Missouri newspaper reverses Bush endorsement!

[Steelangel]

Kerry for president
Bush finally loses it

By HENRY J. WATERS III, Publisher, Columbia Daily Tribune
Published Sunday, October 17, 2004

For quite a few months I reluctantly believed uninterrupted leadership in the ongoing war on terror trumped all else in deciding who should be the next president of the United States.

It was a fragile conclusion. On most other grounds I could not support George W. Bush, and after a commendable initial showing of resolve, he certainly has not conducted the war in a thoroughly exemplary manner. In many ways he’s been one of our worst presidents. Even so, his opponent, John Kerry, was plodding along, not encouraging much support for his own candidacy.

However, day by day, the prospect of a Kerry presidency is more encouraging. It’s time to remove Bush from the White House, and Kerry emerges as a reasonable alternative. Earlier, I wrote I probably would hold my nose and vote for Bush. Today I breathe freely, quite at ease with removing this incumbent and installing another leader who deserves more confidence.

To do justice to this subject, one must spend time on both sides of the equation. I can go on indefinitely about the shortcomings of President Bush. He is an immoderate man who is quite willing to expand state power over the freedom of individuals. He will use this power, including a packing of the U.S. Supreme Court, to enforce his own view of a sectarian national morality. Despite our most fundamental national tradition, he does not believe in separation of religion from government. He is trying, with some success, to sell the American public on this dangerous idea.


more... http://www.columbiatribune.com/2004/Oct/20041017Comm001.asp

[w13rd0]

1. GREAT!

Knowing and working in the area this newspaper publishes to, I know their stand and change in posture is a courageous one.

[Catt03]

2. Whoa...Waters has a conscience

and some integrity I gather

[tomfodw]

36. Wonder if he'll pay for it

I can't tell from their website who owns the newspaper. I hope Waters doesn't suffer any negative consequences for his moral courage. The other side has a lot more experience than we do, for example, in organizing advertiser boycotts, stamping their little feet in rage, holding their breath until they turn blue in the face, and in other ways reacting to disappointments with tantrums like the little crybabies they are.

[NightOwwl]

3. Geez, this is about the 30th paper that has come out for Kerry today.

And still the media continues to perpetuate the myth that Bush is in the lead.

[napi21]

4. How much does this really mean in KY?

I sure know most people in KY support shrub. How much effect does a newspaper endorsement, or lack of it, make to the people of KY?

[naufragus]

6. IT SAYS

it is ok to be for kerry. that nagging in your heart about bush is true. the little voice inside your head is right. its ok to vote for kerry. you are still a republican after.

[life_long_dem]

19. It also says

you are an American first. Let's take back this country. Then you can be what ever you want after that. Democrat or Republican. If we want our "freedom" and our "rights" then we need a government that is for ALL the people. Bye Bye George..

[kostya]

8. Sure can't hurt

especially with Bunning self-destructing in KY. Maybe there are coattails for Kerry to ride.

[MidwestTransplant]

18. I don't think it will mean much in KY because most people there don't

read MO newspapers!

[theHandpuppet]

26. Yeah, I was wondering about that, too

Thinkin' perhaps I haven't had enough coffee this morning or I really did miss something on my way through this thread.

[Rose Siding]

5. That's impressively sincere

Well thought out, an obvious conclusion...this gives me hope that others may reach the same one.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

7. I'm sure the freeps will brand him a flip flopper...

Thank you for posting. It's very heartening to read his rejection of Bush's messianic vision. I'm sure he's not the only editor who initially supported Bush and then came to harbor doubts, but talk about the courage of one's convictions - this man's got it, no question.

[sonicx]

9. were they for Bush in 2000?

[shockingelk]

27. Yes, endorsement here:

http://archive.showmenews.com/2000/oct/20001029comm001.asp

U.S. president
G.W. Bush should be elected

By HENRY J. WATERS III, Publisher, Columbia Daily Tribune


Story ran on Sunday, October 29 2000


This has been a tough choice for me. Al Gore is an intelligent, determined and well-experienced candidate, but his persona and general approach to governance leave me lukewarm at best ...

[sushi]

10. Bush & Co would hate

this flip-flopping by the Missouri publisher!:bounce:

[txindy]

11. Wow. A former * supporter who gave a thoughtful reevaluation

of past endorsements. Someone who didn't mindlessly "stay the course." There is definitely hope this year. No doubt about it! :thumbsup:

[grasswire]

12. pass this everywhere...

