Grandpa Doyle, Family Prayers

On a personal note. I will be visiting my grandad this weekend in Tulsa. He's got a few weeks left. A month or so, tops. So, pray for his time left, for a minimum of pain. He also wants to go with some dignity, which is why he's chosen home care and being around family and not in a nursing home with strangers. Doyle is his name. He's 85, and if he makes it, turns 86 at the end of March. However, he had a second massive stroke last year which marred any progress he made from his 2005 first and debilitating stroke. I think, suspect, he is tired of not being a full man. He is one of the last of 8 or 9 kids, in his fam, and was one of the youngest. So, he may be ready to be reunited with his family. However, he is hanging in to see the rest of us, here, for a while. He is a shadow of himself, but I will see him soon. It maybe for the last time, until my own passing comes. So, pray for him and his state, that he can recognize us. Pray for my aunt and grandmother as they head up and help with the care and have done so since 2005. Pray for my mom, cousins, sister, etc. We're a Christian group, not perfect, but we're trying to make sense and reconcile this. It's hard to be certain of God, when someone we know dies, yet the body has only so much time and endurance here. Pray for me as I drive up there. Texas and Oklahoman drivers, good God. Well, I'll let you all know how it goes. Off to work I go. Thanks.

Who Am I Voting For?

Well, it would be easy to say I would be pidgeon holed as nothing but a Republican goose stepper. However, while I may vote for McCain, I do so with reservations, and am not necessarily a registered GOP member, not for a while.

Why?

First off, the GOP has lost any guts in making themselves known for what is right. They'd rather cut what is important and save what is mediocre for compromise and so-called legacies. Reagan made some compromises, but he was more known for his party battling. The current President, came in a lion, but is now leaving a scratched and weary cat. Bush got the job in a crappy time in human history, but some more backbone from him and other GOP leaders could have been better. So, while I am moderate in some issues, it may be a bone of contention on McCain being in on infighting.

Second, McCain, while he's been advocating some fiscal conservatism, is going with those who would not. Let's face it, War on Terror aside, the GOP has spent more than the Democrats have in nearly 40 years (that's including Vietnam, Great Society, the Clinton Healthcare experiment...) A little restraint on the purse strings, boys, so we can keep the dollar from plummeting, please. I'm not saying the sky is falling, but there's no need to fuel the fire ot set the stage. GOP, clean house, now.

Third, McCain himself. I am for the man, since he did fight and endure torture in Vietnam. He's a long serving Senator. However, McCain has some iffy tendencies. First, his age may be a factor. If he got into office, he'd be older than Reagan or Ike when they took office. So, he may have only so much long, which would make his Vice President a key and important figure. Second, he is hesitant on interrogation terrorists by whatever means necessary. I understand his experience in Nam, waterboarding, beatings, etc. However, Mr. McCain, the guys we're holding ARE NOT captured POWs. They would never sign the Hague, Geneva, other accords. They WILL use torture, when we are hesitant. I do not advocate sadism, but to use the ticking bomb scenario, get someone to talk and stop the imminent problem. Better to apologize for acting, than regret not acting. McCain would no doubt delegate others to this task. McCain is HOWEVER a strong supporter of the US military and would not gut it, like others would. He has supported our troops, but has been critical on the handling of Iraq after Mission Accomplished was announced. Maybe not so much accomplished, yet. McCain has my vote on that. McCain being pro-choice, is not something I care for, but that's someone else's right they will use no doubt (not that I am for more of a generation being aborted for the comforts of the already living). There's his fling with a lobbyist. Well, infidelity is not making me love McCain. He gets my vote overall, but only by a whisker.

Now, I'm NOT even considering Hillary. She was in charge for 8 years and that's enough. Seriously, she has flip flopped on positions. And has dodged many a question in debates. Thank you Tim Russert for showing her up. Also, Hillary while she promised much for New York, failed to deliver. Who wants that track record in the White House?

Obama? No. And not because of the militant Muslim rumors. Not just that. Rather, he's not even completed 1 term in the Senate and is running. Most candidates have held their office or position for a good while, at least one term or tenure. Obama, sorry, you may have to wait. Obama is a well spoken man. However, I do take issue with him NOT reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, nor be willing to wear his flag without shame. Too many questions, too few answers from Mr. Obama.

McCain will get my vote, but not with the enthusiasm I had for others. I don't do so as GOP, but rather an independent picking the lesser of 2 not so hot options. One being blah. The other being bad. I choose blah.

William F Buckley 1926-2008

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120412923043097003.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

As you may know, I've taken hiatus from here, due to family and other commitments. However, I'm back.

First off, Mr. Buckley, RIP. William F Buckley, agree with him or not, was highly influential on the conservative movement that transformed then was discarded by the Republicans. Buckley, a long time foil of Gore Vidal and other progressives, was a force to be reckoned with by some. Some will rejoice in his death, no doubt. Some will mourn. However, while I do mark his passing, he did profess God and now he is with God. Buckley was very very merciless in attacks on liberals, but he also had unkind words and what he hoped was constructive criticism for conservatives who were mucking around. Mr. Buckley was not always Reagan's biggest cheerleader, but did pay respects to Ronald W Reagan in 2004, and was a powerful voice as the country changed hands from Republicans to Democrats. Mr. Buckley's conservatism does live on through the National Review, and has no doubt been carried to other areas. You fought the good fight sir, so enjoy your well earned rest.

Nick