I need HELP!! My dad's goint to vote for The Chimp!

[Emboldened Chimp]

Okay, here's the deal: me and my dad like to argue politics, as I'm sure a lot of people here do with their parents/progeny. He's a good man, intelligent, articulate and I love him. However, on November 2nd, he's going to cast his vote for Smirk...again. I'll forgive him his 2000 vote; I don't think anyone knew Chimpy would be as bad as he is. But unfortunately, my dad has been hypnotized by RW propaganda (mostly cable news) and believes that Chimpy is better than Kerry. In fact, my dad thinks that Kerry would be a "weak" president in the vein of Jimmy Carter (my dad hates Carter). In recent talks with him, I've came away with the impression that he was at least considering Kerry/Edwards. He even said that he "liked Edwards a lot". But this was before the debates. Something has changed since. I need to swing his vote in the next 10 days. Please help me locate some articles that would help him think differently about his decision. I've given him "Year Zero" by Naomi Klein, but would like some shorter ones. Extra Special Kudos to someone who can find the UPI article where * said he was no longer concerned about OBL. Many thanks!

[MADem]

1. Tell him Jesse Ventura just switched to Kerry n/t

[YankeeFan]

27. I Bet That's Why He's Doing It.

[billyoc]

2. "Outsourcing American jobs is a good idea"

Will usually get most older guys to see the light. This is the VFW crowd that would rather walk than drive a foreign car, remember.

[Blue Wally]

49. Hard to do that when you are driving a Volvo as a political statement.

[newsguyatl]

3. your dad can't be

"a good man, intelligent, articulate" if he's voting for bush.

sorry, that's just the ugly truth.

in fact, the very opposite of all three of those if he casts his vote for this corrupt, inept, and nefarious administration. period.

[jrthin]

13. I hate to say it, but

I have to agree with you. No clear thinking person who has examined the facts can vote for Smirk. Did he lie to us about Iraq, WMD? Did his giving tax increase to the wealthiest screw the middle class? Did he fail to fund education programs, which he promised? Did he allow the assault weapons ban to lapse, even though the police begged smirk to sign the bill, therefore allowing more dangerous firepower on the street and putting police and our lives at risk? Did he protect the public health? Providing vaccines to the public is a big part of homeland security. Has he made a dent into who sent those anthrax evelopes?

Just a few objective questions one would ask to rehire someone. To rehire someone who has failed this country so, is to love the man more than the country. And to love the man more than the country is just plain cruel.

[Emboldened Chimp]

19. That's the problem, he hasn't examined the facts...

He's busy with work, travels all over the world on business, and when he's home he likes to play with his grandkids or ride his motorcycle. He has the unfortunate problem of relying on cable TV for his news. The people here on this board either have the time or make an extra effort to educate themselves fully on the candidates and issues. I'm just trying to do for him what we all have done for ourselves.

[Emboldened Chimp]

14. Please, I know my dad, you don't...

[phylny]

48. I believe you, because my husband's the same way.

He's a smart, good, loving man. However, he knows nothing about politics because he doesn't read. He doesn't even surf the net. He was, for a while, leaning toward K/E, but the last time I asked him, he responded that he didn't think it was a good idea to switch presidents during wartime.

The lump on my forehead is from me smashing it into the nearest wall. Sigh.

[0rganism]

4. Send him Scott McConnell's article from the American Conservative mag.

Absolutely devastating critique of bush.

http://www.amconmag.com/2004_11_08/cover1.html

...

"Bush has behaved like a caricature of what a right-wing president is supposed to be, and his continuation in office will discredit any sort of conservatism for generations. The launching of an invasion against a country that posed no threat to the U.S., the doling out of war profits and concessions to politically favored corporations, the financing of the war by ballooning the deficit to be passed on to the nation’s children, the ceaseless drive to cut taxes for those outside the middle class and working poor: it is as if Bush sought to resurrect every false 1960s-era left-wing cliché about predatory imperialism and turn it into administration policy. Add to this his nation-breaking immigration proposal—Bush has laid out a mad scheme to import immigrants to fill any job where the wage is so low that an American can’t be found to do it—and you have a presidency that combines imperialist Right and open-borders Left in a uniquely noxious cocktail."

