ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY

Our task is evident. The current conduct of the Democratic controlled Congress makes it evident that we must DEFEAT every politician who does not support both ANWR and off shore drilling. The Democratic controlled Congress refuses to act to provide a roadmap to either security or energy self sufficiency for purely political reasons. This must not be permitted.

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid must be replaced as majority leaders. We must elect candidates to office who will look beyond the political expediency of party politics and do the Country’s work. Our elected officials are more interested in supporting their liberal bias toward the environmental protectionists than in what is best for the Country and its citizens. It is time we elect people who will take on the work of running our country. We have been bogged down too long by political premises that serve only the political goals of the liberals and their supporters. It is a sorry state of affairs.

Come on America – write your elected representatives and tell them to politics aside and act on your behalf. Together, we must demand that our sitting politicians act now to free up our energy resources by supporting the President’s plea for approval to open up off shore drilling. And, in the process, we must demand that drilling in ANWR should be approved as well. Our politicians must pass and implement laws that will free up both ANWR and off shore drilling while supporting alternative energy independence research and development. It is time we make our views known.

Write to your Congressman and Senators today. It is time to fight back and that means act now. Not until our representatives recognize that their jobs are in jeopardy will they act. Let them know and let them know now that time is running out. Tell Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid that you ALREADY know that approval today means oil 10 years from now – but if Bill Clinton and his Democratic henchmen had not vetoed ANWR in 1995, we would not be where we are today. We have got to begin to bring sense to these senseless politicians who have had our eyes covered for too long. Every billion dollars that goes overseas for oil, is another billion dollars that has been removed from our liquidity. .

TIME FOR REAL CHANGE WHERE IT COUNTS

We have just concluded our annual Independence Day celebration. On July 4, 1776 our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Some liberal folks used this occasion to opine that this day was somehow no longer relevant because we, the citizens, are unworthy. I resent these comments since I consider them to be paragons of stupidity. It is that liberal thought process and our inept politicians who have clouded our independence and compromised our freedoms.

Good, hard working, well intentioned American citizens actually seem to believe that the liberal news media and their elected representatives seriously know what is best for our country. They actually believe that these people have some “edge” on insight and somehow, are capable of making the hard decisions that are right for us. This reflects a chronic malaise that empowers mediocrity. Why are so many good and loyal patriotic Americans caught up in this bamboozle? Why do we Americans continue to elect and reelect people who have already proven themselves incompetent, inept and without vision? Is it because we are too lazy to think? Do we not recognize that we have allowed ourselves to put more emphasis on a "political thought process" than on what is right or wrong?

Polls reflect dissatisfaction with our politicians. However, there is a common thread in those polls. – “All politicians are bad except mine”. That, in my view, is the epitome of our American irresponsibility. We tend to believe that the representative who sells his vote for political expediency but gains a Federal gift in the form of unearned pork barrel spending benefits us and thus,is a good representative. Too often, we think only of ourselves.

I suggest that we should remove every politician who does not confront the issues of today and especially those issues related to our energy crises. Whether Democrat or Republican, we need to "fire the deadbeats" who are making enormous salaries at taxpayer expense and who refuse to confront our energy crises. We need to replace the sitting incompetents with men and women of vision who are not afraid to act and who will base their performance on values that will secure their reelection.

It seems to me that the current Democratic controlled Congress and the majority party has done nothing to change anything. Energy is in crises and they "look for excuses". They are opposed to the war on terrorism. They seem to have their head in the sand insofar as the world at large is concerned. They have failed to pass immigration reform. Our financial markets are in chaos, thanks to their lack of fiscal oversight. They refuse to pass the necessary legislation to achieve oil independence. In fact, it was the action of President Bill Clinton and his veto of the proposed legislation that approved drilling for oil in ANWR that has helped create our current crises and our dependence on foreign oil. This is the same party that polls suggest may be highly favored to solve tomorrow's problems? If what the polls suggest is true, we have a major problem and it is one you and I must confront.

