Trick or Treat

Tonight was trick or treat night in Lexington. I was impressed with most of the young kids that came to the porch. Most of them were polite and said 'Thank you' after getting a treat. It is good to see that parents are teaching kids manners. It was a slow night. Houses that were participating left their porch lite on. There weren't more then half a dozen houses lit up on my block. Happy Halloween and God bless us everyone !!

Achooooooo !!

The cold is still hard upon me. We went out to Todd's. It was dead tonight. We left there and went to the Post, a bar at the Holiday Inn. Big John was doing the karaoke there. I did one song and sucked at it. Tammy did one and was great. We decided to make it an early night and headed home. It kind of takes the fun out of the evening when I can't sing. We will give it another day and see how it is.

Politicking

I couldn't resist. I just had to get into a political discussion. I knew better. I just could not resist though. It started with an email about GW flip flopping on his previous constitutional amendment against gay marriages. While, I will leave my opinion on that out of this post, I am happy to discuss my personal beliefs on a one to one basis with anyone. There were some emails that went back and forth about it behind the group discussion. One of them concerned the problem with getting the Government involved at all. I responded with ..

I agree .. Once ya get the government involved in something .. They never leave .. The Government is like a narcotic parasite .. Once they are in .. They create the need for them to stay .. They make such a mess out of anything that only they can manage it .. And it is our own fault .. We are too quick to say, "Let the feds do it"

I cannot imagine that the founding fathers ever thought or meant for the Government to grow as it has .. They were fleeing the government in England and it's tyrannical controls .. Now we are leading in that direction .. It is like pushing a snowball down a large hill .. It grows and grows .. and at one point .. We go from pushing it to trying to control it and then to trying to stay out of the way of its careening destruction .. yep .. Sounds like the government .. lol

Sick !!

Hey there ..

Sorry that I haven't blogged lately. I have a cold that is kicking my butt. All I want to do is cough less and sleep more. Neither are happening yet. Still, feeling as bad as I did I had to get out of the house today. We took Ms. Keisha back to Audrey. We think it might have been a false heat. Donovan tried to mount her once and she bit him. He decided she was too high maintenance and left her alone.

Coming back from Nicholasville, I decided to go to Versailles to see Raymond, the mechanic. There is a back way there without having to drive to Lexington. I have been that way many times. Somehow, today, I made a wrong turn and ended up in the middle of nowhere. Well, actually, more like Nonesuch, KY. I pulled into a small store parking lot. Tammy asked if I were doing so to walk Malcolm (who was gassing us in the truck). I told her that I was going to ask for directions. Her response .. "Now wait a minute, I know you have a penis !" Whatever !!
I got directions, followed them, and within 4 miles I was lost again. We stopped again. This time Tammy asked for directions. The guy told Tammy to 'go down there 'bout half a mile and turn right. Ya cain't miss it." We didn't. Oh yeah, somewhere between the two sets of directions, Malcolm decided to initiate the new Bravada. He tossed his cookies. It was a pile about the size of Donovan.

From Versailles we came home, grabbed a roller and pail for Dad and headed out again. Even sick, it felt good to be out of the house.

Now, it feels good to be home again. Ah, the joys of travel, lol.

As I see it ..

I read someone a few years ago that said, "Most people are not looking for the truth, just evidence of their own prejudice." I see this more and more in this election on both sides of supporters. A Bush supporter and a Kerry supporter can read the same article of news and in it see the argument that supports their candidate. There is a line of truth out there. I am sure that both candidates know exactly where that line is. They must, they cross it some many times in one day that it would be impossible not to see it once or twice in a day.

We look in the Middle East and see the fanaticism and religious fervor with which the people support their religious leaders and we shake our heads that they are so sadly mislead. We, as Americans, walk around with our piety and arrogance, scoffing at the rest of the world by reason of our sanctimonious freedom. Yet, if we step back for a moment and look at ourselves, we will see that we are just a step away from taking up arms to defend our candidates. There is an undercurrent of rage in this country. It is being fed by this political situation. We are cloaked in the same fervor and fanaticism that we so easily see in others and yet are blinded to it in ourselves.

History tells us the course upon which we travel. There was a polarization of the nation. There were the 'Haves' and the 'Have nots'. The rich became richer. The poor became poorer. The middle class ceased to exist. Human lives became commodities. The 'Have nots' worked for less and less. The 'Haves' raked in the recompense on the labor force. Until one day, the rumors stopped being rumors. The grumbling became a battle cry. The rage of the oppressed would not be denied. The French Revolution began. The wealth and properties of the rich were seized and distributed to the poor. The rich were executed with callous and little regard for life. When your life loses value, all life loses value. I fear that this rage is a seething cauldron that soon will overflow and fill the world.

