Yvonne Marie, you are going some place other than heaven for having a picture like that.....now, was that taken specially for the occasion or did you steal it from Tony's private stash???;)

I just got THIS email...

"You might want to check your spelling of Republican on your picture."

HAHAHAHHAHAHA

So, ok, maybe you CAN call me stupid. Just don't call me uninformed.

YAY Bush! I agree Yvonne. Lately, anyone who sees I support W seem to think that equals idiot. I'm sorry, but I won't support Kerry just because celebrities think it is the 'cool' thing to do or because it is the latest trend to bash Bush.

HEY!

That's not a Bush...

I don't berate people who support Bush...you have a right to vote for who you think is right for the job. I am voting for Kerry, not because the "celebrities think it's cool", but because I agree with his position on issues that are important to me and don't appreciate having a president who runs a country through his religious beliefs.

That said, we all have our reasons for voting the way we do...that's what having a right to vote is all about. It's not up to other people to make you see things their way.

Even though we differ on this issue I can respect your vote just like you would respect mine. The majority will rule and no amount of bad mouth emails will change that.

It's ok Yvonne, I won't hold it againest you. ;)

you are SO full of shit, yvonne.

we all know who you're voting for, and his name is BikerFox.

RFLMBO!!!! Double YAY for Bush!!

Dude, I thought you were voting for me? Might I add tha tis a sexy backside!

Ahmen Sistah.
Four months ago our house was truly undecided (and they said we don't exist.) While traditionally more conservative than liberal I haven't been that psyched with Bush. I hate seeing the death toll in Iraq, I want him to leave my gay friends alone, and what happened to uniting not dividing and smaller gov? Also, hardcore right wingers (like left wingers) scare the hell out of me. That being said, I was Kerry's to win over and he hasn't done it. I still don't know what he stands for or what he'll do. The fact that he ISN'T Bush is not a good enough reason for me. Say what you want about Rs they know what they stand for and don't care if you disagree so at least you know where you stand with them. One more thing: the hateful rhetoric will only get worse and I'm in DC -- god save me...
Ok. Two more things: the husband put the "Arlington Democrat" flyer we found in the door in the bathroom. I said, is that to read? and he said, "no, it's to wipe my ass with." Ok. Done now.

Heeee! Good for you!

-H

A vote for bush is fine. Considering every single poll has your state voting for Kerry I for one salute your living in California.

Also your timing of having Kids. They will still be too young when the draft begins and ends. God works in small ways.

AMEN Sista!!!!

I personally can't stand George W. Bush. I sincerely hope he doesn't get re-elected. That being said, I totally respect your point of view and would never think of you as uninformed. It's the people that sit there with there fingers in their ears, not caring to listen to any facts that piss me off (I encounter one of these people every day). And you, Yvonne are not one of them!!!

You'll vote, I'll vote, everyone should vote! That's what matters. You're still my new favorite! :) (And your buddy Melissa too!)

you go girl!
I would vote for bikerfox if he were running though. Cuz he's so hot.

What Sphinx said. Exactly.

I respect your right to vote for whomever you choose. That si the beauty of the freedoms we have in this country - the right to choose. I don't have to like it, I don't have to agree with it. I love that we have that freedom. I want to keep it.

I still love you, and the photo is wonderful.

Um...

http://www.blogsforbush.com

Joined the other day myself ;-) You'd be in VERY good company there.

It's human nature to think that we know more than someone who disagrees with us. We've done our research, we know where we stand, so if other people haven't arrived at our conclusions, it's our tendency to scream "AIE! YOU KNOW NOTHING!" whether or not that's the truth. :)

I'm a Kerry supporter, and I've done my research. I'm basing my decision on my own fiscal conservative nature, my own concerns re: my future kids, etc. etc. And I only get pissy when people tell me I know nothing. :)

Just thought I'd let you know that there ARE Kerry supporters out there that don't spew vitriol, just as there are Bush supporters (such as you) that are out there that don't spew vitriol.

I'm sure you're just as sick of hearing Bush badmouthed as we are hearing Kerry badmouthed.

