Saturday, October 18, 2003

Reverse Colors

-by Leslie Johnson, Phoenix, AZ

Friday, October 17, 2003

In the News – Senate Tries to Lose the Peace in Iraq

Yesterday the Senate passed a resolution for funding the rebuilding of Iraq. Unfortunately, they decided that it might look good here at home to some voters if they made part of the money a loan instead of a grant. While a few gullible voters might fall for this, I believe the overwhelming majority of voters see this as a destructive move under the guise of fiscal responsibly. A similar bill was rejected in the House. To see how your Senators voted, follow this link.

I don’t relish taking on more debt that will be paid by us hardworking Americans and if that were my only concern I might foolishly agree with this. My prime concern for the future of this great country and its people is that we win the war on terrorism. A victory ensures that all good things flow from it. We won’t have an economy to worry about, if September 11^th’s continue to occur and the terrorist know it. They are in this for the long haul and so must we be. They have been fighting this war against us for the last two decades; we just ignored it until the wake call arrived two years ago.

With the absence of our type of large “nukes” in their hands, they don’t have a prayer of killing all 290 million of us. What they can do is a continual series of smaller 9/11 type attacks, which will eventually destroy our economy and our way of life.

How do we stop it? We hunt them down and kill them before they kill us. We choke off their funding. We gather intelligence and set up as many roadblocks as we can. We do what we are currently doing with the understanding that we can’t do this alone. That’s where Iraq comes in.

Next week the world will be asked to contribute to the funding that will rebuild Iraq. If the Senate has their way, our negotiators go to this conference with one hand tied behind their backs. We just opened the door for other countries to make loans not grants that will saddle the new government of Iraq with so much debt that prosperity will be along time coming to the Iraqi people, if ever. We can’t afford to do that.

The House and Senate will negotiate a compromise next week; make sure they hear from you before it happens.

Thursday, October 16, 2003

In the News

On a very sad note, the feeding tube was removed from Terri Schiavo yesterday. There was no Living Will signed by her and that should be a lesson to all of us. The court had to decide who had Terri’s best interest at heart and ruled that her husband, who currently lives with his girlfriend and has produced children with her while still legally married to Terri, had Terri’s best interest in mind over her parents who had nothing to gain except the financial burden of giving their flesh and blood every chance possible to live. The lack of common sense exhibited here is mind boggling and frightening. An example of jurisprudence lacking the prudent in our legal system.

On a good note, I came upon an article from an Iraqi teacher that confirms what the Bush Administration has been saying. Good things are happening in Iraq despite the media coverage we are bombarded with daily.

I was amazed that the PA (PLO) police were able to catch the five terrorists responsible for the bombing of a US convoy within 24 hours of the attack. Why is it that they can’t do this when the attack is directed at Israeli citizens? The convoy was in Gaza to interview Palestinian candidates for Fulbright Scholarships to teach or study here in our universities. Given the homegrown cesspool of academics already inhabiting our universities today, I would have to question the wisdom of recruiting teachers and students from a country that thrives on hatred to teach our next generation of young minds.

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

In the News – Courts with no hearts or brains

This is a gut wrenching case from Florida where the courts are in need of an overhaul. A woman will begin being starved to death this afternoon. I saw this on Hannity and Colmes the other night with a tape of the woman who is described as in a chronic vegetative state. It is obvious from the tape that she is severely brain damaged, however, she is capable of following a balloon being moved from one side of her face to the other and appears to express happiness in her facial expressions when her mother is near her. It’s enough to make you question whether she is really “ vegetative.”

Her parents were trying to stop her husband from having her feeding tube removed and are willing to take the financial responsibility of her care allowing him to wash his hands of his responsibility to the wife. The husband says he is trying to honor an agreement with his wife that no extraordinary means be used to keep her alive. She is not on a respirator. The extraordinary means of life support that will be withdrawn is food and water. When did food and water become extraordinary means of life support?

We saw a few weeks ago, another person who doctors deemed in a persistent vegetative state regain consciousness after a 19-year coma. I know these cases are rare; however, if the parents are willing to take financial responsibility, why not let them? This is their flesh and blood.

The media has not told us whether or not the woman has executed a “Living Will” or if this is a verbal agreement between she and her husband. Her husband has moved on with his life and is reported to be currently living with his girlfriend and their two children. Since he may have another dog in this fight, he should turn over medical power of attorney to this woman’s parents and file for divorce.

Starving someone to death is a terrible way to die. Court sanctioning it, when there is an alternative is unconscionable.

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

It’s 3:00am and my Internet service is down, by the time it comes up it will be time to go to work. L

Monday, October 13, 2003

In the News - W’s Ratings Up

According to the latest Gallup Poll, the President’s support is increasing again. The administrations media blitz this last week certainly has not hurt. What’s unfortunate is that their time and effort needs to be spent countering the media blather of how we are losing the peace, questioning their credibility, slanderous claims of lies, ad nauseum.

I think the American people understand that we must win this war on terrorism. Every time I hear some slimy politicians trying to make themselves look good by tearing down this administration, I think to myself “Boy, if I were terrorists, I sure would be encouraged to fight on.” Every day that a soldier dies or a new attack occurs, I put the blame squarely where it belongs, the irresponsible politicians and media who aid terrorists for their own gain while putting you, I, and every American in further danger.

This is an election year and for quite some time, challenging politicians have been able to sling mud at incumbents to win elections. This has to stop. Elections should be won on merit. Instead of telling me how bad the incumbent’s game plan is, how about telling me in detail how wonderful your plan is. It would help the voter make a more informed decision and quit aiding terrorists around the globe. It’s just common sense, something they obviously lack.