Farewell, Mr. President!

So tomorrow is the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as President of the United States. I've been noticing the conspicuous absence of his middle name in all the flurry of coverage. I notice it not so much for what his name is, but simply because it's such a departure from all previous Presidential coverage for things such as this. Every President in my re-collective memory has been referred to by their name in full. I guess I can understand his not wanting to use it, but I do feel it's rather contrived on the part of the media in attempt to wipe it from our collective consciousness. One more quick thought here: Bernie Goldberg has a new book coming out later this month entitled, "A Slobbering Love Affair" referring to the media coverage of their darling. I just think the title is deliciously wonderful, and I hope to read it at some point!

But enough about Obama...there will be plenty of time for talk of him in the years ahead.

Today my thoughts are really on the man that I have spent the last eight years praying for. The man who causes me to stop what I'm doing, and listen when he has something to say. The man who has caused me to take a second look at what it means to stand for principle and conscience...even if it means standing alone. The man who often causes my eyes to sting with tears or a lump to form in my throat, when he appeals to the deep love of liberty in us all. The man that I have proudly supported and called "Mr. President".

History will sort out what mistakes were made by Mr. Bush and when. Of course I am confident that he made his fair share. But I also sincerely believe that History will provide somewhat of a vindication of this good, good man. He is not the villain that many would have us believe.

I have felt as safe as logically and humanly possible under his leadership and care. I have felt like I had a voice in Washington to some extent. (Did you stop and read his proclamation on the National Day of Sanctity for Human Life?)

And I guess more than anything, even when nagging doubts or fears would come knocking, all it would take was the chance to hear him and look in his eyes or even watch him wrestle so gracefully with the press corps, and he made a believer out of me all over again. When I look into his eyes, I see honor and integrity that is profoundly inspiring.

I think even had the election turned out differently, and were we to witness the inauguration of Mr. McCain tomorrow, I believe I would still feel this sense of sadness and personal loss knowing that President and Mrs. Laura Bush would no longer "be there". It just feels like a sad day no matter what.

I'm sure some will read these thoughts and disagree, others may read and think it's way too overdramatic, others will think I'm completely nuts, and some of you share my feelings! I always welcome comments and thoughts shared on this blog. This may be the only time that I make this request: please refrain from sharing ugly criticisms of Mr. Bush today. I think he's earned a little respect, even if it's just in my little place in blogger-world. That's the least I can do for a man who I feel has done so much.

Blessings, my readers, and tomorrow I hope we rise up and begin a chorus of prayer for our new President that all of God's grace and guidance and wisdom will rest upon him. He will surely need it for the burden he's about to take on his shoulders.

An Election Day Prayer

An Election Day Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, God who created Heaven and Earth:

In your vast universe, we are but a “blue dot” in the rearview mirror, so very small by comparison to all You have made. On that blue dot, there is a small continent, and on that small continent there is a small country. Only a baby by our own earthly, finite standards. How much smaller and younger by the way that You measure time and space. And in Your loving-kindness,You have sought to be PRESENT in our every step since the days of our beginnings. Everywhere we look around us, there are reminders that You were invoked here during the days of our founding. You are acknowledged on our monies, on the walls of national capitol buildings, on courthouse steps, on hospital walls. It was not the intention in the beginning to push You out or push You away. We sought only to worship You freely and without fear of retribution.

Somewhere in the march of time, as generations have passed, we have moved away from You one step at a time. We have neglected Your Word. We have made light of things that You call an abomination. We speak openly and proudly of things that are done in secret. We murder the innocent by the millions. We ban You from our educational system. We routinely break our marriage covenants. We flaunt our nudity. We bow at the idol of materialism. We lust for that which is unseemly. We ridicule Your son, and we ignore Your Holy Spirit. Oh God, please forgive us. Please have mercy on us.

Hope is not lost. As long as there is life, Life in You, there is hope. And there is still a remnant…perhaps millions strong…lifting their voices in intercessory prayer to You always. But especially on this day. We repent on behalf of our nation. We recognize that You cannot withhold Your wrath forever upon our wickedness. But we ask You today to once again raise up the righteous, and tear down the wicked. Give us men like Elijah who will stand in the gap for us. Give us courage to stand in the face of evil. Give us willing hearts for service.

