The Left hates lots-a-people

I recently helped host the author of “Why the Left Hates America.” Now, it is widely known that radicals usually resort to name calling and shout downs, the event here at Portland State was no exception. While there are those conservatives out there who use name calling and intimidation as means of arguing (Michael Savage is an excellent example) there simply is no equality when it comes to this issue between the two parties.

Why do people shout speakers down, or yell out “get to your point, fu%#$er” as some did at the event here at PSU? Well, the answer is simple. Liberals argue with their heart and not their mind. I have had the pleasure of changing bystanders minds (those listening to the “conversations”) by simply using sound intellectual arguments, while making those of liberal, “progressive” viewpoints seem to be bigoted and close-minded. Next time that you have people telling you abhorrent, stupid things (like “any liberal thing is good” or Bush knew about 9/11 before it happened) don’t argue against them, rather argue for the people around that maybe have not had an education in the subject being argued. When having a discussion, always follow your common sense. Do not stand by and let morons spread objectionable verbal propaganda about your president or your country-for when compared to other countries, America is not doing so badly.

Campaign 2006

The campaign season is upon us again, and this year looks to be particularly interesting for the Lewis County Courthouse. All county office holders, save one, are up for election this November, which makes this one of the heaviest election years in recent county history. Richard Graham, 2nd District County Commissioner, is the lone official who avoids the election this year, having campaigned during his scheduled election year in 2004.

There will be at least two offices that will see a primary contest. The 3rd Commissioner District, an open seat due to Republican Commissioner Dennis Hadaller’s retirement at the end of his term, will see a competitive two or three way primary between several qualified candidates. I will gather information on individual candidates and post it within the next month.

The primary contest will be the campaign for Lewis County Prosecutor. Two candidates have either announced, or made it very apparent that they will run. These are Michael Golden, and Don Blair. I have agreed to act as campaign manager for Mr. Golden’s campaign. Mr. Blair announced in late-December, and has attempted to organize a committee throughout the month of January.

Mike Golden is a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Lewis County Prosecutor's office. He has assembled an impressive campaign team. He has brought together individuals who consider themselves very conservative, and those who are more centrists. This has created, in my estimation, the most complete and comprehensive team possible. If you would like to volunteer for this campaign please contact me soon!

Mr. Blair is a former employee of the Lewis County Prosecutor’s office, who works as a criminal defense attorney.

The 1st Commissioner District has a runoff election this year. Ron Averill will run on the Republican ticket against the Democrat appointee, James Lowery. Mr. Lowery was appointed to the 1st Commissioner seat upon the retirement of Eric Johnson in January. Ron and his wife Jan live in Centralia. Ron served in the United States Army and has been very active in our community. He currently works for South Puget Sound Community College as Dean of the Political Science Department. I strongly support Ron and believe he will make a good commissioner.

Steve Mansfield, Lewis County Sheriff, is running this year to get back on the regular election schedule for his office. Mansfield was appointed to his post in January 2005 when former Sheriff John McCroskey retired in the middle of his term. Steve has kept many of Sheriff McCroskey’s initiatives. He has also begun to implement his own ideas, such as the Meth Caucus, held in January, in which leaders from across the county and state were brought together to discuss how they can more aggressively combat Methamphetamine in our community. I strongly support Steve for reelection and encourage everyone to contact his campaign and volunteer.

Rose Bowman, County Treasurer, is running for reelection. I strongly support Rose and encourage your support.

Kathy Brack, County Clerk, is running for reelection. I strongly support Kathy for reelection and encourage your support.

Dianne Dorey, County Assessor, is running for reelection. I support Dianne for reelection and urge your support.

Gary Zandell, County Auditor, has not announced his intentions for this election.

Terry Wilson, County Coroner, has not announced his intentions for this election.

Both District Court judges, Michael P. Roewe, and R.W. Buzzard are up for election this year. Neither gentleman has officially announced their intentions.

I will gather further information on each candidate as they announce their intentions. Thanks for reading!