FOURTH OF JULY PASSED

I am melancholy with the spirit of summer. Perhaps it is the pending holiday that pits my memory against the realities of today or – perhaps it is the “aging process” that confronts and confounds me as I fully grasp the reality of the “shortness of life”.

That said, my melancholy cries out for a dissertation and thus, I am posting my whimsy here where it can be ignored by millions of people rather than to bore one poor unfortunate person with my old age giddy.

As the 4th of July celebration looms ahead, I remember with great fondness the celebrations of my youth. Our Fourth of July was a celebration on a par with Thanksgiving and Christmas but it was different. The 4th of July was a combination of celebration of independence and renewal. Family, friends and neighbors joined together to celebrate, remember and appreciate the gift of independence that we had been presented by our forefathers. It was a day in which we celebrated that for which our ancestors had so courageously fought and left to us to appreciate. For those who may have thought that the arrival of their ancestors at Ellis Island was a big event, imagine how those whose ancestors celebrated the Declaration of Independence on that awesome day in 1776 must feel. Sometimes I think our newer arrivals fail to recognize or grasp our pride.

On the morning of the 4th, a summer breakfast of fresh melon, pancakes and coffee followed our morning chores that included milking the cows, feeding the chickens and tending the livestock and, time permitting, perhaps, a bit of hoeing in the garden. After breakfast, Mother would fry a chicken – or two, cook some green beans, make a potato salad and prepare iced tea for the lunch that we would enjoy at the park where the carnival would provide fun and frivolity.

Food, drinks and family packed safely into the car, off we went lighthearted and gay. We would arrive at the celebration early afternoon and as we left the car (my brothers and sisters remembered a horse drawn wagon) dad would give my brother and I .25 cents and that was our allotment for entertainment. How we chose to spend our money was up to us, but for sure, it would only accommodate a minimal number of rides on either the ferris wheel, the merry go round or a few exercises of skill in which my brother might choose to invest.

Sometime mid to early evening – Mother and Dad would pause in their visiting with neighbors and friends to summon my brother and I with whatever friends we might ask to join us for our “dinner”. Mother would have prepared a table and sat it with the food that she had prepared for us. Other friends would be invited to join us and others would be similarly sharing their meal at nearby tables and as we ate, the group would visit and share the news that had accumulated in our individual families during the course of the year.

I do not remember any speeches – though that is a big part of what the movies and books about 4th of July celebrations in other areas stress. I remember this event as a general celebration. It was a summer event that stressed happiness, good food, family, friends a time for renewal and appreciation. At 9 o’clock after the sun had sat in the West, the band would play and the fireworks would be displayed and another 4th of July would have been celebrated. Mother and Dad would usually have left for home right after the meal because the cows had to be milked, the pigs fed and the chores completed. My brother and I would be left to come home with a neighbor who had come for the evening celebration as opposed to the day celebration. They were night people. My folks were day people. My brother and I benefitted from both.

Today, too few of our citizens stop to remember the price that was paid by the ancestors of those of us whose life has always belonged to this country. I can remember my dad reminiscing about his grandfather and his grandfather’s brother who fought in the American Revolutionary War. My mother’s grandfather was wounded in the Civil War and even as we celebrated many of the 4ths that I so vividly remember, World War II was in progress. We had family and friends serving on the battlefield across the sea and we were acutely aware of the price of our freedom.

For many immigrants that live among us today, our country is a land of opportunity, wealth and yes, absurd over indulgence. Our freedom is taken for granted and too few of us stop to remember that someone has paid the price for that which we enjoy. We take it all for granted and as my mother used to warn, “WE DO NOT MISS THE WATER UNTIL THE WELL GOES DRY”. Let’s stop and remember and celebrate the 4th for what it is and what it means. It is a celebration of our independence and an opportunity to remember that we must work to preserve our freedom.

AT LAST – BILL CLINTON HAS A REAL LEGACY?

I have read numerous reports that former President Bill Clinton has worried about his political legacy. His concerns are over. The American people know it, feel it and agonize over his legacy every time they go to the pump to buy gas. When he vetoed the bill that would have authorized drilling for oil in Alaska (ANWR) which was submitted to him by a Republican Congress in 1995, he sealed our fate. We must now give him full credit for his lack of vision, insight and failure to protect the American people.

