MichaelMoore.com

"Why would they (the Bush Administration) follow through on anything they tell the people?"

From: Sheri

Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:16 PM

Subject: My feelings as a soldier's wife....

Dear Mr. Moore,

There are so many things I would like to tell you. I have watched Bowling for Columbine, and last night I went and saw Fahrenheit 9/11. I grew up in Ft. Collins, Colorado. I remember the day of the Columbine massacre, and your movie truly touched me. But more than just the aspect of Columbine, your movie educated me. Ft. Collins is much like Littleton. As a matter of fact, my high school had a big rivalry with the Rebels. I don't think that Marilyn Manson or video games had anything to do with what happened in Littleton that day. Coming from experience, it is very easy to think that high school is the end all, be all of humanity. I was on the other end. I was the person that looked at the kids in the black clothes and makeup and worried about my safety. I, like many of my friends, considered them freaks and kept my distance. I think that is what brought on Columbine. The class system. The "Trenchcoat Mafia" were basically shunned. The more they were shunned, the more they wanted to rebel against the so-called normal kids. It was a cycle that eventually caused Dylan and Erik to hate the normal kids so much that killing them seemed like the best idea. The ultimate revenge. I think that tolerance is something that desperately needs to be taught to children. Tolerance for the people who aren't like you. I think that would help to prevent these kind of acts in the future.

A year ago, I married a soldier in the Army. It was the best day of my life, until I discovered that I only had one month to share with him before he was sent to Afghanistan. He left in October and was supposed to return in April of this year. Of course that did not happen. Why would they (the Bush Administration) follow through on anything they tell the people? It is nine months later, and he will be home in a month. They were thinking about keeping him over there until October, making his deployment a full year. I was thrilled to find out that he was coming home this month. Until I realized why they are sending him home this month. The reason is this: If they kept him there for a year, it would be a whopping six months beforethey could send him off again. However, if they bring him home now, they only have to keep him home for three months. Basically, they are sending him home so they can ship him off to Iraq for a year.

I'm so angry. I don't understand why the administration feels like we need to be over there to begin with. What I really don't understand is why it is necessary to give them only three months before they send them off again.That will give me about four months with my husband out of two years of marriage. I can tell you that any sort of morale that my husband (or his company, for that matter) had is now absolutely gone. Their faith in the system is gone. And I can tell you that any sort of respect I had for dear President Bush is gone as well. I'm furious that he felt the need to take over his daddy's war when he has no business being involved. I love our country, and I love our soldiers. And I love more than anything my soldier. I have nothing but the highest respect for everyone over there. Because THEY are keeping things from falling apart. Not Bush. I didn't vote in the last election. But you can count on my vote for John Kerry this November.Now, we all know that when Bush is running for office, votes really are irrelevant. Nevertheless, Kerry has my vote. The way I see it, ANYONE can do things more effectively than Bush. He could use the time off anyway, his golf game sucks.

I understand that you may not have the time to read this, I'm sure that you get huge amounts of letters. I just thought that maybe this might get to you. I don't know why I feel the need to vent to you, I just figured maybe you would understand.

Thanks,

Sheri