Freedom of Speech

We are such a free nation of thinkers, aren't we?  I display it here on my blog.  It's displayed on the television, radio, Facebook, Twitter, to give a few examples.  I myself take part in all of those, so I, along with millions and millions of other Americans get to utilize freedom of speech without many repercussions.  I am thankful to have these freedoms and I know full well that there are many military personnel who protect those rights for me, for all of us, daily.  It's a full circle and everything is so intrinsically connected. 


Here are my thoughts on the recent tragedy in Tuscon, AZ, with the shootings of all of those innocent people.  Certainly, it almost goes without saying, that the individual who shot those folks is fully to blame.  He brought the gun, it seems he had it planned out and had in some sense been following Representative Gabrielle Giffords and obviously, he alone shot her and all the others, including the young nine year old girl, Christina Taylor Green.  He will be tried and likely found guilty of what is obviously one of the most senseless crimes imaginable in a country such as ours, killing others irrationally, without remorse.  Clearly, he is an individual who is sick, off balance, and not centered in reality.  


Many in the media have raised the issue and tried to make some correlation between his rantings and actions and Sarah Palin, or others like her.  While there can't and should be a direct connection between the two, it certainly raises a good point of conversation.  Just because we CAN say something doesn't mean we SHOULD say something.  In other words, yes, we have freedom of speech and we can express ourselves fully without legal backlash in this country, but should we as a country go to that line and have our comments, thoughts, and opinions be edgy, racy, out there, pushed to the limit every time?  In this political climate and given all that this country is so divided over, shouldn't ALL politicians, Democrat, Republican, Independent, shouldn't WE all, conduct ourselves with a modicum of respect?  Even if you are pitted against someone, face to face who you very strongly disagree with?  If our country does not get itself together, if the media doesn't stop inciting verbal violence in an onslaught of constant instigation for every horrible thing, every tiny bad thought said by that guy and this guy and those guys, the path we are on will be a difficult one to retreat. 


The guy who just created havoc on many many lives is someone who by all accounts thus far has needed help for a long time-an off center violent individual.  When someone like that hears all the rhetoric from folks who throw around words and phrases like "don't retreat! reload!" or put cross hairs on their political website over certain areas of the map of the United States, maybe that sends him off the edge.  Did that happen in this case?  Maybe no.  Maybe so.  We likely will never know but I don't think it's super far fetched to generalize that the mood of this country, so ultra divided and so ultra hyped up against those that don't agree with us politically, is not helped by those type of remarks and actions.  We are not nice to one another when it comes to politics.  If we are in a conversation with someone who does not agree with us politically, things get tense quickly and whether it be on Facebook, email, or in person, it gets ugly quickly.  Why?  How can we get anywhere when we are busy thinking the other is stupid or ignorant?  How can we open our minds and learn from one another if it's not done with consideration, kindness, and some level of caring when discussing really tough things?  It's spirals downward so very quickly and its sad.  We have to move away from this and find better ways to communicate as a country, don't you think? 


This recent event from Saturday is a real eye opener.  If we cannot learn from this, learn that maybe, just maybe, we can still be productive and forward thinking without all this hurtful slinging of negative rhetoric.  As a country, I know that we are smarter than all of that.  We have to be smarter than that don't we?  We are blessed and privileged enough to live in this great country and I hope and pray we can all start behaving more nicely.  Let's give the kids of today a better example and role model.  It starts with us.  One person at a time.  We can make a difference, can't we?


I send all my love and prayers to the parents of Christina Green.  They have a very difficult road ahead of them, I know that very well. 

Speaking Up and Speaking Out

You know how sometimes you act then later you go, 'wow, I did that?'. In the span of 24 hours, I wrote a letter to President Obama and called the Traffic Engineering Department in Newport News VA.

To President Obama I sent a note of support. I hope he gets to read it. I suppose he gets thousands of letters/emails/calls a day. Anything is possible.

