I assure you I am not closed minded. My views are moderate/liberal and despite members of the church believing that liberal is a negative word, I find it honorable. I disagree with your comparison between Bush-McCain and Dean-Kerry. Bush’s political team used a push poll suggesting that McCain had fathered an illegitimate child. Bush’s team also challenged McCain saying he was mentally unfit for president because of his POW experience. If you remember it was then that McCain released all of his medical records. I actually wrote a short essay on this very topic which you can find here.

As a democrat I appreciate what Dean accomplished as a presidential nominee. Remember though, Kerry had beat up on him long before the “scream”. Kerry had rallied the states of Iowa and New Hampshire and was off at full speed when Dean gave his memorable speech. I disagree with you concerning Dean being a better man for the job. People talk about Kerry being the most liberal Senator (I don’t agree, this is a Bush “talking point”), well Dean is even further left.

About religion and politics…well they don’t mix. Here are a few of my takes:

First off you said “Say what you will about Bush, but he has the fortitude to say marriage ought to be specified between man and woman...in an election year.” Well the exact could be said regarding Kerry. Kerry takes the exact same stance on gay marriage as VP Dick Cheney. As far as my view on the Amendment, this should sum it up. I have a real problem with Bush wearing his religion on his sleeve to gain votes. Not to keep bringing it up but in the 2000 Republican primaries McCain challenged the Christian Coalition not to persuade their patrons toward any candidate. They took offense at this and McCain lost most of the South as the coalition rallied around Bush.

As far as Abortion goes…I would think that you would realize this is a non-issue. I know Bush and most Republican officials are pro-life but they sure don’t act that way. The Republicans, for the last four years, have controlled the House, Senate, White House, Supreme Court (7 of 9 judges), the majority of Governorships, and they have passed little to no legislation concerning abortion. As a pro-life backer I would think you would be asking hard questions as to why woman’s right to choose has not been challenge by those you put in office. As wrong as abortion is (and I believe it is wrong), I will wager that the law will never be reversed….Especially since the most powerful Republican Government has done nothing about it. There is a large debate going on right now which involves stem cells questioning when a cell is considered a human. Of course abortion falls under this same argument. As for me the biggest problem I find with abortion, besides the fact the prophet condones it, is the lack of responsibility it provides couples who have selfishly indulged in a sacred act. This is probably why I have no problem with stem-cell research, as the creations of the cells are not through selfish desires. Regardless of personal views, I do feel strongly that this is not the government’s fight. The decisions concerning abortion should remain personal and should not be left to a group of politicians. With all this said and to answer your question, Kerry’s stance on abortion bothers me, but so does Bush’s inability to act regarding this subject. However, this issue is at the bottom of my totem pole for the 2004 elections.

One more thought regarding religion. I have heard from numerous members that this election is about good vs. evil. I have also been advised to “pray about it”. If the Lord had a preference he would make it known. The church would be more persuasive in choosing a candidate and we would not be having this conversation right now. The framers of the constitution, who were inspired by God, made a point of separating the two. I think religious individuals such as ourselves should be mindful of this. I understand that our beliefs and environment guide us in making decisions, but I think it is unwise and borderline blasphemous when we interpret God’s instruction regarding choosing politicians.

I had to chuckle at your Cambodia and medal tossing comments. This is quite trivial and two horrible examples as to why you wouldn’t trust a candidate. Perhaps you can tell me why funding for the Microsoft anti-trust lawsuit was cut, forcing it to be dropped. Or perhaps you can explain Halliburton’s no bid contract in Iraq. I would also like to know why the Federal Government elected to stay out of the California Energy Crisis when they were crying for help (Look what happened six months later – Enron). Please tell me why you would take the time to pass education acts and then cut the funding. Also, describe the wisdom in cutting the taxes for the top 1% in war time which has never been done in the history of the US. I could go on and on about missed opportunities or complete neglect in the Bush administration. However I don’t want you to think I am voting for Kerry because he is “not-Bush.” There are so many quality traits Kerry possesses that will make him a wonderful leader. But this is another discussion and I am working on putting that together.

On that note I better go to bed. John Kerry will be in Tacoma at 9:30am tomorrow morning and I have tickets. Look forward to your responses,

~Matthew

Oh, in case you want to learn more about my various political perspectives, Here will have more then you will ever want to know.

MJ,

This is actually turining out to be much funner than I thought. I just wanted to tell you that I actually had already seen the stupid Heinz Kerrry/Tootsie email...old news. I didn't even open it.

Moreover, I am not an employee of Fox, nor am I an apologist for them. I know what you mean about fair and balanced...that Beetlegeuce-looking dude, Colmes, is a whipping-boy on Hannity and Colmes. I would suggest that you not cloud your judgement with sweeping-statements. You come off as close minded as any far right conservative.

As far as your dislike for Bush because of inner-party politics...fine. But you obviously didn't pay attention to Kerry going on a rampage against Dean. Can you honestly say that there is a large difference? You may not feel as so, but several of my friends preferred Dean to Kerry (Dean would be a much tougher opponent in my opinion). The main difference for you may be your like of Cain.

