Here's an exchange from the summer of '04. Pity ash has no influence:
Bush standing up for American values
After reading Saturday's article on Carrie and Elisia Ross-Stone, the two lesbian mothers who are biking 3,000 miles cross-country to promote gay rights and same-sex marriages, I have a few things to say.
I'm sure that there are many citizens, including myself, that do not think that all gay people are bad and that their intentions aren't to eliminate the "American family." Upon finishing this article about two women displaying their freedom and opinions, I found myself a bit concerned for the future of America.
Throughout my life, I have often been reminded that "it's a free country." Our national anthem says that we are "the land of the free." U.S. currency reads "In God We Trust" and our Pledge of Allegiance states that we are "one nation, under God." No doubt we are free. But are we still one nation under God? Or are some of us taking advantage of our freedom of speech and lack of respect for God and making a mockery of America? Read Saturday's article and decide for yourself.
America's Founding Fathers based our entire foundation on God's word, freedom and laws. Former leaders and presidents have since struggled to maintain these original ideas and good intentions.
Carrie and Elisia Ross-Stone, who married a year ago in Canada, along with fellow gay activists and supporters, are biking through America in hopes to inspire people NOT to vote for President George W. Bush next election. Their reasoning? Bush called for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.
Don't re-elect the president because he respects American tradition, American values and wants America to be a true and Godly place for us, our descendants and future descendants to live in, to be thankful that we are American people and have a strong country and one with some kind of structure.
Without guilt, I see people with nothing else to do but focus on their own sinful, selfish needs and fully expect the public to take pity on them. These people go against God's word and plans for humankind and then put down the president for doing the opposite!
Kristi Johnston, Taylorville
How old is Kristi Johnston, author of the letter defending President Bush on traditional/moral grounds? Perhaps it has not occurred to her that some would argue gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research are indeed highly ethical issues to support.
Perhaps it has not occurred to her that the maxim “which side wants it more will ultimately prevail” is true. Thus, in spite of her concern for our American values, she should prepare herself for the fact that gays will someday be allowed to marry in all 50 states while embryonic stem cells will eventually cure diseases.
Don’t worry, Kristi, when those things happen, civilization won’t crumble. Though these two developments may take a very long time, you may well live long enough to see them. As for President Bush, you have cited but two of the reasons his detractors seek to replace him in November. There are many, many more.