Wonderful post.. and I found this this morning which I will share with you:
But to Kerry supporter Joan Kowal, 44, of Wyoming, the Cheneys are guilty themselves of exploitation. Kowal -- who joined a small group of protesters on a street corner a couple hundred yards away from the DeltaPlex -- said the Cheneys already have made the issue public by talking about their daughter's sexuality.
"This is not news," Kowal said. "Kerry was trying to show he is supportive. I don't know why they are making such a big deal out of it. They (the Cheneys) are the ones doing the trickery. Let's get to the real issues."
West Michigan gays and lesbians seemed puzzled by the fuss, given that Mary Cheney has been public about her sexuality. Earlier this year, Dick Cheney said he differed with President Bush's support for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
Grand Rapids investment advisor Jim White, 37, wondered why Lynne Cheney reacted so strongly to Kerry's remarks.
"She should be proud of her daughter. On one side, I understand the private lives of the family and that it should be respected. On the other hand, I think it's a sad commentary that we can't recognize people who are gay."
White, a board member of the Lesbian &Gay Community Network of West Michigan, said he figured the issue "washes out" without gain for either side.
Despite his disagreement with President Bush's support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, White said he "leans toward Bush" because of his economic policies and his conduct in the war on terror.
Harold Roundhouse, 36, the network's chairman of marketing and public relations, said he saw nothing wrong with Kerry's remarks.
"I kind of think this is much ado about nothing," he said.
"This is a fight for who is going to be president. One of the things you sign up for in public life is to have your life discussed. I think she (Lynne Cheney) is being oversensitive to his remarks."
© 2004 Grand Rapids Press. Used with permission |
