I was perusing my daily dose of webcomics today and at PvP Scott was talking about a blogger who devoted immense amounts of time to critiquing PVP. Scott wasn't blasting the guy, in fact, he called him a fan, because, as Scott said, only a fan could care so much. I commend Scott as someone who deals fairly well with that sort of thing. I don't have the personality (or talent, but that's beside the point) to deal with things like that.
What amazes me is how worked up people get about webcomics. I've gotten into discussions on forums about them. I've read tons of flaming posts about them. It boggles my mind because wake-up people, they are FREE!
Now, possibly I am caring too much about webcomics, but hear me out. Webcomics can be read by anyone, for free. Now, some comics do a better job of updating than others. Schlock Mercenary is pretty much the king at 7 straight years of posting on time. It's also hilarious. Dave Kellett drawing Sheldon does a great job too. Others, like PvP, are sketchier. Posting daily...usually...but who knows when. But again. Who cares. Its a comic you're reading for free. I've heard the arguments, "they have an implied contract with their reader." What? No they don't! If the readers get upset, they'll stop reading! Then ad revenue will dry up and the strip goes under. Simple economics.
For someone like Scott Kurtz, Dave Kellett, or Howard Tayler (to just name a very few) who make their living off the comic keeping your readers happy is important. The people who get so upset don't seem to understand they can just stop reading. Or the people who don't like how a strip or storyline went...that's fine, that's your opinion, but, you're not the creator. Voice your opinion, but the creator is creating, we are reading and we decide if we like it or not. Network TV is what happens when you pander to your audience. And we don't want that happening to webcomics.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Economics Hurt My Head
Disclaimer, I do not claim to be an economist. I'm not even all that good at math. But, I must say, that the Fed cutting the interest rate by 3/4% puzzles me. Now, I understand international markets were tanking and our's wasn't looking any better. I understand many banks have written down huge losses on bad loans and the housing market (new starts mostly) is overall WAY down. There is a "credit crunch" I've heard it called, both at the BIG level, banks, etc, and the smaller level, consumers.
So, I understand some of the reasons the Fed did this. However, didn't ultra-low interest rates help get us into this mess? Not just rates alone, plenty of bad judgement, unscrupulous lending, and consumer stupidity have helped, but the rates were low low low for years with little oversight. Now, its time to spend spend spend our way out of a crisis that frankly we got into by spending too much. I guess I don't see how the end result, getting consumers to spend themselves even deeper into debt, is the solution.
Oh, trust me, I know how basic (VERY basic) macroeconomics works. Consumers must spend for companies to make money, etc. etc. But, there must come a point when we've overspent. Right? Our country already borrows billions upon billions from foreign countries (including China, a BIG lender) because the country overspends. We consumers borrow billions upon billions on our credit cards, car payments, house payments, etc. That's fine, as long as we're making the payments. We aren't as consumers. Too many people are overextended.
Here's the problem, I have no idea what to do about this. Usually, I offer a few suggestions, but here, I don't know at all. And what scares me is, I don't think the really smart people do either. That's not a recipe for success. Hopefully I'm not coming across as alarmist or gloom and doom. I don't feel that way (completely). But I do feel our country is in deep economic trouble and that no one in charge wants to admit how big the issue really is.
So, I understand some of the reasons the Fed did this. However, didn't ultra-low interest rates help get us into this mess? Not just rates alone, plenty of bad judgement, unscrupulous lending, and consumer stupidity have helped, but the rates were low low low for years with little oversight. Now, its time to spend spend spend our way out of a crisis that frankly we got into by spending too much. I guess I don't see how the end result, getting consumers to spend themselves even deeper into debt, is the solution.
Oh, trust me, I know how basic (VERY basic) macroeconomics works. Consumers must spend for companies to make money, etc. etc. But, there must come a point when we've overspent. Right? Our country already borrows billions upon billions from foreign countries (including China, a BIG lender) because the country overspends. We consumers borrow billions upon billions on our credit cards, car payments, house payments, etc. That's fine, as long as we're making the payments. We aren't as consumers. Too many people are overextended.
