LETTERS

Elect Kerry President .

Kerry And Equal Rights

With less than one week to the election,
I am becoming more and more dis-
traught about the articles and letters in
tile Jewish News defending.the re-elec-
tion of President George W Bush.
The issues of greatest concern to me
both as an American and as a Jewish
woman have to do with:
• the selection of judges, particularly
to the Supreme Court,
• statements in newspapers and on
radio and TV that advocate for presi-
dent but blatantly state that this is a
Christian nation and was so constituted
at its inception,
• the health plan in President Bush's
agenda that will include religious tenets
and policies not consistent with Jewish
beliefs,
• and the pending expansion of the
Patriot Act, which calls for broader sur-
veillance powers and threaten civil
rights.
I have no doubt that Sen. John F.
Kerry, who has displayed continual sup-
port for Israel in Congress, will continue
to bring that same support as president
and will be sensitive to those issues in
this country which affect us as Jews.
Lillian Bernstein

Many believe that President George
W. Bush has been a strong supporter of
Israel and intend to vote to re-elect him
primarily for that reason. I too, want a
president who will stand by and with
Israel.
As a mother and woman, I also want
a president who respects my right to
choose what is best for my own body,
who will not attempt to dismantle the
separation between church and state and
who will not try to amend the constitu-
tion to discriminate against (versus
strengthen) citizens rights.
As a mother and woman, I want to
tell my children that I will vote for a
president who truly believes in equal
rights for all. I will vote for Sen. John F.
Kerry.
Patti Aaron

Detroit

Bush's Record Strong

We can debate many issues on one side
or the other, but don't slam President
George W. Bush by saying Sen. John E
Kerry would be better just because he
says so or he happens to have a Jewish
relative in his family.
President Bush has a record. He refus-
es to force Israel to negotiate with
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat because
Arafat is a terrorist.
Could it be possible that a Republican
president who has put his reputation
and political future on the line by taking
unpopular stances like going to war in
Iraq and siding convincingly with Israel
just might be worthy or your vote?
President Bush has and will continue
to help Israel defeat its enemies. This is a
war against Islamic fanatics around the
world, period. Don't buy Kerry's line
that our country's war is just with
Osama bin Laden. And if we as a world
don't take on these terror-mongers now,
when should we?
A man with a record can stand for
something. In this case, it is President
Bush and his unwavering support of the
State of Israel.
Gordy Leff

Farmington Hills

10/29
2004

10

West Bloomfield

Knollenberg Is Best

There is no better friend to Israel than
U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-
Bloomfield Hills.
Throughout his years in Congress, he
has recognized Israel's right to defend
itself against terrorists and is a strong
supporter of the West Bank security
fence.
Knollenberg has secured hundreds of
millions for Israel for refugee settlement
allowing Jews who face anti-Semitism in
other nations to settle in Israel. Many
lives have been saved because of his
good work in this area.
In addition, his friendship with the
local Jewish community is equally
impressive. He has consistently secured
federal funds for local Jewish agencies
that help the disadvantaged, including
JARC, which is very well known in our
community. He is a chairman on the
Appropriations Committee, which is a
powerful position that he has used to
the benefit of our community both
locally and internationally.
Congressman Knollenberg has earned
my support and the support of our
entire community.
Alexandra Shaye

Birmingham

Reifman For Washington

I am writing to support Steve Reifman
for Congress in the Ninth District. We
really need change in Washington, and
Steve is the kind of person who can
make things happen. Our country is
headed on the wrong track, both here at
home and abroad.

have known Steve Kaplan for nearly two
decades.
He is a premier prosecuting attorney
in the metro area, having served for 18
years in Macomb County. He is
assigned the most difficult cases as a
tribute to his skills and abilities. He is a
great scholar, having published close to
50 professional journal articles and hav-
ing served two universities over many
years as a professor of law.
He is a family person who has served
as Michigan president of B'nai B'rith
Men and in important positions with
Mothers Against Drunk Driving and
HAVEN. He was awarded the Phil Hart
award and has been a community guest
speaker in 250 programs and classes.
Early in his career, Kaplan worked
with three respected judges. He served
eight years on the Southfield school
Farmington Hills board, including two years as president.
Currently, Kaplan is completing a four-
year term on the West Bloomfield Board
A Vote For Schwartz
of Trustees.
I encourage the voters of the 48th
Though I'm a loyal conservative
District
to choose Steve Kaplan as dis-
Republican, I am proud to support
Michael Schwartz for state representative trict judge.
Harvey Bronstein
in the 39th District (which includes
Southfield
West Bloomfield and Commerce
Township).
I have known Michael for many years
Barron For Judge
as a treasured friend, advisor, mentor
and confidant. He is not your typical
As a judge, I'm often asked my opinion
Democrat. He wants government out of
in judicial elections. Usually, I don't have
our lives and supports spending cuts
strong feelings about the many candi-
and lower taxes. But it's not mere lip
dates. But I support Marc Barron
service. Michael's first item of business,
enthusiastically for the 48th District
when he is elected, is repealing the prop-
court.
.
erty tax shift, which is a tax increase.
I first knew Marc as a prosecutor in
Michael is an active member of our
my court. He was (and is) bright, seri-
community and a strong supporter of
ous about his job and very good at it.
Israel, an issue that does, in fact, come
I got to know his other side at events
to play in the state Legislature.
in the community. I found we share the
As a prosecutor, chief of the Michigan
same commitment to our Jewish com-
Attorney Grievance Commission and
munity and to the wider community.
successful attorney, Michael has always
Marc is running for all the right rea-
demonstrated the utmost in ethics; car-
sons, not to cap a legal career with a title
ing, diligence and brilliance. As a West
or gain the gratification a politician feels
Bloomfield trustee, Michael developed a
from winning or to "retire to the
proud legacy: a protected environment,
bench." For Marc, becoming a judge is
nature preserves and walking paths.
about tikkun olam — making the world
Michael will make a great representa-
a better place, one case at a time.
tive. Urge everyone to vote for him
The time and energy Marc and his
without hesitation.
family have devoted to this campaign
Debbie Schlussel
and our community demonstrate the
Southfield
dedication he will bring to the bench.
I am proud to join Democrats, led by
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Republicans,
Kaplan For Judge
led by County Executive L. Brooks
The voters of the 48th District Court
Patterson, and the presidents of the
(Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills,
Oakland and Michigan District Judges
Bloomfield Township, Keego Harbor,
Associations in urging our community
Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, West
to choose the best for the bench —
Bloomfield) have an opportunity to
Marc Barron.
elect a man of enormous integrity and
Hon. Susan Moiseev
good judgment as their new judge. I
judge, 46th District Court

We need leadership that will work to
turn things around. Steve is concerned
about our region and wants it to work
better. He understands the terrorist
threat, but also knows that we can't go it
alone in the world. In Congress, Steve
will protect and he is a good friend to .
Israel.
Congressman Joe Knollenberg has
had his time in Washington. When he
was first elected, he said he would only
serve a couple of terms. Then he signed
the Contract With America and pledged
to support a law to limit terms in
Congress to six. Now he is running for
his seventh term. I say enough is
enough.
If Congressman Knollenberg won't do
what he said he would do, he should be
retired by the voters on Nov. 2.
Janis Warren

Southfield