The critics are correct. It will take 10 years to realize any real benefits to our efforts at “tapping” this natural resource today, but had we began drilling in 1996, we would be prepared. Isn’t it time we recognized our politicians for the incompetent “boobs” they really are and vote every politician who does not support drilling for oil off the Coast or in Alaska out. That would mean Democrats as well as Republicans. Let’s take back our votes and let the politicians know who is in control. Let’s elect people who truly love our country and are interested in preserving our democracy, our freedom and our security.

Insofar as the current Presidential race, neither candidate will get my vote until or unless they see the error of their ways and support oil drilling both off the coasts and in ANWR. Further delay is not an option. We must start now and take steps to solve our own problems while seeking alternative energy sources without delay.

This is my position and I am stuck with it.

MINDSET OR ATTITUDE?

In a conversation with a friend recently, the subject of serving in the military came up. I was offended by my friends apparent disdain for persons who serve in the military as if military service suggested a sort of “low level mentality”.

Later, as I thought back over this exchange, I realized that there are several people in our circle of friends who appear to have a similar mindset. I honestly do not and cannot understand this thought process. However, in retrospect, it seems to me that this is the thought process of the elite Democrats. If this should turn out to be true, then are we headed for a complete break down in the defense of our country as the current political climate relating to the war on terrorism and the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan would suggest?

In my mind, the upcoming election will be a major turning point for our country. The question before us seems to be whether those of us who cherish our freedoms and our way of life will be sacrificed by the mindset of those who would believe as my friend seemed to suggest, that defending our country is beneath their social status. It is difficult to comprehend that we have reached this low level of thought, but I am beginning to wonder.

GRUMPY OLD PERSON

I have sat back, content to listen, watch and analyze the political campaign thus far from the comfort of my "retiree" arm chair. I pesonally would like to remain unattached and content to have someone make the hard decisions that will bring comfort and security to the masses. Unfortunately, I do not see it happening. The political race for the parties is all but over and as they used to say in my day "it's all over but the shoutin".

O'Bama and McCain seem to be the candidtes of choice and never in my many years of exercising my right to vote have I been so disappointed in two candidates. The last time I voted for a Democratic candidate was John F. Kennedy and in that year, I think I simply cancelled my husbands vote.

There has never been a year when so much importance could be placed on an election and never have I seen two lesser candidates. Neither of these candidates nor most of the Democrats who are running for Congress are interested in making us oil independent by opening up our vast oil resources in Alaska and off the Coast. Never has America been so content to let ourselves be buried in debt while preserving for those who will soon control us economically and politically our vast resources at the expense of our freedom.

We in America have surely hit a new low. Not only are we signing on to the incompetence of the political machines, we are helping dig our grave for the great burian of a wonderful country.

I have listened through the years as those who were disturbed by the political turn of events in their losses and threatened to leave the country but indeed, as it stands this year, no matter which is elected I feel the urge to find a country not yet overcome by stupidity, incompetence and plain political suicide.

<DIV><FONT face=Arial>blogging via mail</FONT></DIV>

 

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IS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS DISHONEST?

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that political correctness promotes dishonesty. Of course, good manners and common decency should always be the catalyst that controls our communications. That is understood. Under no circumstances do I believe that we should verbally attack another, be abusive, ugly or defamatory. However, I believe that many people communicate in a politically correct manner that is lacking in honesty. Simply speaking, their communications convey what they think others want to hear rather than what they really think or would say if they dared to be honest.

When we say things solely to make another feel good are we being dishonest no matter how “pure” our motivation? Perhaps that is why more and more people in today’s world are “truth challenged” especially our politicians. My mother taught me that if I couldn't say something good, I shouldn't say anything at all. Perhaps we should "coin" a new phrase, "If we can't speak the truth, don't speak at all"?

IF I HAD IT TO DO AGAIN

Much has been said about President Bush and his leadership or lack thereof. His detractors would have us believe that he is the worst President since Jimmy Carter, an allegation that I find reprehensible but politically correct if one is coming from the bias of the media and left of center politics. .

