Well now, so we have a cease fire in Israel/Lebanon. What will this accomplish? This isn't skepticism, but a rhetorical question. I mean, Lebanon has asserted it's right, verbally, to fight, and well...as for Israel...they've stepped up the troops, etc. to do as much as they can before the cease fire begins. I understand their reasoning, but do they understand how it makes them look in the public eye?

Just my thoughts for tonight. I'm tired, and I've had a busy day. So, TTFN, as Tigger would say.

You know, as I sit here and think about the war on terror, I begin to realize something I miss about this country. Growing up, it seemed, the country was more in solidarity than it is now. Granted, I was a kid and didn't know about Vietnam, nor would I have understood it.

The solidarity I really miss, in the end, is that which the USA showed during the second World War. You hear it in the old time radio shows, and even the older TV shows that allowed for it, and even the newsreels of the time. In the old radio shows, for example, you would hear things like "buy bonds" or messages asking to conserve certain goods, and things of that nature. Why did we (as a country) do this, knowing the war was across the ocean? Because we understood our enemy, and we weren't willing to let our freedom be snatched away by the likes of Hitler and Moussolini.

I know it's a very different eara, and we live in a different country (and even world), but I sorely wish that our country could show solidarity in the war on terror (the war in Iraq, supporting Israel, the war in Afghanistan). We need to support our country and its leaders in their efforts to keep us free.

No, we don't have war bonds, and no, this isn't World War II. The problem is, it's worse than WWII, and yet we have the Democrats trying to use recent events as a political chess piece, hoping to find ways to sour the country on the current administration, and its efforts against the terrorists who would love nothing more than to invade our country long enough to blow it off the map. We can't turn a blind eye to this situation. We can never assume the fascists will go away. We can't treat them with kid gloves, either. America needs to sleep with one eye open, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not asking people to agree with every single thing the Bush Administration does, but only to realize that we have mortal enemies that Mr. Bush and his allies, colleagues, and administration are trying desperately to combat. It doesn't help their morale to see sagging support in the polls. It's kind of like a sports team who doesn't see enough fan support. If their school/city doesn't support them, they see less value in playing the game.

I know, I know, this may be a somewhat naive political analogy, and I freely admit that. I'm no political analyst. I'm just an "average Joe" living in America's heartland. Still, when I think about all the satirizing, finger-pointing, and all the various ways this administration gets mocked and ridiculed innstead of supported and defended, it saddens me.

Please, let's get behind our country before we find ourselves behind the eight ball.

Well, the story did not totally disappear. I'm watching Hannity and Combs, and they've mentioned it, but no one was detained. It makes sense now. Hmmm, am I contributing to the "Drive By Media"?

Fascinating...

I got a breaking news alert (earlier in the day) from Fox News, and since it came in while I was out and not at my computer, when I went to check out the story, it was nowhere to be found at the Fox News site. Even the Drudge Report had a link to it, but the link took me to a story that while it is related to the thwarted terror plot, it had nothing to do with the breaking news item I received which stated there were 40 people arrested in Italy who were also related to the midair terror plot.

I'm no conspiracy theorist, so I'm not accusing Fox of anything, but I wonder if it was some kind of blunder?

Hmmm...

Here's something to think about. One thing I haven't mentioned here, or in my profile, yet (because it isn't a major thing for me) is that I am totally blind. I was thinking about the whole issue of the extra measures taken after both 9/11 and the plot that was thwarted yesterday in Brittain.

After 9/11 when I traveled by air, the security people have taken my long white cane from me. To me, this is a invaluable tool. It is, for me, an extension of my hand...and I use my hands now (a lot) since my eyes no longer work. At first, I wasn't so sure I liked this. I am an independent person who believes in the ability of blind people to function independently in society. Please, don't misunderstand. When I say this, I don't mean I won't accept help...I am just selective about the kind of help since I can do most things for myself.

Anyway, I digress. As I thought about the new security measures, and the thwarted plot, I realized how glad I am they actually inspect my cane. Why? Because, while I wouldn't fit a terrorist profile, what if some sick-minded individual who does fit such a profile decided to pretend to be blind in order to gain passage to an aircraft with explosives undetected because they hid them in a blind person's white cane? I have nothing to hide, so I have nothing to fear in letting them inspect my cane, and nothing to gain by resisting such an inspection. Let them wand me (and my cane), let them frisk me, take my cane and x-ray it (or even me). I don't care. As long as I can fly safely, I think the inconvenience is worth it.

Alan

Before I go any further, I need to admit something up front. I am changing in a way that surprises me, and some people around me. In fact, it is so sudden, and so surprising, I hesitate to tell people (such as family members) for fear that they won't understand. It's time, however, I come out of the political closet. I used to think I was rather liberal...in fact, I was rather liberal. In recent days, weeks, months, and years, however, that has changed. I am becoming something I used to fear & dread becoming...a conservative-leaning person.

There was a time, and it really doesn't seem all that long ago, that I would have listened to shows like Sean Hannity's and thought he was a nut job. Thing is? I don't now. I actually agree with him. I'm still not partial to Rush Limbaugh (because I think he stoops to too much name calling), but Sean has a level head which I truly appreciate.

I joined this community after reading the blog of the author Joel Rosenberg. Again, as with Sean Hannity, there was a time I would have ruled out reading books of the kind Mr. Rosenberg writes simply because his world view didn't match mine.

I have, however, gone through a dramatic shifting of my point of view. I can only credit the Lord God almighty, and His son, Jesus Christ because if it had been left up to my will, I would have never changed. Do I consider myself part of the "far right"? Probably not, but definitely more right than I used to see myself. I mean, hey, we're talking the guy who once received e-mail from www.democrats.com but gave up when the ideals espoused seemed to be too far afield of what I personally believed. So, if there are any other "closet conservatives" out there, let me know. I think I may need to out myself and my GOP tendencies once and for all. Whew! Did I just say "GOP"? :)

I don't believe it! Did you hear Mike Wallace on Sean Hannity's show? The president of Iran pulled a snow job on Mike Wallace, and Mr. Wallace apparently bought it! I was (basically) as shocked as poor Sean was. I just couldn't believe my ears. I think Mr. Wallace knew he was in the hot seat, too, because he could barely get out answers to questions when given the room by Sean to do so.

By Mr. Wallace's own admission, the president of Iran is "savvy", so what makes Mike think that he (the Iranian president) isn't savvy enough to sucker him? I'm sure a man in the position of the Iranian presidency has the equivalent of PR people who help him spin things...especially to the American media.

All I could do was shake my head.

Speaking of head shaking, depending on what I discern after praying about it, I may post an entry in the near future that will have some people who read this shaking their own heads, but we'll see.