Actually, this is really my first letter to the editor on
any subject in quite some time (I've done plenty of other stuff for Dean, DFA, dKos, Kerry and other Dems in the '04 races, but not an actual letter to the editor).
Anyway, today's Detroit Free Press political cartoon by Mike Thompson--who I don't usually have an issue with--was the typical Dean-bashing sort that we've been expecting the past few days: Dean is portrayed as Dudley Do-Right, riding backwards (facing the left, of course) on his donkey to save America (damsel in distress) from the clutches of the moustache-twirling villian (the GOP as an elephant, of course), who is making his getaway with her on a railroad hand car. Dean is, naturally, screaming about how he's here to save America, while "America" asks the villian "can't this thing go any faster?" Not particularly imaginative.
Anyway, the Free Press puts a 200-word limit on LTE's, so I had to squeeze this one down...just curious about your thoughts (I know I didn't get to anything specific to the DNC chairmanship, but as I said, the word limit cramped my style.):
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"When reading Mike Thompsons' political cartoon today, my eyes rolled at his repetition of the stale, negative, false image of incoming DNC Chair Howard Dean.
As the six-term Governor of a rural state, Dean had a 100% NRA rating, balanced the budget 11 times in a row when not required to do so, ensured healthcare for virtually all children, and ensured the civil rights of all citizens in his state. His early opposition to the U.S. Iraqi invasion as unnecessary and unjustified is now shared by most Americans.
Insisting on balanced budgets is a moral (and formerly Conservative) value. Adequate healthcare for children is a moral value. Civil rights for all citizens is a moral value. Dean, and true Democrats, believe in these things and have no reason to apologize for fighting for them. Vigorously standing up for your beliefs shows courage, and should be applauded, not denigrated. Mr. Thompson apparently sees these things as negatives.
Gov. Dean has widespread support not just from the far left, but from mainstream Democrats, many true Conservatives, some true Republicans, Libertarians and even some Evangelicals--who may not agree with all of his positions, but who agree with standing up for your convictions."
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