The fact is, given the same choices at the voting booth today as I had in 2000 and in 2004, I would vote for George W. Bush again. If the Democrats (and the Republicans) want to see change, they need to give us viable choices, a vision of the country they want to lead and a path to follow to reach that vision. Instead rhetoric of what’s wrong and our failures is the tune of the day with few actual ideas that will change anything. I am tired of hearing criticism. I want to hear ideas – thoughts – dreams – passion for a better, stronger, safer America. The America that I want is not a Democratic or Republican controlled America. It is an America of dedication to our principles, our way of life and our citizens.

Nothing has happened in the six years of George Bush’s presidency that would alter my choice given the same choices as I had then. Fact is, I have appreciated George Bush’s leadership and believe that he was then and is now the best man for the job when considered against the choices that we had at the poll in 2000 and 2004.

ANOTHER BLURB

LOOKING BACK

 

After analyzing and evaluating President Bush's performance over the past 6 ½ years and comparing his actions with what we might have had if we had elected his opponents in 2000 and 2004, I am satisfied with his job performance. Am I happy about our involvement in Iraq?  No.  Do we have a choice? No.

 

The Democrats among us have been busy creating dissent.  It is easy to point out imperfection if those who are pointing out what is wrong, are not responsible for getting it right. The Democrats occupy that lofty position now and thus, they can quarterback the President's actions without fear.  However, if President Clinton had taken the actions that should have been taken during his term in office, we would have undoubtedly been stronger and more able to overcome the fanatics and lunatics of terrorism today.  It is easy to grade a job performance based on 20/20 vision especially when the performance is not subject to day to day micro review by ones opponents.    

 

I dislike our involvement in Iraq.  I wish we did not have to be there.  However, I admire the President's steadfastness because I believe he is right.  I question whether the people of Iraq are worth the price that our young soldiers are paying.  On the other hand I believe, as the President does, that the war on terror is real andthat we have no choice. I do not believe that the people of Iraq are stepping up to the plate and adequately assuming responsibility for their country's defense. They are not unlike those of us here who would rather bury their head in the sand and let someone else carry the load.  However, we cannot abandon them.  We must give them time to find their way and to assume that responsibility. 

 

In my opinion both Presidents Clinton and Bush 41 compromised our security in their handling of the mid-east and on September 11, 2001 we paid the price.  I do not want to make that mistake again. 

 

 

LIVE EARTH

LIVE EARTH AS I SEE IT

 

A tongue in cheek digression and a reality check.

 

I could not help but think as I read about the LIVE EARTH celebrations over the weekend that we must surely be premature in our rush to preserving the earth.  It seems to me that we have another problem that needs to be resolved first.  There are some mid east fanatics turned terrorists who have vowed to kill all who do not share their ideology. Aren't we brushing that problem under the rug and rushing off to solve another one that may need attention but is secondary to the crises we have? 

 

I do believe that we need to be aware of "climate change", "earth warming" and the environment in general.  We have an inherent obligation to pursue sensible actions and habits that reflect good stewardship.  However, we really need to concentrate our attention on resolving the greater issue that faces us in the Mideast - terrorism?  Insofar as I am concerned, I have no desire to leave a pristine environment for the terrorists to enjoy while they make the lives of my descendants a living hell.

 

Bible reading people have long believed the threat of civilization's demise is preordained.  The Bible calls it "fire".  Is global warming  another "inner net discovery" by the former Vice President?

 

As for Democratic Presidential Candidate, John Edwards, who has said that the "War on Terrorism" is simply a bumper sticker, he should know.   He gained his relevance as a "old bumper sticker"? 

 

I am willing to believe in the need to improve the environment, when the rest of the World is ready to believe that we need to improve the attitude in the Mid-East.  Let's get first things first.

 

 

 

 

 

SHAME ON THE GOVERNOR?

