My Monday Morning Rant

I have tried to keep quiet on political matters recently because to do anything else invites a firestorm of pain unless you tow the current party line. People write nasty comments on your articles, send you threatening emails and call you every name in the book all because you don't agree with them 100%.

The truth is I'm simply not behind any political, philosophy or candidacy that threatens human freedom in any way, shape or form. I understand that politicians, like all of us, are flawed human beings. They make stupid and sometimes costly mistakes. The difference is that we have to pay the price in money, freedom and peace of mind. I don't find that acceptable.

I don't mind a good political debate. In fact, I appreciate hearing another person's point of view when it is stated in a calm, rational, intelligent and respectful manner. Unfortunately, a lot of people seem incapable of that. All they do is attack in the nastiest way possible, inflict as much damage as they can and then move on. How am I going to learn anything from that?

Anyway, that has been why I have tried to stay out of the political arena. I just don't happen to think that politics is something worth losing friends over. Silly me!

However, I can no longer sit back and listen to any more of the completely outrageous Bush Bashing. It is has become ludicrous in the extreme.

Let me begin by saying that I WAS NOT A FAN OF THE BUSH PRESIDENCY. I think the man made far too many stupid mistakes. That is; however, not unlike many of the presidents before him. Did anyone think that having sex in the oval office with someone other than your wife was a "good" idea? The point is, name any president and I'm certain you can find some major faults. That includes our current one.

I do not; however, buy into the theory that Bush was responsible for what happened on 9/11. If I did, I would have to at least give equal credence to the preposterous theory that our current administration had something to do with the oil spill. That is equally silly.

Why would any American prefer blaming one of our own rather than placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of those who took credit for the event? They relished it; bragged about it and laughed in our faces while dancing in the street.

Still, we prefer to soothe the hurt feelings of our enemy. Better yet, we ply them with acts of kindness and self-flagellate to beg their forgiveness.

Has the U.S. ever done anything wrong? You bet we have. However, name one thing we've done that is evil and I bet most of us could name 10 things we have done that are equally good. No country, no government, no people as a whole or as individuals are perfect. Perfection does not exist but we are far from the worst evil in the world.

Now let me make something perfectly clear. I do not believe that all Muslims are bad. How can I? I have friends who are Muslim. I know that, at its heart, it is a peaceful religion.

However, just like there are nuts in the Christian religion, there are extremists in every other religion as well. Do they think they are right? Some probably do but others simply prefer choosing the act of hatred over the act of love. It is an ugly fact but it is a true one.

Bush has also been blamed for our current financial crisis. Does he bear some blame? Of course he does. He got the ball rolling on all those bank bailouts.

Does he bear it all? Absolutely not. He wasn't the one driving up our national debt in the months of 2009.

Bush was, of course, also blamed for Katrina. Again, he certainly needs to bear a lot of that blame. The government moved too slowly and because of it too many people suffered or died. It is unforgivable.

However, how is that we think it is okay that an equally slow moving government move slowly to deal with the recent oil spill? Well we don't have to worry about that after all. We can just lay the blame solely on Bush. Excuse me, how is that even rational?

Now the latest rumor is that Bush is to blame for the Gore divorce. Are you kidding me?

Did losing the election put some strain on the Gore marriage? Maybe so. But losing any election would do that and shouldn't those in the political arena be aware of that going in? It couldn't possibly be that Al and Tipper Gore bear any responsibility for the death of their marriage. It has to be Bush's fault. Right?

I want very much to see the good in our current administration but they make it difficult when every finger they point is in one direction - - Bush.

This refusal to take responsibility for individual action is what has gotten our country into its current situation. Criminals are no longer to blame for the crimes they commit. Rapists and child molesters are just misunderstood. Killing fully developed fetuses on the brink of birth is common place.

We believe we have the right to take life and now we want the power to create it. I think the world has gone mad.

Think about it, opposing sides can no longer discuss issues without it disintegrating into an ugly name calling, life threatening situation. I am willing to bet I will get at least a dozen nasty emails and numerous equally scathing comments about this article. Each one of them will attack me personally. It has become far too common place.

After all, a grass roots effort to save American freedom is now being viewed as an act of home grown terrorism. Why? It is because some people have spoken out against a socialistic regime. It is not they who are hiring thugs to beat down protestors.

On the other hand, it seems perfectly acceptable for Woody Allen to say that President Obama should become a dictator. It is equally all right for a member of the media to suggest that oil executives should be taken out and executed.

What is going on here? It is quite simple really. The rule today is "believe as we tell you or else die and get out of the way." That is crazyland.

If I see one more person spit on our military and blame them for trying to salvage what is left of our freedom, I think I will lose it. Especially, while we willingly placate and bow to those who would love to see us wiped off the face of the map. That means all of us, even those in power who hold themselves so high above the rest of us.

How blind are we willing to be? I honestly don't get it and, quite frankly, I hope to God that I never will.