Source: The Commercial Appeal
On December 25, 2002 The Commercial Appeal reported that "Tennessee's Republican chairwoman has sent letters of apology to Buddhists and Hindus for a party brochure intended as an attack on Democrat Phil Bredesen during the fall election campaign. Republicans mailed a brochure to rural voters contending the curriculum that Bredesen implemented as Nashville's mayor mandated the teaching of Buddhism and Hinduism to second-graders. The one-page, fold-over brochure featured a picture of a cow on the front and a quote: 'Teaches belief in many gods and ancestor worship. What's next - sacred cows?' Cows are considered sacred to many Hindus. State Republican chairwoman Beth Harwell said she sent letters of apology to be printed in newsletters serving the Buddhist and Hindu communities."