Why can't people all get along, and talk about something more fun. Like herpes, rubber phalluses, bunny rabbits, and other such stuff? :)

Oops, forgot a sentence or two up there- the section reading "I'm a Kerry supporter, and I've done my research. I'm basing my decision on my own fiscal conservative nature, my own concerns re: my future kids, etc. etc. And I only get pissy when people tell me I know nothing. :)"

should have had the sentence "my own concerns re: my future kids, etc. etc. which may be totally different from the concerns that you have, and the paths I take to reach my goals are also most certainly different. We've got different personal situations, we've had different lives. Anyone who claims to know better than us what we want for ourselves and our children is full of crap."

Amen. I am tired of all the Bush-bashing. Would people really prefer that Gore had been the commander in chief when 9/11 happened? Personally, I shudder to think of it. I don't land firmly in either camp, but as a conservative, I lean more in the direction of Republican.

Bush is not without his faults, but I think he's done amazingly well with the challenges that the last several years have brought. I'm also uncomfortable with the thought of changing leadership in the middle of a war.

Kerry just hasn't convinced me that he can do a better job.

Xdm, your last comment was priceless!

Hello Yvonne,

I take it you are addressing me in this post after I sent you the essay written by Garrison Keillor.

First, if Xdm doesn't know what Kerry stands for she hasn't been paying attention.

Second, I too am not interested in conversation filled with vitriol. However, I am genuinely curious how with all the evidence this administrations misdeeds (and that is putting it mildly) Bush still has so much support. I am genuinely curious to hear which of his policies you support. I want to hear about the great job you, a Bush supporter, thinks he’s doing. How this administrations last four years have taken this country in the place you want to go. I am curious to hear your thoughts, as a thinking woman, on these issues.

I want to hear them not because I want to judge you but because I am so genuinely baffled and am interested in learning a different point of view. I want to know what it is that works for you about this administration.

It may simply be that you are one issue woman (eg pro-life) and therefore cannot vote for anyone who doesn't share that view. I can understand that. But if you are not a one issue woman, I'd really like to hear your opinion.

M

PS This story in the Washington Post this morning is yet another reason why I cannot, will not support this president. He says one thing, does another. Talk about flip-flopper. How about a few weeks ago, when he cut the funding for homeland security, first-responders, and terrorism prevention here in the States because we've spent so much money in Iraq there's nothing left for us here.

Words, Actions at Odds on Children's Health Care
U.S. Poised to Take Back $1.1 Billion Despite Bush's Vow

By Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 25, 2004; Page A05

In his convention address in New York, President Bush announced a new $1 billion initiative to enroll "millions of poor children" in two popular government health programs. But next week, the Bush administration plans to return $1.1 billion in unspent children's health funds to the U.S. Treasury, making his convention promise a financial wash at best.

The loss of $1.1 billion in federal money means six states participating in the State Children's Health Insurance Program face budget shortfalls in 2005; it is enough money to provide health coverage for 750,000 uninsured youngsters nationwide, according to two new analyses by advocacy organizations...

YET WE HAVE THE MONEY TO BUILD NEW SCHOOLS AND PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE FOR EVERY IRAQI? HOW DOES THAT WORK?

Mieke, as a Bush supporter, I'm willing to listen to what you have to say. Why don't you start by listing a few reasons why you are a Kerry supporter? And "he's not Bush" doesn't count. Also, using your points against Bush does not count as a point *for* Kerry.

I ask this because when people berate me - like they do Yvonne - for supporting Bush, most of them can't give me reasons why they think Kerry is the person for the job, except that his initials are not GWB.

Also, spamming people with email basically evangelizing their anti-Bush stance is not conducive to a legitimate discussion on the issues. You can't have a debate when one person starts off assuming/implying the other is a complete idiot. A condescending tone does not help, either.

Yvonne doesn't need to be rescued by you. She's a smart girl who has made her choice based on what she feesl is best for her, her family and this country. Making her think is one thing; making her think she is an idiot is another. You seem to be doing the latter.

If you're interested, some of my reasons for voting for Bush can be found here.

Sorry for taking up so much space, Yvonne.

"evangelizing their " should read "evangelizing *your*.

OOOH, I thought I loved you before. ;) Its official, I'm smitten. Heh.

That is quite possibly the best Bush-basher response ever!

Just in case you were talking about my comment, Sunidesus, I wasn't being sarcastic. I'm a Bush supporter!

*hugs*

I wish I could think of something Bush has done that is positive.

Your booty pic almost convinces me to change my vote.

*grins*

To begin, Michelle, though I appreciate your loyalty and apparent need to defend Yvonne from me, you are misguided. You make a lot of assumptions about me, my emails to Yvonne, and my beliefs.

