Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : WHO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004 -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Knighty Tin who wrote (4440)	8/29/2003 3:27:44 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 10965

This is worth reading... ______________________________ FirstName: Steve LastName: Merriam City: Boxford State: MA Date: 08/29/2003 Time: 02:50 PM Comments: Mr. Clark, I'm sending my second letter to encourage your candidacy for President after having given it more thought . Our nation's strength lies not with its economic or military power, it is with the ideals we have developed over the past 200 years. "America" is not only a place, it is an idea. The idea that ordinary people can create a viable and vibrant society that permits opportunity, freedom and a sense of human fairness. The political experiment our revolutionary forefathers started is still in progress. Yet it has become a successful model of governance that is admired throughout the world. Now that we are the clear dominant power on the planet we stand at a crossroads. How will the American experiment fare over the next 200 years? Will the world look back in 2103 and concede that the American model failed, as many empires before it have done, because arrogance and greed led to its undoing? That it became the entity that was so hated in the world that it was doomed to fail? Because as our own history tells us, people who are dominated and oppressed by a greater power eventually rise up to establish a new order. I believe a person could lead America with a vision for the future that will sustain, not only our citizens, borders and assets, but the American experiment itself. This will require a much different approach than the one being followed by the present administration. America will fail if we are so arrogant that we believe we can chart a course for the world on our own terms. America will fail if we don't recognize that the natural resources upon which we feed are limited and must be conserved. America will fail if we no longer are admired for our insistence on human rights and dignity. America will fail if We The People cede the control of our own democracy to corporate interests which are focused on near term returns rather than the long-term sustainability of the nation. And finally, America will fail, as many nations have before, if we misuse religion to justify our arrogant actions. From what I've read you recognize that we have chosen the wrong path and need to get on a different path if we expect to be continue our 200 year experiment. Please recognize that our ideals do not deserve another four years of abuse by the Bush administration. I will agree with many who were ashamed by Bill Clinton's personal behavior while in the White House, but I always felt he was damaging his own reputation and legacy rather than the nation itself. With Bush its different. His arrogance and disregard for the views of the world is childish and projects an ugly image of America that makes me sick. Never have I been embarrassed to be an American until now. Unfortunately, I don't believe the current candidates have proposed a different vision of where we go next. They each assail Bush and talk about new programs, but don't see that a fundemental change of direction is required if we are to sustain nation for the long term. I'm hoping that you do have this vision. I'm hoping that you see past the special interests and corporations to the American ideal and a government paid for and run by its people for the benefit of its people. Please give us a choice other than the Bush vision for the future of America. Please run for President of the United States. Thank You, Steve Merriam draftwesleyclark.com

To: Knighty Tin who wrote (4440)	8/29/2003 3:54:00 PM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10965

Riding In On A White Horse? theday.com Published on 8/29/2003 Anew and interesting dimension has been added to the otherwise humdrum 2004 presidential race. Four-star retired Army general and former NATO commander Wesley K. Clark, has confided to friends he wants to run for the nation's highest post next year, The New York Times reported in its Thursday edition. Good looking, charming, highly intelligent and articulate and with his distinguished military background that included service in Vietnam, he would be powerful contender among the current field of Democratic candidates. As his television appearances as a military expert during the Iraq war demonstrated, he handles himself well in speaking on complicated issues. He could easily outshine other contenders on national security matters. And nobody could accuse him of shirking his military duty. There are already several Draft Clark committees at work. One has raised nearly $1 million. Gen. Clark could announce his intentions as early as next month, The Times report said. One thing that might make it difficult to enter this late in the race is Gen. Clark's lack of an organization and campaign funds. However, that could quickly change, given the general's high visibility and stature and relative public indifference shown the other Democratic candidates. At the very least, his entrance would be good for the Democrats, for it would generate some excitement in a race that has up to this point had trouble attracting attention. Even if he eschewed a presidential run, the general would be an asset to the Democratic ticket as a running mate. His possible presence in the race provides something for President Bush and the Republicans to worry about.