Saturday, August 21, 2004

Kerry can't have it both ways..

Kerry spent the entire Democratic convention convincing us that he is a war hero. Yet right after the Vietnam war he tells us that he committed war crimes. So is he a war criminal or a war hero? Because in my mind you can't have it both ways.
It seems Kerry wants it both ways on just about everything. Being for the Iraq war, being against funding it. Now he wants the swiftboat ads to be censored. You didn't hear the Bush campaign whining to have Michael Moore censored and this is a movie that made TONS of cash for those involved. Yet the NY times didn't seem to feel a need to find a "web of connections" from that movie to the democratic party. None of us on the right liked the fact that Michael Moore had this movie out there with its lies and distortions, yet we understand the meaning of free speech in this country. Obviously Kerry does not.
After Fahrenheit 9-11 came out many pundits came on Fox and disputed the claims made in the movie. (Thank God for Fox News) So the public could see the movie, hear the other side, and make an informed decision about what they believe. The same should happen with the swiftboat ads. Let those involved argue the fine points, and the public will decide. Trying to blackmail the TV stations that run the ad, as the Kerry campaign is doing, by threatening lawsuits for slander if they run it, is unbelievable! Just answer the charges for heaven's sake!
Kerry is hoping that by blaming Bush personally it will look like Bush actually had something to do with the ads. Bush is, as always, taking the high road and not answering back in a mean way. He simply says he condemns all 527 groups on both sides. ( I don't agree with that, but that's another blog) Kerry and his "Bring it on!" comment just made him look stupid.
Maybe Kerry should start running his campaign the way he wants to run the war, in a more sensitive manner.

Friday, August 20, 2004

About me...

I grew up in Mississippi in the middle of the civil rights movement. My father was a democrat senator in the state legislature so politics was a way of life. I could write a book about my experiences as a child, but suffice it to say a funny thing happened on my way to adulthood. His name was Ronald Reagan. He became president while I was in college and gave voice to a lot of my concerns about the big white liberal hand that seemed so eager to help minorities and the poor. Concerns about dependency on the government. Concerns about the breakdown of the family. Concerns about the viscous cycle of welfare dependency. Concerns about the sanctity of human life. Concerns about our ability to stay a strong military power.
One thing I learned from Reagan was that it wasn't about skin color, it was about the choices we make. It wasn't about the government being involved in social policies, it was about us being involved in helping the down and out. It wasn't about dependency on the government, but about being independent. He reminded us of what our forefathers wanted in a country based on freedom and individual liberties. He reminded us what the role of government should be. To provide a strong military defense, protect individual rights, limit itself in almost all aspects of American life, and provide a basis for economic freedom.
We are over taxed, over regulated, and over burdened by a bloated bureaucratic government with programs that don't work, that waste billions because of fraud and mismanagement, and waste our tax dollars and our resources.
WOW! I am glad to get that out of my system! I may start singing "The Star Spangled Banner!" Now, I do hold what some might call more liberal views on certain things. I am against the death penalty, I am for some gun control, and I am for regulating the internet and other tools of pornography to children. But all these things are more complicated than to just say for or against.
On a more personal note, I have four kids, ages 7-17. My two teenagers are in the process of wearing me down to mental instability. Stress is a way of life for me. Raising these kids in a cultural of violence and sexuality is about to get the best of me. I feel like I am fighting a dragon with a kitchen knife. Any suggestions that don't require medication are welcome.
I want to finish my first attempt at blogging by giving a heartfelt salute to all the military out there who are working so hard to keep us safe. You are in my prayers every night. Keep fighting the good fight and know that there has to be a special place in heaven for those who put their lives on the line for freedom.