Forgive us, as your Bride, for not being a true example of Your love. Forgive us for not being Your hands and feet. Forgive us for allowing the government to do the job that we should be doing. Where there is hunger, poverty, genocide, wars, and unspeakable pain, may we be the ones to comfort, to give, to heal, to save. Give us Your eyes to see the world. Help us not to think in a vacuum that only sees our own problems and the troubles of our own nation.

Today is our nation’s Election Day, and we need Your wisdom and guidance. I humbly ask that You draw in close to us as we go to the privacy of the voting booth. I ask that You would use whatever means necessary to breathe a memory through our minds. Remind us of righteousness, of life, of moral duty and responsibility. Remind us of Yourself. Today You set before us life and death, blessings and cursings. Oh God, please help us to choose wisely. Help us to choose life that we and our children may live.

As dawn breaks tomorrow morning, whoever our new President-Elect may be, I humbly pray down Your grace and anointing on him. May You over-shadow him so completely with Your presence that he falls on his face before you. And may your people still place all hope and faith and trust in only You. For You are all we have in this life and in the life to come. In life or in death, we belong to You. All this I pray in the name of our crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ Your Son,

Amen.

It's Saturday.....and Tuesday's a Comin'

Perhaps my readers thought I was going to refrain from political blogging in the final waning days of these campaigns. I thought I was too! Alas, I can keep silent no longer. My thoughts have no real rhyme or reason. They are simply a myriad of things running through my mind as Election Day approaches, and not necessarily original or profound.

*First of all, whatEVER you do, make SURE that you get out and VOTE! It's so important. And I hope that we all encourage our friends, neighbors, acquaintances to do the same.

*I am still baffled that there could be a such thing as an undecided voter. Who are these people? From what frame of reference are they operating? By what compass do they guide their decisions?

*I am noticing that there is still hesitation and frustration in the ranks of some Christian conservatives about voting for McCain. A flirting with the option of third party voting. I also used to think that my conscience would be better served by voting for the person I truly hoped would win, rather than the one who actually has a chance to win. I have changed my mind somewhat in this election. If our choice were between TWO evil men, TWO pro-abortion men, TWO socialistic-minded men, TWO men who were equally as inclined to strip away all semblance of our heritage, traditions, and Judeo-Christian values, TWO men who cavort with unsavory acquaintances, then I'd say, "ABSOLUTELY VOTE THIRD PARTY!!!!" That is not the case in this 2008 election. I believe we have a duty to look at this thing sensibly and pragmatically. A vote for Obama would be to turn our backs on everything we believe and know to be morally right. And a vote for a third party is a vote for Obama. That is absolutely unacceptable.

*Speaking of unsavory involvements: I keep trying to understand something else about this campaign. I can't quite figure out why the McCain people haven't done a better job making something clear. This whole "Rev." Wright, Ayers, Acorn stuff has been made a mockery of, like that's just McCain grasping at straws to create an atmosphere of "fear". I don't think that should be the issue at all. I think it's actually more basic than that. One of the first lessons that good parents teach their children is that who one associates with, plays a major role in defining that individual. We can often tell that the character of a young person is being shaped by the friendships they are forming, and by those that they choose to look up to. This is one of my biggest concerns about Barack Obama. I don't really know what his association with all of these individuals has been, and I don't know how many untoward character traits have been formed in him because of it. What I care about is simply that there is a pattern of at least two decades of his name being spoken in association with questionable figures. And his explanation about any of it has been less than forthcoming. We don't know this man. We only have a few things on which to base our knowledge of him, and you would think he would want to clear his name from these things a little better than he has done.

*At this point, I don't think there's any changing the minds of those who are in the tank for Obama. They remind me of the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes." Remember that one? I remember it was the first time I ever learned the word 'swindler', and I thought it was such a cool word. (yeah, I was a weird kid). Remember the crowds in the story "oohing and ahhing" as the Emperor paraded through the streets decked out in his immaculate finery? Remember it was one little boy who finally stated the obvious when he pointed out that the Emperor was actually stark naked?????? When I see all this hoopla over Barack Obama, I feel like that little boy. I don't see what others are seeing. And I think it's because there's nothing there to see.

