A miracle grows in Texas

Again, just when I thought humanity - let alone the state of Texas - had nothing left to offer me, I find this:

Texas governor orders vaccine for all girls

AUSTIN, Texas -- Bypassing the Legislature altogether, Republican Gov. Rick Perry issued an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

By employing an executive order, Perry sidestepped opposition in the Legislature from conservatives and parents' rights groups who fear such a requirement would condone premarital sex and interfere with the way Texans raise their children.

Beginning in September 2008, girls entering the sixth grade -- meaning, generally, girls ages 11 and 12 -- will have to receive Gardasil, Merck & Co.'s new vaccine against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

If this law makes it through the weekend I'll thank my lucky Lone Stars. The vaccination would be covered by insurance and even be free for low-income families or those without insurance. Having a right-wing conservative look past his convictions to protect women from a preventable form of cancer is unprecedented. Hopefully he'll have the integrity to use his ethical reasoning to influence other conservative legislators who could make this law across the land and show that science and saving lives comes before personal religious beliefs. And having the vaccination's owner, Merck, put some extra money in their pocket never hurt a politician.