My family and I were honored to spend time with my best friend Pat for his final weekend home before going over to Afghanistan. It meant a lot to us to be included in the time spent with his family. To us, they are part of our extended family.
It amazes me how there are still people like him out there. We as a nation are so lucky to have him and others willing to do the heavy lifting. Too often we get sucked into the daily rut of our lives and forget we have hundreds of thousands of service men and women overseas FIGHTING for us. They sacrifice everything for us.
I enjoy watching Pat with his family. His two daughters, his wife, and parents and sibilings mean the world to him. He is the type of guy who would do anything for you if asked. I know if I ever needed anything, he would be there.
His nation has called on him to help. He is doing with pride, willingly, despite knowing the strain it will put on his family. A year away from loved ones is one the greatest sacrifices anyone can make.
The world we live in today is all about soundbites, and the latest hollywood gossip. Since I became a dad, I have become much more attuned to the culture we get inundated with on TV. I have turned off a lot of it. It doesn't do anything to improve my life.
Then there are people like Pat. They are doing so much for us and their stories are getting lost in the constant blather and noise in the culture. Heros are the steroid filled baseball players chasing records for even more millions of dollars.
And don't forget the wives and moms (and dads too!) who provide support on the homefront means the world to the troops. They are true patriots and heros. Their story also should be told. Keeping the home running with kids and not skipping a beat while remaing a pilar of strength. Who can not be inspired by that?
Pat knows the evil we are facing. The people who just want to give up and go home really don't get it. They should take the time to talk to those doing the fighting. They might just learn something.
So, when Pat goes wheels up sometime in the near future...I will take a moment to say a prayer for his safe keeping and god's speed. I will do what little I can to support him and his other fellow soldiers. And I will count the days till his return and we can sit in my backyard, have a bbq and watch our kids grow.
Pat is a true patriot, willing to stand up when called. How many of us can say that?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
UPDATE - ROMNEY OUT
Well, I guess it is official..Romney has graciously bowed out of the election. Well, better start thinking about the choices laid out in the prior post.
Here is a link to his address at CPAC - a total class act to the end:
http://thepage.time.com/transcript-of-romneys-speech-withdrawing-from-the-race/
Here is the significant part that is worth a read....
"And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child’s play. About this, I have no doubt.
I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.
This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters… many of you right here in this room… have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.
I will continue to stand for conservative principles; I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next President of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism!!
It is the common task of each generation—and the burden of liberty—to preserve this country, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future.
To this task… accepting this burden… we are all dedicated, and I firmly believe, by the providence of the Almighty, that we will succeed beyond our fondest hope. America must remain, as it has always been, the hope of the earth.
Thank you, and God bless America."
Here is a link to his address at CPAC - a total class act to the end:
http://thepage.time.com/transcript-of-romneys-speech-withdrawing-from-the-race/
Here is the significant part that is worth a read....
"And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child’s play. About this, I have no doubt.
I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.
This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters… many of you right here in this room… have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.
I will continue to stand for conservative principles; I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next President of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism!!
It is the common task of each generation—and the burden of liberty—to preserve this country, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future.
To this task… accepting this burden… we are all dedicated, and I firmly believe, by the providence of the Almighty, that we will succeed beyond our fondest hope. America must remain, as it has always been, the hope of the earth.
Thank you, and God bless America."
Choices
It appears that McCain will wrap the nomination up in the near future despite the best efforts of Romney to appeal to the party base.
Now the question becomes - what will you do in November? That is really something I have been thinking about. Some have suggested becoming 'suicide voters' (don't really like that analogy). This means as conservatives you are so angry at how McCain has been ramrodded down your throats, you will vote for Hillary/Obama to send McCain a message. I just couldn't see being part of a vote that puts EITHER of those two left wingers in charge for four years, as much as I dislike McCain.
Another suggestion is to just stay home. I have never missed any election ever since turning 18 - school board, primary, national, local etc. I take the importance of my vote very seriously. That only hurts others further down on the ticket.
Another more viable option is for conservatives now to become much more activiated and involved. Work your butts off to elect conservates to the House, Senate, and Governorships across the country. We need to make sure we can have our values represented. If we end up with McCain, then we need to make sure we have people in the Senate to block ANY amnesty for illegals in the country, to block any .50cent gas tax increase to pay for the falicy of global warming etc. This has to be our calling.
That means probably pulling the lever for McCain, as difficult it will/may be. Or making sure we have others on the ticket and those further down we can support and motivate us.