*John McCain will probably not be the finest President this nation has ever known. Arguably, truly GREAT men are a little harder to find these days. But I am certain of this: John McCain will not deliberately set out and seek to destroy the fundamentals of our society. He will not seek to strip freedoms away from American families, American Christian families, etc., to run our households as we see fit. How could we possibly question his love and devotion to this country? John McCain wasn't my first choice in the primaries, either. I would have yelled it from the rooftops if it would have made a difference. But now he's the only choice. I am sincerely fearful, that if a President Obama has the way cleared for him (by way of a fully democrat-controlled D.C.), he will steer our ship significantly off the course set by previous generations of Americans, and especially that of our nations' founders. I don't want to see that happen.

*Our church is hosting a prayer vigil beginning at Midnight on Election day. I intend to spend time in prayer. I'm not going to ask God for John McCain to win. I'm going to pray for Wisdom on behalf of American voters. It is God who raises up and brings down, but sometimes we just get what we ask for.

What's Up

We have been spending many hours working on the youth room at our church. It has literallly been an "extreme makeover" situation! We are tired, but thrilled with how the results are looking. We're having a big unveiling/open house this Sunday night. Looking forward to that a lot.

We enjoyed having Brent here for a quick visit and to perform at our weekly coffee house ministry a couple of weeks ago. We have such a great time being together, and our kids of course think he's just the coolest thing since.....well, anything cool. :) So good to be with friends.

Derek's computer just returned home today after weeks stuck in Texas for repair. Unfortunately, the timing of his sending it off for repair co-incided w/the hurricane disasters there in TX, so we were beginning to think we may never get the computer back. After I get the pics from Brent's visit uploaded, (the few I got to take before the camera died...grrrr....I'll put those up.)

We're doing well. Kids are growing like crazy.

Looking forward to watching the debate tonight. Not that it will make much difference, I'm afraid. These debates have done little to really get to the heart of matters. But I still watch them....they rile me up a little more! :) Supposedly the polls show McCain falling behind with three weeks to go. I am trying to prepare myself for the possibility of an Obama presidency, but oh how I cringe at the the thought. So that's 2 or 3 cents on my political thoughts.....a little but enough.

Blessings.

UPDATE: I decided to STEAL pics from Brent's facebook! :) So here are a few just for the kicks of it. :)

We Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God

I've been thinking about this old Steve Green song from the nineties. Sort of repeating it over to myself as a mantra. Hoping that its message will sink in deep into the fiber of my soul and rid me of the angst that our current political landscape can cause. If I'm being totally honest, I have to admit that the prospects for our nation's future frighten me. I need it to be more than a song; I need to know it is indeed God who raises up and tears down. I need to be reminded that God really is still in control of this world. I need resist the mentality that says, "Satan rules this world, we're going to hell in a hand basket, yada yada yada". I must embrace the HOPE that only comes from the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I have observed over these last 7+ years during the Bush presidency, a level of vitriol and hatred for the man who holds the highest office that must surely be unprecedented. Of course, there are times when I have questioned his judgment in certain areas. There have been times that I have wondered if he's got it right. And there are times I'm pretty sure that he messed up. But amidst it all, I have felt SO perplexed when I have seen how much democratic pundits and others hate this man with all their might. They are so vicious in their personal attacks and mockery, and I have never been able to identify with it or to get it at all. Even during the Bill Clinton years, when I hung my head in shame at the defiling of the Oval Office, I still held a certain respect for said office. And I could watch and/or listen to Mr. Clinton speak at times, and I say to myself, "yeah, I totally get why some folks would love this guy." I saw the charisma. I saw the appeal to a certain degree. And after Katrina, when Clinton and Bush41 teamed up to appeal for help, I felt pride in our system.

After one of the debates, early on in this Primary season, I remember they had the Republicans debate first, and then there was a break before all the Democratic candidates came out. (Remember, this was back when there were like 740 people running for President! ha!) During that break, whichever network was hosting (don't remember) asked that all the candidates from both parties come out and greet one another. Maybe I should be embarrassed to admit this, but I watched that scene of them all shaking hands so cordially with each other.....political "enemies" as it were....and I actually shed a few tears. In that moment, I felt proud of our system. It didn't matter that I identified so much more strongly with one party than the other. I just thought how awesome it is that we change hands in our government and there is no bloodshed. There is no civil war. There is no rioting in the streets. That makes me proud to be an American.