Next week we will grumblingly choose the 'lesser of two evils' to guide us. I am afraid that neither have the answers. Look at the candidates. All they talk about is the plague and their cure. They seek to whip the nation into a fear of the other candidate. They both try to channel the rage within us. Three years ago, in September, we pushed the differences aside and stood as common. Three years and we are now extolled openly about the differences. Kerry supporters will tell you that it is Bush's fault. Bush supporters will tell you that it is someone else's fault. We have become, once again, a mass of individuals. We are precariously united under the banners of Bush and Kerry. The election will not be the answer, regardless of who wins. It will just be another banking turn in a downhill slalom. I fear for my children and my grand children.

I remember the nuclear drills we had as kids in school during the Cuban Missile Crisis. There were the instructions about head between your knees. Someone added later the punch line about kissing your ass good-bye. I am afraid it is no longer the joke.

Wow, and I am the optimist. lol

Monday Monday

Well, here we are, one week later. Tammy still cringes slighlty when we are driving and other drivers seem to get close or act stupid. She tries not to let me see it, so, I pretend that I don't see it. She pretends that she doesn't see me pretending not to see her.
I called the credit union this morning and they are doing the paperwork for the loan. We have to be in Louisville tomorrow for Tammy's appt for another assessment of her wrist. We will sign the papers while there and everyone will be happy. The car dealer will be happy. They will have money. The credit union will be happy. They will have me locked in to giving them money. I will be happy. I won't have money but will have a ride.
We took the rental car back today to Enterprise. The car salesman came outside to admire the Bravada. He thought it was an '02. He was surprised when we told him it was a '99. It is a great ride.

On the road again

Well, after driving and testing out 6 vehicles, we have made a purchase. We are back to driving our own SUV again. We have made our first major purchase together as a couple. We are now the tentative proud owners of a 99 black Oldsmobile Bravada. It is a nice ride. It is comfy and has low miles. We are happy. I wonder if their are statistics out there about what the average number of vehicles driven before a purchase. I am sure there are, but I haven't a clue where to find them.

A friend called me this morning form Alexandria, LA with a offer of work. They are working 5 days a week, 10 hours a day, or 4 days @ 12 hours a day on Thursday thru Sunday. Another time and I would be on my way to LA right now, but I need to be closer to home now. Tammy needs me even more than usual with all she is going thru. I am not one to abandon a friend. She is as much my friend as she is my wife. So, while we are on the road again, I am not on the road again.

We are off to meet friends at an impromptu get together. Y'all have a good evening

Another busy one

Man, today was a running day.

We were up at 7 to wake the kids. It was drop off the kids .. then we went to pick up Chris and Jordan (Chris hates to wait alone) to take them to court for Chris' final appearance on his disorderly charge .. It is being dropped with prejudice (Chris admits that the police had probable cause to arrest him .. so he cant sue them) .. then to the car dealer to pick up the jeep to take it, eventually, to the mechanic .. Jeep collected, it is off to courthouse to drop off Chris and Jordan .. we give then Tammy's phone so they can call us when they are done .. then to collision Care to meet with the insurance adjuster .. from there we take me to Jeffs to finish the electric on his house while Tammy goes to the county clerk to clear the lien on my title .. she finished that and went to the adjuster and picked up the check .. by the time she got back I was finished and ready to go .. off we went to Versailles to see the mechanic .. the Jeep didn't pass .. Run far, run fast .. we drive back to Lexington to drop it off .. as we are leaving the dealership, Chris calls to tell us he is ready to be collected .. as we go to get him we stop to see the man that sold me the Blazer at the new dealership where he works .. to let him know I am looking for a new ride .. he shows us a few things .. but we don't have time to test anything .. while there, the company picking up the old Blazer calls .. they are on the way to the house .. we drop me off to meet them .. Tammy picks up the boys .. she come back .. collects Sierra .. drops the boys off at their place and heads to Nicholasville to get Audrey's dog .. she is in heat .. the dog .. not Audrey .. we are breeding her with our Pom .. again .. the dog .. not Audrey .. Tammy comes back .. picks up Kyle .. she is here for 35 minutes before she has to pick up chella .. home .. from there we go to Jeff's house .. the inspector had some issues .. we fix those .. leaving Jeff's .. it is 5:30 pm .. a stop at rally's and supper is ready .. home for a bit .. a friend stops by for a visit .. when she leaves it is 10 pm .. Kyle goes to bed at 9:30 .. boyfriends go home at 10 .. the house is finally quiet .. I thought it was gonna be a busy day .. it is just a normal one ..