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-arnold5jul05,0,5054369.story?coll=la-home-center

 

The article cited above from the Los Angeles Times reports that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger travels by private jet and stays in luxury hotels on his many trips on behalf of the citizens of California.  The point of the story is to report that this travel is billed to a private non profit group.  The article suggests that the Governor may be abusing use of this tax exempt group and we, as taxpayers of California, are somehow being abused by the tax exempt dollars that are going into the Governor's travel.

 

I am sorry but I fail to see how the people of California can be suffering from this so called "charity" particularly when one considers that the Governor serves without pay and at his own expense.  If we Californians are going to adopt such a narrow view, it seems to me that it is time we really looked at the over paid, over spent and over empowered legislators and California State employment dollars that we spend for plain unadulterated  incompetence.

Near the end of the article (page 2 of the on line report)  the Governor's service without pay is acknowledged, "Schwarzenegger declines to take his state salary, and he does give to charities. From 2002 through 2004, for example, he reported $2.5 million in charitable donations and about $55 million in total income. Also included is another dig at the Governor's willingness to take advantage of the "people of California, "The governor's other charitable activities include his sponsorship of nonprofits that provide recreation programs for children."

 

And our politicians to the "left" wonder why talk radio succeeds?  It succeeds because "fairness in media" does not exist and talk radio is the only source for people to actually have an opportunity to speak out. Talk radio achieves what no amount of governmental "fairness" could hope to achieve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHO IS MY FRIEND??

I felt grave concern recently when my niece told me that her husband has no friends. How could that be?  My nephew has always seemed to me to be warm, friendly and outgoing.  I was shocked. Yet, after some thought I realized that her comment had merit and that realization plagued me.

 

I view friends as extended family.  They are important to my psyche, my well being and provide me and my family strength in troubled times.  As a result of this exchange with my niece, I asked myself, "What is friendship?" 

 

One has to be a friend to have friends.  Friendship must be nurtured.  We can have many acquaintances but that is not the same as friends.  Acquaintances are people you know and who you greet casually e.g., "Hello there – how nice to see you", inquire about their health – "how have you been?" -- family – "how is the family?"  Oh, you may even go so far as to say "let's do lunch" – especially if you live in or near Hollywood.  Acquaintances are not people with whom we share interests, family stories, hobbies or with whom we wish to travel and do things just "for the hell of it". Acquaintances tend to come from working associates, may be a neighbor, someone from our church or even someone that we went to school with, met at a seminar or at a party.  They are the people we meet, know slightly and share few, if any, mutual interests or bond. While these "chance" meetings can sometimes result in long term friendships of decades but it can result in a long term acquaintance. I am often perplexed when people refer to casual acquaintances as "friends".  I often wonder if people who are quick to identify casual acquaintances as friends know what it is to be a friend.   

 

So, who are our friends?  My friends are from various walks of life but none of my close friends are people that I have known less than five years – most go back at least 10 years and many are from my childhood though admittedly those friendships are maintained at considerable effort.  I have my friends, my husband has his friends and we have our friends but in all cases they are all people with whom we both share mutual interests, hobbies, adventures and enjoy.  His friends have become my friends and my friends have become his friends.  Our relationships with each others friends are different.  Nevertheless, they are friends in whom we have a vested interest. Our friends, his, mine and ours, are people that we invite into our home, like to share a meal with, enjoy good conversation and spirited discussions and whose company we take pleasure in.  When our children were growing up, their children were our children's friends and vice versa.  Our friends also enjoy our company and show it by reciprocating in kind.  Although friendship may result from a chance meeting it is rare.  Friends, like family, cannot be taken for granted. 

 

It seems to me that many of us, in this modern age of television, cars, entertainment availabilities and busy lifestyle have lost our ability to form good friendships.  We have forgotten (some have never known) what it means to be and have a friend.  We work all week long, our weekends are spent in preparing for the week to come and we covet our valuable quality family time.  There is just not enough time to devote to developing friends.  We have forgotten to stop and smell the roses or perhaps more aptly put, slow down and cultivate the art of friendship.  It is as important to the development of our children as the quality time spent at the little league game or the dance ballet that we attend for little Johnny or Bonnie.   Perhaps it is time we all form a new alliance and learned to be a friend.

