Hi Nerd,

You say, "For example, did you know that, according to his wife, he has violent nightmares in which he pounds on the walls until she thinks he will break the house down? That's what she told Rolling Stone. And when papers asked if he was still having these dreams, he lied and said no. Heinz Kerry corrected him, "and mimicked him having a flashback. 'Down, down, down!' she screamed." (The Guardian)

do you think the American people will relish having someone who has actual flashbacks and thinks he's in a war? How about if they're accompanied by violent behavior?"

There's a large difference between having dreams and thinking he's in a war. Actually, this could be a good thing in that Kerry really knows what war is about. I'd rather have someone who really knows something about the horror of war leading the country than someone who votes for the bombing of Afghanistan or the Gulf War.   Us leftist pacifists are out there. We are not knee-jerk as stated but have come to these conclusions through much soul searching and paying dues.

I get the feeling that Deaniacs are in attack mode and are unwilling to listen to other opinions. While I like some things that Dean says, I think the Deaniacs are mischaracterizing this campaign by a kind of knee-jerk follow-the leader themselves.

I'll make my position clear. I believe Dennis Kucinich articulates my political beliefs better than anyone running but doesn't have a chance to be president. I don't believe Dean can take on Bush on the issues of security. Frankly, I think the issue of security is another red-herring and I don't think it's the kind of thing the country should be concentrating on because real security is understanding why 911 happened in the first place, not a knee-jerk military response.

I think that all of the negative criticsm of Kerry will be used by the Republicans at the next election. Instead of slamming other candidates, why don't the Dean people concentrate on the issues?

I don't agree with Kerry on every issue but I believe it will be a thoughtful and un-angry approach that will ineveitably appeal to the American voters. It's a matter of style. I realize that this is open to interpretation. Some see Dean this way and others Kerry.

But I will say this, the more Deaniacs slam Kerry, the more I believe he will win.

Frank