...

"These sentiments mean that as long as Bush is president, we have no real allies in the world, no friends to help us dig out from the Iraq quagmire. More tragically, they mean that if terrorists succeed in striking at the United States in another 9/11-type attack, many in the world will not only think of the American victims but also of the thousands and thousands of Iraqi civilians killed and maimed by American armed forces. The hatred Bush has generated has helped immeasurably those trying to recruit anti-American terrorists—indeed his policies are the gift to terrorism that keeps on giving, as the sons and brothers of slain Iraqis think how they may eventually take their own revenge. Only the seriously deluded could fail to see that a policy so central to America’s survival as a free country as getting hold of loose nuclear materials and controlling nuclear proliferation requires the willingness of foreign countries to provide full, 100 percent co-operation. Making yourself into the world’s most hated country is not an obvious way to secure that help."

...

[Emboldened Chimp]

12. That's a good one...thanks!

[0rganism]

20. Send him the PIPA report, too

Maybe he's one of the 70%+ bush supporters who still believes the invasion of Iraq was something other than a diversion?

http://www.pipa.org/OnlineReports/Pres_Election_04/html/new_10_21_04.html#1

People can be both intelligent and ignorant. If he's getting news from FOX, he could have that problem.

[0rganism]

22. And here's one from former KY senator Marlow Cook (R) endorsing Kerry

Make it thoroughly obvious to your dad that bush is offensive to old-school conservatives as well as liberals. Help him understand that he's voting for an inferior president based on a raftload of lies and distortions. If Naomi Klein doesn't resonate, maybe Marlow Cook will.

http://www.courier-journal.com/cjextra/editorials/2004/10/20/oped-marlow1020-8060.html

...

I have been, and will continue to be, a Republican. But when we as a party send the wrong person to the White House, then it is our responsibility to send him home if our nation suffers as a result of his actions. I fall in the category of good conservative thinkers, like George F. Will, for instance, who wrote: "This administration cannot be trusted to govern if it cannot be counted on to think and having thought, to have second thoughts."

...

Lyndon Johnson said America could have guns and butter at the same time. This administration says you can have guns, butter and no taxes at the same time. God help us if we are not smart enough to know that is wrong, and we live by it to our peril. We in this nation have a serious problem. Its almost worse than terrorism: We are broke. Our government is borrowing a billion dollars a day. They are now borrowing from the government pension program, for apparently they have gotten as much out of the Social Security Trust as it can take. Our House and Senate announce weekly grants for every kind of favorite local programs to save legislative seats, and it's all borrowed money.

...

[Eloriel]

5. Ask him if he wants to see you drafted

Not many people would be exempt from the coming draft under Bush. And there are lots of sites google would turn up on that if you need backup.

Here are a few others:

Conservative Republican's Last Straw
http://www.sierratimes.com/04/10/20/carlworden.htm


Spymaster calls Bush ‘universally hated’ bully (John LeCarre)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x924800

180 Former Repub and Dem Ambassadors Endorse Kerry
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=37385

CAPTURE THE FLAG -- Can the GOP protect the national-security lie until November?
By Alexander Zaitchik
http://www.nypress.com/17/38/news&columns/zaitchik.cfm

===================================

Oooo, I found my Draft links:

Hackworth on Draft: Uncle Sam Will Soon Want Your Kids
http://www.sftt.org/cgi-bin/csNews/csNews.cgi?database=Hacks%20Target%20Homepage.db&command=viewone&op=t&id=86&rnd=672.997896581235


Howard Dean | Hidden Agenda: A National Draft in the Future?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x841948
Article: http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/printer_13568.shtml

