I have to respectfully disagree with editor Kathleen McCarthy's recent assessment that the Democratic candidates provide "little analysis of why things are wrong, or much discussion about how he or she would make corrections. Worst of all, the candidates are uninspiring. This is not to say that their positions don't have merit; it's that these individuals can't sell it." (See "Slap the Donkey!" River Cities' Reader Issue 438, August 13-19, 2003.)

With all due respect, Governor Howard Dean, M.D., has discussed in detail what is wrong as well as how he will make corrections. Whether someone can inspire or sell a message is usually a matter of opinion, but in the case of Governor Dean, I offer cold, hard data. The Dean campaign has signed up 302,149 grassroots supporters as of the time of my writing, and it's not even Labor Day yet. Meetup.com, the online system for getting folks of like interest together in cities all across the country, has Dean listed with 87,000 members meeting once a month. The second closest candidate has a few thousand. Last month Dick Cheney invited 150 wealthy contributors to a $2,000-per-person dinner raising $300,000. Governor Dean challenged supporters over the Internet (averaging $55 each) to raise $500,000 in one weekend just to show Cheney that the wealthy do not own this country. Think about it. Dean raised more money with less-wealthy contributors (150 voters versus 9,091 voters).

In order to get results like this, a candidate has to not only have a clear message, that message has to inspire voters. People who have never participated in their country's political process are fed up with the failed Bush Administration and are coming out in droves for Governor Dean. I for one want my country back and believe that Governor Dean would make a fantastic president. But don't take my word for it. Please, do your own analysis. You can start at (http://www.deanforamerica.com).

Scott Morschhauser
Bettendorf

God's Solutions Are Always the Best


Your approach to the Episcopal Church gay-bishop issue (see "Is It Really News?" River Cities' Reader Issue 437, August 6-12, 2003) raises several concerns.

One, your article reveals a humanistic approach to solutions to world issues and problems, rather than seeking them from God. Down through the centuries, the former has failed dismally in comparison to the solutions that God provides. For daily living, as well as for our eternity, God's solutions are always the best.

Second, your reference to the few Bible verses on homosexuality compared to the many on "tolerance, compassion, understanding, and love" also missed the crux of the point to be made. The number of verses is not the issue. The directive in them is. How many times does God need to tell us "This is wrong" before we believe it?

Christians (those who believe that the Bible is God's word, and just as relevant to us today as it was 2,000 years ago) are called to hate sin and yet to love the sinner. Now, there is a newsworthy concept worth our consideration and implementation!

Thirdly, and perhaps most tragically, your article indicates a lack of personal faith in God through Jesus Christ - the Creator and Sustainer of daily and eternal life, and the source of life-changing, time-lasting answers to the "human condition" that you write about. Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, Captain Hubbard of the Columbia space shuttle, and countless others have trusted in The Christ in God's Word, and found Him the real meaning, assurance, and purpose in life.

This only begins to address the Christian viewpoint, as it relates to your article. If you care to consider this faith in God in more depth, read the book of Romans or Galatians in the New Testament (or any of the many other cross-referenced verses on the subject). This really is news worth reading!

Steve Elmer
Geneseo

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