Here's the problem, I have no idea what to do about this. Usually, I offer a few suggestions, but here, I don't know at all. And what scares me is, I don't think the really smart people do either. That's not a recipe for success. Hopefully I'm not coming across as alarmist or gloom and doom. I don't feel that way (completely). But I do feel our country is in deep economic trouble and that no one in charge wants to admit how big the issue really is.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
America's Place in the World
Bush is finishing up his begging, er traveling, in the Middle East today. What a sad place America is in today. Bush, while visiting the Saudis, begged (at least as far as diplomacy is concerned) with the Saudis to work with OPEC to lower oil prices. "The oil prices are crushing our economy." "We're you're biggest customer." On, and on. This is sad. After the Saudi oil minister said no, OPEC is happy with the situation, Bush went over his head to talk to King Abdullah himself and beg. Wow. What a wonderful place America is at today.
Now, I'm not going to blame all our problems on Bush or this administration. The oil crisis has been looming for years and NOONE did anything to prepare for it. Many of the lax financial policies were in place before Bush's presidency. Though, again, nothing was done to put any oversight over the financial sector. The flight of manufacturing jobs has been going on for years and remember, NAFTA was signed on Clinton's watch as was renewing China's "Most Favored Nation" status. But Bush has done nothing to solve the problems caused by these agreements and has allowed plenty that exacerbates them.
What I am angry about is that Bush and his administration has done so much to bring the US down in the world's eyes. The rest of the world has always had a love/hate relationship with America. I understand this. But starting wars, bullying allies, ignoring any advice from outside countries time and again, and now that our economy is poised on the brink of a recession, is begging for lower oil prices. Hmm, why on earth would OPEC listen?
The US has had YEARS to implement plans to start weaning ourselves off foreign oil and we've done next to nothing about it. Congress has consistently ignored the problem not passing tougher standards and not investing money is alternative fuel research until relatively recently. Sorry folks, ethanol is not the long term solution. At least not from corn. Possibly from switchgrass, but not corn.
I guess I don't like to see my country begging for a handout, which is what I feel Bush is doing. We've made our bed, we're going to have to sleep in it. I just hope and pray that the next administration will make some wiser choices than the previous 2 or 3 have. I don't expect immediate changes. It will take a number of years for smart policies to actually start to work. But first, we need some smart policies.
Now, I'm not going to blame all our problems on Bush or this administration. The oil crisis has been looming for years and NOONE did anything to prepare for it. Many of the lax financial policies were in place before Bush's presidency. Though, again, nothing was done to put any oversight over the financial sector. The flight of manufacturing jobs has been going on for years and remember, NAFTA was signed on Clinton's watch as was renewing China's "Most Favored Nation" status. But Bush has done nothing to solve the problems caused by these agreements and has allowed plenty that exacerbates them.
What I am angry about is that Bush and his administration has done so much to bring the US down in the world's eyes. The rest of the world has always had a love/hate relationship with America. I understand this. But starting wars, bullying allies, ignoring any advice from outside countries time and again, and now that our economy is poised on the brink of a recession, is begging for lower oil prices. Hmm, why on earth would OPEC listen?
The US has had YEARS to implement plans to start weaning ourselves off foreign oil and we've done next to nothing about it. Congress has consistently ignored the problem not passing tougher standards and not investing money is alternative fuel research until relatively recently. Sorry folks, ethanol is not the long term solution. At least not from corn. Possibly from switchgrass, but not corn.
I guess I don't like to see my country begging for a handout, which is what I feel Bush is doing. We've made our bed, we're going to have to sleep in it. I just hope and pray that the next administration will make some wiser choices than the previous 2 or 3 have. I don't expect immediate changes. It will take a number of years for smart policies to actually start to work. But first, we need some smart policies.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Baseball and Congress Part II
Well, I'm not claiming to be the first, because I'm sure I was nowhere near first, but at least I finally read a national story questioning what congress is doing looking into the baseball steroids issue. The story asked the question I, and I'm sure many others asked, "Doesn't Congress have more important things to do?"
Clemens is a cheater, but he's old and probably not going to pitch again. Pettite is still playing, and Knoblauch pretty much wants nothing to do with the sport anymore. The Mitchell report is focusing on a few past abuses. The key there is FEW. If more people like the trainer for the Yankee's had been caught from other teams, because, lets face it, I'm pretty certain almost every team in baseball had a guy who could "hook up" the players with steroids, HGH, or whatever other substance they needed. If all those middle-men had been caught up in a federal probe I cringe to think how many players would have been implicated.
