[Superman]

I don't have much time but I wish I did. We all notice that JK and the dems do not have a platform. I am disappointed, others are energized by this. And at this point JK should be feeling some desperation at being defined by the reps, rather than by himself. And then there's the perception that he lacks the courage and fortitude to lead. Some of you who have editorialized about my comments since the start of the Mul Period (not yet ended, in my view) you will find it believable that I would urge and support a fairly strong statement from Senator Kerry. I'm thinking of the kind of statement that will do one of two things. Either it will get him elected (the nation is really looking for a way to send Dubya packing, it just does not see Kerry as a legitimate alternative), or it will end his political career and reserve his place in history as one of the most colorful characters of all time. I like to think the former, considering that the liberal votes outnumbered the conservative ones last time by millions of votes (considering Nader votes to be liberal) Again, I don't have much time so some of you will have to help me. And some of you others who have asked what Kerry's platform would look like if he had one, can read this thread and get a sense. I'll start.

1. Abortion. "I believe abortion is wrong, deeply and undeniably wrong and I hope they cease to take place in America. Children are our pride, our dearest citizens and our future. But I also do not believe that religious leaders should make the laws in a country as free as America. I do not believe that God's will is done so much by making sin illegal, as by making sin undesirable and unnecessary. All children should be loved and wanted, and families are waiting for the chance to adopt and raise them. As President I would not support the creation of a law that would attempt to eliminate abortions. It would not eliminate abortions. It would make them far less safe, it would criminalize young women, often in poverty, who feel they have no alternative. Who feel they have no place to turn. I would instead work toward building a society where those young women would feel secure. Where they would not feel so unloved as to seek comfort outside appropriate relationships, such as marriage. Where they would have individuals and groups available to guide them through decisions when they are in need.....Yadda yadda yadda (I'm running out of time)

"I am taking somewhat of a personal risk in taking the position I take on this issue, because of another question that has been raised in this important debate. And I want to talk about that issue as well. It is frightening to me, the notion that religious leaders might actively consider rationing their services to elected officials based on their voting records. Yes, religious leaders might be capable of influencing the making of public policy by holding their services hostage, by extorting, so that certain laws would be passed or repealed. But I am a believer in the distinction between church and state. I believe there is more than ample reason for this important principle which our country has honored for many generations, and which our country seems now prepared to discard. I say we should not discard it. I say religious leaders should not strongarm governments. I say this has led to problems we are dealing with abroad. I say that making something illegal is not the same as making people hate sin. God does not seek the love of governments. God wants to share his love with us as individuals, and to the degree we are not free to chose His will, we are limited in our ability to make loving decisions in His light."

Okay, there are many many other issues I'd like him to speak to tonight, and I'd like to see him come out swinging from the ankles. He'll probably be reading these posts this afternoon, so let's help him out. Somebody take it away.................