This is why you vote Democrat this year.

[kat]

The White House wants to decide what (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/189564E117AF58558625 6E17007E600A?OpenDoc ument&Headline=White+House +seeks+control+on+he alth,+safety), and when, the public would be told about an outbreak of mad cow disease, an anthrax release, a nuclear plant accident or any other crisis. Instead of the federal agencies responsible for public health, safety and the environment, the bad news would be in the hands of this guy (http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/875/1/4/), whose Harvard Center for Risk Analysis famously "proved" that talking on cell phones while driving is no safety concern (http://cartalk.cars.com/About/Drive-Now/graham-study.html), and that there was "very little risk that American cattle will contract mad cow disease (http://www.organicconsumers .org/madcow/risk12101.cfm) or that the disease would ever pose a public health problem for people."

There are those suggesting that this is really a not-so-subtle reminder to the agencies that they serve the President, not the public. If you're still a Bushite after this, there's something wrong with you.

[Wolffy13]

So, why vote democrat? That was something I was unclear on.

Perhaps having the White House say when a crisis is happening is a good thing. It would be more of a hear-it-from-the-horse's-mouth kind of thing, as opposed to hearing rumors that you don't know for certain are true. As far as Mad Cow goes, according to consumerfreedom.com, there are scare mongers for that (and probably for other issues because of whatever agendas they may have) and I quote from the site "John Stauber -- director of the anti-business Center for Media & Democracy, Stauber also sits on national advisory boards of the Organic Consumers Association and Center for Food Safety, groups whose stated goal is to drive consumers toward overpriced organic food options." As if groceries aren't expensive enough.

I would highly advise believing everything the press has to say. After all, they're out to make a buck, and as a society, we like to hear about negative things. Something to keep in mind.

Just a few reasons why I am not a democrat:
1) I don't believe in cencorship. I don't think our forefathers believed in it either and therefore gave us the Freedom of Speach. You know those Parental Advisory labels on CD's? Tipper Gore, Al Gore's wife, implemented that. If the musician has something to say, let him say it. You don't have to listen if you don't want to.
2) I love trees and flowers and all sorts of plant life, but I won't hug trees. We need the wood for many uses.
3) I love animals, and I even worked at a humane society for a few years. I believe in animal rights, but I wouldn't open the cage door to the elephant exhibit, like some PETA members did at the Denver Zoo a couple years back. I don't know what that was supposed to accomplish. I don't believe cosmetics should be tested on animals, but if they have hopes in finding cures for diseases in animals or humans, I would support that.
4) If someone barges into my home threatening my family, I want to be able to protect my family. Basically, I don't believe in gun control. I do however believe in gun education. I won't get into gun control now, I, admittedly, get a little heated about it.

Anyhow, I'm willing to hear your side of things. I, in no way, am trying to start an arguement, just trying to show you another perspective and give you food for thought.

[Wolf-Bone]

yeah um, and how many of the people you're addressing are actually gonna vote, or are even old enough to?

[blueeyes]

Excluding Dean, who scares me too much to vote for, I'll go democrat. Of course, the only ones that aren't republican lite aren't getting a full percent.

Hey, what are the chances a single news media outlet will pay attention to any of this? First one with a story gets the mint. And scientists will be willing to go around things they find so despicable. It'll just stay "uncorraborated." The only thing this'll slow down is the reports that could be slowed anyway. In the case of a nuclear disaster, wouldn't you think you'd know about it anyway?

[Wolffy13]

I somehow think you guys missed my point :shakes her head:

[LycanSpectre]

I dont like any of the canadates. I dont think any of them know what the hell they are doing. But thats ok, I have till Nov to make up my mind who will do the least damage. :shrug:

[LV426]

I'm merging this article with this one because we don't have a Politics forum as of yet so I figure anti-Bush propaganda shoud be kept together.

Hundreds Protest As Bush Visits MLK Tomb
January 15th, 2003

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA - Looking for election-year support from black voters in the South, President Bush was greeted at Martin Luther King's grave here Thursday by noisy demonstrators who chanted "Go home, Bush!" after receiving a warmer reception at a shabby church in New Orleans.

As Bush placed a wreath on King's crypt, a low chorus of boos could be heard from across the street where 700 protesters beat drums and waved signs bearing slogans such as "War is not the answer" and "It's not a photo-op, George."


