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>Charles, back to one of your comments earlier, do you honestly feel that Kerry could be any more "dangerous" to your country than Bush, Cheney et al.

Well, in some areas - primarily social policy - I would be a lot more comfortable with Kerry as president. I think this madness of fearing allowing all citizens to marry whomever makes them happy is one of those things we'll look at in 200 years as primitive.

I think that the campaign has forced Kerry to take positions that if I were sure they were his convictions I could vote for him without a problem. But that is just the issue - are they convictions or are they politics? I really don't know. When he was trying to beat Howard Dean he was a veyr different person than he is tyring to beat Bush. I do believe he ia very conflicted on national security and national defense issues. I understand a lot of his ambivalence as my life experiences certainly more closely parallel his than Bush's.

I do believe Bush acted out of conviction on Iraq. Right or wrong, it was not the move of a wiley - or even very adept - politician. Same for Tony Blaire. If Kerry wins, I will pray he means what he is saying now. He will be my President and I will not question his motives, only his actions.

I objected to the vituperation against Clinton no matter what he did and I object to the venom pointed at Bush. If he is wrong, fine, vote against him. I am offended by partisans who assume that everyone else's motives are as small-minded and mean as perhaps are there own.

So, in answer to you question - Could Kerry be more dangerous ? Of course he could. Would he? I pray not. If he would announce his cabinet today I would probably know exaclty how I would vote. I know people I respect who are involved in things I regard as essential to our national survival and they are uncertain about Kerry's core convictions and strategic thinking even as they have issues with current tactical realities.

But I know the republic with survive. And as to the deep division and our unprecedented drop in world esteem etc. - does anyone remember 1968? This is very mild by comparison.