How dumb is our government? Mexico is one of the most corrupt countries in the world and we are going to spend 1.4 billion dollars in aid and training and equipment? The last time we did this with Mexico, the men we trained went over to the winning side, the drug cartel side. The equipment went with them as did the weapons. I don't know where the money went.

Not much has been revealed about the agreement. Some are saying some of the funds will be used to combat terrorisms. Who's against that? Right? Seems to me we could and should clean up our own act by closing the border. This in turn would greatly reduce much of the drugs on our streets. We should also crack down, no pun intended, on drug use. This is something we can do. We know who the traffickers are, who the users are.

I'm not saying it's easy to do. I just don't see why we haven't wanted to. I know there has been a lot of money spent on "the war on drugs", but with too many restrictions and who knows how far money has made it up the chain of command. There's a tremendous amount of money to be made, and a lot of it is floating around. Someone has got to start the ball rolling. It's in our court: someone pick it up and run.

I can't hold back any longer: Michael Huckabee for President. There, I said it, but not as well as his web site. Michael Huckabee has got it all. Go read and let me know what you think.

Let me start out by giving thanks to all our fallen heroes and those serving today. Also to the families who lost loved ones and those separated from their very own heroes.

Now, politics as usual. While Nancy Pelosi made some admirable remarks, she just couldn't leave out politics on this special day. She had to be derogatory in her comments regarding the Republican's block of the Senate's veterans bill. Both parties knew it was heading for a veto.

The ten billion dollar domestic spending add-on to the veterans bill made the bill outside the parameters of the President's budget. Add-ons are a practice used by both parties, I know. This one stands out because we are at war and I think we should put all that BS aside and show some appreciation for those fighting in distant lands.

So the battle in Washington rages on even on the one day set aside for honoring some truly selfless people.

God bless all who serve.
Stranger

How refreshing to hear someone say something good about the United States of America. That it came from the lips of a Frenchman and not from one of our own made it so resounding. Break out the brie and French wine!

French President Sarkozy gave a speech to a joint session of Congress the tone of which I've been longing for. He received standing ovations, especially when he remembered the sacrifices we made freeing France from Hitler. Also moving was when he said the thought of an American dying in battle gives him pause to reflect the loss as if it were one of his own. He praised us for the endless pursuit of freeing people from oppression. Sarkozy went on to say that America welcomed immigrants not to offer handouts, but to give them the opportunity to be self sufficient and successful.

I can only hope that one day I will hear that the majority of our politicians speak as highly of the USA as President Sarkozy.

Does anyone feel like we are in kindergarten? Al Gore, the celebrated inventor of the Internet, is going to save the planet? Come on, this is so fallacious. It was just thirty years ago we were warned of the non-stoppable ice age coming our way.

We all know the earth is alive and dynamic. There is nothing static about our planet, let alone our solar system. And don't forget we are talking about a one degree rise in temperature that occurred during the beginning of the last century.

I feel bad for Gore. Although he is making a bundle of money with this, I believe he will be ridiculed for some time to come.

One can always find people with opposing views on any any subject, but common sense will win the day on this one. First it must play itself out.

One of the things I want to know from the candidates is what their energy policy will be. It's imperative we move away from importing our energy. What I would like to hear is drilling in Alaska,off the US coast and more in the Gulf of Mexico. We should use our coal supply, now that we have clean technology. Nuclear power is a no brainer, built by the dozens. After all, who has the watchdogs to safe guard the advancement of nuclear power other than the US? Working together we would produce clean energy safely and efficently.

This is a matter of National security. There is evil out there and we are the target. We need to start talking to each other and not at each other.

The United Nation's proposed Law of the Sea Treaty is a redistribution of resources and wealth scheme at our expense. I must say this is in line with the "new world order" crowd. It gives control of the oceans to UN third world countries who will line up to extract as much out of the USA as possible.

The UN is primarily made up of anti-American communist states and dictatorships. It's inept and corrupt. Need I remind you of the food for oil program?

