2008 Presidential Race

After watching all of the debates on both sides and going through the Primary process, I am just amazed at how this race is going thus far.

The Democrats are running a race that will probably be too close to call right up until the convention and the Republicans have a front runner who does not exactly warm the hearts of the true conservatives of the party.

I have come to the conclusion that it may not really matter at all, with the choices that Republicans are left with, who becomes the next president.

Oh, believe you me, I Am going to cast my vote come election time. My husband has always told me that if you don't exercise your right to vote, then you have absolutely No Right to complain later when you have a problem with how the government is being run. I tend to think he is right. This fact doesn't change the fact that I am seriously struggling with the choices that we are left with.

A lot of what the Democrats say sounds pretty good for America, but some of my concerns should a Democrat become president, are:

1. I believe that the Democrats will create amnesty for the illegal immigrants that are currently in the United States and they will do very little to secure our borders.

2. We already know that the Democrats plan to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home. My worry is what will happen to Iraq then? What will happen with Iran? What will the terrorists next move be and what will the Democrats be prepared to do to keep our country safe.

3. I am worried about what will happen with our taxes.

4. Until I hear exactly what their plan is, this idea of socialized healthcare scares me. I have read horror stories from other countries with such plans in place where people sit on a waiting list, sometimes until they die, trying to get basic and even critical care. I don't want our quality of care to diminish in the least.


There are other concerns that I have, but these are the largest. Sooooooooo . . . .with all of these concerns, very few choices and No good ones . . . . what's a voter to do?

I guess for now I'm just going to see how the primaries play out and then I'll give some more thought. ;o)

Remember & Honor . . . . .

For the freedoms that we all enjoy and maybe take for granted, today let us Remember and Honor those who have fought, (living or dead), in order that we may have these freedoms, and yes, even take them for granted.

God Bless America!

Lu

Now This Should Have Already Been Done . . . .

Some of you may remember the post that I made several days ago regarding military members loosing custody of their children while they are deployed:
Deployed troops battle for lost child custody

Rusty emailed me a link to the following article. Now this is what the law should have stated all along. I am THRILLED that they are doing something about this. Hopefully they can get it passed Very quickly. Our troops deserve peace of mind when they are deployed to serve our country.

Lu

____________________________________________________________

Article from: http://www.militarytimes.com/

House: Protect custody for deployed parents
By Rick Maze - Staff writerPosted : Thursday May 17, 2007 22:16:39 EDT

The House of Representatives moved Wednesday to protect deployed service members from losing legal custody of their children.

An amendment to the 2008 defense authorization bill, approved by voice vote, prevents states from making permanent custody changes while a service member is deployed on a contingency operation. It also prohibits a court from considering a military member’s deployment as a reason for denying custody.

Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, who sponsored the amendment, said he is trying to provide some peace of mind to deployed parents.

“My amendment provides certainty to service members deployed in a contingency operation that their child custody arrangements will be protected,” Turner said. “In some cases, courts are overturning established custody arrangement while the custodial parent is serving our country in a contingency operation, such as Iraq or Afghanistan.”

His amendment is modeled after a change in law passed by Michigan in 2005.

Under the amendment, no court may modify or amend a previous child custody judgment, or order or issue a new order while a service member is deployed, with one exception: The provision allows a temporary custody order “if there is clear and convincing evidence that it is in the best interest of the child.”

Additionally, if the motion to change custody is filed before or after a deployment, no court may consider absence for deployment when determining what is in the best interest of a child.

“Much is asked of our service members, and mobilizations can disrupt and strain relationships at home,” Turner said. “This additional protection is needed to provide them peace of mind that the courts will not take away their children because they answered the country’s call to serve.”

The defense policy bill passed the House on Thursday but still faces a long road to becoming law. In the Senate, the armed services committee will write its version of the bill next week, with plans for the full Senate to pass the bill by early July. At that point, differences between the House and Senate bills and objections from the Bush administration will have to be reconciled before a final bill is passed and becomes law.