Need info on draft law forbidding going to Canada...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2374123#2374133


------------------------------------------------------------
Poster to download:


DO NOT READ THIS THREAD! Secret Bush DRAFT agenda doc!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2444952

For questions about the DRAFT: Go to the Blatant Truth.org for Answers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2409175#2409677

Draft? Bush’s war needs troops
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x74793


See this Flyer on the coming Military Draft - and get it to colleges...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2373375


Timeline shows truth of Impending Bush Draft in 2005
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2373651&mesg_id=2373651

DO NOT confuse the Rangel DRAFT bill with the NEW BUSH DRAFT ACTIVITY
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2371968

The Great American Problematic: The Youth and Imperial Justification By Craig B. Hulet
(Discussion on Pravda Discussion Board about reasons for the draft)
http://engforum.pravda.ru/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=60505

rumor- call up in Nov to include activation of ROTC - students beware.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2367393#2367542

Bush secret plan for DRAFT! THis is not the Dem Protest bill, this is GOP
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2367166

Kerry Accuses Bush of Hiding Troops Plan Until After Election
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=834753

Saturday, March 13, 2004
Agency initiates steps for selective draft
Congress shows little support for effort to draw skilled Americans
By ERIC ROSENBERG
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER WASHINGTON BUREAU
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/164693_draft13.html
Also discussed here:
SSS has been working nearly 2 years on SKILLS DRAFT! Ready for 2005 vote
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2368158

DU SCOOP! MILITARY DRAFT ALERT! Must-read .PDF - Plans for Bush Draft!!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2349661

====================

Another frightening (to me) link:
Is mandatory mental health testing the beginning of the end ?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2413903#2413946
Article re Patch Adams' suggestion: http://www.mindfreedom.org/mindfreedom/bushpsychnews.shtml

[kerouac]

6. simple solution..

My parents have both voted repuke since kennedy. After more political discussions with me than they wanted (I'm sure), they now say they're not repubs but independents. My dad always falls back on the "they're all crooks" line and my mom usually says, I don't like anyone so I'm not going to vote.

This year, I think my constant barrage of logic will make them either not vote at all, or split Dad/Bush, Mom/Kerry. But I may be able to get a Kerry sweep because:

1. I constantly tell them that Bush & Co. do NOT represent the REAL republican party. I tell them that REAL repubs need to take their party back.

2. I tell them that Bush & co. are really a bunch of religious extremists against all abortion, even in the case of a woman being raped by relative/teacher/terrorist.

3. I tell them that whatever they saw in kennedy to vote for him is alive an well in Kerry.

Gotta go.. you have my sympathy.. it's painful isn't it?

-K

[serryjw]

41. That is exactly the point....THESE crazies are NOT the Republican Party

Look to Paul O'Neil.

try these for support of Kerry( choose the one's you like)
http://www.wrmea.com/archives/April_2004/0404020.html
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110005623
http://www.wws.princeton.edu/~pkrugman/socsec.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-09-02-bush-social-security_x.htm
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/25/1095961894365.html?oneclick=true

[proud patriot]

7. Bush put the U.S. in DEBT to CHINA !

2 % of Cargo is checked at ports airports and borders .

Kerry will do better than that .

[wiggs]

8. Welcome to the club.

Instead of spending much frustrating time and effort to convert your dad, you could get many more Kerry voters registered or to the polls. These would more than offset his vote.

If he hasn't made the right decision by now he's not going to. Perhaps, though, you could use negative psychology and tell him you're giving up on him to talk to people with open minds.

[maxsolomon]

18. welcome to the club part 2

despite mrs. solomon's vituperations, i don't see the point in engaging my dad on this. he will not budge; he's a "spite" voter - still mad about clinton.

why i have no ideer. blowjobs are a GOOD THING.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Have you considered putting yourself up for adoption? (n/t)

[Emboldened Chimp]

16. I'm a tad bit too old for that...

but thanks anyway for the advice.