To the Traffic Engineer I gave a phone call. It was the quickest and most efficient way. As I sat in ridiculous traffic entering the business park of Oyster Point off Canon Blvd, I suddenly could not take it any longer. Sometimes I think those who plan the improvements to the cities we live in do not think about practical issues. Real day to day practical things that happen, you know, really happen. I will hand it to the gentleman who spoke with me on the phone, he was baffled at what I was saying, he was surprised that both lanes of traffic were just sitting during rush hour into the business park-but he took me seriously. There was a sliver of sarcasm that slipped from his tongue when he asked me, "well what time do you suggest we begin work on the road?" and I think he expected me to say something ignorant and asinine like "12 noon" or "at night".
Wasn't he surprised when I said something reasonable? Just let the bulk of the folks get into work rather than sitting and sitting during rush hour in. Start around 9 am. With budgetary conditions in mind, no going into overtime, I'm not suggesting that, but just start a tiny bit later.

He put me on hold. He didn't push the "hold" button so I heard the whole background conversation. He was relaying my comments to another person and that person was surprised as well. Hmm. Go figure. Do people in charge of our traffic patterns or road improvements go visit while work is going on? How could they not know this? He comes back and they looked at the contract, told me there were no time constraints listed in the contract and that they would approach the sub contractor about modifying the morning start time. They would also check to make sure the traffic light at that intersection was properly working so not holding folks up unnecessarily.

Regardless of the outcome, I like that I could call them while sitting in my car, waiting in that frustrating traffic, (which by the way blocks off a childcare center) and give my complaint to a live person who seemed reasonably concerned. Like my vent session for the day, but in a positive way. I was respectful in my phone call, but direct in my thoughts. A great combo when you want someone's attention.

Sometimes you have to speak up. You can't watch from the sidelines. A watched pot never boils. You have to get in there and make it happen. Make it boil yourself. Take that action. Even if it's a little action, take it.

Health Care Today

Why is it that the people complaining the loudest already have insurance? Middle class folks who are crying foul, socialism, ridiculing President Obama and Congress (currently ruled by Democrats) for meddling where Government does not belong? Why are people who are uninsured and in need of this full of hope and waiting so patiently for change?

Our healthcare system has proven itself in poor shape and clearly does not work the way it is now. We have to have RAM's in our own backyard to take care of folks when they should instead be in impoverished countries where you would expect this need; not here, in our own country. The richest country in the world? No. We can't even take care of our own people. We aren't taking care of our own people. The big healthcare companies and all their supporters only care about money. If we change the system now to ANYTHING else, it would mean less money for them, competition, and they don't want it.

One or two people throw out incorrect idealogies and it crowds out the real truth. People aren't stopping to try to figure out what is really going on. This might not be the perfect plan that President Obama is proposing, but what would be? Is there ever ever ever a perfect plan for all? No. Let's start with some change. Let's deviate from what we can clearly see is NOT working. Let's support the President. Whether it is Barack Obama or anyone else, they deserve our respect and support, even if we don't agree with all the policies and decisions, how about less criticism and a little more open mindedness? I am not completely off my rocker, and don't think that all should suddenly agree with President Obama, I'm not saying that, I'm just saying, we can't get much done or move forward in a positive way together, as a country, behaving in this manner.

I voted for George Bush both times. This time I voted for Barack Obama. He represented what I thought (and think) this country needs. I realize at times folks are averse to change. This moment, this right now in our country, we need change like we never have before. Our health care system is sick. Let's make it well again. I think to some degree the proposal is geared towards more of a 'sick' system than a 'healthcare system' but we have to start somehwere, and modify from there what is not working. It makes me sad to hear some of the stuff I'm hearing on TV and from folks I chat with. Some of it makes no sense whatsoever. And lots of time I hear people repeating what others have spewed to them but they can't back it up with their own thoughts or opinions. Even sadder. I'm not perfect, I'm not even right here maybe, but I can think on my own and express what I'm feeling and that's the beauty of being a United States citizen. I'm allowed to be a free thinker and tell you my thoughts and impressions. For that I'm grateful. Proud to be an American, but sad at the current state of affairs and how some have tried to crumble any progress or proactive thinking. And we are letting them.

I'm writing a letter to the President. I think he needs to hear the support. Don't get me wrong, I'm not out there wearing an "I love Obama" tshirt. I'm not knocking on people's doors in an overzealous kind of way. I just support him and his ideas partly because he's our President and partly because I think he makes good common sense.

