I think Gov. Bush's action with Karla Faye Tucker is going to come back to haunt him here in SC. Lot of religious church people are still stinging. From the National Review Magazine.................." According to recent reports, George W. Bush does a mean impression of Dr. Evil, the campy villain from the Austin Powers movies. Now it turns out that Bush can do a (not so) nice Karla Faye Tucker, too. Last year, Texas executed Tucker, a double murderer who became a Christian on death row and whose pleas for clemency gained national attention. Bush apparently hasn't yet forgiven her for the resulting bad PR. In discussing the case with reporter Tucker Carlson for Talk magazine, Bush mimics the late Karla Faye begging for mercy: "'Please,' Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, 'don't kill me.'" Bush makes much of his own religious conversion, but apparently Christian mercy doesn't keep him from holding a grudge against a woman whose death warrant he signed. More of this, and people may stop believing Bush's impression of a compassionate conservative. " The Pope, Billy Graham, Schuller, and others pleaded but politics played out. Ten days later, Feb 13, 1998, Gov. Bush commuted a death sentence for a child molester killer. Again politics. People remember.

-- don (don@aol.com), February 18, 2000

Answers

Although I'm no big fan of George Bush, John McCain is far more likely to seek further government violation of our 2nd Amendment right to own firearms, a right that is the only real guarantee of our other rights. If I lived in SC I would vote for Bush, without enthusiasm perhaps, but to protect my right to own a gun.

-- e. presley (elvis@graceland.com), February 18, 2000.

I've always voted Republican but I will vote for Al Gore rather than John "the mouth" McCain if McCain wins. Furthermore, if Karla Faye Tucker committed those murders, she must face the music. It's not for us, or Gov. Bush for that matter to forgive. It's in God's hands. I find it somewhat disturbing that just because a person claims to be a Christian that they should be let off. That is totally rediculous. I suffered with the GOP through the last two elections having to listen to the likes of Gary Bauer and Pat Buchanan. It seems as if the only real issue to these people is abortion and gun control. The only GOP candidate that I see as having a real chance of winning is George Bush. The other candidates have nothing else to offer. Think about it!

-- jq public (jqpublic@usa.com), February 18, 2000.

I feel that the ability to recite the Constitution might be a helpful skill required of a President. Honesty scores points with me too. I'm voting for the only candidate able to form complete sentences...you know, the black guy?

-sheeple are about to be shorn again-

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), February 18, 2000.

Don, I doubt the authenticity of Bush mimicing Tucker. Not to mention that you have some other FACTS wrong. In Texas, the governor CANNOT commute/pardon any sentance/criminal UNLESS THE REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDS IT. Also, in the case of Karla Faye Tucker SHE NEVER REQUESTED a commute/pardon. OTHERS asked for it. SHE WANTED TO PAY THE PRICE, knowing that she was right with God before she would die.

As for the commuting of a death sentance for a child molester/killer, again THE REVIEW BOARD must have recommended it.

People may remember, but it is up to us to make sure they remember the FACTS, not what the media wants them to "remember".

A Native Texan, Just Curious

-- Just Curious (jnmpow@flash.net), February 18, 2000.

(pardon me)

This Superbowl mentality that has destroyed our elections with talk of, "longshots, safe bets, offense, defense, game plan, coaching, tactics, sure winner, scoreboard (polls), yardage gained, yardage lost, two minute warning, previous stats" .......might I suggest candidates begin to wear team colors? The only problem with that idea would be that Keyes would be in red, white and blue while McCain, Bush, Gore and Bradley were wearing UN blue and white. He'd be singled out as being 'different' once again. Crack open another one Joe Six-pack and wave that little UN flag! Cheer out loudly, "world bank, world trade, world gov must be made". Do the wave.......

-a**holes-

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), February 18, 2000.

Will,

If it will help Keyes get elected, I will start sewing my red, white and blue cheerleading uniform, RIGHT NOW. What do you think, a big K emblem, or do you think I should shell out for the whole K-E-Y-E-S? Let me know.

Sadly, I doubt even sharp uniforms will help him get elected.

-- Just Curious (jnmpow@flash.net), February 18, 2000.

Re: Just Curious' comments. I may really be wrong, but I was under the distinct impression that Karla requested a pardon. I saw her on Larry King a couple of years ago. Not disputing the facts with JC, just wondering if someone cared to prove or disprove his/her statement. I don't doubt her conversion, though I could never prove it. Just look at the people Jesus saved and those he condemned.

-- canthappen (n@ysayer.com), February 18, 2000.

canthappen, I'm pretty sure it was her supporters that asked for a pardon. Anyone can go to the captial and hold a press conference to ask for a pardon for a prisoner. From all the news stories here at the time it was others on her behalf ie. her family, the Pope, Billy Graham etc. SHE was prepared to pay for her crimes.

If someone finds on record that she asked it still does not change the facts. She was prepared to pay the price, heard her say that myself. The review board, not the governor, recommends when someone should/ shouldn't be pardoned.

-- Just Curious (jnmpow@flash.net), February 18, 2000.

Maybe we should go door to door and offer people a choice between a KEYES yard sign or a UN flag. The volume of blank stares into space (stupid?) would eventually break me down and I might impale myself upon the flag, after stabbing it into their lawn (along side their pink flamingo)!

-help-

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), February 18, 2000.

---I think that the media is right now ignoring keyes, and pumping up mc cain. I also think that the pumping up of mc cain is to insure an albored "victory". They must have something really juicy on mc cain to spring on the electorate AFTER he gets the repub nomination, something that will make albored really look like the lesser of the two traditional "evils". Wonder what this interesting bit of a shocker will be, if mc cain gets the repub nod.

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), February 18, 2000.