[sweetheart]

10. You're in california, relax and chill

Republicans don't stand a chance in CA. He can vote chimp all
he wants, and its a futile act of ignorance. If you were in
iowa, ohio, michigan, florida, your claim to need HELP! might
have some merit... but no worries mate.

Rather than waste time with your dad, join the kerry volunteer
programme and help win the battle ground states.

[TahitiNut]

11. Let all the air out of his tires. All four.

:evilgrin:

[tuvor]

15. Has he seen Fahrenheit 9/11?

And does he know that no one has been able to significantly debunk the facts raised in the movie?

Hopefully he's not one of those people who can make up their mind about something they haven't seen.

Good luck!

[sweetheart]

23. Unprecedented is a good one as well

If he's open to movies, unprecedented will show the coup-de-etat
close up and give him pause as to what he's supporting.

[bullimiami]

17. youre dads a dumbass

i guess you will have to incapacitate him until after nov 2.

kneecaps i think.

[digitstatic]

21. Show him this ad:

http://www.winbackrespect.org/ads/

If that doesn't work nothing will.

[bpilgrim]

24. Eisenhower's Son: Why I will vote for John Kerry for President

John Eisenhower: Why I will vote for John Kerry for President
By JOHN EISENHOWER
Guest Commentary

THE Presidential election to be held this coming Nov. 2 will be one of extraordinary importance to the future of our nation. The outcome will determine whether this country will continue on the same path it has followed for the last 3½ years or whether it will return to a set of core domestic and foreign policy values that have been at the heart of what has made this country great.

Now more than ever, we voters will have to make cool judgments, unencumbered by habits of the past. Experts tell us that we tend to vote as our parents did or as we “always have.” We remained loyal to party labels. We cannot afford that luxury in the election of 2004. There are times when we must break with the past, and I believe this is one of them.

As son of a Republican President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, it is automatically expected by many that I am a Republican. For 50 years, through the election of 2000, I was. With the current administration’s decision to invade Iraq unilaterally, however, I changed my voter registration to independent, and barring some utterly unforeseen development, I intend to vote for the Democratic Presidential candidate, Sen. John Kerry.

more...
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=44657

Ex-Air Force general rips President on Iraq in Derry

By TOBY HENRY
Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY — Retired four-star Air Force General Merrill "Tony" McPeak blasted U.S. policies on Iraq before local Democrats yesterday, stating Presidential hopeful John Kerry has the credentials to do a better job.

"Certainly, we're creating more terrorists every day than we're killing," said McPeak, a former chief of staff during Desert Storm.

The general said disenchanted with George W. Bush's leadership lead to his becoming an independent.

"If we had the same ratio of peacekeepers (in Iraq) ... that NATO has in Bosnia, we'd have 500,000 soldiers," he said. "We have 140,000. It's too small to get the job done and too big to be sustained.

"John Kerry is a courageous guy ... and he will work on this problem," McPeak said. "He won't be on vacation in the White House."

more...
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=45963

both from conservative papers and both very conservative and highly RESPECTED americans.

there are plenty more where that came from, just ask GOOGLE ;->

keep feeding him sources from conservatives, he might be more apt to be listen :shrug:

gl :toast:

peace

[Rhoderick]

25. Focus on Kerry, not Bush

Apologies if someone else has already pointed this out, but It sounds like his problem is that he's more afraid of Kerry than Bush. That means there'd be two ways to swing him: bring Bush below Kerry or elevate Kerry above Bush.

Seeing as how he probably already knows enough about Bush, I think it'd be wiser to reinforce his weak image of John Kerry. I wish I could be more specific, but in the absence of RW propaganda, I think most Americans can feel in their gut that John Kerry is a hell of a lot stronger than Bush is. The trick is removing him from the propaganda and allowing him to see John Kerry with his own eyes and not the eyes supplied to him by Karl Rove.