The USA is doing fine. We don't need other countries subverting our constitution. We can not give up our sovereignty; we can not weaken or negate any part of our constitution. The UN would have the right to tax the USA, to take us to court and fine us.

I think it's time to split the UN into two organizations--one made of democracies and the other made up of communists/dictatorships. We could demonstrate which is better for the people of each and which works economically. We would then welcome any country who would like to join with us.

So why should something so great and standing the test of time come under such unimaginable attacks?

America, it's time to read the Bill of Rights and stand our ground.
This is too important to leave it to the next guy.

Stranger

The Bill of Rights
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution

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The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution;

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

I know you've heard the sad story of Ramos and Compean and probably shook your head in disgust and went on with your life. If you're not familiar with the facts here is a link to the story: http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2007/jan07/07-01-03.html

Now, all I'm asking of you is to contact whomever you think has compassion and a conscious, and ask them to pressure President Bush to pardon these two American heroes. These men put their lives on the line for us. The very least we should do is ask for their release. My guess is that President Bush is in turmoil over this on a personal level. It just goes against his beliefs.

Finally, in the name of Ronald Reagan: Mr. Bush tear down those bars.

Today I'd like to tell you about my favorite charity, The Coalition to Salute American Heroes. This is a great organization dedicated to rebuilding the lives of those who have been traumatized mentally as well as physically due to the war effort.

This is from their site.

The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes was created to
provide a way for individuals, corporations and others
to help our severely wounded and disabled Operation Enduring
Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and their families
rebuild their lives.

If you are able to give to these American heroes, the web address is:
http://www.saluteheroes.org/.

They really need our help. Thank you.

Two items: the first is an article from the Military Times.
http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_flagfold_071026/
The piece is about a ceremony that takes place at national cemeteries. It's a flag folding ceremony where the flag is folded thirteen times along with a recital reflecting the significance of every fold. As you probably guessed, someone complained. Here it is:

The complaint revolved around the narration in the 11th fold, which celebrates Jewish war veterans and “glorifies the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob".

Have we lost our civility?

The second is about a post office in (guess what state) California! A bulletin board covered with photos of local soldiers was taken down because??? Yes, a complaint. Here is a link to Michelle Malkin's article: http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/22/soldier-photo-tribute-banned-at-us-post-office/

There is a happy ending to this story. Someone came to their senses. The photos are back up on the wall with the ok from the deputy postmaster.

Does this bother anyone besides me?

Can you imagine how much better this country would be if we rid ourselves of lobbyist? Politicians would pay more attention to "We the People". There would be less corruption, less bribery, less money being filtered into the campaigns of those who play the game of "what's in it for me". Politicians would make decisions based on what's best for the country. We would have an energy policy, a solvent Social Security system, less expensive health care. You can add more to the list.

Special interest groups buy their way. We have the power to change this, but are fooled by the pork that our representatives bring home. A bridge, building, museum -- the cost is too high. The money corrupts an otherwise honest person into a corrupt politician. Lobbyists must go. They don't represent the people as some would have us believe. They represent organizations with very specific agendas.

I don't know how to exact our power. I'd like to hear from you. Tell me how.

The speculators are having a field day. The environmentalists are smug. The lobbyists are celebrating. And we, well we are digging deeper and waiting for our representatives to protect the goose that lay the " golden egg". Gold is at $800 an ounce, and the dollar is declining. Congress is so involved in the struggle for power that they started a year early. I'm not sure they are aware of their surroundings.

We have oil and coal. We also have the technology to build and operate nuclear power plants. There is oil shale in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming and we now know how to process it. Opposing that will probably be the next environmentalist movement and perhaps foreign interest groups will be spreading cheer throughout Washington, D.C.

Some way, some how this cycle has got to be broken. We need to vote "better". We need to get involved and demand "better". We are "We the People". It is up to us -- our responsibility to manage congress: to elect selfless people to serve, not so many lawyers, a term or two and make room for new thinkers.

Let us take our country back. Let me know what you think.