I share this with you as a religious person, and one who knows what ideals are important. You understand what religious beliefs are, and how they have shaped your life. That being said....what is your feeling with Kerry's stance on abortion. (not abortion as the issue...HIS stance on abortion). He is supposedly a god-fearing Catholic....takes The Communion...very devout. But when he is asked in-front of a pro-choice group...he wants to be in good-standing with the group....so he says what is wanted to be heard. Here is MY problem with him. I cannot put trust in a person who will go against his professed religion, to win an election. Say what you will about Bush, but he has the fortitude to say marraige ought to be specified between man and woman...in an election year. Regardless of what the issue is...at least he says what he feels is correct. I am VERY uneasy with the inability for Kerry to come up with an honest explanation of simple questions (was he in Cambodia for Christmas...or not). Did you throw away the purple hearts on the Capitol or not? The specifics to me aren't important...his inability to be upfront is.

As far as bringing up personal attacks when issues are cloudy....Kerry's pre-nomination tactics can effectively serve as a how-to. It wasn't much after these tactics were employed that Dean went on his screaming tirade "....then we're going to Disneyland...then were going to Iowa..." Dean was at that point done.

I'll look forward to hearing more from you.

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The only reason I “back door”-ed the Kerry message is because I know about 90 % of the email list that ---- forwarded the message on to. I know for a fact that if I sent some pro-Kerry email then the majority of them would delete it before reading the first line. Though it is “sneaky” it is one of the only ways I can encourage most of my friends to see both sides of the political debate. I bet you were more then happy to dive into an anti-Kerry email especially since you did not respond to the Hoffman-Teresa knock.

Do I think Hannity is a credible source? Of course not. Sean Hannity (and Anne Coulter for that matter) to the right is Michael Moore to the left. Do I think Moore is a credible source? Absolutely not. As far as I am concerned Hannity and the whole Fox news team is far too right, to the point they are destructive to the diversity of this great nation. They call themselves “fair and balanced” but I do not know any Democrat, or even moderate independent that watches it. If it really was “fair and balanced” like they say, then you would find a diverse audience.

Perhaps if you understood more about me all these emails would make sense. If you don’t care then just delete it now and we can be through with our correspondence…

When I cam home from my mission in 1998, I was pro-Republican. After all, I sided with most of the platforms of the Republican Party. My mother and her side of the family have always been pro-Republican. My father voted for Bush in 2000. Interestingly enough, my step-father is on sabbatical leave right now working in the State Dept. (well, he is a Dem, so skip that). I did my homework, and though I liked much of what Gore said, McCain was my man. And then I watched what the Republican Party did to their own. I watched as GWB absolutely smeared McCain. I watched this and I said, “What kind of unity is this?” I must say, the feeling was much different in the Democratic Primaries this year. Bush’s negative push polling, the same people that are running all this crap about Kerry’s Vietnam Record (one of the more recent reasons I don’t like Hannity…He ran with this story even though every respected newspaper leveled it) came out and said that McCain was mentally incapable to lead this country due to his POW experience. All of this was complete garbage.

I stopped listening to the conservative media and talk shows and started reading newspapers. Newspapers that have won Pulitzer Prizes for their journalism. Newspapers that are family owned, that are not influenced by share holders. I also started listening to NPR. I watch CNN for news (I rarely ever watch TV...the Media has become mediocre in their reporting). I try to stay balanced, but this balance has forced me to think about what I believe. I have formed so many new perspectives to why Dems believe what they do, and I now side with more of their philosophies. I am now a registered Democrat and becoming stronger by the minute.

Does this mean, “I won't change your thinking, and you won't change mine?” I sure hope not. I have changed quite a few of my views in the past year; from free trade to economics. I find myself changing views the more I read. So enough about me…

Good luck voting for your man this year. The nice thing about living in Washington…My vote will actually count. And if you really want to be informed about Kerry, I am in the process of writing a paper about his voting record and proposals for when he takes office. If you want to read it, let me know and I will send it. If you don’t want any part of it, I understand.

~Matthew

MJ,

I thank you for your note, and I too will respect your wishes in this manner. One idea that I would like to address with you is this idea that you find it "interesting" that I am not receptive to your post. What I find "interesting" is that you would be suprised. I personally wouldn't try to come in the back door with an idea. Your post being titled what is was, then not being what it said, is deceptive. I have several close friends who don't share my same thoughts, and they send me messages all the time, and they don't try to "sneak" in an idea. I never made any comment about "send me all Kerry-bashing info you can find"..you made an assumption. What I don't like is your talk of being some information high-ground. Your "credible source" for information is fine. But you mention Hannity by name, is he not a "credible source"? Your message talks of "balancing both sides", how do YOU balance both sides? My feeling is this, share your ideas, but you should be as open-minded with others as you want them to be with your ideas. The reason I ask you to avoid the message sending is this, I won't change your thinking, and you won't change mine. I think that is okay. It takes all types to make this country function well.

Thanks for the note, have a good day.

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