I've done a lot of rambling up to this point, I know. I'm trying to work this to a cohesive conclusion, I promise. I've said all of this to say that I am afraid of what I feel when I consider that Barack Obama could really be our next President. I hear talk of the "pride" that all Americans should feel that we reached this "milestone" by having a black nominee. What's wrong with me? I feel no pride whatsoever. Give me a nominee worthy of the office, and I'll cheer regardless if he (or she) is purple, blue or green. My gut reaction when I hear this man speak is so intensely negative that I wonder if I would be able to hold the same respect for the "office in spite of the man" that I've always believed in. Will I be like one of those that I have judged in such perplexity? Will I be so blinded by my dislike of him that I can't support him at all? Will I be able to pray for him daily as I do our current President with the same ease and sentiment? Yes, I hope I never have to find out the answer to these questions! But I worry about these things.

And yes, I know I'm not supposed to worry. That's why I need reminded: "We Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God."

Some trust in chariots

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Some trust in horses

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Chorus: We trust in the name of the Lord our God

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

His love never fails His name will always prevail

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Some trust in the works they do

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

'Cause by His grace all the work is through

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Chorus Oh glory to the name The name of our salvation

Oh glory to the name above all names

The name of the Lord our God

Some trust in the wealth of things

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

The name worth more than anything

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

Chorus We trust in the name of the Lord our God

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

His love never fails His name will always prevail

We trust in the name of the Lord our

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

We trust in the name of the Lord our God

NOTE: I always thought of this as a Steve Green song, but as I searched the lyrics to share, I found this one is also written by Steven Curtis Chapman. SCC strikes again!

Tea Party, anyone?

Ah, you poor souls. Did you think you were being invited to a lovely English tea presided over by yours truly? I apologize for my deceptive methods of drawing you in.

You see, I really wasn't referring to the kind with lacy white table-cloths, hand-painted delicate teacups, or delicious lemon squares a la carte.

I've been thinking a lot recently about the Boston Tea Party. When the earliest generation of Americans said "enough is enough and we're not gonna take it anymore." I've been wondering if that spirit of justice still resides in the heart of current-day Americans. I've been wondering about our collective spines. I've been looking at a gallon of milk nearly at the $4 mark, the head of broccoli for $3.68, the gallon of gasoline that is ever nearing the price of $4....and on and on. I've been thinking of the oil companies that POCKETED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS LAST YEAR. Exxon Mobil alone reported an annual profit of $40.6 BILLION dollars, which was equal to earnings of 4.6 million dollars PER HOUR last year.

I'm only one person...as with you, and you, and you.....but I love to close my eyes and remember that in theory the power really is supposed to belong to the people of this country. Somehow, we've just relinquished it slowly but surely. I don't know how a "rebellion" is supposed to work. I don't know if it starts from the top down: meaning with a leader organizing and mobilizing the folks; or if it starts from the bottom up: meaning the people just start coming together by the hundreds, thousands, millions and lifting our voices in one massive roar demanding justice. I love to imagine it, though.

Food for thought: what if we picked a day, any day, week-day or Saturday, whatever....what if we all..every American...said that on this one special day we weren't budging from our homes. What if those oil companies lost one entire day of profits?? What if we tossed a ball in the backyard instead of going shopping? What if we baked cookies instead of having our nails done? What if we played Scrabble instead of going to the theme park? FOR JUST ONE DAY. Not one single drop of gasoline sold. Would it matter? Would it make a difference?

Yeah, I'm in the mood for a good hot cup of relaxing tea now. Aren't you?! :)

Politics: Enter at your own risk.

GRRR! I have pulled back from the deluge of campaign coverage since the losses of Super Tuesday. As a Republican, I no longer have a choice. But on the Democratic side, I just don't know if I can take another day of Barack Obama coverage. Hence, I tremble at the thought of him in the White House where I won't be able to escape him. I choke on his arrogance and his obvious lack of depth and understanding regarding the lives of everyday Americans.