As Yvonne will tell you, I NEVER implied that she was an idiot- nor was I patronizing to her. When I sent her an email re: politics, I would ask for her thoughts --which is conducive to legitimate discussions on the issues. I participate in her on-line life, I care about her, and wanted to learn more about her point of view (sorry to refer to you in the third person Yvonne).

I am genuinely interested in what people think. I am all about having a legitimate, intelligent dialogue. It's why I watched the Republican and Democratic conventions, because I want to hear both sides. I am a fan of C. Todd-Whitman, John McCain, Senator Snowe, so I am more about the person than the party.

Before I respond to your questions about why I support Kerry I challenge your notion that simply opposing this administration is not a valid reason for voting for anyone but Bush.

Why can’t I have the opinion that George Bush has been so bad for this country that almost anyone would be better for us than he is? Herbert Hoover was thrown out for that very reason. He was a completely inept leader. Ronald Reagan won his first election not because people loved Ronald Reagan, in fact many people considered Reagan a joke, he was elected because Carter was doing such an abysmal job (interest rates were soaring, the gas crisis, and the Iran Hostage Crisis).

I have every right to throw Bush out if I believe that he lied to us, that he knew Iraq was not an imminent threat and in no way connected to the terrorist attacks on September 11th; if I believe that he put us in a war of choice not necessity, if I believe he is destroying our environment to the benefit of industry, if I believe that Bush’s choices like John Ashcroft, a man who has gutted the Freedom of Information Act and our civil liberties, and Rumsfeld are destroying the very thing that makes this country great (the Constitution and the Bill of rights), if I believe that that only archconservative judges will be appointed by this President further eroding the Bill of Rights, the separation of church and state, and other principles I hold dear, I am ABSOLUTELY within my right and compelled to vote simply against him.

Thankfully, I am not only anti-Bush, but Pro-Kerry/Edwards and here are a few reasons why.

a)Their health care plan is BRILLIANT (though it is really Gephart’s). It is equally pro-business and pro-family.

b)The threat of terrorism is real. Kerry/Edwards understand the way to combat terrorism is by increasing the budget of The Office of Homeland Security not cutting it (which the Bush Admin has done year after year).
Check out the OHS own website for the latest cuts in the 2005 budget: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0341.xml

c)They understand that Iraq was in NO way connected to September 11th and that Iraq did not pose an imminent threat. They understand the role of a leader is to identify our true enemies and go after them.
d)They understand that simply increasing the military’s budget is not going to make us safer, but that an entirely new military paradigm must constructed.

e)They are pro-choice. They are also in the real world and recognize sex-education works and that the rate of unwanted pregnancy goes down with education.

f)They respect the civil rights of every citizen, and leave the choice of God and marriage up to the individual.

g)They believe that “no child be left behind” is more than just a catchy slogan, and that unfunded mandates by the federal government (I thought most Republicans hated it when the feds told the states what to do) actually take money away from the very children who need it.

h)They understand that the Bush tax cuts are egregious and that the theory behind them, trickle down economics, has never worked.
a.An analysis from the Urban Institute-Brookings Tax Policy Center shows that the middle 20 percent of earners "will receive an average tax cut of $162 in 2005 from this legislation."2 The top fifth of earners, however, "will get an average tax cut of $1,317."3 As a result, the top fifth will receive two-thirds of all benefits.4

The bill excluded a provision that would have extended the child tax credit to four million low-income families who currently don't qualify.5 Extending eligibility to these families would have cost $4 billion.6 Meanwhile, conservatives included $12 billion in tax cuts for corporations.7

Kerry was never my first choice (I have always been more of Edwards’ woman), and I hardly think he’s perfect but then I can’t think of a human being with whom I agree on everything –including my husband. But Kerry’s basic values are my values. We are very closely aligned on most issues and that’s why I will vote for him in six weeks.

Hope that answers some of your questions.

i guess this all begs the question why? why ARE you voting for him? other than you are a republican and he is the rebpublican candidate...

i also wanted to add that i didn't think meike could be in any way considered a 'bush-basher'. since when does pointing out simple facts constitute 'bashing'?

I was talking about Yvonne herself. I loved the picture. Would that make me smitten too...?

Yay Yvonne!

Yvonne, rock on.

Mieke, email me because I'd love to have a rational discussion with you.

You are hilarious! And intelligent! I'm voting Republican too, as always!