CITY OF ANGELS DEMO, BUSH, GORE, JOE AND THE NINE FOLKS IN
BLACK ROBES
To vote or not vote? To back Gore, or someone else? And what about the
Supreme Court?
On Monday, August 14, American Atheists heads to Los Angeles, Ca. to
protest at the Democratic National
Convention.
This is the second leg of the “Defending the Wall at Convention 2000”
protest, which last month demonstrated in Philadelphia outside of the GOP
Convention and coronation for George W. Bush. American Atheists is not
speaking out for or against partisan candidates,
but rather about
issues:
“charitable choice,” vouchers, “faith-based
partnerships” which use public money to support sectarian social programs,
and the fact that candidates in both major parties are increasingly using
religion -- and religion-friendly legislation -- as a
credential
for public office. Indeed, election 2000 is besotted with the
pandering to religious voting blocks, frantic efforts of the two major
parties to out-do each other in promoting sectarian belief as a legitimate
activity of the State, and schemes to obliterate or circumvent the wall of
separation between government and religion.
With just days to go until the Democratic Convention protest, we feature a
lively volley of opinions about whether Atheists and separationists should
support Al Gore, and whether perhaps the Los Angeles demonstration should
take place. Don't worry, American Atheists will be there -- and hopefully,
you will be there as well. We include an exchange of viewpoints
between Conrad Goeringer and Eddie Tabash, who in an “open
letter” to us makes excellent points concerning the important fact that the
next President of the United States will likely determine the political
complexion of the Supreme Court, and the fate of state-church separation in
America for some time to come. Conrad Goeringer responds with the latest ON
TARGET column, agreeing with Mr. Tabash on the essentials, but suggesting
that Atheists and separationists still need to speak out on the picket line
and through other forums.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in our new Message Board forum,
(look for the Activism forum)
and post your remarks for others to read.
You can get background on some of the political issues involved by visiting
the FLASHLINE section of
our web site. This includes recent
analyses of the GOP convention, and Al Gore's pick of Sen. Joseph Lieberman
as his vice presidential running mate.
Whether you made it to the Philly demonstration or not, visit the New
Jersey AA State Director's page for photos of that small
but exciting protest. (We'll have photos next week of the Los Angeles action
as well.)
And to participate in the Monday, August 14 American Atheists
demonstration at the Los Angeles convention, visit our “Defending the Wall At
Convention 2000” page.
Copyright
© 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 by American Atheists.