Folks have been enamored with his oratorical skills since day one, (though for the life of me I HAVE NEVER SEEN WHY), but every now and then the facade slips just long enough for one or two stray comments to reveal the truth inside. This is true of he and his wife. Poor thing: only been proud of America once in all her borned days.

As this week drew to a close, Mr. Obama managed to insult the good peeps of Pennsylvania, and really every average small town American with them. He commented that the folks are bitter and THEREFORE cling to guns, religion, faith and family. In all their small-mindedness, you see. So, today, while speaking in Muncie, IN, he attempted to rectify his statements. What was that like? Well, something like this: he's "sorry" that he didn't say it quite right, but "EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT HE SAID WAS THE TRUTH." (Again, I refer you to his arrogance). He went on: the poor people of small town U.S.A. feel like their voices arent' being heard in Washington. They so long to have their government listen to them about their poor paying jobs, and their lack of healthcare, and their daddy away on his 3rd tour. They're so desperate for the government to listen. But the government doesn't listen. So THEY'RE REDUCED TO SEEKING SOMETHING ELSE TO COUNT ON: Faith, family, community, and their second Ammendment rights.

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. If you're a person of faith like me, who counts heavily upon God, Family, and Friends, you can consider yourself insulted today.

If Obama has his way, there is a glorious day dawning in early November when we'll no longer be reduced to such small-minded ways!!!!! He and his government will be there to oversee our every need. Yippee.

One of Them Weeks

You know...the kind that make you deliberately abandon proper grammar for your blog post titles!

Sometimes little fingers can do big damage. Such was the case here early in the week. On Monday, Cameron reached down to pick up his little brother. Reagan raised his arms, and stuck a finger directly in Cameron's right eye. Even though his nails had just been clipped the day before, they are still razor-sharp little boogers. Cameron ended up with a very serious eye injury requiring nearly daily visits to doctors for evaluation and treatment. Initially on Tuesday, they were very concerned because 3 layers of membrane had been ripped in the cornea, and they thought it would take a special procedure to remove a "flap" of it. There was also a concern of infection due to the location of the scrape, since he could have ended up losing sight in that eye. We were sort of stunned all day Tuesday as we drove from the dr to the Specialist. Who would have dreamed such a little incident could be so alarming? As it turns out, we fully believe that the Lord intervened and touched Cameron's eye. It was still a very bad corneal abrasion, but it is healing nicely; so far no infection has set in. We take him back in the morning for a thorough evaluation. We have spent a lot of time thanking God for the gift of sight this week. Cameron was in so much pain the first few days that he could hardly even keep his "good" eye open. His sisters have fixed his breakfast, led him to his room, helped him brush his teeth, etc. It has been pitiful, but sweet.

On another annoying front, I am suffering an injustice at the hand of Homeland Security. There now, did that make ya sit up and take note?!? I'm still trying to sort out the details myself, but it goes something like this. I've been married for nearly 12 years. When I got married I took my birth and marriage certificates to the driver's license bureau in FL, and got a new license w/my married name on it. Moved to AL, and took my FL license to the AL bureau and got a valid license for that state w/my married name on it. Likewise when we moved to our current location. Well, recently my license was set to expire and so I went to the local branch to renew it. For some reason, I popped up in the system w/my maiden name on their computer. So they said something about new laws since 9/11 yada yada yada and that I would have to take my marriage license to the SS office, etc. Apparently I hadn't changed my name w/the SS office. I'm not sure that that's true, but that's what they tell me. So this week I took all my paraphernalia to the office and AGAIN they tell me that due to new laws put in place by Homeland Security that I will have to take my case to COURT, PEOPLE!!!! Actually get put on the docket and have a judge help me legally change my name to THE NAME I'VE BEEN LEGALLY USING FOR 12 YEARS!!!! GRRRRR!!!

I'm looking into all the possible options. I think there's some bureaucratic red tape here that can be avoided with a little intelligence and maybe civil servant bribery. JUST KIDDING. (maybe.)

Now, you see? It's been one of them weeks.

