Thank you, DU!!!

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

Friends, I'm a DUer with another screen name. I've been posting here for several years, even though the post count on the other name is only about 650.

I'm also one of the people on the http://www.bushrelativesforkerry.com website. I'm Jeanny, the one who says I'm voting for John Kerry because I'm a Christian.

I want to thank you all for your interest in our website.

The last few weeks since we put it up have been an amazing journey. I have learned so much and felt as though I'm a little tiny part of what's going on in this country as we move ever forward to elect John Kerry.

We have received email to the site from around the world. The response from people who have been worried sick about American hegemony has been moving and gratifying.

We have received email from people who are devout Christians and were so glad to find another Christian who felt the way they did.

We have received email from people who were undecided and have decided, because of our words, to vote for John Kerry.

It goes on and on. It is gratifying and humbling and very, very encouraging.

I thank you for the daily threads that have started at DU. You folks are the best!!!! (But then, you knew that!)

Thanks so much, and GO KERRY!!!!!

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Syrinx]

1. Welcome and Good Luck!

Bush will probably take my state of Alabama, but I think it's going to be much closer than last time. Hey, the state party is even advertising on tv! :)

:hug:

[Azure]

25. Yep, there are Kerry ads in Alabama

I can't imagine we will win here, but I think we're going to do a lot better than anyone expects. Alabama won't go blue, but it might just go purple.

[txindy]

2. Well, that's nice to hear!

Thanks for sharing that story with us. I can't imagine the range of responses you've received since you put up that website. You're going to have to start a huge thread about it all one day. :hi:

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

8. The responses have certainly run the gamut

I will say that they have been overwhelmingly positive.

They break down into three or four categories:

1. Positive feedback (absolutely the highest percentage by far)
2. Requests by media for interviews.
3. Attack responses which respond by saying we're fat, ugly, stupid, brainwashed, bitter, jealous, and once again, stupid. And did I say "fat"?
4. Negative responses that actually respect us and intelligently address the issues. (A teeny, teeny percentage)

My guess is we've been freeped a bunch of times. It was particularly vicious during the period when Yahoo had us on their home page.

Jeanny

[txindy]

14. Your sig line is priceless!

The freepers (as they no doubt were) who called you 'fat' are projecting. From their Barcaloungers. In their parents' basements. Fingers, greasy from potato chips, sliding off their keyboards. ;)

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

16. Aw, heck ....

I AM fat :)

But I ain't stupid.

And I'm no "moran."

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[DIKB]

3. Well

the core of christianity is supposed to be about Compassion, and reaching out in love. Not in hatred and fear-mongering. I can't see any real christians supporting the hate-filled/homophobic direction of the "compassionate conservatives"

[Hatalles]

4. Hello Jeanny!

I'm a Muslim that has been born and raised in the US and send you my sincerest thanks! Us DUers appreciate the work you are doing in helping make this a more peaceful work.

"My Christian faith tells me the peacemakers are the blessed ones, yet George Bush wants to resurrect the Crusades, one of the most shameful experiences in Christian history. I fail to understand how lying to the people of the United States about any of the many justifications they have used for going to war in Iraq can be considered in any way, shape, or form a remotely Christian activity. Yes, Jesus once said, "I come not to bring peace, but a sword." He was talking about liberating his OWN people from within, not invading an oil-rich country out of purely selfish motives, then claiming it was for the liberation of others. The only true liberation comes when the oppressed claim it for themselves. This is something George Bush and his Imperialist cabal will never understand."

Thank you again for speaking out for a better, more loving world! =D

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

9. And thank you for doing your part.

One of my big concerns is how this country is going to deal with the aftermath of this election. We are so divided. Somehow, we have to capture something of what it means to be the UNITED States of America.

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Xenus Sister]

5. You're so brave!!

Thank you. I've passed the link to your site onto several people. I admit I did it sort of as a joke, knowing they'd go there out of disbelief and curiousity, in hopes they'd be impressed once they got there. I haven't heard back, but I'm hopeful.

I imagine you've gotten hate mail, and that's why I think you're so brave. Standing up for principles, regardless of personal (or professional) relationship is so very rare nowadays. Even though I said what I said just above (joke), I deeply admire you and the others, and hope that your integrity rubs off onto the people I send there.

Thank you again.

[WillyT]

6. Welcome !!!

Heard about you guys on AAR the other day. THANK YOU!!!