Deployed troops battle for lost child custody

You MUST read the article below. It has me in tears.


http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2007/05/ap_parentsatwarcustody_070505/

I know that most parents love their children and would love to have primary custody of their children . . . . .BUT . . . . .Seeking primary custody of a child when one of the parents has been deployed to SERVE THEIR COUNTRY is so very WRONG in so many ways and on so many levels!

"The federal law called the Servicemembers

Civil Relief Act is meant to protect our

military service men and women by staying

civil court actions and administrative

proceedings during military activation.

They can’t be evicted. Creditors can’t seize

their property. Civilian health benefits, if

suspended during eployment, must be

reinstated."

This law MUST be revised to protect military parents who have been activated and deployed so that they can serve our country without having to worry about loosing their children in a totally unfair and unbalanced custody battle.

I am just shocked that this can even happen to our military service members! I am OUTRAGED!!!! They do so much for our country. We should ALL expect for them to be treated better Here in the United States than to be stabbed in the back by our court systems the second that they are activated and deployed.

OUTRAGED!!!!

War . . . . .

You know, after doing a lot of research and reading I have come to the conclusion that I believe that it is VERY possible that the US going to war with Iraq was a HUGE mistake. I believe that it is VERY possible that any faulty intelligence given to the government, prior to the US taking military action in Iraq, was intentionally created to induce the US to go to war with Iraq.

Now who would do such a thing and why? I don't know the answers to these questions, and quite frankly, other than bringing the guilty culprits to justice,(which I do not believe will ever happen), it's crying over spilt milk.

The fact is that we DID go to war with Iraq. We DID remove Saddam Hussein from power. I believe that our actions are the reason there is currently a civil war in Iraq that our troops are caught in the middle of.

So now here are the BIG questions that we MUST answer . . .

1. Do we pull our troops out of Iraq and bring them Home?

2. If we do bring our troops home, what if any, consequences will this have for the United States?

3. How will the WORLD view the United States if we pull our troops out of Iraq when they are in the middle of a civil war that we are responsible for?

4. If we do bring our troops home, will it be leaving Iraq vulnerable to being taken over by neighboring countries? AND . . .if the answer is Yes, would bringing our troops home inevitably cause there to be a threat of some sort against the United States?

5. Realizing that we have made a HUGE MISTAKE by going to war with Iraq, and realizing that we are the reason for the instability in Iraq, are we obligated to clean up the mess that we have made in this country so as not to leave Iraq vulnerable to being overtaken by other countries or terrorists groups?

6. If we do keep our troops in Iraq, do we give the Iraqi government a timetable for being able to keep their own country secure? If so . . . . .what is the right amount of time? . . . . The FAIR amount of time to give the Iraqi troops time to become well trained soldiers who can keep their own country secure?



These are the questions that I believe most Americans feel very strongly about.



Here are my own personal answers to the above questions:

1. No, I do not believe that we should bring our troops home at this time . . . . .Not Yet

2. I believe the consequences to the United States would be HUGE if we were to bring our troops home at this time.

3. I believe that we are already viewed badly around the world and if we pull our troops out of Iraq after we have made such a mess there, then we will only look worse in the world community.

4. YES, if we pull our troops out of Iraq, it will leave Iraq totally vulnerable to attack . . . .AND . . . .YES, I believe that bringing our troops home now could inevitably be the cause for additional threats to the United States!!!

5. Yes, I do believe that we are obligated to help provide stability to Iraq, especially when WE are the ones who caused ALL of the instability. To just drop the mess in the lap of Iraq, after we caused all of this chaos would be criminal.

6. Yes, I do believe that Iraq needs to be given a FIRM . . .BUT FAIR . . .timetable allowing them to have their troops properly trained. Once the training is complete, then, and only then, should we bring our troops home.

Lu

Letters Sent . . . . .

I sent the following letter to:

Tennessee Senator - Bob Corker
Tennessee Senator - Lamar Alexander

Congressman
Tennessee's 8th District - John Tanner

________________________________________________________

Senator / Congressman,

With the jump of Presidential hopefuls all of a sudden coming from every direction, there have been many political issues that have also been brought to the forefront.

