Bush thumbing nose at American people

This week George Bush thumbed his nose at the majority of the American people, a majority that supports embryonic stem cell research. This is consistent with the way he has governed and shows his willingness to impose his spiritual and religious beliefs on the bulk of Americans who may not share them.

It is this same attitude that has pervaded the debate over evolution, homosexuality, and many other issues where science has staked out solid ground only to have it undermined by a point of view that feels threatened by scientific inquiry.

This rigid mind set, my way or the highway, has created the chasm dividing left and right, Democrat and Republican. It is also this attitude that has subverted a most effective governing principle of providing the greatest good for the greatest number.

If I could inject my religious perspective for just a moment I would remind people that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, not on an elephant, but on a donkey.

BOB WYNHAUSEN

Sandpoint