EDITOR'S LETTER

On September 4th, 2001, Ben Cohen, political activist and founder of one of the nation's largest ice cream sellers (Ben 'n' Jerry's), wrote an open letter to the U.S. government via Alternet.org, asking for justification of a $344 billion defense budget. Posted like a want-ad within an article, he wrote:

Serious enemy needed to justify Pentagon budget increase. Defense contractors desperate. Interested enemies send letter and photo or video (threatening, ok) to Enemy Search Committee, Priorities Campaign, 1350 Broadway, NY, NY, 10018.

Oh, ha ha ha, aren't we fabulous. Aren't we derisive. Aren't we naughty, Mr. Ice Cream Man.

Then, seven days later - oops - an enemy appears, devastating a country, alerting an entire nation that the borders of the U.S. are not as secure as we might like. Suddenly, Pentagon budget increases are (more or less) justified, defense contractors are no longer desperate and, more frightening than any challenge our nation has faced in recent history, it seems we have become the target of steadfast, virtually undetectable, maniacal adversaries - like boogiemen, attacking from anywhere, any time. Enter widespread, ridiculous fear and paranoia; enter George W. Bush as, like it or not, "Wartime President."

Which brings us back to the Cohen letter. Strangely timed statement, yes? Especially from a man whose only qualifications as leader and politico are 1) his money, 2) his fascination with politics, and, maybe, 3) control over a vast, scrumptious dessert empire.

Sure, it's obvious and necessary to point out that there was no way Ben Cohen could've known that his sardonic call-to-action would manifest itself inversely, cryptically, as a representation of opinionated journalism sometimes coming out to bite the American people in the ass. We're not, after all, accusing Cohen of instigating the World Trade Center attacks. But it is necessary to point out that words and expression - not to mention political affiliation - matter, and need to be thoroughly considered before they end up in print, online, or on television.

That said, by picking up this magazine, you've entered a new realm of political journalism - reluctance. We at Deek Magazine understand that, for decades, it has been said that Democrats and Republicans are merely different money-hungry gangs of a single "Business Party" truly governing the U.S.

Even America's Official Communist Fat Fuck, Michael Moore, once called Bill Clinton "the best Republican President we've ever had," describing a number of issues - from fuel-economy standards to capital punishment - on which the Clinton and early George W. Bush administrations had similar policies. Clinton himself once said, "I hope you're all aware we're all Eisenhower Republicans."

The way we see it, this election's significance can be summed up with one question: Am I voting for the idiot who intends to run this country into a hole, destroying everything we cherish, dismantling much of the progression we've made in modern times? Or am I going to vote for the asshole running against him?

Like Ben Cohen, we at Deek Magazine feel it is our responsibility to make a political statement in these hard times - to back a candidate for the presidency. Ben Cohen has, in the past, as previously noted, used his millions of dollars to cause himself extreme embarrassment and, at times, a modicum of political pull. This year, still manipulating those millions for political gain, he's backing Sen. John F. Kerry, simply because Kerry is not George W. Bush.

And us? Well, we must remind you that Deek Magazine is fashioned to express opinions, not create them - to allow you the freedom to chose your candidate, not ours. But, having said that, we have decided who we're voting for in the upcoming election; we have sided with a candidate. He's sexy. He's got your values in mind. He can sell you a car if you need one. He's.

Kerry? Bush? Nah, we've decided neither. Deek Magazine supports, instead, The Politician - your man on the cover, who's waiting for you.

Waiting to give you a jump.

Grope it, yeah,

Mateo Stroud

Chief