’s been very creative in his own right. I’d even have to say Machiavellian.”
    â€œWhat are some of his other issues?”
    â€œThe usual fundamentalist, conservative ones. States’ rights, of course. That’s a biggie. But also he’s against things like pornography, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, and that sort of thing. And, oh yeah, he’s against abortion.”
    â€œAbortion?” Daniel questioned with surprise. “He’s a Democrat and not pro-choice? He’s starting to sound like a member of the Republican hard right.”
    â€œI told you he’s not afraid of bucking