Glad to have you aboard!

:toast::bounce::toast:

:hi:

[JBB555]

7. Good luck...N/T

[proud patriot]

10. Simply love my Country, thanks and welcome Underground

:hi:

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

13. We love our country, too

That's why we created the website. My siblings and cousins and I truly love this country and we want the very best for it. That's why we're supporting John Kerry.

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Maeve]

17. Welcome,dear!

You found the right place!

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

19. Thanks :)

But I've actually been here for several years. Just didn't necessarily want to "out" myself under my other name. :)

[deadparrot]

11. Welcome!

Thank you so much for taking a stand, especially against family. We really appreciate it!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. Wow thanks for telling us

and thanks for the site. It took a great deal of courage for you and your family to act...I so completely appreciate you.

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

15. Courage?

My cousin Sheila said it best today on the radio. We're not the ones with courage. We just put up a website, asking someone not to vote for a cousin with whom we disagree, but whom most of us have never talked to.

Sheila reminded us today on a radio interview that the ones with courage are in Iraq every day, facing violence and threat to life because of the policies of our cousin.

He must go.

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[vinnievin777]

18. No thank you

I really think it is great that you follow your heart and take a stand --hopefully we can eventually change the hardest of hearts.
Thank you,
Vinnie Vin

PS My friend Art who does my site for me just put a link to your site up today and I get an average of 200 new hits a day.

http://www.vinnievin.com

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

23. Thanks for linking to us

If I've learned nothing else from all this, I've learned the power of the internet. Truly amazing!!!

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[JudyM]

42. How do you think you get that many hits on your site?

I've been trying to get more hits for my site www.helpkerrywin.com, that I set up to provide info for folks who want to help without getting too involved. Looking for any ideas you have!!

Thanks -

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

43. Well, it didn't hurt that the Boston Globe ran a story on us

Then the bloggers picked it up. And the rest is history.

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

20. BTW, I'm also a Packer fan

And we ALL need to be Packer fans this coming Sunday, October 31.

You know the story:
For the last 40 years, in the game before the election, if the Washington Redskins win, the incumbent is returned to office. If their opponent wins, the challenger wins.

I don't care which is your favorite team. BE A PACKER FAN ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Hatalles]

21. LOL. Go Pack! n/t

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

22. You laugh now . ..

but you must be true Green and Gold on Sunday :)

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[expatriate]

24. Jeanny, I want to thank you

and your cousins for all you have done. At one time, when I still lived in America, I fell into "deep poverty". At the time I had a child who was insulin dependent, we had no health insurance, and I too fell ill. So long as I live, I will never forget the desperation and despair of those times, of trying to feed my son properly, of not knowing how I would ever pay for his insulin and test strips. It's heartbreaking that so many people have fallen into "deep poverty" since George W. Bush has been in office - in what is supposed to be the greatest nation on earth - while billions are spent with the purpose of killing people in Iraq.

Thank you for speaking for those in that situation - and for helping your fellow Christians who might be searching for a way to be true to their beliefs and who are frightened and confused by the present Administration and its religious spin.

And BTW - people who try to argue from the standpoint of "you're fat" just don't have anything concrete to argue with - so they resort to irrelevant namecalling!

Best wishes from a fat atheist in Australia.

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

26. I've been there, too

I graduated from college in 1976, another one of those eras when there were no jobs to be had. I ended up after a while on unemployment and General Assistance (when there still WAS General Assistance). I know what it's like to have a huge hole in my tooth and not be able to afford to have the measly $10 my charitable dentist was asking for to have it filled.

We MUST care for those who are on the margins of society. We are losing the middle class, and the poor are getting poorer. We have to find a way to show true compassion and give the kind of help that allows people to move out of poverty.

Go Kerry!

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[WatchWhatISay]

27. What brave souls you all are!

I am curious if your part of the family has ever had much contact with the darker side. I remember a large family photo with about 30-40 people standing on a large porch. Are any of you in that photo?

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

28. I'm not in that photo

I AM, however, in the photo of 250 Bush relatives at the White House. We had lunch there after George H.W.'s inauguration. (I didn't vote for him, either.)

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[GregD]

29. Hey Jeanny!

I live about an hour from Henry (I'm in San Rafael), and love to get treats at the bakery in Tomales when I'm out there.

Thanks for all you guys are doing.

