Andrew's Wandering Mind

10474.8

Just watched the first of three televised debates between Senator John Kerry and President George W Bush. The consensus, with which I agree, is that Kerry won. I'll give Mr Bush credit though, since he didn't mispronounciate too many words this time 'round.

Just yesterday afternoon, I was pleased by the news that the US House killed the "Marriage Protection Amendment", formerly known as the "Federal Marriage Amendment," which was also killed by the Senate. Get off my ass, DeLay, I thought you didn't like it like that! Pthbbt at Mr Tom DeLay (R-TX) for trying to use wedge politics in an election year.

Yet, there is this: The following is a letter that I just sent to Ms Stephanie Herseth, the pseudoDemocrat Congresswoman from South Dakota.

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Ms Herseth:

As a gay man originally from South Dakota, and as someone who voted for you in the 2002 election against former Governor and Representative William Janklow, I am disheartened to see that you are one of only thirty-six Democratic members of Congress to vote yes on this divisive and unnecessary piece of legislation, the "Marriage Protection Act", formerly known as the "Federal Marriage Amendment". I am disappointed that as a practical, clear-thinking South Dakotan, you did not recognize this mean-spirited, discriminatory piece of legislation for the distraction it was.

When the nation and our goverment have so many more important items to attend to, such as sky-rocketing oil prices which threaten the livelihoods of our farmers, a worsening quagmire in Iraq that daily takes more of our young people's lives, and increasing medication costs which tarnish our senior's golden years, Majority Leader Tom Delay wastes the Congress's time with trying to "catch" fellow Representatives voting this way or that on a wedge issue, much to the delight of the Radical Right.

I find myself feeling embarrassed for you that you allowed yourself to go along with such an obvious election-season distraction, and I'm sure you recognize that the gay and lesbian staffers who worked and continue to work for your re-election are not a threat to anyone else's traditional marriage.

I'm glad HJ Res 106 was defeated, but I would have preferred to have been proud of South Dakota's only representative for voting against it. I hope to be able to feel proud of you again on other issues.

Sincerely:

Andrew Grayot
Jacksonville, FL

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At least there's no hurricanes this weekend.
Cheers.