How was yer day ?

Full Days

It has been a long day.

My insurance adjuster was here at 9:30 to look at my Blazer. After some discussion, we decided to total it out and let them have it. Of course, the necessary papers showing that I had paid off the truck were missing. We searched and searched, finally finding the title and the pay off papers. Then we headed out to shop for a vehicle. One of the chatroom roomies worked for the local dealership where I purchased my Blazer. There we looked at several SUVs. The one that caught my eye was a fire engine red 1998 Jeep Cherokee Limited. It is pretty. After taking it for a test drive, we suggested a few things be fixed or checked. We will shop around a bit.

We went from there to dad's house to work on his computer and figure out why he couldn't record from his camcorder to his VCR. That mission was accomplished. Then it was, pick up Kyle, head home, pick up Chelsea, head home, go to Jeff's to do electric work, and head home. Somewhere in there, the insurance adjuster called with the amount of the check and the arrangements for picking it up. The car salesman called and we made arrangements to pick up the Jeep to take it to our mechanic. Tomorrow.

It was a long day. Tomorrow looks just as full.

Whiplash

Well, I guilted Tammy into going to the DR about her pain. It turns out she has whiplash and back sprain. DR told her the whiplash would last longer than the back sprain. The healing time is 4 to 6 weeks, but the pain should be gone in a couple weeks.
So, where were we tonight? Were we recuperating in bed ? Were we resting on the sofa ? Were we soaking in a hot tub of Epsom salts ? NO ! NO ! NO ! Where were we tonight ? It is Tuesday. We were at Todd's Karaoke singing our thumping gizzards out. lol

Tammy insisted. It is our mid week break. It is our night out.

Now we are home. Tammy has had her a hot shower. She is headed to bed and I am close behind.

Ciao

Monday .. OY !

I was posting earlier (look down) about chaos and Monday. Earlier this evening, while out picking up kids and trying to purchase a mouse for Ava, Tammy found some chaos. She was hit in the passenger rear and knocked about 15 feet into another vehicle on the drivers side rear. I think the frame is damaged, which would effectively total my truck. Sierra and Jordan (her BF) were taken by ambulance to UK med center. Both were released a short while ago. Sierra has a mild concussion and Jordan has a bump on the head. Tammy is having muscle spasms in her lower back but refused to wait the 7 hours in the ER waiting area to be seen. UK closed it's ER to the public because of the injuries from accidents caused by this rain storm.
The recipe for disaster in Lexington is simple, just add water. It can be any form of water, rain, snow, sleet, or ice. Lexingtonians cannot drive, anytime, but add water and it increases exponentially. When she called me she was in tears. She was upset that she had wrecked my truck. I assured her that the truck was replaceable and the last thing I was worried about. After making sure that everyone was going to live, I called Geico. Pardon me while I sing their praises. They were very professional, yet concerned and friendly. They made the calls to have the auto specialist look at my truck within 24 hours. They made the arrangements for the rental car so that all I had to do was sign the papers and drive it away. Twice I have had to use my coverage and both times they have been just as happy to hear form me as when I am sending them money. Not that they wanted to hear that we were involved in an accident, but they put the well being of the passengers first and foremost. Then the truck was secondary.
All in all, it has been a quite eventful afternoon.

I am just glad that everyone is ok .. So far ..

I'll keep ya posted on the rest as it unfolds.

Monday Monday

So, it begins. The Monday has arrived. Not anything special Monday. It is just a regular Monday. It is the return to getting up early. It is the return to schedules. It is the end of the chaos that we call a weekend. For me it is kind of reversed. I work on the weekends. I get up between 4:30 and 5:30 on weekends. I get dressed, grab the lunch box, and drive to work. My chaos is Monday thru Friday. Well, in truth, my chaos is working full time, even overtime. I am gonna hate to get the payroll bill for employee #265, chaos.
My other emotions are content to put in their few hours a day and go on about their business. Love is here all the time as well, but love works for free most of the time. Only occasionally does love require effort or extensive time. Worry generally stops by for a brief visit, but I don't entertain him. Stress has been laid off but still swings by to see if there is anything he can do. Joy and happiness have moved in and are content to work for room and board.