I still hold out hope for a Romney come back. He could still pull it off, but it will take a small miracle.
McCain will be finished with me if he picks Huckabee as his VP. That will only go to prove to me his disdain and lack of respect for conservatives should he do that. Huckabee is hanging around to thwart Romney, by far the most qualified to carry our party banner.
Most recently McCain has said Conservatives should "calm down" now that he is the nominee. That is beyond condescending. But do you expect from this maverick.
So, conservatives, we have a lot of work to do, even in McCain in the nominee. We can still influence a lot of candidates from the local level right on up to Congress.
Don't let the media, the party country club republicans, or anyone insinuate we do not matter. It is really up to you!
Now the question becomes - what will you do in November? That is really something I have been thinking about. Some have suggested becoming 'suicide voters' (don't really like that analogy). This means as conservatives you are so angry at how McCain has been ramrodded down your throats, you will vote for Hillary/Obama to send McCain a message. I just couldn't see being part of a vote that puts EITHER of those two left wingers in charge for four years, as much as I dislike McCain.
Another suggestion is to just stay home. I have never missed any election ever since turning 18 - school board, primary, national, local etc. I take the importance of my vote very seriously. That only hurts others further down on the ticket.
Another more viable option is for conservatives now to become much more activiated and involved. Work your butts off to elect conservates to the House, Senate, and Governorships across the country. We need to make sure we can have our values represented. If we end up with McCain, then we need to make sure we have people in the Senate to block ANY amnesty for illegals in the country, to block any .50cent gas tax increase to pay for the falicy of global warming etc. This has to be our calling.
That means probably pulling the lever for McCain, as difficult it will/may be. Or making sure we have others on the ticket and those further down we can support and motivate us.
I still hold out hope for a Romney come back. He could still pull it off, but it will take a small miracle.
McCain will be finished with me if he picks Huckabee as his VP. That will only go to prove to me his disdain and lack of respect for conservatives should he do that. Huckabee is hanging around to thwart Romney, by far the most qualified to carry our party banner.
Most recently McCain has said Conservatives should "calm down" now that he is the nominee. That is beyond condescending. But do you expect from this maverick.
So, conservatives, we have a lot of work to do, even in McCain in the nominee. We can still influence a lot of candidates from the local level right on up to Congress.
Don't let the media, the party country club republicans, or anyone insinuate we do not matter. It is really up to you!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Death of Conservatism?
Well, the pundits, MSM types and others are singing the joys of a McCain candidacy for President. And last night, enough lazy Republicans afraid of doing any kind of intellectual thinking all but sealed the win for McCain. All they cared about was who the MEDIA was telling them could beat Hillary in November.
As a conservative, I found our field of candidates pretty weak overall. None was a 'true' principaled conservative. Romeny is by far the closest. But he looks to fight on, without much hope. The cards are stacked against him. Huckabee made a deal with McCain and will either end up VP or in his administration. He is staying in to thwart any movement for Romney by appealing to the Evangelicals and spewing carefully parsed anti-moron rhetoric - thus appealing to fear of a 'mormon'.
How did we get here? You can thank George Bush and the country club, martini sipping liberal RHINOs (Republicans in Name Only) who have pure comtempt and hatred of people like me - principaled conservatives. They have been trying for decades to marginalize and isolate us. We are the 'yahoos' of the Republican party. The 2006 election was the start of the end of Conservative influence in the party. Conservative powers houses - Rick Santorum and George Allen were lost. In fact, if George Allen had held on, he would be our nominee today. He would have cleaned the clocks of the other candidates in the field. But, it wasn't to be.
So, we will enter the November election with two left wing Republicans. Now you will see McCain's turn to the left. He has soldified his own view that he doesn't NEED conservatives for him to win. It is his belief that he can win without us.
He and his allies will be mistaken. Why appeal to moderate by trying to be more like Hillary or Obama? It won't work, never has. If you draw clear distinctions about your principals, you will win. You don't try to be more like your opponent.
The 2008 election will end up more like 1996 when another establishment candidate Bob Dole was destroyed by another Clinton.
If the ticket is indeed McCain/Huckabee, I may not vote for the first time in my life. I may write-in a candidate. We sure have come far from Reagan, and the 1994 Conservative sweep under Newt Gingrich.
Well done moderates, we'll be watching you, but not voting for you.