[leftofthedial]

26. your dad is mentally ill

you should engage a mental health professional and have him institutionalized for his own protection. Prior to November 2.

[mitchum]

28. Your dad wants to ensure a future of feudal servitude for you, your...

children and your children's children. Sounds pretty damn sick to me.

[progressivebydesign]

29. You NEED to find the Eisenhower son's ENDORSEMENT of Kerry..

That'll do it. How old is your Dad? I think that might do the trick!! Can someone help MANCO out and find that for them??? It would do the trick.. I have a feeling.

[Hatalles]

30. "No longer concerned about OBL" clip

Sorry, don't the article but sometimes it's that much better coming directly from the horse's mouth.

http://www.democrats.org/idontknow/index.html

The MoveOn.org ad actually plays his "that's one of those exaggerations" quote from the last debate before playing the "not concerned" clip. Can't find the link, though... someone had posted it here 1-2 days ago.

[sandnsea]

31. Focus on Kerry

He has an excellent record. Does your Dad believe the Swift Boat stuff? Does your Dad like Ollie North or think Iran/Contra was a crime? Does he care about vets and agent orange, etc? Does he know Kerry was a prosecutor and set up one of the first victim's rights units in the country? Does he know he put away the number 2 crime boss in New England? Does he know Kerry was on the counter-terrorism committee and wrote legislation on money laundering and has been trying to get attention on these thugs since the mid-nineties? What will trigger your Dad, then I'll help find the links to back it up.

[leesa]

32. Have him watch Unprecedented with you. Impress upon the stubborn man

that we have the WORST job creation since Herbert Hoover. Impress upon him that Bush is in violation of not only international law but national law when he launched an unprovoked invasion of a disarmed country. He swore to uphold the constitution and violated it repeatedly without lubricant.

[crispini]

33. Show him Going Upriver!

Download it at www.thekerrymovie.com for free!

[kerry-is-my-prez]

34. There are many people who have an infantile need to be "protected."

God knows why they think that Prezdent moron is capable of protecting anybody. They just fall for his bullshit - stock, lock and barrel. He appears - to some people to be "strong." To me, he appears to be full of crap. I don't get how anybody can fall for his shtick.

[bvar22]

35. Try this.

A heavy hardwood arm chair, a roll of duct tape and some phenobarbital should keep him occupied until the polls close.
Your father will never forgive you, but it is one less vote for bush*.

[George_S]

36. Ask him to read...

Kerry's actual speech on the Iraq resolution. Kerry has NOT flip-flopped!

http://www.c-span.org/vote2004/kerryspeech.asp

Also, the REAL reason we invaded Iraq...

http://www.harpers.org/BaghdadYearZero.html

[TexasChick]

37. manco, go to this link and print out the articles of the heavy

Repub newspapers who are now endorsing Kerry. This will help explain why Repubs are abandoning Smirk. Also, there are a lot of posts on DU from individual Repubs who are endorsing Kerry as well. I think you will have better luck at showing him Repubs reasons why he must vote for Kerry.

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/news/



I, myself, am alarmed at the police state our nation has become. Google articles about the loyalty oaths, the 3 women who were thrown out of Bush rallies and the soldiers' mothers who were handcuffed and hauled off for simply asking chimp a question and print them out! Tell him that if chimp gets another 4 years, our Constitution will be gone and we will be in a complete dictatorship! Here is a good link that shows transcripts of the chimp saying he wishes US was a dictatorship:

http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/2002/10/29_Dictator.html


This may help you pursuade him! Good luck!


Jennifer

[scarletwoman]

38. Try this: "Why this Republican ex-governor will be voting for Kerry"

http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/5029512.html

Elmer L. Andersen
October 13, 2004

Throughout my tenure and beyond as the 30th governor of this state, I have been steadfastly aligned -- and until recently, proudly so -- with the Minnesota Republican Party.

It dismays me, therefore, to have to publicly disagree with the national Republican agenda and the national Republican candidate but, this year, I must.

