My letter to Craig Biggio

[SCDem]

I wrote this up and am sending this today because of a post here on DU I saw yesterday where Biggio signed his name to a letter that was Atheletes for Bush.

October 22, 2004

Dear Craig Biggio,

I am writing as a fairly new fan to the Houston Astros. I was introduced to the Astros by my husband (57yo), a fan since his teen years. He even made a journey after coming back from Vietnam to see the 8th wonder of the world, the Astrodome. He’s as serious an Astros fan as you'll get.

Beyond my husband’s infatuation with y’all, I have come to really respect and admire the Astros as a team and all the players as individuals as well. I get upset with the National Media or sportscasters who seem to always talk in favor of whichever team y’all are playing. I get mad at umps when they make bad calls. The Houston Astros have really caused me to get more in to baseball.

I was concerned when I saw your name on a list of Athletes in support of Bush. I thought to myself that can’t be. The Astros embody ideals and sacrifices that to Bush would seem counter-intuitive. I said to myself, “How could Biggio of all the Astros players be for Bush? A man who graciously took a pay cut for the sake of the team. A man who is humble in his interviews and offers great praise for equal or lesser teammates.”

I understand that you are from Texas and because Texas is a red state you may have just been born and raised in a Republican family. I will accept that and I have no qualms with that fact. In fact I yearn for the days when Democrats and Republicans can sit at a common table and debate the substantive issues that we together as a nation need to deal with. I’m thinking that maybe because you have been so busy at work, doing such a great job by the way, that enabled you to even work harder in the playoff series you have not had too much time to get the full scoop on the news and the health (economical and emotional) of our nation. So I thought I’d write you this letter and outline some things that I think are kind of important.

q Over eleven hundred good American men and women have died in combat in Iraq.
q Over 4,000 good American men and women have been hurt or seriously maimed in Iraq to the extent that they had to be taken out of the country.
q The Bush administration has cut Veterans benefits.
q The number of people living in poverty has increased dramatically since Bush has been in office.
q Since Bush has been in office the US has lost more than a million jobs.
q This Bush administration is not one of traditional Republican values. They know not of fiscal discipline, not of sacrificing a pandering tax cut for the sake of the economy and future generations.
q This is a neo-conservative administration that is like no other in history and threatens are basic democratic tenets that we have held to be the foundation of this great democracy.

I am writing to you as a big fan, and wife of an even bigger fan. We of course will continue to watch, root for, and continue to count on the Astros to be a great baseball team. I included the bullets above in hopes that you had been busy with other stuff, like the playoffs, and so with the swift momentum of the election campaign signed a letter not really knowing the dire situation that most of us seem to be in. Hopefully this will get to you before November 2nd. Countless other high profile Republicans (and I mean Republicans in the truest sense) have openly said that though they will remain ardent Republican Party members they will be casting their vote for John Kerry this election cycle. I am hoping you will do so in your home precinct. And if by chance you have already sent in an absentee ballot (considering you’ve been busy and all) regardless of whom you personally voted for maybe you could take what I have shared with you in consideration and share this with family, friends or neighbors who have yet to cast their ballot.

A concerned fan,

[Edwardsgroupie]

1. Beltran's endorsement of * was a shocker to me

A hip minority up-and-coming superstar going for Bush? Who da thought? I have a feeling his signature supporting Bush will be felt and noticed by a lot of younger blacks and Latinos. You should write to Carlos while you're at it.

[SCDem]

2. I just might do that as well. nt

[gnofg]

3. Biggio

Biggio is from Long Island, NY. I am also surprised.

[Bridget Burke]

4. If he was Texan, he would not have been born & raised....

in a Republican family.

Back then, most of Texas was Democratic. When the Democratic party became the party of Civil Rights, some Texas Democrats switched. When the Texas Republicans were taken over by extremist Fundamentalists, they converted more Democrats.

But many of us Texans continue to be Democrats.

[SCDem]

5. well thank you all for the correct info

I will edit my letter before I send it. I still feel real strongly about it. I just can't believe that they would support Bush.

[Jaybird]

6. there is only one issue these guys.....

.....care about. Tax breaks. Profesional athletes are very wealthy and lets face it, with the size of the contacts these guys are getting, they would be stupid not to support Bush. He gives them alot of money back with his tax cuts for the rich. "Show me the money" is thier motto. Maybe not all of them but for 99% of them it is about the $$$$$.

Lets also not forget the the ego, swagger, and arrogance of most pro athletes. The majority think their shit doesn't stink. Sound like anyone we know? They eat up Bushs cocky bullshit.