Here is a link to Mitt's speech on Super Tuesday
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Super_Tuesday
As a conservative, I found our field of candidates pretty weak overall. None was a 'true' principaled conservative. Romeny is by far the closest. But he looks to fight on, without much hope. The cards are stacked against him. Huckabee made a deal with McCain and will either end up VP or in his administration. He is staying in to thwart any movement for Romney by appealing to the Evangelicals and spewing carefully parsed anti-moron rhetoric - thus appealing to fear of a 'mormon'.
How did we get here? You can thank George Bush and the country club, martini sipping liberal RHINOs (Republicans in Name Only) who have pure comtempt and hatred of people like me - principaled conservatives. They have been trying for decades to marginalize and isolate us. We are the 'yahoos' of the Republican party. The 2006 election was the start of the end of Conservative influence in the party. Conservative powers houses - Rick Santorum and George Allen were lost. In fact, if George Allen had held on, he would be our nominee today. He would have cleaned the clocks of the other candidates in the field. But, it wasn't to be.
So, we will enter the November election with two left wing Republicans. Now you will see McCain's turn to the left. He has soldified his own view that he doesn't NEED conservatives for him to win. It is his belief that he can win without us.
He and his allies will be mistaken. Why appeal to moderate by trying to be more like Hillary or Obama? It won't work, never has. If you draw clear distinctions about your principals, you will win. You don't try to be more like your opponent.
The 2008 election will end up more like 1996 when another establishment candidate Bob Dole was destroyed by another Clinton.
If the ticket is indeed McCain/Huckabee, I may not vote for the first time in my life. I may write-in a candidate. We sure have come far from Reagan, and the 1994 Conservative sweep under Newt Gingrich.
Well done moderates, we'll be watching you, but not voting for you.
Here is a link to Mitt's speech on Super Tuesday
http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Super_Tuesday
Friday, January 25, 2008
Huckaburger
Well, the last candidate I will review is Mike Huckabee. A strong evangelical. Seems like a good person and did a decent job in the State of Arkansas.
However, his slight of hand jabs at Mitt's religion and his constant use of religious tones in his campaign scares me greatly.
He is a great debater, has a lot of skills that make him a good campaigner, and can act quickly on his feet.
Mike does have a lot to offer and would be a good adversary to Clinton or Obama.
The problem is, at least for me, with Mike, he seems not ready for the most important job in the world. Just not enough there. His recent hard stance on immigration after working to ensure in-state tuition for illegal children in his home state is a nullifier for me.
Sure he has chuck norris with him, which is very entertaining. He has lost over 125 pounds and turned around his life. But he is not ready to lead the free world and his use of religion to DIVIDE us, makes me very uncomfortable.
On a side note, what about McCain and Huckabee comapring endorsements - Chuck Norris for Huck, and Syvester Stallone for McCain...honestly, while humorous, who cares? Not I....
However, his slight of hand jabs at Mitt's religion and his constant use of religious tones in his campaign scares me greatly.
He is a great debater, has a lot of skills that make him a good campaigner, and can act quickly on his feet.
Mike does have a lot to offer and would be a good adversary to Clinton or Obama.
The problem is, at least for me, with Mike, he seems not ready for the most important job in the world. Just not enough there. His recent hard stance on immigration after working to ensure in-state tuition for illegal children in his home state is a nullifier for me.
Sure he has chuck norris with him, which is very entertaining. He has lost over 125 pounds and turned around his life. But he is not ready to lead the free world and his use of religion to DIVIDE us, makes me very uncomfortable.
On a side note, what about McCain and Huckabee comapring endorsements - Chuck Norris for Huck, and Syvester Stallone for McCain...honestly, while humorous, who cares? Not I....
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Romney the Man?
Well, Seems the field is dwindling since I started posting my thoughts. Sorry Fred Thompson, hardly even knew 'ya!
So, what about Mitt Romney? If you look at pure credentials, he matches Rudy on that front. A governor who ran a liberal state and was able to cut taxes and create jobs. He took on the complete mess of the Salt Lake City Olympics and turned it around. Mitt ran numerous businesses and done very well with almost all of them - he knows the hardship in making a payroll. Probably even more important in today's climate, he actually got passed a health care reform plan to cover everyone in his state. Now, it isn't perfect, but that is still quite and accomplishment.
I also read a story that during one of his business ventures, he decided to spin off a new company from one he took over. He posted a sheet in the office for those interested in going with him to start this new company. There would be major risks, maybe no salaries for a while until things got up and running. The ENTIRE office signed the sheet to go with Mitt Romney. That tells me this man can instill confidence and knows how to lead and get things done. Just one story, but one that has stuck with me for a while.