It is my belief that only Democrats, who lean a little to the Right, and Republicans, who lean a little to the Left, will EVER be able to work together for the GOOD of Our Country.

Immigration Reform is a huge concern for many Americans. Something must be done to secure our borders.

Every citizen of the United States has a Social Security Number and they are in "The System." It doesn't make much sense that we have what, 12,000,000 or so, Illegal Imagrants that we have very little or No information on.

The task of deporting Illegal Immigrants is too great to take on all at once, but we must start a system of either deporting Illegal Aliens once their status is discovered and/or set up a program to help people, who meet Certain Guidelines, become American Citizens.

I strongly believe that anyone who hires an Illegal Alien, for any reason that defies the law, should face Very stiff penalties. We must stop making it worth it to the companies and the Illegal Immigrants to take these risk.

I believe that our border guards MUST be given the authority to do their jobs without fear of their own government. I am appalled by the treatment and imprisonment of our US Border Guards who were imprisoned for trying to stop Criminals. It is Outrageous that OUR Government made a deal with the Illegal Alien CRIMINALS in order to prosecute OUR Border Guards! If these guards are still in jail, they should be released immediately. Something has to be done about this situation so that our border guards can do their jobs without fear of their own government.

Most Americans, myself included, have no problem with people coming to our country legally. WELCOME and WELL DONE!! I hope that all of their dreams come true in the Greatest Country on Earth. Some of my dear friends are here legally from Mexico. Most are now citizens and are doing very well in our country. I am thrilled for them. Those who enter and stay in this country illegally are putting a tremendous burden on this country at a very high cost to its Citizens.

My fear is that some politicians will do what they think is best for their political career, rather than doing what is best for the country. Think about it, if a politician were to vote to make 12,000,000 Illegal Aliens Citizens . . . . .Well Then . . . .That would be a Guaranteed 12,000,000 votes for that party come election time.

The American people are exhausted by politicians who only look to further themselves politically rather than doing the job that they were hired by the people to do.

Now about the "War." The "HR" and the Senate have all of the important information on this subject. I know that the war is not very popular right now, but you must answer these questions first before pulling our troops out and bringing them home. What is going to happen in Iraq if we leave now, and what might happen here, on our own soil, if we turn a blind eye? I just don't want us to look back in hindsight, after we have brought our troops home, and realize that we have made a mistake and that there may have been a better answer out there somewhere. I know that people are saying that they want our troops home right now, but what I think they may really mean is that they want something that will WORK right now. Yes, I believe that change is needed, I just don't want us to rush to judgement just to regret it later.

Respectfully,

Lu

In Memory Of . . . .

In Memory Of All Our Fallen Heroes Who Have Sacrificed Their Lives In The Service Of Our Country.

Mothers, Fathers, Sons, Daughters, Brothers, Sisters, Wives, Husbands, Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, Uncles, Grandchildren, Grandparents & Friends . . . . .

Your Sacrifice Will Not Be In Vein & Will Never Be Forgotten!

Casualties In Iraq As Of 4/18/07

3,357

Nancy Pelosi

I have to say that Nancy Pelosi scares me to death.

It is not the fact that she went to Syria, it's the fact that she went knowing that the President did not want her to go. People may not want to believe it, but this kind of behavior sends a very strong message to the World. The US is a country Divided! The US is a country that is turning on itself! We may have our differences, but is this really the message that we want to send to the WORLD!?!?

AND NOW I hear that she is wanting to go and visit with the president of Iran?????? The man who wants to wipe Israel & the US off the face of the earth???? The man who is providing weapons, bombs and training to the insurgents in Iraq so that they can kill OUR Troops???? What is she thinking????

Don't think for one second that these countries don't take the image of one of the United States highest ranking officials and plaster it all over their airways to deliver political propaganda to their own people.

