Andy's mail wrote:

> So now that the republicans have announced their position, they would

> seem to be powerfully allied with the christian right's agenda. As a

> result, the platform calls for an end to all abortions and for a

> constitutional ban on gay marriage.

>

> For those of you old enough to remember the horrible circumstances

> for young, particularly poor, pregnant women in america before

> legalized abortion, I wonder what your attitude is considering the

> republican's call to roll back the clock to the 1960s. Do you find

> this position defensible?

>

> As far as the gay marriage issue, what the hell does it matter to the

> republicans? This is one of those emotional issues that is more

> flash than substance considering the issue affects society very

> little in the long run. The question is, why is this on the platform

> if not to pander to the exaggerated fears of middle, christian

> america?

>

> I, for one, were I a republican, would be somewhat embarassed to see

> a basically moderate guy like Bush endorsing a platform that is

> crafted so cravenly to gain the support of the lowest common

> denominator of the republican constituency. That's not the

> 'courageous fighter' leitmotif that Bush wants to portray. I wonder

> what he says to his daughters.

Don't get drunk in public anymore!

Ok, for some reason we think the primary person (Bush, Kerry) decides

what is happening. I'd guess that it is far from the norm. They are

but puppet actors for others who live to direct, produce, and stage.

The producer wants to get the best return on the investment. This is

measured in votes, and returning dollars for re-elections. So to go

hard with bible thumpers makes sense. Have Cheney say gay is ok may be

"staged"??? Now onto thin ice. Swift Boat Vets and or MoveOn.

Does Bush have a say in it? You guess for yourself.

In the long run you have to determine if you agree with the group behind

the man instead of just the man. It's a package deal. As the

extremists spend money in the name of an individual you have to ask what

is expected by these groups after the election is over?????

Stephen Russell

S.R. & Associates

Memphis, TN 38115

901.246-0159