Dubya no go for anti-gun nature lover
by Carlos Raigosa, editor-in-chief

     I’d like to keep the environment as clean as possible, pay for my college and keep the ultra-conservative zealots out of power. My best way to do this? Vote for democratic presidential candidate Al Gore.
     I don’t want to have the hand puppet of the National Rifle Association, Gov. George W. Bush, keeping his “liberal-conservative” stance on gun laws. Why should we have a concealed weapon law?
     Our twice-elected governor has done some outlandish things such as extending the right to carry weapons inside churches, hospitals and amusement parks by signing a ’97 bill. Who benefits from doing this? We have police; there’s no need to begin policing ourselves. Let them do their job.
     Some might ask, “What if it is necessary to carry a gun for protection.” My answer: don’t put yourself in a position or place to be subjected to violent acts.
     Bush wants to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to “become less dependent on foreign crude,” but he claims that he’s for protecting the environment. Other contradictions include his objection to a bill proposing the protection of 40 million acres in roadless areas of national forests, supporting more logging and road construction instead.
     Gore proposed a ban on logging and road building in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the nation’s largest, and says he would “preserve these roadless areas as they are: no ifs, ands or buts about it.”
     Bush, with a past in the oil business, has dealt with our state’s mounting air pollution problem by asking oil companies to agree to voluntary controls.
     One of the sticky subjects is the Roe v. Wade ruling. Bush has the chance to choose up to three new Supreme Court Justices. He dodged and smooth talked—if you can picture his being a smooth talker—his way around the issue during the debates. But, it is believed he will push a backward-looking agenda and try to overturn the ruling. I don’t endorse abortion, but, luckily, I have not had to face that situation. But I don’t criticize women on their choices—after all it is their body.
     So Tuesday, when you cast your ballot, know your candidate’s stances. Don’t vote blindly; look at past and proposed acts by the candidates.