By HOWARD TROXLER, Times Columnist
Published July 20, 2004
This one's for you, Myrtle.
"Is this Mr. Troxler?"
"Speaking."
"Art Andersen here. I'm the communications director for the National Association of Felons."
"Hi, Art. What can I do for you?"
"I'm calling to complain about the tired old stereotyping about felons that you and your newspaper are perpetuating."
"I had no idea. What kind of stereotypes about felons have we been perpetuating?"
"You keep saying we're all Democrats."
"Felons aren't all Democrats?"
"Absolutely not."
"Well, that's what everybody says, Art. It's not like we're making it up. Why the heck would Gov. Jeb be going to all this trouble to keep felons from voting in November if you weren't all Democrats?"
"Jeb has bought into the stereotype too. It's incredibly frustrating for us when even governors engage in active prejudice. In fact, many felons proudly exemplify the very best of Republican values."
"That's a joke, right? Everybody knows Democrats love crooks, and vice versa. Democrats believe crime is society's fault. Democrats prefer bleeding-heart judges."
"There you go again. If you want to see the world in such a narrow, single-issue perspective, you'll never learn anything. There are many reasons felons should vote Republican."
"Name one."
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