I'm just saying.

President Barack Obama

Please know that the below letter is NOT written by me nor advocated by me. It was sent to me by a relative via email. I want to say this to the below letter. These are my words, my thoughts, the red below are not. Maybe scroll down and read the letter first to get the gist.

Guess in my mind we need to give him more than four months to see how he does. I'm pretty open. Voted for George W. Bush both times myself. I'm not only a Democratic voter... decided this time that John McCain was going to be a basic extension of GWB and knew that wasn't working...

I read the letter below, agreed with a few things, disagreed with a few things but overall feel in true fairness, don't the American people, now that he's President, need to give him a fair shake to see how he does? Maybe not. Maybe its best to bash the hell out of him and his administration and create the most negative atmosphere possible. I remember when GWB was not doing so well, particularly in his 2nd term and towards the end, no one was really allowed (in comparison to what I'm seeing now towards Barack Obama) to speak out in such ways towards the President. I never got emails like this and our country back then was well on this track of going to Hell in a handbasket. GWB is the one who drove us right to the door we're at now. And Barack Obama has been in office all of four months and HE'S the problem? I don't get it. But then again maybe I'm sheltered and ignorant. It's probably that.

I say give him a real chance. It seems only fair. He signed up for this big job, we didn't. I know I could never do it. Could you? Kudos to him for trying different things and not subscribing to the same ways that got us here. Certainly Barack Obama did not get us in this mess. I'm sure we could all agree on that. I have things that I haven't agreed with him on but what is the point of bashing or continually dredging it up? If we can get our country back in a generally positive direction at some point in the near future, that will be a good thing. We won't all agree on everything and that's human nature. That's what makes the world go round I believe. I'm probably wrong on that too.




Mr. Obama:

I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.

You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America. You are responsible to the citizens of the United States. You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.

I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?

Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?

Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia. You don't show Great Britain, our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia. How dare you, sir! How dare you!

You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey. You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you?

I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you.

You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.

What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members - on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't!
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million - not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at this group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now.
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you. I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.

Sincerely,

Every real American


Again disclaimer that this was NOT written by me. The letter in red was sent to me from a relative.

President Obama

I couldn't have said it better myself than my good good friend Tammy did.

Go here. Simple and true.

http://jardna.blogspot.com/2009/01/today.html

-J

The Peach

I was watching the circus show with Blagojevich, Governor of Illinois, last Friday when he did his press conference after he was impeached by his own State Senate. The oldest was sitting with me at the end as we watched CNN give it coverage. I felt compelled to explain to the Oldest on his level what was going on since he was sitting watching it so earnestly with me.

After I explained the best I could, finishing with the whole impeached deal, he looked at me. I felt it coming. I didn't know what exactly, but something odd was coming. He looked a tiny confused. He turned his nine year old head slightly to the side and he said, "Sooooooooooo.....are they gonna put im in a peach?" (like instead of saying "him in a peach" he said "im in a peach" cause he thought that was the right terminology, the guy is a guy so "im" fit in his mind and then the word peach. Hence impeach. Everything in me exploded with laughter but I kept in it, you'd be proud, I never flinched. I just reached out and ruffled his hair and said, "No buddy, it's just a word that describes that he is now able to be asked to step down if they think later he should. It's a word but he won't be put in a peach."

We had a busy weekend, had the cousins over and I never had an opportunity to relay the story to my honey. When I finally did on Sunday night, as I was able to say the story and the words out loud (sans the Oldest) it all came out, the laughter, the big belly laugh, the falling on the ground uncontrollably laughing. Realigning my intestines and all. Much needed laugh. I'm a big laugher. Not all things make me laugh like that. If it even tings my funny bone, I'm done.

So both boys came running in the room, 'what's wrong with mom?' as I lay LMAO on the floor literally and he told them I was laughing at the Peach and instantly the Oldest knew what I was laughing at (how smart and perceptive he is and no hurt feelings) and he joined in saying "Peach peach peach Governor of Illinois IMPEACH peach peach peach!!" and all the jibberish he was saying was making me laugh harder and finally I couldn't breathe.