So, this brings me back to my point. The Mitchell report and Congress are focusing on the past. You can't change the past. I'm sorry. The mid 80s to the early 2000s is tainted. Especially from about 96 on. You can't change that. And wasting taxpayer time and money on more hearings is wasteful. Baseball has done something. Its pathetic in my mind, but its something. Congress needs to get out of this now. If they want to focus on the actual trafficking of steroids and HGH, that's fine. I can understand how you would want that sort of thing regulated as it is a dangerous prescription-only substance. But give the baseball end of it a rest! Go back to running the country. Maybe look into what sort of lax banking oversight we have that helped set up these massive losses, but let baseball run itself now.
Clemens is a cheater, but he's old and probably not going to pitch again. Pettite is still playing, and Knoblauch pretty much wants nothing to do with the sport anymore. The Mitchell report is focusing on a few past abuses. The key there is FEW. If more people like the trainer for the Yankee's had been caught from other teams, because, lets face it, I'm pretty certain almost every team in baseball had a guy who could "hook up" the players with steroids, HGH, or whatever other substance they needed. If all those middle-men had been caught up in a federal probe I cringe to think how many players would have been implicated.
So, this brings me back to my point. The Mitchell report and Congress are focusing on the past. You can't change the past. I'm sorry. The mid 80s to the early 2000s is tainted. Especially from about 96 on. You can't change that. And wasting taxpayer time and money on more hearings is wasteful. Baseball has done something. Its pathetic in my mind, but its something. Congress needs to get out of this now. If they want to focus on the actual trafficking of steroids and HGH, that's fine. I can understand how you would want that sort of thing regulated as it is a dangerous prescription-only substance. But give the baseball end of it a rest! Go back to running the country. Maybe look into what sort of lax banking oversight we have that helped set up these massive losses, but let baseball run itself now.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Government Logic
Bush, on his tour of the Middle East, was speaking today in Saudi Arabia about his intention to sell JDAM laser-guided bomb kits to them, among other weapons. The Saudis already have lots of top of the line military equipment we've sold them, first to contain Saddam, now to wave a big stick at Iran, who Bush said today is "the world's leading state sponsor of terror." That is quoting from a Reuters report.
Now, I agree, to an extent, that Iran is a big sponsor of terrorism, especially in Iraq. What I find ironic is that Saudi Arabia is the biggest civilian sponsor of terrorism in the world. Remember Osama Bin Landen? He's Saudi. Most of the 9/11 hijackers? Saudis. Tons of terrorist money comes from the oil rich Saudis. (Not nearly all, but plenty.) Don't believe the lie that terrorism, at least of the Islamist variety, is because of the poor and oppressed. The rich and opulent manipulate the poor and oppressed to blow themselves up for Allah. Is this a defense of how the US and the West tends to treat poorer countries? No, look at the rest of my statements. I've just gotten tired of people attempting to use that excuse for terrorism.
Now, I just love the Bush government's logic. We invade Iraq, who had nothing at all to do with 9/11 or Islamist terrorism in general. But we're selling hi-tech weapons to the Saudis who have been VERY slow to crack down on support for terrorism from their own citizens. This is a country with some of the most repressive laws on earth. Their treatment of women and minority religious groups is atrocious. And, we're stopping terrorism by selling them weapons.
I'm sorry, but this makes me sick. It really does. If you look at the history of the 20th century American foreign policy of attempting to play countries off each other, it hasn't worked well for us. Usually, it turns around to bite us in the rear. Just remember folks, we were selling Saddam weapons in the 80s to keep Iran at bay. That worked well for us.
I'm sick of our foreign policy hypocrisy. We claim to be for democracy around the world, and then ally ourselves closely with repressive governments, who quite frankly don't like us. This is not a good thing. I understand that we need to be on speaking terms with countries. I'd prefer Iran was one of them as well (not that diplomacy would do anything, but merely to show we're the white hats). But being on speaking terms is far different from selling them billions of dollars of hi-tech weaponry. I just hope whoever is next in the White House realizes this. Oh wait, we still have an oil based economy, that's right.
