ShawneeDispatch.com

To the editor:

Regarding Don Kellogg's letter of July 16:

As a mother of a son with Down's Syndrome, I believe in the sanctity of all human life. Mention of my personal IQ was in reply to Mr. Otto Rieke's letter (Dispatch, July 2) that "It's about IQ, stupid." On the contrary, I do not believe IQ makes the difference as to one's ability or not to serve as a leader of our country. I merely mentioned my IQ to "prove" to Mr. Rieke that, according to his stated parameters, I am "worthy" to reply to his letter.

What I do believe is important is what one does with one's God-given talents and gifts.

I, too, am registered as an "independent." I intentionally did not mention for whom I would be voting.

Mr. Kellogg requested specifics as to Barack Obama's voting record that I referenced. Here they are (from Obama's only prior governmental leadership experience, the Illinois State Senate. Do we really want a president with such a lack of any viable governmental leadership experience guiding our country?):

¢ Senate Bill 1095, Born Alive Infant Protection Act. Obama- "no" vote - Senate Judiciary Committee on March 28, 2001.

¢ Senate Bill 1662, Born Alive Infant Protection Act. Obama's "no" vote-Senate Judiciary Committee on March 6, 2002, and Obama "no" vote Illinois Senate floor. April 4, 2002.

¢ Senate Bill 1082, Born Alive Infant Protection Act. Democrats took control of the Illinois Senate in 2002 elections. They sent Born Alive to the infamously liberal Health & Human Services Committee, chaired by Obama. Per the Actions docket, Obama held Born Alive on March 6, 2003, from even being voted on in committee.

Finally, while I appreciate our military's service, those members enlisted voluntarily for duty and are in harm's way as a result. Babies, either born or unborn, do not have that "choice."

Valerie W. Kuhn,

Shawnee