She has thrown the punch that has given the US a HUGE Black Eye!! This is a total embarrassment for our country.

OH . . .And Now she won't even entertain talking to the President about funding for the troops??? I was under the impression that it is her JOB to discuss and debate such things in order to get bills passed. She has this, "It's My Way, Or The Highway!!," attitude that is seriously hurting our country.

BOTH sides must Work Together! They Must Find A Way! Or else what is left for us??

Lu

Just My Opinion . . . .

OK . . .I have heard all of the recent talk regarding comments made by Rosie O'Donnell and the response made by Bill O'Reilly.

I do agree that the clip of Rosie talking about WTC7 should have been the complete sentence that she made. Had they included the entire sentence, people would have heard that although she did believe that WTC7 was taken down by explosives, that she had No Idea Who could have done it. Rosie may indeed believe that our own government conspired to take down WTC7 . . . .I personally believe that the questions that she poses are very leading in that direction . . . .but none of us know for sure that this is what Rosie believes . . .for these words have not come from Rosie's lips.

As a Big fan of FOX News, I have to say that you dropped the ball on some of the responses made in regards to what Rosie said.

NOW . . .On the flip side of this coin. Rosie did state as Fact that the British planned all along for their own military personnel to be taken as hostages by Iran in order to give the US & Britain a valid reason to go to war with Iran.

I personally find this an outrageous idea and can't fathom ever saying such a thing myself unless I had some facts, Any facts, to back it up.

I can find no fault with any FOX News responses regarding the British Hostages.

We must all realize that it is Rosie's job to state her Opinion . . .NOT the News . . .Her Opinion. As outrageous as we may believe some of her statements to be, they are just her Opinion.

Bill O'Reilly's job is to cover News . . .throw his opinion out there . . . .and usually have someone on his show who opposes his opinion. As I stated at the beginning of this post, it's not perfect, but it is the most fair and balanced news channel I have found that almost Always represents All sides of any story. I don't watch the news 24/7, so I can't say 100% Always. . . .but I can say that when I Have watched All sides are represented. It makes for balanced viewing that Anyone can watch no matter which side of the fence you sit on.

From the clips that I have seen of The View, Elisabeth's views do oppose Rosie's . . . .BUT . . .Poor Elisabeth can't hold her own against Rosie. Rosie is a very outspoken person, and Elisabeth can't get a word in edgewise. Don't get me wrong . . .I think that being outspoken can be a very good thing. . . .BUT . . .In order for The View to be a Fair and Balanced show, they need someone EQUALLY outspoken who opposes Rosie's views. It would not only take the one-sidedness out of the equation, it would make the show so much more interesting.

As far as the Bill & Rosie thing goes, this is how I see it. She exercised her freedom of speech . . .then he exercised his. Now you are free to exercise yours too. LOL! Some say that Rosie's statements are irresponsible . . . .maybe so . . .but I give people the credit for having the intelligence to decide this for themselves.

There are many things that I DO admire about Rosie and there are a few issues that I do agree with her on. There are also Many issues where we couldn't possibly see things more differently . . . . .BUT . . . . .That is what makes the world go round.

What actual good does it do to get Angry and Hate someone because they do not think as you do? Oh yes . . .Sometimes I just don't get it when people don't see things the way that I do . . . .But Hey . . .They may feel the same way about me. LOL! I don't see that as a reason to get angry and hate.

A friend once told me that to get Angry and Show your Temper is a CHOICE that you make. You can just as easily CHOOSE NOT to get angry. A very hard lesson that I have learned over the years is that when I get angry, I am the person who gets hurt the most.

When you are angry you tend to become illogical and rant. You say things that you don't mean and that you can't take back. You probably also give yourself a headache and expel all of your energy in this awful emotion, leaving yourself totally drained and exhausted. I don't always succeed . . . .but for the most part . . .I CHOOSE NOT to get angry.

Here's hoping that the BO & RO issue fades quickly.

Lu

British Hostages in Iran to be Released!

