Reply #260: PS:

[H2O Man]

I am troubled to find that your message was brought here on the day that Howard Dean made his announcement. I think that it is the type of thing that politicians do, and that it is part of politics, etc.

But the democratioc party must, in my opinion, move beyond politics. I am suggesting that at some point, people in the political and economic leadership positions must move beyond their exclusive circles, and communicate with common folk. I believe that in a very real way, that is part of what you are doing by posting here today. And so, while I mention the political aspect, I'm going to shift gears, and talk to you as a human being from the grass roots.

Your friend Simon is reportedly a supporter of the war in Iraq. Dean is an outspoken opponent. You seem like a decent man. Your family seems decent. But we can't pretend that what is happening in Iraq, or in America, touches you in the same way it does "common folk." Likewise, you have had life experiences we will not. I know and appreciate that.

But Chris, I have two sons, 17 and 21, and when that draft calls, it calls the poor and middle class. It's been since WW2 that the wealthy have had their children participate in the war in any meaningful numbers. While John Kerry is the exception, George W. Bush is the rule.

I know a kid who died in Iraq. He went to school with my boys. The biggest piece of him that was returned in a casket was his hand. I am not willing to sacrifice my boys for that war. Let's be frank: we were told it had to do with WMDs, and they simply weren't there.

So if Simon is in support of the war, let Simon do what Simon says. And lets get those people that support Simon and the war to put up their kids. Is that an ugly way to think? Sure. Middle class and poor have been subjected to this ugly thinking for some time.

I spoke to my nephew recently. A big Dean supporter. College-educated. Computer "expert." I'm proud of him. Never got in troule as a kid, good athlete, a credit to our family. In fact, Chris, he's a credit to society.

But when he was going with a friend to buy a pizza, in the community he lives in, the police pulled them over. My nephew is brown. His name is a common American name; he's lived in this state his whole life; he has worked here, gone to church here, etc etc. But he was held for hours and hours and hours while the police "checked." Checked what? Well, that he wasn't dangerous. He is young and brown. Now, he's not Arab, not Muslim, but he's in his 20s and he is brown. So he is suspect. If it happened once, or twice, or even just a dozen times to young men like him, I wouldn't mention it. But it does happen to him, his brothers, and many others. All the time.

So can you understand why my family, democrats for generations, supports Howard Dean, who opposes the Bush "policy" in Iraq ? And what does your friend offer, that might offer a promise to improve our day-to-day life?

Thank you for your consideration.

http://h2oman.blogspot.com