and champion of our basic rights. Without him we would be a more backward country today - and perhaps have more internal violence. He showed the way for whites as well as blacks towards a society of equality and nonviolence. We are still having trouble following his leadership - but at least we know the way.

Take a moment today to look out across the landscape and reflect on his courage, his ability to verbalize the feelings of blacks and how our federal government demonized him and probably killed him. Think about George Bush's claim that there is freedom of speech in America. Perhaps there is if you don't actually have any influence. But if your speech does influence people then look out. MLK deserves his holiday.
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I'm getting email about my choice of presidential candidate links in the right-hand column from supporters of candidates who want me backing their boy. I'm in favor of any progressive candidate who can defeat Bush and bring us back towards our American values of freedom and fairness.

I'm also against those who voted Bush a blank check to wage war in Iraq. Gephardt wrote the resolution when he thought that was the way to the presidency. Kerry fully supported the war and now says Bush was at fault for running the war poorly. Gephardt has little integrity and Kerry is too naive to beat Bush and the Republicans. They both wander all over the political landscape looking for where the people are thinking.

Dean, Kucinich and Clark stick by their basic principles. They have shown the ability to lead and not just follow the polls. Dean and Kucinich were the first to speak out against the war - with Kucinich leading the debate in Congress against the war act - while Kerry and Gephardt led the democrats who voted for the war. Kerry and Gephardt have no place on this website.

The Democratic Party machine is going nuts trying to smear these three true leaders because if any one of them wins the nomination then the party will lose power. The Democratic Party is not so concerned with American values as it is with its own power. Same as the Republicans. True conservatives are revolted by Bush's oppressive acts and deficit spending. We need a team who can bridge this gap. I think that combination is Dean with a running mate of Clark or Edwards.