A nation of 300 million columnists

Delmarie Iowa Falls, IA — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:36:32 GMT

Amen. Amen. Amen. The problem with truth is that your truth may not be my truth. I had a conversation with a Republican the other day, and while they agreed that this president has been a bad one, "he really sticks by what he believes in". So there you go. That is their truth. It may be wrong to have gotten us to war, but.... I don't care if John Edwards got a $400 hair cut. What I care about is the USA, and my children's children. What I care about is the truth of thier family and their beliefs. If you look at all the families of all the candidates, what do they tell you? What do they show that represents the best this country has to offer? I won't go with Unity '08 because I think they just create more division. IF people would just get real and not be single issue voters, but total package voters, we would find that leader we want. So far, the only one I see that meets my requirements is Edwards.

A nation of 300 million columnists

Dan Gordon, Pensacola, Florida — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:12:41 GMT

You forgot one of the major reasons everything is screwed up, and that is the Democrats fought the President consistently and called him names until our enemies in the world picked up on the discourse in this country and now use it to their advantage. You can’t scream and complain constantly since 2000 until finally something goes wrong and then say “I told you so”. Yes we need a leader, but I don’t see it coming from a party that only knows how to complain.

A nation of 300 million columnists

Andrew D. Strupp Salt Point, NY — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:34:11 GMT

I agree. The haircut turns me off. But if the guy really is the Breck Girl, then his wife, who is more than real, would not stand behind him or stay with him. Mrs. Edwards REALLY is his main asset. I think he understands the issue of poverty and lack of opportunity. We don't need any more Republican wedge issues. If my neighbor has a job and is not a pediophile or mass murderer, I don't give a hoot if he is gay or believes in God or not. Let people live there lives in peace. I thought America was about freedom AND responsibility. No more wars for oil. Lets talk to Hugo Chavez. He may not be totally crazy. Certainly no more crazy than Attack Dog Cheney. I think Edwards is not all about his own ego nro is he power mad. A Southener can win the Presidency. Everything else ends up losing. God Bless America. I hope the rest of the world forgives us for our hubris and ignorance and rash overreaction to 9/11.

A nation of 300 million columnists

William Stevens — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:25:53 GMT

Chris, I believe that you are just wrong. This is war against pure evil. Your judgements and advocacy will lead to slow, painful, defeat. Our country is in a a long term struggle. I feel that you promote political carping and wining that aids the enemy.

A nation of 300 million columnists

Jane Ragan, Cary, NC — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:33:23 GMT

I too want a leader and it is NOT John Edwards. I was very excited when he became our senator, but that has totally disappeared, as he did, over the short time he represented us. It has been an accumulation of many of his actions, or in-actions (poor environmental grade, hedge fund advising, avoidance of paying hundreds of thousands in Medicare taxes, ties to the banking industry, etc.). But the two biggest problems I have with him are his co-sponsorship of the Iraq War Resolution, when the chairman of his Senate Intelligence Committee, Bob Graham, knew enough to vote against it, and his lack of visiting eastern North Carolina after Hurricane Isabel hit. Instead, he went to California to fund raise with Gray Davis. It really rubs salt into the wound when he shows up with a shovel in New Orleans. He spins his story to Labor about being a son of a mill worker, but fails to mention his father became part of management. I do not trust him to follow through on any of his stated beliefs. He may talk a good talk in the early caucus and primary states, but his ignoring of his supposed home state says something different. Polls of Democrats in NC show that over 70% support another Democrat. I have Republican friends who were ready to vote for Kerry 2004 until he picked Edwards as his running mate. It is sad that we have become so skeptical of everything he does.

A nation of 300 million columnists

C. Stephens Goldsboro, N.C. — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:32:53 GMT

Mike, I agree that we are all hungering for a real leader. These are some of the most dangerous times that I can ever remember. I feel that we, as a country, are teetering on some kind of precarious tightrope and we can't make yet another strategic mistake. I worry about what my children will have to deal with in the years to come. My regret is that the two individuals who have the most experience and are already respected world-wide as proven leaders, are apparently not getting into this race; they being Al Gore and retired General Wesley Clark. WISDOM gained from experience is essential at this time because the times are so volatile, and there's a whole lot of "fixin" to be done. A strong belief system would go hand and hand with these two, because they have already proven themselves to be competent "doers" and not just real good at talking. But oh well, I guess for now, I'll just have to look to the so-called "second tier" candidates: Biden, Dodd, and Richardson. I wish these three individuals well, and I hope we can get beyond "who is the American Political Idol.

A nation of 300 million columnists

Betty Vierra — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:39:46 GMT

When I read this, I thought, he's talking about John Edwards. Yes, we do want someone to lead the way, and to tell us directly where they stand and what their plans are. (For example, right in front of me is a copy of John Edwards' Rural Recovery Act - I printed it out from his website - which has a list of specifics and one of them applies to a problem we have in my area - the Medicare funding formula for rural areas. We have a problem getting enough doctors to take Medicare patients because of this formula.) I think John Edwards sees the individual problem areas; he sees the way they fit in the large picture, and he comes up with encompassing practical solutions. And he does it consistently with a stated value system.

A nation of 300 million columnists

Tony Nacelewicz, Kokomo, IN — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:21:26 GMT

One of the commentators on this morning's news show commented that the debate is like watching the Superbowl to political junkies. I really agree with that statement, because like the Superbowl, it is interesting to watch, but I don't have any say whatsoever in its outcome. I don't live in one of the early primary states, and I live in Indiana, one of the red states, so due to the antiquated electoral college system, I also have no vote in the general election. To top that off, I live in a congressional district which has been gerrymandered so my congressman has had to face no real opposition in years. I'll be watching tonight, but it would be so much better if I could actually decide something.

A nation of 300 million columnists

Cynthia Crouse — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:03:31 GMT

Thank you! But the big pretender sitting now in the Oval Office has beliefs, too. No more apologies, no more probables or most likely's; it's "Follow me because I'll bring all Americans back home and where this country should be in the world." Who will be able to say in a few years, "You followed me and you were right!"

A nation of 300 million columnists

Charles North Carolina — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:43:45 GMT

True, this country needs a leader with beliefs and morals. Unfortunately, the Democrats have become so obsessed with liberalism that this countries morals have all but evaporated. No, everyone doing their own thing is not right, its anarchy. The majority don't want Gay marriages and the majority do believe in God (not allah), this is a democracy, rule by the majority. This country is falling apart because we have no morals or just as important a leader with morals to immulate. The Democrats will give away everything we stand for as middle class Americans but the unfortunate thing is the Republicans will sell everything we stand for, so how about a middle class American for president.

A nation of 300 million columnists

Dan McCormick Buffalo, N.Y. — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:46:41 GMT

Hello.

Please sign this petitition to honor Tim Russert's memory by having his name added to The Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame.

http://www.petitiononline.com/basenji/petition.html

Also. please pass it on to others who might be interested in seeing him honored. Certainly, Tim would be thrilled with the honor.

Thank you for your consideration.

Mr. Barnacle, if you read this please sign the petition and thank you for keeping Buffalo's favorite sons' memory alive through the stories you share. God bless.