Why do I get like that over silly things? It's all or nothing with my emotions. All the way or sub zero. Extreme like that. Phew. -----so two nights ago I'm getting the Littlest down and his room is quiet, the light is low, he's laying down, his Thomas story is playing on his CD quietly and suddenly, I burst out laughing. PPS. Poor parenting skills. I couldn't stop. And like a crescendo, it got louder and louder, more and more and he stood up in his bed and starting saying "the peach the peach the peach!!" and I was DEE OHH NNN EEE, D.O.N.E.

Oh people, I need lots of help. My poor kids. My poor husband. I make them whacky. I know I do. I fully admit it. Yes, poor Mr. Blagojevich is being positioned in a peach as we speak. ---Actually I think it's more like a pickle. ;o)

History Today

Either we'll have our first African American President or we'll have our first female Vice President. Amazing to me and glad I could be part of it all. We have to pull together and make whatever result we get work as a country.

Democratic Squirrel in Heaven

I killed a squirrel two days ago. On accident. I was driving on the highway and he shot out of the woods from my direct right and BAM! The requisite squirrel confusion that comes when a squirrel sees a car; the OMG back and forth super fast indecision you can see it living...well, my squirrel never did that. It was like Kamikazee Squirrel. I'm going 55 in the slow right most lane, TRYING to drive slow and be good and not have a repeat of two weeks ago, ticketdom, and the little squirrel was no more. I went through several VERY dramatic facial expressions and sounds. Looked in the rearview mirror and saw the poor little thing writhing in the road. I'm a chick. This is how we respond. Drama. I don't think I'll ever forget the sound or the feeling of hitting him twice. There was a guy right beside me who was pointing at me, laughing. I assume he saw the whole deal and was laughing at the drama for your mamma facial expressions I was going through (trying not to vomit was one). I ignored him. Idiot.

SO. In light of all that mini drama and in finding this cute little picture.................................
I'm trying to tie it all together since the squirrel is heavy on my mind (pacify me here)..maybe MY squirrel was holding up this same little sign but in all the hoopla I didn't see it. Maybe the guy beside me laughing at my mishap is going to vote for McCain. Yes, that's it. The squirrel was trying to get the sign to the Idiot Guy. I knew he was ignorant. My little squirrel was on a mission hence no squirrel hesitation 'should I go or not go?' like they always do. Ok so maybe this wasn't tied up in a box with a pretty little bow on it but it was an attempt. I tried. I like the cute little squirrel holding the sign. Smart squirrel. Smart.

Virginia and Barack Obama

So he was in the state today. At the first location, Newport News according to the news, 50,000 people showed up. People are interested and want to hear him.

John McCain was at his home in Arizona today. Probably gearing up for the next debate on Tuesday night.

Will be very interesting.

-J

McPalin?

I think I'm going to vomit. She cannot answer a true question. She's a total BS'r and I can barely stand to watch her. God help us all if McCain/Palin gets voted in. I think I will go into a true depression.

And I'm not kidding.

-J

The Days of Our Lives

This week alone:

• The Littlest ran away two times in one day. Details later and yes I'm serious but also it wasn't serious. Talk about stress.
• Life got a lot more stressful for lots of reasons; none of I want to go into here but trust me, it did.
• The stock market came three heartbeats away from crashing and now we have history in the making. We almost had another Great Depression. In this day and age. Hard to wrap your mind around that one.
• Cried myself to sleep one night; ok, make that two.
• I got more worried about the election; it is what it is and I am not going to worry about it anymore.
• I cooked dinner at home like four nights in a row. Seriously, you have no idea what effort that took.
• All small things but bullet two is really twelve bullets in one.

Rough week. Looking forward to more positive. For sure. My best friend coined it perfectly; These Are The Days of Our Lives. Agree.

Jenn

The Year of the Election

Go. Check him out. Tamm pointed me to him; hadn't been in a while and it always amazes me when I let time go and haven't checked his stuff. Why I let time do that to me....

Click here and make sure you have time for an informative read

Who is right? Who is wrong? The world will never know. At least not for a year or two. It'll all come out in the wash. Whatever happens, we'll have to make the best of it. Won't we? I'm not sure. I'm not sure of anything. I do know that he writes well and has researched a few things. My writings are driven by emotions; his are driven by facts. Like that.