Now, I agree, to an extent, that Iran is a big sponsor of terrorism, especially in Iraq. What I find ironic is that Saudi Arabia is the biggest civilian sponsor of terrorism in the world. Remember Osama Bin Landen? He's Saudi. Most of the 9/11 hijackers? Saudis. Tons of terrorist money comes from the oil rich Saudis. (Not nearly all, but plenty.) Don't believe the lie that terrorism, at least of the Islamist variety, is because of the poor and oppressed. The rich and opulent manipulate the poor and oppressed to blow themselves up for Allah. Is this a defense of how the US and the West tends to treat poorer countries? No, look at the rest of my statements. I've just gotten tired of people attempting to use that excuse for terrorism.
Now, I just love the Bush government's logic. We invade Iraq, who had nothing at all to do with 9/11 or Islamist terrorism in general. But we're selling hi-tech weapons to the Saudis who have been VERY slow to crack down on support for terrorism from their own citizens. This is a country with some of the most repressive laws on earth. Their treatment of women and minority religious groups is atrocious. And, we're stopping terrorism by selling them weapons.
I'm sorry, but this makes me sick. It really does. If you look at the history of the 20th century American foreign policy of attempting to play countries off each other, it hasn't worked well for us. Usually, it turns around to bite us in the rear. Just remember folks, we were selling Saddam weapons in the 80s to keep Iran at bay. That worked well for us.
I'm sick of our foreign policy hypocrisy. We claim to be for democracy around the world, and then ally ourselves closely with repressive governments, who quite frankly don't like us. This is not a good thing. I understand that we need to be on speaking terms with countries. I'd prefer Iran was one of them as well (not that diplomacy would do anything, but merely to show we're the white hats). But being on speaking terms is far different from selling them billions of dollars of hi-tech weaponry. I just hope whoever is next in the White House realizes this. Oh wait, we still have an oil based economy, that's right.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Spirituality
What a vast topic. I personally take a whole self look at it. Mind, body, spirit, are all connected. My starting to work out again is good for my spiritual health. (Now, some people make an idol out of the human body, but that's another topic.) I read lots, many of the books effect how I look at the world and how I treat others. All are aspects of my faith. I am constantly striving to have a Christlike worldview, which is frequently tough since I tend towards cynicism.
However, there is an area of my faith I really struggle with. Reading the Bible and meditating on it. And doing this with my wife. I'm terrible at this. Part of the problem is from intellectualizing my faith. I "know" lots of stuff about Christianity, Christian thought, the Bible, etc. and then go with that being enough. Knowledge is great, but it is a far cry from applying it to my life and growing from it. Knowledge is safe. Practice is dangerous.
The other part is just laziness. Plain and simple. I do other things instead. I could claim I don't have time, but I do have time. Plenty of time.
This part of my faith I must start doing on a more regular (or just regular) basis. Its an active part of living my faith and well, just because other's don't see that aspect of it doesn't mean its not important.
However, there is an area of my faith I really struggle with. Reading the Bible and meditating on it. And doing this with my wife. I'm terrible at this. Part of the problem is from intellectualizing my faith. I "know" lots of stuff about Christianity, Christian thought, the Bible, etc. and then go with that being enough. Knowledge is great, but it is a far cry from applying it to my life and growing from it. Knowledge is safe. Practice is dangerous.
The other part is just laziness. Plain and simple. I do other things instead. I could claim I don't have time, but I do have time. Plenty of time.
This part of my faith I must start doing on a more regular (or just regular) basis. Its an active part of living my faith and well, just because other's don't see that aspect of it doesn't mean its not important.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Presidential Legacies
Bush is starting his tour of the Middle East with a stop in Israel and Palestine before heading to other nations in the area. Hmm...a president in the last year of his term, trying to make peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. Don't I remember Clinton doing something like this?
Trust me, I'd love peace in the Middle East as much as anyone, but I'm realistic. These hatreds go back THOUSANDS of years, they aren't just going to make nice overnight. Especially with the tit-for-tat of mortar attacks, rocket attacks, helicopter attacks, settlers in captured territory, going ON and ON and ON. So, please, feel free to try Mr. Bush, but don't expect too much.
I find it odd with the way the economic outlook is in the US that Bush is taking the time to do this now. Is he worried about his "legacy" as President? He shouldn't be. He'll rank up there with the best of the bad ones. That is assured. Not even peace in the Middle East will overcome that.