Romney...Over and Out

Well, my heart is broken. I don't know as I've ever shed a tear before over anything political, but I can't say that after today. Gov. Romney graciously suspended his campaign for the Presidency today...in an effort to give the Republican party an opportunity to coalesce around the only-choice nominee. This was the honorable action I was hoping that Huckabee would take prior to this time. But somebody had to do it, and Mitt Romney was the one. I like him even more now.

So, the positive spin I take away from all this is that Romney will live again (politically) to fight another day. Of course, this will have to come after four grueling and ghastly years of an Obama presidency. Or Hillary, of course.

As some have put it, the GOP voters waited and waited for some second coming of Ronald Reagan, or the like....and didn't wake up to the danger being done until it was too late.


Update: I decided to come back and add some thoughts here on the comments of Dr. James Dobson. I know he doesn't need the likes of me defending him or explaining away his comments. However, I have observed a rush to judgment against him for his expressed personal views of McCain and the election. I agree wholeheartedly that what he said was a bit over the top, and was arguably irresponsible. But I do think it patently unfair to cast him in with the likes of Coulter, Robertson, or Limbaugh. This man has had a ministry for decades that Christians have been able to hold their heads up high about. I have never been embarrassed by his representation of Christianity or the way he has handled himself when bandied about by the Mainstream Media. So....he slipped up. Got a little carried when giving his personal feelings. Said something he probably didn't really mean, and maybe even regrets saying. I'll be careful not to assume that's true, since I don't know. I'm just saying we should give him a break, and not throw him to the wolves with other consistently irresponsible commentators and pundits. This is a rare thing that Dr. James Dobson makes the news with an objectionable comment. If all my verbal blunders and irresponsible comments were held against me, I wouldn't have a friend in the world. Okay, so that's off my chest now! :)

Hard Pill to Swallow....

Florida, Florida, Florida....I do love it. But what were they thinking today? I will reign in my tongue for now, but suffice it to say that I am profoundly saddened and disappointed at the outcome of the Florida GOP Primary. Perhaps when I awaken tomorrow, I will find cause for fresh hope, and less melancholy. As things stand now, it seems like we're headed for one of the following: Madame President Clinton, President Obama, or President McCain. I am less than enthused at the prospects of any of the above.

Final thought: I felt that Gov. Romney's "concession" speech tonight was one of the finest speeches of the campaign year spanning both parties. And, I question whether McCain will pillow his head in peace tonight, given that he clearly spewed falsehoods over the last couple of days, directing attention away from the economy. The pundits "tongue-in-cheek" call what he did a sucker-punch. Around our house, we still call it lying.

Yes, it was pent up and had to come out.

Political Post...BEWARE!

Well, I'm breaking the eleventh...or twelfth...commandment. Just gotta do it. Gotta talk POLITICS! All Presidential elections are of historic importance, and since this blog is my little piece of history, I wanted to post the things that are popping up in my own mind as I watch this process unfolding. Maybe you won't even want to continue reading, as these things can produce fireworks sometimes!

So, digging right in....I'll begin with my thoughts on last night's NH primary. For the first, and no doubt last time, I found myself cheering on the likes of Hillary Rodham Clinton. (I can hear the startled gasps of horror.) Let me explain. First of all, I was exceedingly annoyed with the political pundits in all of their arrogant predictions of her downfall and mockery of her slightly teared up eyes. GIVE ME A BREAK! I don't like the woman, but COME ON! She is human. But my cheering was not so much for Hillary, as it was against Barack Hussein Obama. This man has become the latest media darling, and receives such rockstar treatment that he was becoming a little too cocky for my taste. So I felt that it was imperative that there be a Clinton win, in order to take him down a couple of notches, and force the media into a more honest (cough, cough) inspection of his qualifications. I know everyone is ga-ga over his "fresh" "hopeful" message of "change." I'm just not on the bandwagon. Show me the substance, please.