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

30. Hi Greg!

I love that part of California!!!

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Tsiyu]

31. Thank You, Jeanny

Hope there is no threatening backlash from the dysfunctional side of the family.

You are one of the heroes of this election!


:yourock:

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

34. So far, so good

Mom, who is not part of the Bush family, is a little worried that bad things could happen to us. We're not so worried.

We haven't heard from any disgruntled relatives yet, but I'm sure they're out there :)

The fun thing is that I'm hearing from relatives I never knew I had! It's amazing how many people are into genealogy.

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Eric J in MN]

32. Congratulations on your website (nt)

nt

[patrice]

33. Welcome Jeanny, and thank you!

NONE of this is over on Nov. 2, no matter what happens. We must be responsible voters every day of our lives.

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

35. Amen, sister!

I've been politically involved all my life, a Democrat since I was 10 (I just couldn't stomach Barry Goldwater. . . )

Jeanny
Bush Relative for Kerry

[countmyvote4real]

36. Kudos Jeanny to you and your good cousins.

Thank you for standing up for the truth.

[Technowitch]

37. Hi Jeanny! Thanks for delurking!

And thank you so much for your support for Kerry.

Goddess Bless, from a Witch who respects you for your true Christian faith and ideals.

best,

[Lindacooks]

38. Welcome, Jeanny!

You'll like it here - lots of nice, smart folks who really care about this country.

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

39. Oh, I know all about y'all

I've been here for years!!

It's why I felt safe enough to do this :)

DUers rock!!!

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[JudyM]

40. Thanks from those of us who are not Christians, but spiritual nonetheless

I feel that GWB has done more to villify Christianity than to help its respect. Your website entry (I still remember it) moved me because it extended a hand to non-Christians rather than following his style of touting its supremacy with no humility. I believe there are many paths to the Truth and that in our country, in particular, we should respect and not impugn others's beliefs. It roils me how he has given so much taxpayer money -far disproportionately - to Christian interests. That makes him appear to be very small-spirited. And the -IMHO - immoral way he has run his office and this campaign... doing it under a grand flag of Righteousness casts a bad light on real good-spirited Christians.

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

41. Thanks, JudyM :)

I wrote as I did for two reasons:

1. I really do have a strong Christian conviction.
2. I'm really sick of the Christian right telling me I'm not a Christian.

From one who believes that God is still speaking . . .

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Kurovski]

44. I read about you through Randi Rhodes' page

Thanks for standing up, And for the extra work you do for God & country.

Very cool.

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

45. Thanks :)

I'm a big Randi Rhodes fan. Almost called into her show today.

Jeanny
bsuh Relatives for Kerry

[Morning Dew]

46. This thread made me smile a lot -

thanks for speaking out Jeanny (and relatives) !

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

47. Well, it's been an interesting journey

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[LadyinRed]

48. Thanks from Alabama

Another Christian here, mostly lurking.

Spending a lot of time finding Christians and people of other faiths who have had it with the Government; taking our personal beliefs out of our homes, clumping us altogeher in the eyes of the world and making us all appear to be "Followers" of what they believe.

WE DO NOT FOLLOW and there are many of us. We quietly enjoy our Constitutional Rights, are tolerant of each other and everyone and intend for government to "Stay Out" of our personal Faith.


"ALABAMA CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT WORKING FOR KERRY"
Bamabelle

Mr.Kerry has many people of many faiths working for him and the Democratic Party.

[The_Casual_Observer]

49. I am speechless. This is one of the most amazing things

I have ever seen. There are kind, reasonable and intelligent members of that family willing to come forward to help make a brighter day. Thanks.

[LiberalAndProud]

50. *hug*

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

53. Thanks :)

Hugs are always good.

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Skittles]

51. sweet Jenny

I am thanking you. :hi:

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

54. Well, let's just hope it does somethign

A couple of cousins were on Irish radio this morning. Suppose they'll swing any votes over there?

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry

[Snotcicles]

52. Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am

stuck in the middle with you.

[DuaneBidoux]

55. A Bush you gotta' LOVE. Thanks so much.

[BushRel4Kerry JH]

56. One of the amazing things I've seen over and over in the last few days

is that in spite of people's tendency to want to assume that families are monolithically in lock step, they're often quite glad to find out that other families have as much diversity as their own family does.

Kind of fun that we're all basically human, right?

Jeanny
Bush Relatives for Kerry