On Bush and the economy, I realize the President gets too much credit for good times and too much blame for the bad, but...how often does he really address where the country is headed economically? He's pretty laissez-faire when it comes to business, which has done great things for the home market. Yes, the companies screwed themselves, but that's why we need a watchdog with TEETH to say, "Hey, they make $50,000 a year and already are heavily in debt, they can't really afford a $300,000 home!"
Or the disaster he's made of the public education system with NCLB. Sure, Congress passed it (foolishly) but it's been Bush's baby since day one. In an assembly plant, where you control the product coming in, you will never, ever reach 100% quality. So why, in a school system, where you have NO control over the "product" (child) coming in, are they expected to have 100% quality (achievement) by 2014. That's so ridiculous you just have to cry!
Instead of punishing struggling schools by taking away money, why not spend more money on real school counselors? Not schedulers, but people who actually counsel students. Emotional issues (frequently brought on by home problems) are a HUGE reason why kids aren't learning. Sure, some of its the teachers, some of its the curriculum, but the best teacher on earth can't reach a kid that just doesn't care or who is so traumatized by their home situation.
Yes, I deviated from my initial point (big surprise), but not really. Bush is in the Middle East attempting to patch things up after really really making a mess of things, even by the standards of the region. But, his legacy will always be tarnished not just by the damage he has done abroad, which is plenty, but the damage done on his watch at home. Is it all his fault? Of course not. I helped vote in a Democratic Congress that has done NOTHING. I blame them too. And no, it hasn't just been because of Republican stonewalling. (How many hours were wasted nailing Alberto Gonzalez? I didn't like the guy, but come on, you have a country to run people!) I guess I would just say to Bush, enjoy your trip, come home, and maybe attempt to do some good in your last year as President.
Trust me, I'd love peace in the Middle East as much as anyone, but I'm realistic. These hatreds go back THOUSANDS of years, they aren't just going to make nice overnight. Especially with the tit-for-tat of mortar attacks, rocket attacks, helicopter attacks, settlers in captured territory, going ON and ON and ON. So, please, feel free to try Mr. Bush, but don't expect too much.
I find it odd with the way the economic outlook is in the US that Bush is taking the time to do this now. Is he worried about his "legacy" as President? He shouldn't be. He'll rank up there with the best of the bad ones. That is assured. Not even peace in the Middle East will overcome that.
On Bush and the economy, I realize the President gets too much credit for good times and too much blame for the bad, but...how often does he really address where the country is headed economically? He's pretty laissez-faire when it comes to business, which has done great things for the home market. Yes, the companies screwed themselves, but that's why we need a watchdog with TEETH to say, "Hey, they make $50,000 a year and already are heavily in debt, they can't really afford a $300,000 home!"
Or the disaster he's made of the public education system with NCLB. Sure, Congress passed it (foolishly) but it's been Bush's baby since day one. In an assembly plant, where you control the product coming in, you will never, ever reach 100% quality. So why, in a school system, where you have NO control over the "product" (child) coming in, are they expected to have 100% quality (achievement) by 2014. That's so ridiculous you just have to cry!
Instead of punishing struggling schools by taking away money, why not spend more money on real school counselors? Not schedulers, but people who actually counsel students. Emotional issues (frequently brought on by home problems) are a HUGE reason why kids aren't learning. Sure, some of its the teachers, some of its the curriculum, but the best teacher on earth can't reach a kid that just doesn't care or who is so traumatized by their home situation.
Yes, I deviated from my initial point (big surprise), but not really. Bush is in the Middle East attempting to patch things up after really really making a mess of things, even by the standards of the region. But, his legacy will always be tarnished not just by the damage he has done abroad, which is plenty, but the damage done on his watch at home. Is it all his fault? Of course not. I helped vote in a Democratic Congress that has done NOTHING. I blame them too. And no, it hasn't just been because of Republican stonewalling. (How many hours were wasted nailing Alberto Gonzalez? I didn't like the guy, but come on, you have a country to run people!) I guess I would just say to Bush, enjoy your trip, come home, and maybe attempt to do some good in your last year as President.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Baseball and Congress
Ok, Clemens is a cheater. Lots of players were (are?). It has tainted the game. I hate it, but its a fact. And I wish more people would point the finger where it needs to be pointed. Bud Selig. Its been under his watch that laughably lax drug testing standards have been abused. Does that exonerate the cheaters? Not at all. However, if a stringent testing program such as pro cycling has, with severe first time penalties, had been implemented it would have helped.