No doubt he has issues of being a 'flip-flopper', especially on abortion. He only came around when he was governor. But being as someone who came late to this issue myself in college, sometimes, making a change in your beliefs isn't a bad thing. To me, he made a change in the right direction. Many say it is political expedience to have this 'change' now. Maybe, maybe so. But it doesn't go to diminish his other good works.
I find the attacks on Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon as flat out wrong. This isn't an HBO tv show and they no longer support having multiple wives. Isn't time for us a nation to move past this? His religious beliefs aren't an issue for me, so I wont' even waste any further space on this issue. He believes in the Judo-Christian values, that's good enough for me.
I think the Democrats fear him more than other candidates. The media was in love with Rudy and now McCain. I can't remember any conservative candidate the media wanted to WIN. SO I am suspect of their support of any of the Republican candidates.
Mitt has a great deal to offer. Good record, gets things done, business man, good family man, and has the potential to be a great leader. With tough economic times pending, we could use someone with his real world experience at the helm of our financial ship.
So, what about Mitt Romney? If you look at pure credentials, he matches Rudy on that front. A governor who ran a liberal state and was able to cut taxes and create jobs. He took on the complete mess of the Salt Lake City Olympics and turned it around. Mitt ran numerous businesses and done very well with almost all of them - he knows the hardship in making a payroll. Probably even more important in today's climate, he actually got passed a health care reform plan to cover everyone in his state. Now, it isn't perfect, but that is still quite and accomplishment.
I also read a story that during one of his business ventures, he decided to spin off a new company from one he took over. He posted a sheet in the office for those interested in going with him to start this new company. There would be major risks, maybe no salaries for a while until things got up and running. The ENTIRE office signed the sheet to go with Mitt Romney. That tells me this man can instill confidence and knows how to lead and get things done. Just one story, but one that has stuck with me for a while.
No doubt he has issues of being a 'flip-flopper', especially on abortion. He only came around when he was governor. But being as someone who came late to this issue myself in college, sometimes, making a change in your beliefs isn't a bad thing. To me, he made a change in the right direction. Many say it is political expedience to have this 'change' now. Maybe, maybe so. But it doesn't go to diminish his other good works.
I find the attacks on Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon as flat out wrong. This isn't an HBO tv show and they no longer support having multiple wives. Isn't time for us a nation to move past this? His religious beliefs aren't an issue for me, so I wont' even waste any further space on this issue. He believes in the Judo-Christian values, that's good enough for me.
I think the Democrats fear him more than other candidates. The media was in love with Rudy and now McCain. I can't remember any conservative candidate the media wanted to WIN. SO I am suspect of their support of any of the Republican candidates.
Mitt has a great deal to offer. Good record, gets things done, business man, good family man, and has the potential to be a great leader. With tough economic times pending, we could use someone with his real world experience at the helm of our financial ship.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Media Coverage
Isn't it a sad state of affairs when the media goes crazy over the death of actor Heath Ledger. While a sad story, there is so many more important things going on that deserve coverage.
How about those who sacrifice for our country? Leaving behind family and friends to worry and wait for their return. Some making the ultimate sacrifice. Where are THEIR stories? It is a rare thing for the media to spend ANY time on these individuals. Here is a link to a story about Sgt Dozier. His family has given back to this country since the Civil War! He was killed in Iraq in early January. Read his story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/22/AR2008012203333.html
What about the March for Life? Where was the media coverage of this event? People speaking out for the 40-45 MILLION lives aborted since the passage of Roe v Wade. Not much at all actually. The passing of a hollywood actor was 'breaking news' all night long.
Just another sign of the world we live in. It doesn't diminish Mr. Ledger's passing, it is a terrible thing for anyone so young to pass away. But there many stories of sacrifice and REAL service that go unreported. These are the stories that need to be told.
How about those who sacrifice for our country? Leaving behind family and friends to worry and wait for their return. Some making the ultimate sacrifice. Where are THEIR stories? It is a rare thing for the media to spend ANY time on these individuals. Here is a link to a story about Sgt Dozier. His family has given back to this country since the Civil War! He was killed in Iraq in early January. Read his story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/22/AR2008012203333.html
What about the March for Life? Where was the media coverage of this event? People speaking out for the 40-45 MILLION lives aborted since the passage of Roe v Wade. Not much at all actually. The passing of a hollywood actor was 'breaking news' all night long.
Just another sign of the world we live in. It doesn't diminish Mr. Ledger's passing, it is a terrible thing for anyone so young to pass away. But there many stories of sacrifice and REAL service that go unreported. These are the stories that need to be told.
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