Freedom and Liberty

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
(Inscription on the Statue of Liberty)

From the first time I listened to the last song Johnny Cash ever recorded, “Hurt,” I’ve felt as if it could speak to several things. I’m a pretty sappy guy, in case you don’t know that already. I’m also very serious when it comes to certain things. My God, my family, and my nation. I always will be. Therefore, I interpreted the song “Hurt” in three different ways: A song to God, relating to His pain for us, how I let Him down. To my family, specifically, my wife, “What have I become, my sweetest friend?”
From the Nation of America to the world, “Everyone I know goes away in the end. You can have it all my empire of dirt...If I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself, I would find a way.”
When we were struck on 9/11 it was shocking to us. We felt violated. We struck back, as a whole. America had to come together to defeat our enemies. For the most part, we all have a very strong attachment to the colors red, white and blue. Our national identity, meaning, our attachment to each other, our form of government, and our freedoms, threw us into action. We were victorious in Afghanistan, we were victorious in the war in Iraq. (By the way, it’s not a war anymore; it’s the establishment of a new country. The war has been over for a couple years.) We did not enter these wars to claim them as our own, but to eliminate the regimes in place at the time, with the permanent goal of returning power to the people of those countries. Not just power, but freedom. I don’t think we really get the meaning of that word. We’ve always had freedom, but many of us don’t know it.

Thoughts on our Nation

"It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nation only are blessed whose God is the Lord."
Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President


"America is ready to encourage, eager to initiate, and promote that brotherhood of mankind which must be God's highest conception of human relationship."
Warren G. Harding, U.S. President

During conversations with people who are much wiser and more experienced in this world than I, a certain thought has struck me: Where will our nation and society be when my children are in high school and graduating college, trying to establish a life of their own. Perhaps this is an epiphany that every person has when they arrive at a certain point in their lives, and for me it has been very apparent recently.
I have realized something that perhaps you can relate too. There are very few people with a strong vision of what they want for the future. I don't mean on an individual level, (although that may be the root of this problem) I mean on a societal level. Words such as Democracy, Freedom, Liberty, even Justice, have become little more than buzz words, used by demagogues to perpetuate their influence over the masses.
The American people are good, in the real meaning of that word (Being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor). We desire good things, and many of us have a vision for future generations.
I enjoy spending time with people who are not associated with our government. At times I get jaded. It’s like breathing fresh air to be with people who believe in the American dream, and are striving to live it.
People are, for the most part, confident in our government, business, etc. We want to make a difference in the world, however that may be. In effect, we are all world changers. It’s all a matter of scale. The politician or businessman would crash and burn if they didn’t have a wife beside them to be encouraged by and pray with. We all play a key role in this adventure.
When I first wrote this (a while ago) I wasn’t sure when to post it: now I know. I want to encourage each of you. Give thought to how you can help America become a nation who again has a value system encouraging each of us to be responsible and care for ourselves, while likewise caring for our community.

Thoughts on Patriotism

Yesterday, as I was driving home, I noticed a bumper sticker in the window of a truck. The sticker was red, white and blue, and stated "Peace is Patriotic." This put me to thinking. What is the message the owner of this truck is attempting to reveal to the rest of the driving world? The obvious is that he/she is most likely not in favor of the Iraq War, and would like to see our troops come home immediately. Does this viewpoint make the driver unpatriotic? Does it make them feel unpatriotic? How do you define patriotism? Is patriotism a partisan word that means either in favor of, or in opposition to whichever political party is in leadership? Or is it something more?
As I drove along I thought of another saying that any bumper sticker manufacturers who may read this should consider.
"All Patriots desire this; Freedom then Peace."
Peace without Freedom isn't Peace. It's called surrender.
Likewise, Freedom without Peace isn't really Freedom. This is called anarchy.
The correct order of things is to first attain Freedom, then declare Peace.

Thoughts?

Quote of the Week

To be ambitious of true honor, of the true glory and perfection of our natures, is the very principle and incentive of virtue.
Sir Walter Scott
Scottish Novelist and Poet
1771 - 1832

Quote of the Week

"I ask our youngest citizens to believe the evidence of your eyes. You have seen duty and allegiance in the determined faces of our soldiers. You have seen that life is fragile, and evil is real, and courage triumphs. Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself - and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country, but to its character.
America has need of idealism and courage, because we have essential work at home - the unfinished work of American freedom. In a world moving toward liberty, we are determined to show the meaning and promise of liberty."
George W. Bush
43rd President of the United States
Second Inaugural speach
January 20th, 2005

Quote of the Week

"Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them."
Aristotle

Greek Philosopher