Hey guys. I apologize if what I said was a little harsh. Do you ever have one of those days where one thing can effect your whole day and your whole mood? That was yesterday. This thing with our citizens being beheaded over there is really bothering me. So...with that said, maybe a little lighter candor on the topics at hand is in order.

First off P.E., I totally agree with you that we should make up our own minds and not simply vote party lines. Neither party has it all right, but the core principals that the Republican Party stands for will only allow me to vote in that direction. There are issues that bother me though, like the environment. It seems the Bush camp has tried to make some strides in the right direction as of late, but as a whole, I don't think the Conservatives understand what is really happening.

Iraq. I have had some long email "discussions" lately with my aunt who was an anti-war protester during Vietnam. I do believe that Vietnam was a complete disaster and we probably should have never taken on that fight. I highly recommend reading Robert McNamara's book "In Retrospect". His thoughts are great and he places blame as much on himself as he does others. At any rate, while Iraq is no Vietnam, I am beginning to wonder if we had a definitive exit strategy in place before going (which we definitely did not have in Vietnam). In some respects, the enemy our boys are fighting over there is a lot like the enemy of Vietnam in that they are not like any enemy we have ever fought before, and that is starting to worry me. Our troops are dying every day over there at the hands of a cowardly enemy they can't see, who kills our soldiers, themselves and their countrymen, women and children. Now...on the other hand, I have heard so many stories of Iraqi citizens who thank the US for doing what we have done because they are now free. One story I read was about Liev Schreiber. He saw an Iraqi kid on the MTV show "True Life" telling how he loves American movies (he learned to speak English by watching them) and wants to make films, but it is so hard in a country ravaged by war. Liev was touched by the kid's story and brought him on to help him with his new film "Everything Is Illuminated". During an interview with Liev and the kid, when asked about Iraq and what we are doing there, the kid said "I love Bush". They never expected him to say that (I'm sure they were hoping for the opposite) but Bush has given this kid freedom. Now, if you can look this kid in the face and say "sorry kid, but I wish you were back in Iraq living under Saddam and we had never gone over there" then have at it. I know I couldn't do it. Also, check out Gary Sinise's project http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/ If you can look into those children's faces and say, "I wish you were still living under the tyrannical rule of Saddam Hussein without the chance of ever getting an education" than have at it. I know guys, it's a catch-22. Our guys are dying everyday, but these people have freedom. I guess that's the way its always been.

I appreciate all your comments. For the record P.E., I have told my wife that if the situation were either her or the baby, save her because we can have more kids but I can't have another Elizabeth. But if you can look at an ultrasound and see the little hands and feet and see the heart beating and tell me that's not a life, than I can be just as crazy and say I think we should be able to kill any child under the age of 1 if they are an "inconvenience". Anyway, just something I feel very strongly about.

And Mark, thanks so much for what you said. It reminded me of how I can let my feelings get in the way of my faith. I hope that someday, Jesus will say "I know you, job well done".