I am not now, nor have I ever been, a registered Democrat. Four more years of Bush would be a great disappointment to me, but not enough of a disappointment to make me vote Democratic in the 2004 presidential race, unless by some fluke, Kucinich became the Democratic candidate.

Here is what I think. I think Democrat who insists that Nader's supporters are traitors unless they vote for the Democratic nominee so that Bush won't win, is just plain arrogant, and clueless to boot.

Either the anti-Nader Democrats don't understand that independent voters don't think or vote like registered party voters, or the anti-Nader Democrats think they should have the political power and control over independent voters and candidates, in order to dictate who should be allowed to run, and who independents should all vote for in close elections where it looks like the Democrat's candidate stands a very good chance of losing.

Either way Big Mick, it just makes the Democrats like yourself look like arrogant, controlling bullies who are inherently undemocratic in their tactics. Those sorts of bullying tactics don't work on me, which clearly further enrages you. I know full well that making me bend to your will isn't why you are bullying me. You also don't bully me because of your passionate beliefs in the righteousness of your Demcratic party jihad against Nader.

Nope, I know you better than that Big Mick. You bully me for the same reasons any guy bullies others: because you get applause for it from a certain group of people you want to impress, and because bullying makes you feel so damn good. I know that is what floats your boat, so you just keep trying to bully me.

You won't succeed in intimidating me, shutting me up, or making me change my views. Not in this instance, or any instance.

Have a nice day.