Now, as for the Republicans: again, found myself cheering for the supposed underdog. Still examining myself on that; I'm not usually an underdog kind of gal. All that to say, I was rooting for Mitt Romney. Alas, it did him no good. While I am deeply respectful of John McCain's honorable service to his country in the wearing of the uniform, I am not comfortable with the prospect of a McCain presidency. This is mostly due to disagreement on a few key issues, such as immigration, but also attributed to what I perceived as a petty, somewhat nasty attitude during recent debates and forums. Total turnoff. As for Mr. Romney....I know, he's a Mormon. And that should probably bother me more than it does. My hubby and I go a few rounds on this. :) I'm not saying that I'm rooting for him or that he has my vote. I'm just not ready to count him out yet. I'm intrigued by his business savvy, thinking that could be a real plus. And, frankly, I think his wife would make a good First Lady. There is something to be said for Mormons and family values, after all. I think having him in the race ensures that there IS a race, and keeps discussion going.

Whew...I'm on a roll! So let's talk Mike Huckabee~! As one of those famous, or should I say infamous, "self-proclaimed born again conservatives" (don't you just love the way the media makes us sound like extra-terrestrial beings or something?)..I should be singing all the praises of Gov. Huckabee and volunteering for his campaign. Who knows......a few months from now, maybe that's exactly what I'll be doing? But for now, I'm still a little reluctant and hesitant. I love his sense of humor, looking with great interest at his Fair Tax plan, love his easy going "preacher-speak"....but does that a President make?? I'm still not sure. And, of course, also pleased with his long-term marital commitment. Sadly, the Dems seem to have that issue over the Repubs. this time around. National security is very important to me, no matter which candidate we're talking about. That's a biggie, since we need to be alive to protect our culture and way of life.

Thinking also that we should wake up and stop putting so much stock in the poll-people, and news-makers, etc. I mean, really we should have learned a while back....after all, shouldn't we be wrapping up a four year term for President John Kerry right about now???? That's what we were told would happen back in '04. Power really does go to the people, doesn't it?!

Sidenote: I was very disappointed in FoxNews for excluding Ron Paul from their Sunday night Forum. This is America, the man is holding a 10% range of support, and his voice deserves to be heard. I will also say this: many people think he's just a nut, but I appreciate one thing about him. He talks about important things that no one else talks about, and has caused me to think hard and research some of those issues, and I always appreciate that, no matter where it comes from.

Well, bless your hearts....if you're still with me. You made it through this post! Please don't disown me....if necessary, go read Kimberly's latest post with its quote on friendship. :)

The interesting thing to me will be to see if/when I change my tune on any of this in the coming weeks and months. But I do promise not to do many posts like this one....only when it's so pent up it's just gotta come out. It's a long way to November!

Have a great remainder of the week. Blessings on you all.

I took the Candidate Quiz...

I took this quiz today. Thought maybe you'd like to learn a condensed version of where the Candidates stand on 11 key issues. It's interesting...

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Pleading the First....

How blessed we are to be Americans. Our founding fathers had unprecedented astuteness in the way they framed our Constitution. I still believe the 'pie in the sky' philosophy that tells us that these men were men of deep religious conviction and moral integrity. The rights that they took such painstaking effort to protect were intended for the good and the honorable to grow and flourish in American society.

Today, people take those precious ideals, rights, and privileges and they disgrace them and dishonor them. Abhorrent things are done in the name of 'free speech'. Thank GOD for that free speech. It is a priceless gift that must be protected, for someday-if it is not-then surely we Christians could be at the receiving end of persecution for our speech. But the moral fiber that caused men and women to want to speak things that were worthy of that first amendment has so eroded that we are daily bombarded with messages we wish we didn't have to hear. There is freedom of speech, but not much freedom of hearing I'm afraid!

Enter the case of Iranian "president" Ahmadenijad, being asked to speak at a prestigious American university. This man denies that the Holocaust (which took over 6 million lives) ever took place, he has sworn the destruction of Israel (God's chosen people), and he is a sponsor of terror, even to the point of providing the weaponry with which our brave Military is assaulted in Iraq. The university is justifying this request in the name of free speech. My question is this: do the rights of American citizens given to us by our Constitution extend to visiting terrorists? Are we obligated to share those rights of "free speech" with this man? Elie Wiesel says no.

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.— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” Elie Wiesel

One final note: while perhaps I've made my feelings clear about how shameful this invitation was, I still welcome and encourage any debate or discussion on the topic. Maybe I'm wrong, and free speech does extend to this guy! If so, convince me!!