 

 

 

SENATOR LOTT NEEDS ENLIGHTENMENT

The rhetoric about the proposed legislation dealing with immigration continues and Senate sources report that this legislation will be revisited perhaps before the July 4 recess. It remains unclear whether the bill will be amended sufficiently to resolve the issues that are objectionable. Certainly, the supporters of the bill would like for us to believe that their current efforts should be passed without amendments and that we should accept the proposed bill out of hand. Thankfully, there has been a demand from the rank and file for our politicians to get it right.

The New York Times reported this week that Republican whip, Trent Lott said that “Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem.” The paper went on to report that Mr. Lott also said that Senate Republican leaders may try to rein in “younger guys who are huffing and puffing against the bill.” These statements truly must be the most asinine statements of the week and if not, surely it ranked right up there with the worst. One could expect better from Mr. Lott.

Perhaps Mr. Lott does not understand that talk radio is the vehicle by which people are making their views known and sharing them with others who may have similar concerns. Perhaps it is time that the politicians got the message that talk radio is not the problem, political incompetence is. Perhaps it is time that we removed all sitting politicians and put in their place new faces, new ideas, new thoughts and new enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, too many people remain committed and loyal to the party line and as long as that is our approach in making political judgment, we are doomed. It is time that we all stood up and acted in unison not for the sake of politics but for the sake of what is best for our country. Immigration policy requires our attention and we must demand that our politicians listen. Write your Senators and your congressmen. Make your views known and demand that our borders be secured and that an equitable, fair immigration plan be passed. We need to put pressure on our elected representatives and the President to get it right – we must not settle for anything less.

A REAL PLAN?

This morning on his radio show, Bill O’Reilly presented his idea for a fair immigration plan. He prefaced his remarks that he believed it to be a plan that most Americans could support. I agree. Every American who reads this "blog" should write their elected representative and the President of the United States and demand that they consider these suggestions and debate their merits.

I don't know about you, the reader, but I personally find the ongoing debate and politicizing of this important matter disgusting. I am tired of political positioning. It is time the politicians concentrate on doing the citizens business and leave to the electorate to rate their justification to serve based on the fruits of their labor.

From Bill O’Reilly’s web site.

“1) secure the southern border with 700, not 300 miles of barrier, double the border patrol and back them up with 10,000 National Guards people. That would effectively shut down human and drug smuggling from Mexico.

2) require all illegal aliens in the country right now to register at the post office with Homeland Security. After registering, they would be given a tamper proof ID card, designating their status and their right to work temporarily in the USA. If the illegal aliens do not register, it's a criminal felony. Right now sneaking across the border is a civil action. Remember that. Subjecting the person to immediate deportation or jail time. The criminal penalty goes way up.

3) any business that hires an illegal worker who doesn't have a tamper proof ID card faces draconian fines and possible prison time for the executives.

4) Each illegal alien would have his case reviewed by federal authorities. And they would decide who would receive a Z-visa to stay and who would not. That takes the blanket amnesty, something many American hate, off the table. It also allows the feds to make rational decisions about who's helping America and who isn't.

Under that banner, no illegal alien who commits a crime while here would be allowed to stay. Also under that program, no welfare of any kind would be paid to folks here illegally. They'd have to work for their living.”



Thank you Bill O’Reilly. It is good to know that someone in America is actually thinking.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

I am conservative in my thought process as well as in my financial, social and political practices. I do not mean to nit pick the proposed new law as drafted by SB 1348 but there are issues that must be addressed and that are not addressed i.e., it does not provide proper checks and balances to resolve the issues of illegal immigration. It does not provide for proper enforcement now or in the future. It only provides for a way to “save face” and give the illegal immigrants already here a legal path to stay in our country. These people knowingly violated our laws and we need to implement laws that will stick, that will be implemented and will provide security.