I am not the one that picks up the emotion line and calls for chaos. It is the kids. They bring it. The have him here all the time. Everything with them is a chaotic emergency. It is nothing for Chelsea to call from school with some emergency (to her) that needs to be handled immediately. It is generally something that could have been handled much earlier. They all get involved in their 'lives' and are oblivious about the things that need to be done tomorrow. As it is with all kids, today is all there is. Now is all they need to worry about. They will talk about the future and what they want to be in their futures, but they do not seem to understand that what they are doing right now is shaping their tomorrows. Lackadaisical efforts of today mean harder work tomorrow. Try as we may, we cannot seem to make that point stick. Perhaps it is because kids have a boundless energy to do the extra work that it will take later. That, and the small insignificant fact that kids are immortal. There is always tomorrow. Whatever we forget or decide not to do today will be there for us in the future and the future will always be there as well. I am not criticizing them about it. I was the same way.

I am still a procrastinator in some areas. It is ironic. At work I am a 'get it done now' kinda guy. I do my work then I stop and talk with the guys. Around here it is different. Many things are more important than doing those things that need to be done, eventually. Then suddenly it is time to do it now and I hurry off to do it. There is a brief moment when chaos jumps up. It doesn't bother me though, because I won't be hurried. Most things I do are on a sliding schedule. They need to be done when I get there. Someone suggested to me a few years ago that I needed to go into business for myself. Whoa ! That is just inviting chaos. The exterior untrained view of that is that you choose your own hours. You are your own boss. That is a standard lie. When you are in business for yourself, everyone is your boss. Every job you take, you have a new boss. You can't take your time. You are slave to a schedule. Your name is on the side of the truck and on the dotted line for every bill the business incurs. You have to work every day. You have to put in the long hours. You have to work thru the lunches and evenings, and holidays. Do you know why ? I'll tell ya .. That guy you hired to help you is just like you were when you were working for someone else. If the job gets done, great! If the job doesn't get done, ok. He is putting in his hours, collecting his check, and going home on time, because he doesn't have his name down on the dotted line. You want chaos ? Go into business for yourself.

Claim chaos as one of your dependents on your tax form. Explain that at the audit. Chaos costs much more than the kids. Chaos burns more gas. Chaos uses more lights. Chaos causes more water to be used in long soothing hot showers or baths. Chaos burns the midnight oil. Where is my CHAOS deduction on my tax form?

Monday, Monday, Wherefore art thou Monday?

Hidden beneath the chaos. Happy hunting !

Lazy day Sunday

mmmmmm

Today was a lazy day. I didn't do much of anything. I had fun stirring in the big cauldron of politics with the email group I manage. I have been online off and on a lot today and checked my email and responded regularly. I didn't pay any mind to the volume of mail I was getting. Tammy is on the same group and gets the same mail. She checked her mail a short while ago and had 50 emails, almost all from the group. I was shocked. No wonder others are complaining. Personally, I love politics. I love the debate and banter. I try not to go too far and enter bickersville, though.
Arguing politics is the dumbest thing you can do for several reasons. Most people who are willing to discuss politics have already made up their minds about the elections. You are not going to change their mind. They are going to be like the man in the story of the wind and sun arguing over who could make the man lose his coat. If you aren't familiar with it, let me refresh you.
The Sun and the wind were arguing over who was more powerful. The argument went on and on, until finally they decided on a contest. There was a man walking with his hat and coat on. The sun and wind agreed that the one able to make the man lose his hat and coat would be the winner. The wind went first. He blew and he blew. The more the wind blew, the more tightly the man pulled his coat and the more tightly he held his hat on his head. The wind tried and tried without any success.
Then was the suns turn. He shined. Hotter and hotter he shined. Eventually the man took off his hat as he began to sweat. Then he took off his coat. The sun had won the contest.
When you argue with a political opponent, all they do is wrap their ideology more tightly around them. They hunker down and become more determined than ever to support their candidate. The Presidential Debates were not for those that have already decided. The numbers were very low on those that changed their minds. The debates were about the undecided.

Other than the political stirring, I have been relatively calm. Tammy and I took a short nap. It was a good day. I got rest and got to piss people off. That's gonna make tomorrow have to work hard to top it.

Mark Mark Mark !

