George W. Bush, Jesus and Me

By MICHAEL SCHENKLER

Jesus Christ!

Now, that is not meant with any disrespect or mockery.

However, the reaction to last week’s column about Governor George W. Bush declaring "Jesus Day" in Texas, has not stopped. It has certainly been the most provocative issue causing the greatest volume of response since we’ve been writing.

The first response (perhaps to our online publication Wednesday night or to the barage of email criticism), was by the Governor ofthe State of Texas. Just hours after we were online protesting George W. Bush’s declaration of "Jesus Day" in Texas, they took the page off the Internet.

That’s right. We yelled, "separation of church and state" and poof, the political problem dissappeared.

Miraculously, The State of Texas Proclaimation calendar now begins after June 10 – the date George W. proclaimed as "Jesus Day." The website which last week proudly proclaimed "Jesus Day," now makes no mention of the questionable act or day.

Since readers online and on paper were unable to locate the Proclamation page, I have received requests for an email file of the Jesus Day Proclamation.

I’ve arranged with the Trib Webhoohah to post it. To view and print George W’s fine work click here.

And while the State of Texas was busy hiding the political faux pas of the man who would be president, other media including the NYTimes, spoke out, while our readers were busy emailing us with a variety of reactions to our column:

TEXAS TALK: I am appalled at this. I am in Texas and I didn’t even hear about it! What if he becomes president? This is a mockery of everything that America stands for. Why won’t anyone stand up to ignorance? — Amanda Feldman

BUFFALO BEAT: Thanks. I think we will pursue this for one of our weekly anti-GW rants. We also may proclaim tomorrow "Satan Day" in Buffalo.
— Brett Essler, Managing Editor, Buffalo Beat

GOD SAVE US: Most you are the ones who always ask for tolerance for your cause, but never let others be tolerant with their beliefs. You are talking about rights matters, how about the Gay Pride right, the feminist rights, etc. that ok for you but when somebody talk about catholics religious rights that you call a bigot. If Bush declares a "Jesus Day " nobody has to be offended because Jesus represent to us a christinians so much. Maybe you are one the gentiles who asked to remove IN GOD WE TRUTH from the American coins and bills. God save us from people like you. — FISAJA

EXEMPLARY: An exemplary column – I have sent it to my friends all over the USA. I really thought about voting for Nader, but after this I know I have to vote for Gore (although he does not thrill me either – and I was his Queens coordinator in 88), A very important column that Jewish people, as well as others not Christian, should be made aware of. Congratulations on a job well done. — Marsha Livson

ZEALOT DAY: Loved the column- I think we should send it to the UJA, B’nai B’rith Anti Defamation League and the ACLU, ( who hopefully are already drawing up the papers for the Court challenge). However, in the interim, I propose an e-mail barrage directed towards the good George W. with suggestions on how he and fellow Texans can observe Jesus Day. Some suggestions follow:

1. He can commute all death row inmates’ terms to life, and suspend any future executions by the State of Texas. Presumably "thou shalt not kill" applies to the Texas legislature and the governor.

2. He can change his party’s stated position on a new defense initiative, and increased arms spending. After all, were we not exhorted to "beat our swords into plowshares"? This would seem to indicate increased funding for the beleagured American family farmer, rather than a new Stars Wars program.

3. He can follow precedent and wash the feet of some lepers or homeless persons on that day.

4. He can clarify the declaration for the public. Is this a paid holiday for civil service employees in Texas? Will prodigal sons who owe the State tax or revenue monies be forgiven on that date and have their debts wiped clean? Is this a festive day, a day of mourning, or simply a day of commerce such as the President’s birthday sales. Frankly, I think the marketing potential is enormous for restaurants, theaters, etc... "Bring your twelve "apostles", and you eat free".... "First ten patrons wearing a crown of thorns are admitted free".... Will actors dressed as Jesus be allowed to hawk big screen T.V.s or automobiles "with prices so low, it will nail you to a cross!"

Seriously, the fact that this type of nonsense still goes on is both disturbing and frightening. However, I would like to propose that November 7, 2000 be designated as " Stupid, Rich, Religous Zealot Day". Observance would be simple. You go into your voting booth and pull the lever for the Democratic candidate.

Do I sense grass roots support here? — Howard Krebs

GIVE ME A BREAK: Are there any human beings out there who are aware of the audacity of this?

While watching the Republic an convention and listening to George W.'s speech (which incidentally was terrific) something came to my mind. I always enjoy when the various points are brought out of what the candidate promises to do the spectators applaud.

Well, on Thursday night I have heard an applause commensurate with a gauge on the Richter level as a 10 for the "unborn child" Isn't it a shame that everyone is so concerned about the unborn child that they fail to see how we are treating the living – our own neighbor and the man on the street.

Button of the Week

Another thing the candidates talk about
is giving our children education –Not na na na na na my party's better than your party, and hanging out everyone's dirty laundry – Education isn't only learning how to read and write it is learning how
to be a person with good character.
— Deborah Klein

GOOD JOB: I wanted to print this Proclamation out from the original
Web Page; unfortunately, the page has
gone missing. I wonder why it was removed from the Web site. Good job on both your part and that of your Uncle Nat. I wish there were some way of truly broadly disseminating this Proclamation!" What ever happened to the separation of Church and State? Thank you for bringing this monstrous item to our attention. I would be grateful if you would tell us when the glorious state of Texas is going to be celebrating Buddha Day, Vishnu Day, Thor Day, Confucius Day, Lao Tze Day, and Mohammed Day. — Peter Gosslet

34th Assemby District Filing Update

Two weeks ago we compared the size of the campaign warchests of State Legislative Primary candidates (including the 34th Assembly District) based on the information which we believed was accurate according to the NYS Board of Elections website.

Ramon Ramirez, Genaro Herrera’s campaign manger emailed us: "I just visited the NYS Board of Elections Website. You will not believe me but Herrera’s report for July 2000 was online. Now it is not. I will be contacting the Board right now. They should put it back on. Please, verify what I have told you with them. It is true."

I responded: "Nothing surprises me in the world of cyberspace or the Board of Elections."

He followed up shortly with: Since our last e-mail, we contacted the NYS Campaign Finance to make them aware of the fact that Mr. Herrera’s report had been on the ‘net and then disappeared. As you will notice this error has been corrected by Campaign Finance. We thank you for correcting this error as soon as possible. -Ramon Ramirez

P.S. As you will notice if you go into Mr. Salgado’s [one of his opponents] financial report, his report is yet to be posted!

As of this writing the Bd. Website shows: Ivan Lafayette with $28,017.23; William Salgado has not filed timely, his January report has a balance of $209.24 and Genaro Herrera’s filing is current showing a balance of $11,537 after loans he made to the committee totaling $15,000.

We repeat our now-old verse, "Incumbent Always Win."

————————————

Michael Schenkler can be reached at: MSchenkler@queenspress.com