Note I say helped, not solved. There will always be cheaters no matter what the penalties. But it would have helped and it wouldn't have tarnished the game like it has been. Oh, I'm a fan, but I look at most things with a skeptical eye now. And, I think Bud Selig is one of the worst things to happen to MLB, as a sport, not a business, in a long, long time.
All that said, what is Congress doing? I mean really, people cheated, bought drugs illegally and used them illegally. Don't they have anything better to do, say, help run the country? They are pushing back the latest hearing until February now. But, so what? Because of a he said/he said between Clemens and a poor ex-trainer? Good grief! The government is a mess and some of our representatives still have time to worry about this?
Why not just do what they did with the NFL. Tell MLB to shape up our we'll start looking at if you should have anti-trust protection or not. MLB has implemented testing. Its a joke system, but its still something. Congress needs to stop dwelling on things that happened a number of years ago now at this point and go about their business.
Hey, maybe with the freed up time they could accomplish something useful. Dealing with healthcare costs, Social (in)Security, energy issues possibly? Oh wait, that would require original thinking and the ability to not be bribed, er lobbied. Sorry....
Note I say helped, not solved. There will always be cheaters no matter what the penalties. But it would have helped and it wouldn't have tarnished the game like it has been. Oh, I'm a fan, but I look at most things with a skeptical eye now. And, I think Bud Selig is one of the worst things to happen to MLB, as a sport, not a business, in a long, long time.
All that said, what is Congress doing? I mean really, people cheated, bought drugs illegally and used them illegally. Don't they have anything better to do, say, help run the country? They are pushing back the latest hearing until February now. But, so what? Because of a he said/he said between Clemens and a poor ex-trainer? Good grief! The government is a mess and some of our representatives still have time to worry about this?
Why not just do what they did with the NFL. Tell MLB to shape up our we'll start looking at if you should have anti-trust protection or not. MLB has implemented testing. Its a joke system, but its still something. Congress needs to stop dwelling on things that happened a number of years ago now at this point and go about their business.
Hey, maybe with the freed up time they could accomplish something useful. Dealing with healthcare costs, Social (in)Security, energy issues possibly? Oh wait, that would require original thinking and the ability to not be bribed, er lobbied. Sorry....
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Democracy
I had a blog all written on the "myth of democracy." A scathing look at the joke much of our political system is. I didn't post it. Is it that I don't believe our system is terribly flawed? No, I think it is. It's just that, while so many things about our country frustrate me to no end, I look around the world and am thankful I live here.
Our election process is laughable. We elect people, but nothing much changes, not usually. (Thanks for NOTHING Democratic congress.) However, we're not Kenya, where people are getting killed over the possibly rigged election. (You though 2000 was bad here, we weren't killing each other!) We're not Pakistan where homegrown terror groups just killed off a main politician in Benazir Bhutto.
We're not Fiji, where the army took over and tourism and sugar production have dropped severely since. We're not Sudan, where the government tacitly supports genocide by not doing anything to stop it. Or Somalia, where there is no government.
What I'm saying is that I'm thankful to be an American. I'm not a great patriot. I'm frequently sickened and embaressed by my nation. But I love my country and want good things for it and ALL who live here. I can only pray that as this ugly campaign season takes off I won't let it cloud my eyes. I criticize because I love. I vote because I can't complain if I don't. And I can pray for true change.
Our election process is laughable. We elect people, but nothing much changes, not usually. (Thanks for NOTHING Democratic congress.) However, we're not Kenya, where people are getting killed over the possibly rigged election. (You though 2000 was bad here, we weren't killing each other!) We're not Pakistan where homegrown terror groups just killed off a main politician in Benazir Bhutto.
We're not Fiji, where the army took over and tourism and sugar production have dropped severely since. We're not Sudan, where the government tacitly supports genocide by not doing anything to stop it. Or Somalia, where there is no government.
What I'm saying is that I'm thankful to be an American. I'm not a great patriot. I'm frequently sickened and embaressed by my nation. But I love my country and want good things for it and ALL who live here. I can only pray that as this ugly campaign season takes off I won't let it cloud my eyes. I criticize because I love. I vote because I can't complain if I don't. And I can pray for true change.
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