Smoke and Mirrors of Religious Attacks

During this campaign season, religious attacks of all sorts have come into play with the selection of new city council members.

Councilman Day, running for re-election in district 6, has repeatedly blasted his opponent, Tom Clark for being an atheist. Clark and his supporters maintain that criticisms of religious beliefs have no place in city politics. Mr. Clark has been a dedicated community volunteer and has shown great kindness to residents, without concern for their beliefs.

Lame duck councilman Paul Asfour has berated district 1 candidate Leelo-Dianne Bush for her religious education and of latest, for having the courage to take a stand on character issues and good judgement. Asfour claims that Bush is acting in an un-Christian-like way by pointing out that good character and good judgement are the essence of good leadership.

These attacks arose after candidate Jim Jeffers' November 1st arrest was revealed. When Jeffers was charged recently by the Florida State Attorney's office for a second degree misdemeanor in falsifying an indigence claim, Asfour upped the attacks, accepting a position as Jeffers attorney so that he could further attack Leelo Bush and her campaign with false accusations, which he has continued to levy against her in newspapers and on a Fox-TV news report. This same report depicted a scowling, angry candidate Jeffers trying to escape and hide from TV cameras, while muttering his declaration of innocence. STRANGE behavior for someone who claims to be innocent of charges.

Christians are not called to be doormats to the abusive rhetoric of political tyrany. I am proud of Leelo Bush, for calmly standing on her principles. The bible calls on Christians to stand up for truth and their faith, and that is exactly what Leelo is doing.

"If anyone is looking for me to cover up the wrong-doing of others, they've got the wrong person for that," Leelo Bush said. "I hope the voters see who truly will stand for truth, justice and fairness."

For reference, Jesus, during his "Sermon on the Mount" said "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great..." Matthew 5:10-12, NASB.

It is clear to me Leelo Bush is holding her own in this campaign and that angers desperate Jeffers' supporters. It is also clear by who is standing up for Jeffers, that he is ALREADY beholden to special interests.
Bear