Jenn

Republicans 2008

I know, I know. I can't help it. Clearly I'm all fired up. Did you know the following:

• That they really don't get it. They really don't. Something as small but maybe not insignificant--the lime green outfit Cindy McCain wore last night cost $300,000. Um, add a little bit to that number and that's just about how much we paid for our entire HOUSE. Are they so out of touch? Well, I guess they are. Seriously? Even if you ARE that rich and your husband is running for President how about not flaunting your millions to the entire country watching? There are people hurting, families in crisis, in debt, working hard for not that much, foreclosing on their homes...I think the fact that she wore an outfit that cost that much money is a clear signal that they are completely out of touch.
• That I agree Sarah Palin is an effective speaker. I felt she was a bit sardonic last night but can't argue she is an effective speaker. Will she know the issues, will she debate well, could she run the country? That remains to be seen. I feel picking her was a poor choice; espeically over others that were available and more well qualified but it is what it is now. Let history make itself. I will not disregard her inexperience. Will not.
• That the main theme of the RNC tonight is fear? They are trying to shove it down our throats. Let me tell you something, I fell for that last time, I'm offended by it and I'm not falling for it again. Done with that. Please do not continue to insult me. I acknowledge there are terrorists in this world who wish our country harm and try to plan it at every turn but I'm not falling for this again. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, try to fool me again and I'd be a flaming idiot. I'm not.
• That John McCain has been practicing for SIX WEEKS for this speech tonight. SIX WEEKS. I wish someone would cut the power to the teleprompter tonight and let the chips fall where they may. I think it would look something sort of like deer in headlights if you ask me. But then, hey, he's been practicing for six weeks so I'm sure he'd be able to roll; right?

Why is she not giving interviews? Where is she? Tending to her family? I would expect her to but anyone see my point here? Really, where is she? If she's tending to her family doesn't that tell you something for the future? Just saying. Someone please shut me up. Put me in my place. Please, open my mind more. I know, I'm very close minded. I know.

Oh Sarah Palin where art thou? You won't give interviews till your "campaign is ready" (quote) why aren't you ready now? I don't get it. We are supposed to vote for you but you are too busy letting others tell you how you are supposed to speak, school you on the issues and tell you your opinions on them? Can you get it all done in a week before your first debate? Is anyone else concerned?

I have no opinions on this, you can tell right?

RNC

Where do I begin? I have to keep an open mind. I'm supposed to. Keep an open mind. .....But I can't help myself. Tell me.....

• Is it me or do you notice how BORED everyone looks?


• Is it me or are people being extremely rude and laughing and talking, moving around and not paying attention?


• Is it me or are the speeches a bit short and void of content?


• Is it me or are you as glad as I am that he didn't choose Meg Whitman as VP?


• Is it me or are you as shocked as I am (still) that he chose Sarah Palin?

OK. She has not spoken yet and I might just have to eat my words and if I have to, I gladly will.

Mitt Romney is on now oh boy, let me listen in with my open mind. Promise. I will. Ok, ok, promise, I'll try.

I can't help myself, I'm still scratching my head and saying, "Sarah Palin? eh? " Sarah Palin Comparison is more like it. Done. More later. Done done done.

Palin; Pale In Comparison..More on her...

Check out the link below--

More of the same. It's more of the same. What was it Joe Biden was saying at the convention last week? He said, "That's not change, that's more of the same." -and that's exactly what it is in more ways than one.

This from a journalist who lives in Alaska. Really, check it out. He lives there; I read it, found it very interesting. Odd this whole thing is. John McCain I think does not want to win. I really think that.

http://alaskanabroad.typepad.com/an_alaskan_abroad/2008/08/doogan-on-palin.html

I say she will fall apart on her own, I think things will spin out of control at some point; they are well on their way now and it's clear the Republicans made a mistake and are in panic mode but defending her fiercely. What choice do they have? John McCain the Maverick just mavericked his way right into a fun situation didn't he? How about thinking before acting as a Presidential Nominee? You have to do that in the real job, Buddy!

Are you KIDDING me? Sarah Palin?

