Originally Posted by redwitch

I don't know about you, but I'd hate to be tarred and feathered because of my choice of friends. The majority of my friends are liberal -- some are black, some are Asian, many are Caucasian. I have friends that are Hispanic, and, yes, one is an illegal and one of the hardest workers and finest men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

In college, one of my buddies was Lou Alcindor. He introduced me to the guy I dated most of college. It broke my heart when he became a Black Muslim because I knew that was the end of our friendship. Fortunately, he changed as he got older and we now correspond via email on occasion. I do have friends that were draft dodgers during the Vietnam era. One woman that I truly like and admire was very active in the Weathermen. I'm sure she's on one or two wanted lists even today. I've volunteered at a federal prison and have met some women there that have committed some pretty serious felonies. I actually keep in contact with three of them. One is a die-hard gangbanger. A beautiful young woman, intelligent and hard as nails.

I volunteer on death penalty appeals. My sympathy definitely lies with the men and women who are going to die while I cry for the victims and their families. No question they have done horrific things but most have had lives that are unbelievable. To murder someone in the name of the State who has the IQ of a 10 year old, barely can write his own name, has only a rudimentary grasp of right and wrong is just wrong to me. Some of the ACLU attorneys that I work with have made comments that would make Rev. White's remarks seem completely innocent.

I don't have a spiritual advisor but if I did I'm sure comments would be made that would be disliked by many. I'm even willing to bet that President Bush's pastor has said things that would be considered inappropriate by the majority of people.

I am very opposed to violence. I was very anti-Vietnam but totally supportive of the troops that were there. My ex-husband was a GASP! diehard Republican (and if you think my friends didn't have a hissy fit when I married him, think again). I truly disliked the Black Muslim organization -- heck, I dislike anything that creates a segregation. Obviously, I'm pro gay rights and pro choice. One of my friends here in TV is a member of a fundamentalist church. She is a very sweet woman and I like her a lot. She asked me to go to an anti-abortion rally with her because she was ill and was afraid she would need someone to take her home. Guess what? I did it. I didn't carry a sign. I stook on the sidelines and supported her and her right to feel as she did.

The point is we're all human. Yes, we choose our friends but that doesn't mean we agree with everything they say and do. Many of us will even support our friends' and enemies' right to say what they will. Why do so many conservatives feel only their way is the right way? Rather than making a choice on the words and deeds of a man or woman, someone is rejected based on half-truths, innuendoes, rumors and serious fear-mongering.

I'm not convinced Obama is the best choice to lead America but to claim that Muslims will be dancing in the streets and the implication that he will sell out this great nation to the Middle East is, in my opinion, not just unreasonable but downright ludicrous and should not be a part of this election.

Sam, I'm with you -- I read all viewpoints and try to keep my mind open enough to learn. Heck, I even change my mind at times.