October 19, 2004

Dear Morning Edition,

While I found Juan Williams's interview of John Kerry this morning overall positive I was very dismayed to hear NPR once again harping on that innocent comment Kerry made in the third debate referring to the Cheney's lesbian daughter. Why won't NPR let it drop? Are you working for the Election Campaign of George Bush? The only people who were offended by that comment are the right wing base of the Republican party who are very uncomfortable with even hearing the word "lesbian." They feel oh so much more secure in their world pretending that gays don't exist. How else could they justify supporting blatant discrimination against gays except by pretending they don't exist? This is the second day in a row NPR has suggested with no basis whatsoever that Kerry is slipping in the polls because he mentioned that the Cheney's daughter is gay. That is outrageous! Please stop saying it. It's not true. People in the south are notoriously homophobic and hostile toward gays. I'm sure that Southerners who were already going to support Bush in the election were horrified to hear the word "lesbian." But who cares what they think? They already made up their minds long ago. Most southern states blatantly discriminate against gays. They don't want to hear the word. They are not, however, the entire country. Most people I am sure heard Senator Kerry's words the way I did as a those coming from a man with a deep understanding of what it means to be a minority and deep compassion for those who are a little bit different. His answer sounded heart felt to me. And I for one found his answer so full of compassion and love for other people that I was almost driven to tears. So please stop replaying a tape for the GOP by making unfounded claims that Kerry is falling in his bid for the presidency because he mentioned that Mary Cheney is gay. Everyone already knows she is gay. Lynne Cheney only said she was upset about it because she is ashamed of her gay daughter. It's obvious. So please. Let it drop! No more speculative ads for the GOP; no more references to Kerry mentioning Mary Cheney's sexuality. If the GOP didn't want it brought up they shouldn't have let her come to the GOP convention with her girlfriend. I am sick to death of NPR just repeating what the White House wants it to make news. How about bringing up something important like Bush's lie in the debate that he never said he didn't care about Osama Bin Laden and his false accusation that Kerry was exaggerating??????

Sincerely,


Michelle D. Brodie