A malevolent odor wafted through DeKalb last Saturday. Even the corn and soybeans of DeKalb’s west edge carry traces of Dick Cheney’s gloomy presence.

Like a virus, this hostile and divisive man invaded our placid Saturday, inserting his patented pathogenic message of fear, terror and weapons of mass distraction into the genome of our community. One could almost hear the minor keys of an organ fugue emanating from the convention hall.

I wasn’t impressed. I protected my homeland: My painted sign read, “DeKalb is Kerry Country” and “Oust Bush.”

The GOP bully didn’t stay long, thank goodness. Help him leave – permanently! Vote for John Kerry – he will keep us safe.

Dawn M. Mueller

Rockford resident