I was so thrilled to turn on the news today to find out that the British Soldiers that are being held hostage in Iran are to be released and sent home tomorrow. Our prayers have been answered.

Although I do believe that there was a lot of posturing, (for what purpose, I'm not quite sure), by the Iranian leadership, I am ecstatic about the results.

I pray that there will be no further crisis' involving Iran in the future.

I do not trust them and I have seen how they treat their own people, but I am still hoping and praying that they will not be willing to push the US or it's allies so far as to force military action against themselves. They would only serve to do harm to themselves by doing such a thing.

British Hostages in Iran

It would appear to me that Iran is doing everything that it can to antagonize the US and it's allies, especially with their latest stunt of illegally seizing British soldiers.

Some have entertained the absurd idea that the UK set their own soldiers up to be taken hostage so that military action might be taken against Iran by the US & it's allies. After all the threats and threatening actions that have come from Iran in recent months, I really don't see how Anyone could possibly fathom such an unsubstantiated idea.

I admire the way that Britain is calmly handling this situation. Hopefully it will all be over quickly and the soldiers will be released due to the cool-headed reactions of Britain.

However, I have to wonder what will be the next stunt pulled by Iran in an attempt to provoke. I have No doubt that there will be another crisis of some kind caused by Iran as they appear to be determined to engage the US and it's allies at every turn. Feeling that this is true, one has to wonder, how much of a threat is the US willing abide before putting an end to said threat. . . .Or maybe the better question would be . . . .What has to happen to make a certain portion of this country willing to put an end to said threat.

You know, I would really be interested to learn under what circumstances would people such as, most Democrats, Rosie O'Donnell & Charlie Sheen be willing to have this country defend itself against terrorism. Seriously . . . .I would love to have some of these people choose a, b, c or fill out the blank in d below.

a) Absolutely No War Or Military Action Ever. Just let the US be overrun by terrorist.
b) Only provide a Show of force in certain situations, but Never, Ever actually Use force.
c) Only when violent terrorist acts touch our own soil . . .Oh Wait . . .It HAS!! . . .9 11
d) I would be willing for the US to go to war or use military action only if ___________ were to happen.

You know, I hate the idea of war and having American soldiers placed in harms way. In only 5 1/2 very short years, I will have a child that will be old enough to enlist in the military. The very thought of it just makes my heart sink and I pray every day that all conflicts will be over very soon, (in a way that assures the safety of America). BUT . . . I have to remember that were it not for our willingness to go to war, and the sacrifices made by so many Americans in the past, none of us would have the freedoms that we so enjoy today. It seems here lately that our Freedom of Speech is not only enjoyed All-Too-Much and used in irresponsible ways . . . .it is taken for granted . . . .as many have forgotten how we came to have this freedom to begin with.

What Is This Country Coming To?

Today I see a portion of this country that is willing to avoid conflict at all cost. I fear that it will be to the point that the conflict comes to us . . .on Our soil . . .Again.

I remember on the day of 9 11, one of my first thoughts was, "Please, don't let these murderers get away with this. Please let us do Something in defense of ourselves and our country."

We Did fight back and are continuing to battle terrorism. . .BUT . . .what I and Most Americans did not realize at the time was that we were going to be fighting cowards who would never show their faces. Vermin who would strike and then run and hide, forcing us to hunt them down.

No, we are not fighting a traditional war here, but we are fighting because the terrorist have given us NO Choice. I, like most Americans do not like the thought of war. In My perfect world . . .there would be nothing but rainbows and cotton-candy clouds. BUT . . .what would today be like had we done NOTHING after 9 11? Any answer to that question, quite frankly, scares me to death. It makes me wonder just how many more Americans would have become victims of terrorists.

My current fear is that all of our troops will be brought back home too soon and following that . . . .Iraq will be taken over by other neighboring countries and will become a safe haven for terrorist. . . . .Resulting in more terrorist attacks on our own soil. We can't even seem to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina rebuild their lives in a decent amount of time, what on earth would we do if war and destruction should hit this country.