The two "Say No to Bush" signs in my yard say it all.

<snip>

In both presidential debates, Kerry has shown himself to be of far superior intellect and character than Bush. He speaks honestly to the American people, his ethics are unimpeachable and, clearly, with 20 respected years in the Senate, he has far better credentials to lead the country than did Bush when he was elected four years ago. And a far greater depth of understanding of domestic and foreign affairs to do it now.

<snip>

Liberal Republicans of my era and mind-set used to have a humane and reasonable platform. We advocated the importance of higher education, health care for all, programs for children at risk, energy conservation and environmental protection. Today, Bush and Cheney give us clever public relations names for programs -- need I say "No Child Left Behind? -- but a lack of funding to support them. Early childhood education programs and overall health care are woefully underfunded. We have not only the largest number ever of medically uninsured in this nation, our infant mortality rates, once among the lowest in the world, have worsened to 27th.

As taxes for the wealthy are being cut, jobs are being outsourced if not lost and children are homeless and uninsured, this administration is running up the biggest deficit in U.S. history -- bound to be a terrible burden for future generations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Please read the whole piece, it's an EXCELLENT rundown of how bad bush* has been for our country.

I would also STRONGLY second two of the other recommendations made up-thread:

The Scott McConnell endorsement from the American Conservative magazine: http://www.amconmag.com/2004_11_08/cover1.html

And the piece about the schoolteachers being ejected from a bush* for wearing t-shirts that said "Protect our Civil Liberties" -- http://www.sierratimes.com/04/10/20/carlworden.htm -- written by a Republican who ends the article with this statement: What I do know is that any party that would find the words, "Protect Our Civil Liberties" offensive or even threatening, is a party I won't belong to anymore.

That was the last straw. (He's voting for Kerry)

Good luck!
sw

[MisterP]

40. kick

[Jack_Dawson]

39. FAHRENHEIT 9/11 n/t

[JohnnyCougar]

42. BCCI!!!! BCCI!!!!

Links:

http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?t=5744

http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/1992_rpt/bcci/


You can convince any freeper when they read this!!!

[IrishDemocrat]

43. The Catholic church has an influence over mine :(

[JohnnyCougar]

44. I have some for you, too!!!

Links:

http://www.freep.com/news/politics/abort7e_20040907.htm

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MKY/is_9_27/ai_108881880

The second one is a little extreme
But the pope is PISSED at Bush for the war!! The pope certainly isn't pro-Bush.

[Tesibria]

55. not to repeat myself

... but more and more catholics have come out openly for Kerry in the past week ... I'm adding links to these articles as soon as I see them/someone sends them to me -- but there's already quite a few.

maybe they'll help?

See link below for more.

[Skittles]

45. with all due respect manco

a lot of us knew the disaster Bush would be - especially us Dems in Texas

[KWBS]

46. Tell Dad to look very close at Republicans pulling out on Bush

http://www.onlinejournal.com/Commentary/102304Schwarz/102304schwarz.html

http://www.karlschwarz.com/

Telephone orders 1-800-724-2719

Have a great weekend

[Swamp Rat]

47. Tell him: "Don't vote for Bush! He's an alien lizard!"

[ava27]

50. get really sick

and make sure he stays with you all day long. if he tries to leave the house, tell him you feel like you're getting worse. don't make him leave.

[NicRic]

51. How can anyone hate Carter !

What does he hate about Cater , the free time he has given to help the poor and homeless. The fact that he had the patience to wait out the hostage situation ,instead of getting them all killed. I can see someone saying they dont agree with Carters stand on the issuses ,however how anyone can say they hate him is really sad. You stated you had a problem cause your Dad is voting for * , however you have it wrong ,your Dad is the one with the problem !

[Jackie97]

52. Maybe this can help.

I assume this is about the war on terrorism.

Well, here’s Kerrry’s plan on the war on it.

