marenpaisley | My brother ROCKS so hard

My brother composed this message in response to a forward from our aunt (who lives in a very conservative, bible-thumping area of Pennsylvania where, I'm afraid, many people will vote based on the standing of the National Rifle Association...). The original forward was by a Christian group called "Citizen Leader Coalition" and entitled "2004 Election Voter Guide: Concerning Key Moral Issues and the War on Christianity." (>_>) The forward also made reference to Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, stating that Kerry was unsupportive of Mel Gibson (where they got that idea, I can't say as it puzzles me to no end).

Please don't let an exaggerated "election voter guide" published by a biased organization dictate your vote in this upcoming election. Instead focus on the real issues at hand.

Iraq - Is this national defense???
http://www.robert-fisk.com/iraqwarvictims_mar2003.htm

It seems strange that the church takes such a strong pro-Bush stance when it comes to abortion, yet remains silent when he kills children across the seas. Does this make the relatives of those killed in 9/11 feel any better, or make our country any safer?

The economy:

http://www.openlettertothepresident.org/

Is expanding the difference between the rich and the poor a Christian thing to do?

The environment:
http://www.literalpolitics.com/Environment/archivesos.htm
http://www.ucsusa.org/

Is destroying the environment in the bible too?

America from a world perspective:
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0115-01.htm

It is also ironic how lately people & documentaries have questioned Kerry and his military service/purple hearts, yet take a look at the military service of the respective parties:
http://www.rense.com/general58/pattern.htm

These are just some of the issues at hand in the upcoming election. Research the other key issues (eduction, energy, etc) before voting. (see here for a good nonpartisan issue summary http://www.howstuffworks.com/election-issue.htm ) I am not telling you who to vote for but PLEASE make your decision based on the real issues and not those of a biased source. Besides, a man's opinion of a Mel Gibson movie certainly will not affect how he runs a country. I mean was Lethal Weapon 2 really any good either? ok ok lethal weapon 2 was pretty good

Thank you,
Dan Story (djs57@cornell.edu)

(feel free to forward this as well)

There are no words to express how much I love my brother. If you happen upon this journal and are so inclined, please do feel free to forward this message on.