Our future hangs in the very balance. John McCain picks Sarah Palin? Who the hell is she? So if something happens to him and can no longer do his job SHE is who will run our country? He only met her ONE time in person and he picks her over Mitt Romney? Or even for God's sake, Rudy Guliani? I am aghast. I think it's politicial suicide. What is he thinking? Is he thinking she is a woman and that's why he's adding her to his ticket? He doesn't even know how many houses he owns. I mean, is this the man we want running our country? He has no charisma, imagine him in a down and dirty foreign policy meeting with someone that finesse is needed. He can't speak without reading in front of him on the paper, he can't remember what they want him to say. I really don't think he ever truly speaks from the heart; he's just a puppet. His age alone is concerning and he's already made it clear he won't run for another term IF he's elected. Why invest in him? Why invest in another four years which will simply repeat the last eight? I'm not really sure what the discussion is at this point. I'm a woman. I'm shocked and disgusted that he picked this woman. I'm not making a judgment on her character in fact, I feel badly for her. It's his decision to try to manipulate and politic his way through what he knows is a hard road ahead for him. I guess it is politics so more power to him. More power he might need.

There is nothing that even peaks my interest in his agenda or even what he is thinking. I don't want to be closed minded but I think I already have heard and seen enough to make a well informed decision. Tell me what is credible about picking this woman out of the blue? He doesn't even know her! Seriously? I think it's a shame. Shame on you John McCain. You are as transparant as a piece of glass.

That's just my opinion. Take it or leave it.

This Time, It's Democrats

We all have opinions. They make the world go round. No one person is perfect; not even with a very smart staff are perfect decisions made all of the time (remember when George Bush got on that Naval Carrier and declared we'd "won the war" so early on; bad move--look at us now). This is certainly not the basis for my decision, simply a very small example of how no one is perfect; most particularly "Dubya". I voted for the man. Twice. Sure did. Was proud to give him my vote. If only I knew then what I know now.
I'm not a staunch Republican or Democrat; neither. I vote for who I think will do the best at the helm of our country. Neither person, no matter who, no matter which election, no matter what year, niether candidate is EVER perfect. Neither one will always 100% of the time provide perfect guidance to the citizens of our country. All will make mistakes. Every President has, can't name one who has not. Out of some notables and top rated (by some including me) are:

1. Ronald Reagan
2. Theodore Roosevelt
3. Abraham Lincoln

But even out of those, mistakes were made. Rest assured it will happen no matter who this country votes in. In my opinion, if we vote for McCain, who is literally straddled, tied to, and weighed down in cement in Bush policies, we get what we have now. A big mess. A very big continuation of more of the same. If Obama gets in, we aren't really entirely sure what we're getting, we have an idea, and lots of people are making him sound worse than he may be, but he wants change from the way it is now and as far as I'm concerned, I'm purely voting for that. I don't really care if he changes his position on when the troops are coming home. Yes, I want them home, think they should have been home years ago actually, but if Barack Obama has to add time to his original thought of when he's pulling them home, who cares? I know for a fact, he wants them home sooner than John McCain and I'm quite sure Obama will go about making it happen; 16 months, 24 months, or even 36 months is a hell of a lot shorter time frame than 40-50 years. No? We shouldn't have gone there in the first place. Oh wait, yes, GWB is an oil man on the side, I guess someone is going to tell me that it's nothing but a coincidence where our troops ended up. In the middle of Oil Country, George Bush's OTHER occupation and little side business has everything to do with that. What are the clear results of us going into this war? Someone please tell me.

What is my point? Barack Obama will not be perfect. But he is young, he speaks from his heart, he listens, and he wants a better America. Getting to that point will probably not be fun for anyone, inlcluding us, the citizens of this country. John McCain is too old and wants things to remain as they are, he's old school and his health and age (for such a stressful job) definitely concern me. John McCain if voted in will not be perfect, neither of them will be. Go with who you want, who you think will take America out of the tank it's in, bring it to a better level, help our International Allies (and even enemies) view us in a better light. That's why this country is so beautiful, you may vote for who you think is the best person. It's your RIGHT.

Last time it was Republicans. This time, it's Democrats. Will I be right or wrong? I guess we won't know till later.