...this is a true patriotic act.

What a great thing!!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

13. "... Day by day,

the prospect of a Kerry presidency is more encouraging."

I think that is going to sum it up for a lot of the people
who will decide between now and Nov 2.

[BUSHOUT]

14. Fantastic editorial. I especiall liked this line:

We should quit worrying about which president can best do the war.

[Erika]

17. Bushco thought that when they marched into Iraq They Woulld Be Welcomed.

They weren't.

[high density]

15. That's fantastic.

Thanks!

[madrchsod]

16. just done a lttle research on the paper

his family has owned the paper since 1905, they also own a full service printing plant and print the new york times for that area of the southern midwest. they also have job openings !!!! this is a very good pick up for kerry.

[mvd]

20. Thanks for posting!

This line really stands out as great - "Most important, it’s time to moderate an oppressive leadership that threatens our national philosophy.."

[LynnTheDem]

21. "Let’s agree the president made a reasonable decision to invade Iraq."

Let's NOT.

LYING a nation into INVADING and OCCUPYING a sovereign nation that NEVER DID A DAMN THING is WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG and WRONG.

WRONG when Hitler did it.

WRONG when bush did it.

Other than that, I'm glad he's come to his senses and wants bush the hell out.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

22. This man deserves our thanks - tell him here:

[email protected]

[tsuki]

24. I just sent this letter, late and I hope not to many mistakes

When we went into Iraq, I objected. And I was told that I did not support the troops; I was an enemy of the state; I was what was wrong with America.

As a Military Brat, I felt I had a better idea of what supporting the troops meant. I did not support sending the troops. Supporting the troops does not mean sending them over there. It mean making sure the families at home are safe. It means making sure our fighting men have the body armor they need; the equipment they need. It means when they come home having the services they require, VA and DAV.

I saw, as a child, places that many only dream about, foreign lands, peoples and customs. I learn tolerance and patience. But, during Nam, I learned fear. I watched MY father leave in his fatigues, side arm and kit. He's going over there. And a day, and a day, and a day, and a day, and finally a packet of letters. He's okay. Then a day, and a day, and a day, and a day, and finally a packet of letters. He's okay.

Reports from many sources claim that our boys do not have the supplies and spare parts they need (NY Times.) They are refusing to ferry contaminated fuel to front line troops. They return home, disabled, to live in cars or under-funded VA hospitals with the necessary retraining to help them re-enter the job market.

Is this supporting the troops? What is wrong with American that they can continue to fight a war that is thirty years gone, and refuse to support the troops of today?

[tsuki]

23. Who is this man...

if I wasn't a southern woman of an indetermine age, I would have his baby.

[liberal N proud]

25. This is just one that could come closer to the election.

[Eurobabe]

28. wow, here's to not having to hold your nose!

15 DAYS UNTIL WE THE PEOPLE REMOVE THE PIMPLE FROM THE ASS OF PROGRESS!!!

[Judi Lynn]

29. This man has made courageous stands before, too.

He condemns the U.S. embargo on Cuba, as one example, and has made no secret of it.

He definitely says what's on his mind, and is ready to take the consequences in Missouri.

Thank you so much for brightening everyone's day. This is a story you just don't see too often, isn't it?

[bushwakker]

30. can't hurt

[phlyphisher]

31. And another...

Editor and Publisher have the press count broken down by circulation and Kerry leads 4-1.

Good to see more papers reversing past * endorsements.

[newyawker99]

40. Hi phylphisher!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[RobertDevereaux]

32. Splendid!

[opihimoimoi]

33. Visine is UPPED the FORMULA and more People can see better. YESSSSS

[Fovea]

38. Now lets hope Missouri

gets the red out.

[demokatgurrl]

34. Is this a widely read paper? I don't know anything

about it. I hope it gets some circulation. I wish it had come sooner.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

35. Thank God for the debates

I think they changed the outcome of the election.

[YpsiH2Otwr]

37. My favorite quote...

" ...Most important, it’s time to moderate an oppressive leadership that threatens our national philosophy. I do not think such a puny figure as George W. Bush - or any other temporary president - can destroy our vital nature. But Bush and his ilk are harming it. They would harm it even more. It’s time for the American people to say enough. It’s time for new leadership."

[johnnyrocket]

39. "to enforce his own view of a sectarian national morality"

That pretty much sums up why I hate Bush...his moral indignation is repugnant. We need freedom from this filth.