Thursday, August 19, 2004

Just So You Know It's just the "internet" now.  Not "Internet." And it's not "male pattern baldness."  It's "money-making oppportunity." Oh, and it's also not "guilty as sin" if it's also "you're free to go because you're a college athlete."  It's also not a case of a judge setting an example for the rest of society.  Thanks for nothing. And speaking of sin, if God created you, and He created you in a way that disallows you from having your first Communion, then apparently (hint-hint, wink-wink) God wants you to go to Hell. And if you really want a first class ticket on the express train to Hell, dress your little girl up as a hooker for Halloween.  Trick or Trick. 10:52:33 AM     |

Another Reason To Not Vote For Bush Ticket ripped because of sticker:   Teacher, 55, wanted to see a president BY IAN C. STOREY Record-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Kathryn Mead wanted to see her first sitting president when George W. Bush visited the city.       Instead, Bush campaign staffers tore up the 55-year-old social studies teacher's ticket and refused her admission because she sported a small sticker on her blouse that touted the Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards.       "I had my ticket and photo identification, but they would not let me in because of this sticker," said Mead, a teacher at Traverse City West Senior High, who said she has seen Queen Elizabeth and Pope John Paul in person.       "I have never found this kind of screening anywhere in my travels around the world. I can't imagine being denied access to hearing the president of the United States speak."       Several people outside the campaign event tried to console Mead, who was visibly upset.       "It really is comedic," said a man holding a Kerry/Edwards sign. "What absolute nonsense."       Kate Stephan, chair of the Grand Traverse Republican Party, could not be reached for comment after the rally.       But Ralph Soffredine, a Traverse City commissioner, school board member and former police chief who worked security at the front gate, said it is part of the Bush campaign policy.       "We were told that anyone with stickers or shirts would not be let in if they would not take them off," he said. "(Mead) came to me after her ticket was torn up, but I told her there was nothing I could do.       "I know her and it was really too bad, but I would say that we had very few instances of that. I thought it went very well."       Lynn Larson, chair of the Grand Traverse Democratic Party, said the move is typical of other Bush rallies that only allow Republican supporters to see the president.       "The very reason that we are here protesting is to protect our First Amendment rights," she said. "When the Secret Service rips somebody's sticker off and takes their ticket away, it makes me even more determined to march to protect our rights."       Mead, who has taught for two decades, instead stood on the sidewalks with other John Kerry supporters, listening to Bush from behind a fence.       "I really, truly wanted to have the experience of having seen the president and hear him speak, which is very important to me as a social studies teacher," she said. "How can anyone in the United States deny someone entry? Isn't this a democracy?" 1:08:16 AM     |

Another Reason For Me To Vote For Kerry Kerry sets out case against US troop realignment John Kerry on Wednesday set out his opposition to the Bush administration's plans to bring home 70,000 US troops from permanent overseas bases, leaving their future dependent on the outcome of the presidential election. “Nobody wants to bring troops home more than those of us who have fought in foreign wars,” Kerry said in speech. “But it needs to be done at the right time and in a sensible way. This is not that time or that way,” Setting out one of the few clear strategic differences between himself and George W. Bush, Mr Kerry argued that the withdrawal of troops from Europe and Asia threatens to undercut alliances and weakens America's ability to project its power overseas. “For example, why are we unilaterally withdrawing 12,000 troops from the Korean Peninsula at the very time we are negotiating with North Korea – a country that really has nuclear weapons? ’’ Kerry said. (more) Related link: Top Ten Reasons Why Kerry Sucks Less 12:57:39 AM     |

© Copyright 2005 Alex L. Mauldin.