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0924.html

I think one of Kerry’s biggest mistakes has been telling everybody to “Go to johnkerry.com” as if everybody has a computer or are willing to go to it. Be sure to make it clear to your father that Kerry wants to keep the focus on Bin Laden and terrorist groups as opposed to sidetracking to countries like Iraq.


http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-09-24-kerry-security_x.htm

Read this one before you show it to your father. Some of it might make Kerry look bad, but I don’t think it makes him look “weak”.

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Vote2004/story?id=166434&page=1

Tell your father that Kerry chose to go to war in Vietnam despite his wealth.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040930/pl_nm/campaign_bush_guard_dc_1

This link shows that by contrast, Bush used his family’s power to make sure he could be “drafted” to a safe place during the war. Then, he was too sorry to even serve all his reserve time. There were gaps in his service, and he even wrote in that there was inadequate time to fulfill demands (to excuse resigning).

[Tesibria]

53. Official White House Press release w/ Bush quote

...
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html

Q Mr. President, in your speeches now you rarely talk or mention Osama bin Laden. Why is that? Also, can you tell the American people if you have any more information, if you know if he is dead or alive? Final part -- deep in your heart, don't you truly believe that until you find out if he is dead or alive, you won't really eliminate the threat of --

THE PRESIDENT: Deep in my heart I know the man is on the run, if he's alive at all. Who knows if he's hiding in some cave or not; we haven't heard from him in a long time. And the idea of focusing on one person is -- really indicates to me people don't understand the scope of the mission.

Terror is bigger than one person. And he's just -- he's a person who's now been marginalized. His network, his host government has been destroyed. He's the ultimate parasite who found weakness, exploited it, and met his match. He is -- as I mentioned in my speech, I do mention the fact that this is a fellow who is willing to commit youngsters to their death and he, himself, tries to hide -- if, in fact, he's hiding at all.

So I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him, Kelly, to be honest with you. I'm more worried about making sure that our soldiers are well-supplied; that the strategy is clear; that the coalition is strong; that when we find enemy bunched up like we did in Shahikot Mountains, that the military has all the support it needs to go in and do the job, which they did.

And there will be other battles in Afghanistan. There's going to be other struggles like Shahikot, and I'm just as confident about the outcome of those future battles as I was about Shahikot, where our soldiers are performing brilliantly. We're tough, we're strong, they're well-equipped. We have a good strategy. We are showing the world we know how to fight a guerrilla war with conventional means.

Q But don't you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won't truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, as I say, we haven't heard much from him. And I wouldn't necessarily say he's at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don't know where he is. I -- I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him. I know he is on the run. I was concerned about him, when he had taken over a country. I was concerned about the fact that he was basically running Afghanistan and calling the shots for the Taliban.

But once we set out the policy and started executing the plan, he became -- we shoved him out more and more on the margins. He has no place to train his al Qaeda killers anymore. And if we -- excuse me for a minute -- and if we find a training camp, we'll take care of it. Either we will or our friends will. That's one of the things -- part of the new phase that's becoming apparent to the American people is that we're working closely with other governments to deny sanctuary, or training, or a place to hide, or a place to raise money.

And we've got more work to do. See, that's the thing the American people have got to understand, that we've only been at this six months. This is going to be a long struggle. I keep saying that; I don't know whether you all believe me or not. But time will show you that it's going to take a long time to achieve this objective. And I can assure you, I am not going to blink. And I'm not going to get tired. Because I know what is at stake. And history has called us to action, and I am going to seize this moment for the good of the world, for peace in the world and for freedom.

[Tesibria]

54. more resources

List of newspapers who endorsed Bush. See
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=80433
for more information (this will be updated tomorrow -- when more papers endorse Kerry).

I think that for Republicans - the most powerful argument is from other republicans -- so suggest that you get information from those sites. There's PLENTY of material -- may as well use material from a fellow republican.

Links to Republicans endorsing Kerry are available at links below.