Malcolm has a new thing. In the 3 ½ months that we have had Malcolm, I have heard him bark twice. Both times it was at or directly related to another dog. Now he has a strange new thing. He mumble-barks.
I was driving to Jeff's house to do electric work a couple days ago when I noticed a funny noise. I looked in the mirror and saw Malcolm's head out the window. He was slightly moving his lips and making a mumbly barking sound. I figured it was a 'wind in the face' kinda thing.
Yesterday, while we were parked waiting on Chelsea, Malcolm had his head out the window, watching the world, and he started it again. Mumble bark, mumble bark, mumble bark. Mark mark mark !

Today was a work day for me. The new meds the DR put me on for my back were largely ineffectual. As long as I could sit and work, I was fine. You don't get many opportunities to work sitting down in the construction industry. I worked 7 hours, finished 2 jobs, and came home. I am hoping the Skelaxin will pick up eventually.

Until then it is just pain as usual.

Meeeeep Meeeeeep !!

Roadrunner .. That coyote's after you
Roadrunner .. If he catches you, you're through !!

So today I was the roadrunner or the coyote. I am not sure which. All I know was that I could have used an Acme Rocket® strapped to the top of the Blazer. We started by taking the kids to school. Then it was across town to the DR office for my blood work. That was followed by a trip back across town to the house. A few minutes online to answer emails and set up the next run and off we went to take Mercy to Mel. Mercy is Mercedes, a Golden Retriever, that we took to Stamping Ground to give to a friend on a trial basis. Then it was back 40 miles to Lexington and to drop Tammy off at her 'pain management' appt. Back across town I went, in a zigzag pattern avoiding streets closed or nearly closed by accidents and fires, to be at Kyles school to get him . Then back across town to pick up Tammy from her appt. From there it was rush back to pick Chelsea up from school. Dropped Chelsea and Kyle and picked up Malcolm, who is still confused about the missing Mercy.

By the way, the timing with Mercy couldn't have sucked any more for us. She went into heat and Malcolm lost his virginity last night. We walked out of the room for a few minutes. It couldn't have been more than 3 minutes when we heard them yelping. Tammy looked into the living room and exclaimed her favorite expression. "Oh shit." They were hooked. Then this morning it took as long as to walk from the kitchen to the computer desk chair. Tammy sat down, and in that 30 seconds or less, they were hooked again. Want any 'Box Retriever' puppies in about 9 weeks ?

Anyway .. We pick up the lust-sick Malcolm and go pick up Keisha. From there it is a trip to Nicholasville to drop her off at Audreys. Then, a stop at Mickey D's, for a lazy man's supper for the kids and back to Lexington we scurried. I think we drove around the world at one point. There was that one time when I turned a corner quickly and caught sight of myself up ahead just fading out of sight. I think we spend our lives trying to catch ourselves up ahead in the distance. The game is over when you finally catch yourself.

Maybe I'll catch myself tonight while we are out singing. It will be an early night though. Tomorrow is a work day for me. Mike with Butcher left me a message to be at work tomorrow while we were out of contact in Stamping ground.

For now it is, change the socks and underwear, and off we go. The 'chase' is on.

One Less ?

It seems we will have one less to wake up around here. Chris has moved out although it is not really official yet. His things are still here for the most part. He has moved in with Nick & Jordan. For now they are sharing a one bedroom apt., but are supposed to be getting a 2 bedroom apt. Soon. It will be different around here without Chris. He is quiet for the most part and when he speaks it is usually off the wall and way out in left field, but he is a good kid to have around.
He is moving stuff out a little at a time. He still needs to get his license. He need to get a job now. He quit Eureka when they got all hissy with him. It never ceases to amaze me how these fast food places can get away with treating employees like crap. It takes one disgruntled employee to ruin your food and thereby ruin your business. Still, in the jobs that Chris and Sierra have had in the fast food industry, I have seen things that I would never stand for as an employee, nor do as an employer.
We told Chris that he was welcome to come eat supper here anytime he wanted, but, on whatever night he came, it was his dish night. We did offer the use of the washer and dryer, but he has to do his own laundry.

Tammy will require occasional comforting. Her 'baby' is moving out.

Her life as a prison biotch

I just heard the most incredulous news rumor.

Martha Stewart is considering writing a book about her prison experience. WHAT ?? She will be staying at a federal country club prison for insider trading which netted her a tidy sum of money. For her illegal activities, she was slapped on the wrist. Now, she wants to make money off of her punishment for making money illegally.

