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Editorial There are many reasons why we cannot and do not support Democrat John Kerry for President, and those reasons go back decades. John Kerry testified before Congress after serving in Vietnam. At best, his descriptions of events there, and the conduct of his fellow soldiers, were half truths designed to bolster a potential political career, and at worst downright lies laid down in the midst of America’s political discord for personal gain. The results were clear, however. He dishonored those with whom he served, and became part of a shameful legacy of defaming loyal and decent veterans, a legacy that hurts and haunts many of them to this day. He brazenly, and in our opinion unlawfully, assumed the role of negotiator between the North and South Vietnamese, a move that many Vietnam POWs to this day maintain emboldened their captors and caused them more pain and suffering. Were those his only dark moments, we could attribute it to youthful indiscretions. But Kerry’s performance throughout the next 30-plus years has shown he has not moved very far from the John Kerry who testified on behalf of the Winter Soldiers. All of that has been followed by a lackluster career in Congress, and a political view that has been shown to be wrong, time and time again. He opposed the United States policy on the USSR during the Reagan administration—a policy that remarkably ended the Cold War, and he voted against the Gulf War. His Congressional record shows he has never voted for funding for the military, nor for supporting any advancement of America’s military superiority and security. Kerry’s obvious disdain for the military is disappointing, but acceptable in Congress, where they become part of a great dialogue and, as history has thankfully shown, overridden by broader minds and stronger views. The problem now, is that he’s asking to become Commander in Chief. It has become obvious during this campaign that the John Kerry who appeared before Congress 30 years ago is the same John Kerry who is campaigning for President today. What he believes is what he believes will serve his best political interests. He’s indecisive, wavering and has a mercurial view of the world scene. He’s just plain dangerous for America. We support President George Bush for reelection because he is not John Kerry, but more important because he is a leader who gets it. His strength and his unwavering commitment to the security of the American people is the first step to securing world peace, and he has made us confident that America’s future is safest in his hands. We don’t agree with the Bush administration on all of its policies. It is weak on environmental issues, and there is still a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to secure our borders. He’s also not been specific enough with his plans for illegal immigrants, social security and health care. But America is facing critical times. At stake is our security, our nation and our way of life. That, in our opinion, makes all other issues pale in comparison. That’s why we endorse President George W. Bush for reelection. Following are our other endorsements on the national and state levels. We encourage you to consider them, but more important to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 2. Congress •2nd District: Congressman Steve Israel, a Democrat, faces opposition from an enthusiastic but inexperienced candidate, Richard Hoffmann, a Republican who currently serves on the Huntington Town Board. Israel, a moderate Democrat, has worked hard to represent his district and to deal with the difficult issues in Washington. He’s just the kind of Democrat we need in Congress: one who will listen, consider and act in the best interests of his district, and his country, setting aside partisanship. We give a warm endorsement to Cong. Steve Israel for reelection. •3rd District: Congressman Peter King is a dynamic and influential representative, and strong supporter of President George Bush. His knowledge and expertise in international relations is vital at this time in our history, and his influence in Washington serves his constituents well. His opponent, Blaire Mathies has taken up the job of campaigning against a powerful incumbent, selling his family’s boat to finance the political trip. He deserves credit for being out there, and for making the sacrifices needed to give voters a choice. Our endorsement goes to Cong. Pete King, but we give Mathies an A for effort. New York State Senate •8th District: We first met Senator Charles Fuschillo in a small restaurant during his first campaign for the New York Senate. At that time, he was working for a non-profit group, but it was obvious from the outset that his heart was in public service. Fuschillo went on to win that campaign, as well as several others, and is again seeking reelection November 2. During that time his enthusiasm for working for the people has not waned, and he continues to provide quality representation for his district. He reaches out whenever he believes there is a need, and is proactive on many issues that face his district, whether it is getting a check to a veterans organization that is struggling, or to monitor the construction in a school district. Sen. Charles Fuschillo has earned reelection and our endorsement in 2004. •4th District: Senator Owen Johnson faces no opposition, largely due to the fact that during his long and distinguished political career he has learned to put people before politics. His work in the Senate has helped to improve and protect our fragile Long Island environment and secure the future of our fishing and clamming industry. He’s influential in Albany which translates into being able to get things done for his district, and his record of constituent service at home remains outstanding. New York State Assembly •11th District: Assemblyman Robert Sweeney, the other half of Babylon’s dynamic duo in Albany, is also a public official who can put political affiliations aside to do what is right for the people he serves. It is hard to imagine having a better representative in the Assembly than Bob Sweeney and we give him a warm endorsement for reelection. •8th District: The Beacon also endorses Assemblyman Tom Barraga, a hard working public official who is opposed by Bridget Middleton, a Democrat. Middleton is a warm, pleasant woman with some good ideas. Barraga’s experience and his record just make him the better candidate for the district. •9th District: Andrew Raia, a Republican, is seeking his second term in the Assembly. He has worked hard, and despite being in the Assembly’s minority, Raia represents the political diversity needed to break the strong hold Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver maintains, often to the detriment of Long Islanders. A strong showing for Raia will send him back to Albany with more clout. We hope that happens. We endorse Assemblyman Andrew Raia His opponent, meanwhile is a candidate in name only who, despite accepting the nomination, has refused to campaign. She doesn’t deserve your vote. Of Note: Our only disappointment over the past two years with the incumbents we support in Albany has been their obvious silence over the issue of Republic Airport. We need our local state officials to take a more active and vocal stance on the issues of noise abatement, expansion and completion of Republic Airport’s master plan. We need to understand what the state’s overall plan is for this airport, and to have our officials infiltrate the highest levels of state government, which seem to be paving the way for changes there without the knowledge of and input from the local government and communities.
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