I don’t have the impression that either the President,our elected representatives or the Senators who drafted SB 1348 have any such commitment. Therefore, I urge the Congress to continue to debate and hopefully close up the loop holes and do what needs to be done to present a bill that meets the needs of our country and secures its future. SB 1348 as it reads now – is not a satisfactory bill to resolve the issues before us in my opinion. The President appears willing to settle for anything that will get this “Achilles heel” off his back and the Democratic controlled Congress appears willing to provide yet another band aid for something that sorely requires intensive care. Let’s face it – none of our elected representatives want to truly handle the problem and therein is my problem with SB 1348.

IT'S A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE

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I have personally become so disenchanted with our political system I rarely sit through the comments of any “media” voice.

There is not a single liberal voice with whom I can mesh my own conservative views but I understand the anger and the mind set that makes them intolerant and tyrannical in their outbursts. I share their malady. I am just as intolerant, incensed and anxiety ridden with their comments as they are with mine.

They, like me, seek a better America, want the same freedoms, believe in the same value system (to a point) and subscribe to the “rule of law”. We differ on the best approach to achieve these goal and disagree vehemently politically.

History will not care which of us was right. It will judge us, not by our political loyalties but rather, by the results of what we did. The legacy of our generation will be the result of the decisions that we make. Thus, it seems to me important that we concentrate our efforts on unity of purpose and not on our political allegiance. We need to do what is right for the country irregardless of political affiliation. We have to get beyond what is good for us or our neighbor – and do that which is right for our country and the nation. It is time for us to again affirm President Kennedy’s summons to citizenship when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you but rather, what you can do for your country”. We need to do it not for us, but for our children and grandchildren.

Hindsight is 20/20. In my youth, my mother reminded me often that “there is more than one way to skin a rabbit”. However, she rarely varied from the method that she was taught as a child. I was taught by my Democratically affiliated family that without varying the degree of the convictions on which each of us draw our conclusions, we will never find a better way. Thus, why must we argue, implore and demand that others agree with us? Why can we not simply hear two sides without vicious rhetoric and near name calling? It seems to me that it is time to lower the tone and simply seek by an exchange of ideas, the best way.

I cannot imagine that history will be kind to us if we abandon Iraq. President Bush committed us to Iraq after receiving the support of Congress. There are those who would have the President assume all responsibility If we abandon our responsibilities in Iraq (and unfortunately like it or not, it is a responsibility) our legacy will be a generation known for its failure to live by its word and promises. It is time that we all stop, think and evaluate who we are and what we want to be. Whether we like it or not, our security and our children’s future depend on it. We must not abandon our principles or lose sight of what is at stake.

IS THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK?

Well, former President Carter has decided to weigh in with his assessment of President Bush as the “worse” President this country has ever had. Do give me a break, Mr. Carter. We all appreciate your generosity and kindness but under no circumstances would we want to take that title from you. Please don’t exert yourself with your goodness!

It is regrettable that the former President still feels that he may have something to contribute, since he contributed so little during his tenure in office. Goodness, how soon he forgets that it was his foreign policy that has brought us to where we are with Iran. Get a life Mr. Carter – get a life.

HOORAY FOR THE VETO

This message was sent to President Bush today with copies to Vice President Cheney Senators Reid, Feinstein and Boxer; Representatives Schiff and Pelosi.

Mr. President I applaud your veto of the Iraq funding bill and admonish you to hold your ground in exercising the executive powers of your office. You are doing what we elected you to do, exercising your best efforts at keeping our country secure.

The American people have been misled by those elected representatives who oppose your actions. The Democratic majority, with the assistance of some equally misdirected Republicans, choose to ignore the actions, deeds and threats of our terrorist enemies. It appears that they believe that by ignoring the real issues and withdrawing from Iraq, the terrorist threat will go away. In my opinion, nothing could be further from the truth and such actions would be catastrophic to our future. These people are short sighted, lack compassion, have no vision and show neither commitment or concern for the preservation of freedom and security of our country. Instead, their actions serve to provide impetus to the terrorist and put our American soldiers further into harms way.

Mr. President, I applaud your efforts and I believe you will be vindicated. I just hope that it will not be too late to keep our citizens safe from the efforts of this misguided Congress. Keep the faith, Mr. President and above all, the counsel of those who know and understand what it means to be free.