Wake up people. She will be at this Club Fed for 5 months. 5 Months !! She isn't going to be there long enough to have any prison memories. What is she going to write about? Will there be a chapter on the difference in her toilet paper at home compared the cheap federal prison kind? Perhaps she will do a chapter on the thread count of her prison bed ware. I wonder if the mess hall silverware will be to her liking. Chapter 4: Should there be designer inmate uniforms to promote a better feeling among prisoners?

I have found the new money maker for the rich and famous. Make a buncha money, do something illegal or stupid, and then write a book about your punishment/recovery. You know what will be the saddest thing of all? IDIOTS will buy the book. It will sell. There will be morons standing in line to offer her comfort for her ordeal while plinking down their money so she can buy more stocks to make more money on by indulging in other illegal insider trading. That would be just right. Stupidity should cost money. If you are dumb enough to buy a book by a diva convicted of a crime about her time in Club Fed, you deserve to be without the $27.95. Heck, buy 3 copies. Buy a dozen. Give them as Christmas gifts. Get one for me. I could use the fire starting paper for my fireplace or the liner for my python cage.

Dog Pimps "R" Us

Welcome to my dog pimping hotel.

Leonard, the guy I have yet to forgive for Donovan, now wants us to take Keisha. Keisha is another Pomeranian. Fortunately, I already have a home for her. With any luck at all, it will be a seamless exchange. If I plan it just right, we will pick up Keisha and take her directly to Audrey's house. There will be no overnight visit. There will be no breakfast with the dogs.
Dude won't have to go thru another traumatic reorganization of the hierarchy. If one more animal comes in here that he has to orient to his ruling of the household, he might just go insane. He will be taken down by snipers while in a clock tower picking off stray dogs and cats with a high powered rifle.
All the pets in the neighborhood will be on the news talking about how 'quiet' he always was, and how they never suspected he had it in him to do such atrocities. There will be pictures of him splattered all over the pet magazines with his rifle. The NRA will disavow any knowledge of modifications made on the rifle to fit it for cat usage, even tho they are available on the world wide web. Rifles for Cats.
There will be endless lawsuits from lawyers reperesenting the security of stray animals. Lawyers for Animals.

It will just be easier all around if the dog does not make it into the house, for all concerned.

Beam it over, Scotty

We have discovered a mutant ability in Donovan. Donovan is a shit-o-porter.

The floor will be clean. No toys even laying around on it. There will be no movement. Nothing will be seen. Then, suddenly, from out of nowhere, a small inconspicuous pile of dog doo will appear. Donovan will be somewhere nearby, but no where near the pile. It is as if he goes to some dark corner and does his doo business, then contacts the mothership, orbiting somewhere just beyond the range of our sensors, and commands his chief engineering officer to transport his doo to the middle of the floor for pick up. I am not kidding. I have seen that little mutt squat, maybe once. The rest of the time he is off somewhere looking innocent while technologies well in advance of anything we have on this planet are buzzing and shit-o-porting. If we could just train him to give them the coordinates of the outside trash cans it would be much better.
I think training him is out of the question anyway. He obviously possesses abilities far above the ken of mortal men. I am sure we are all just mice in the maze of his sadistic science experiments. One day while cleaning, we will find his little lab coat and clipboard with all his scientific notations about our trainability for use as domestics on his home planet.
Until then, he will keep shit-o-porting and we will keep packing his doo.

Lab rat #687-38, signing off

Yippe ti yi ya, get along little terrorists

Yipeeeee, I have my very own Kerry/Edwards yard sign.

Tammy and I talked to the campaigners yesterday. They decided that we were very 'informed' and should be working the phone lines for them. That is a consideration. I would be in favor of it, depending on the times available.

One of the things we talked with them about was the war in Iraq. While I concede that we might be in this war even if Kerry were president at the time (and he has never denied that we would be), I understand that we would not be in it alone. We would not be bearing the overwhelming majority of the cost. The rising cost is over 138 billion dollars today. As I said in previous posts, I cannot comprehend numbers like that. There is a web site where you can get a firmer grasp on what those numbers means.

Cost of War

You can break it down to the individual states. You can compare it to what that money could have been spent on in other government programs like education and health care.

I have to say, GW scares me with his run and gun approach. That may work for the Ewings of South Fork Ranch in Texas on TV, but it is not a way to run a country. Why didn't terrorists attack us during the Clinton presidency? One could surmise that they were scared of the repercussions. That was a strong presidency. Less than one year after Bush took office, the nation fell under attack. What weaknesses we must have expressed. We were already alienating ourselves from other nations on other issues. Suddenly we looked alone and vulnerable. We need someone that can rally the world back into our corner.