Bush's four-stop swing through Georgia and Louisiana allowed him face time with two important constituencies — religious conservatives, who make up his base of support, and black voters, only 9 percent of whom supported him in 2000. Events in both states were paired with fund-raisers, which raised $2.3 million for his campaign account, already brimming with more than $130 million.


In this year's presidential race, Bush probably will garner only slighly more of the black vote, predicts David Bositis, a political analyst in Washington who focuses on black issues.


"Nine percent is the lowest for a Republican candidate since Barry Goldwater, he said. "When you get a zero on a test and you take it a second time, the odds are that you're going to do a little better."


The president, standing silently, his head slightly bowed, appeared unfazed by the protesters at King's tomb, where he laid a wreath of red, white and blue flowers to mark what would have been the civil rights leader's 75th birthday.


King Center officials said they extended no formal invitation to Bush but accepted his offer to come.


The president's critics dismissed his visit to the grave as a symbolic gesture that only underscored shortcomings in the administration's relationship with blacks.


Back in Washington, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said not one policy decision made by the Bush administration — from the war in Iraq to the economy, from education to the environment — has mirrored King's dream. "The president needs to be more embracing of elected African American officials and the entire African American community every day of the year, not just on January 15th," he said.


Bush didn't speak publicly at the grave, but earlier at the black church in Louisiana, Bush said King understood that "faith is power greater than all others," and that it was important for America to "honor his life and what he stood for."


Bush was at Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, in a high-crime area of downtown New Orleans, to push his faith-based initiative. He typically uses black churches for faith-based events, but Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank in Washington. said Thursday's events were tailored to winning white voters too.


"They're aimed at white Christian conservative supporters," he said. "Appearing in black churches makes him look like he's doing all these things for black people. It makes him look less conservative, and that's a potential plus for white, suburban swing voters."


At the church, where pews are broken and the sky can be seen through holes in stained glass window panes, Bush announced that the Justice Department has finalized just such regulations affecting $3.7 billion in funding, primarily for programs that help crime victims, prevent child victimization and promote safe schools.


"That's why I'm here — to get involved with the faith-based initiative," said David Shelton Jr., minister from a poor church nearby that has fed 400,000 people the past 17 years.


Kevin J. Boyd Sr, pastor at an upscale church in New Orleans, said he was "sure politics is playing a part" in Bush's visit. "But when you're worried about your next meal, you're not worried about going to the polls."

After receiving a friendly reception at the church, more than 100 demonstrators chanted "Down with Bush" from behind barricades a block away from the D-Day Museum, where Bush attended a fund-raiser. Many of the protesters wore T-shirts with the words "one-term president." An effigy of Bush was set afire and had to be stamped out by police.


At a fund-raiser in Atlanta, Bush was introduced by Democratic Sen. Zell Miller, a conservative courted to the campaign after last year announcing that he would support Bush's re-election.

"I can guarantee you that I will not be the only Democrat working for his re-election," said Miller, greeted with loud hoots of approval from the mostly Republican crowd.

True to Miller's word, there were several other Georgia Democrats in the audience to lend their support to Bush, a fact in which the president openly exulted. After thanking Miller and the other Democrats profusely, Bush had a joke for the Republican supporter: "I'm kind of taking you for granted tonite," he said to laughter.



What a marroon! Do we really need ANOTHER 4 years of this?

[Ender]

When are you running for office LH?

(You think I'm kidding? I'm all for the support of 'culling the herd' - Just give me the ballot)

[LV426]

When are you running for office LH?

(You think I'm kidding? I'm all for the support of 'culling the herd' - Just give me the ballot)
Just write my name in on the ballot, I won't say no to office.

[Kirin Fenrir]

So what's your name, LH? :p

[LV426]

So what's your name, LH? :p
Just put LycanthropicHowl on the ballot, I am sure that the FBI and CIA have me on file and know where to find me.

[Wolffy13]

Who is the democratic candidate? Does anyone know? I've been hiding in my dark basement and haven't been watching the news lately.

[kat]

Who is the democratic candidate? Does anyone know? I've been hiding in my dark basement and haven't been watching the news lately.
Uh, there isn't one yet. All 50 states have to vote in the Democratic primaries, first.