Reflection of Grieved Man

Having recently returned from a long car trip to my oldest daughters funeral. I want to publicly proclaim my deep sorrow in losing one of my children. Not any child, but my first born, who was the kindest, most thoughtful person I have ever lost to death. Of course,like many people in my advanced age group, I have lost both my mother and father. Both at an early age. They too were kind and loving persons, but I have a special place in my heart for my first born who is now gone. I know my religious beliefs tell me she has gone to a "better place". And now is with those other loved ones that have crossed over to the "other side". But I still grieve and wonder why the "Good Die Young?"
The anguish experienced by parents who lose a child to wars or tragic accidents is certainly no less than mine, and I have empathy for them. The world suddenly becomes a more empty place, and the process of going on with our lives is harder.
The one thing I was impressed with was the large numbers of co-workers who attended her funeral. Obviously Her goodness and kindness were evident to all who came in contact with Susan. May God open his arms and embrace Her as I wish I could one more time.
What is the message I am trying to relay to you who take the time to read this? I seek but one thing. No not sympathy, but awakening to the fact that our lives are very fragile. One minute we are here and the next we are gone. So, don't be too busy to tell your loved ones that you love them, and take the time to make personal contact with them. Hug them while you still can!

President Bushs' Public Welcome of a Tyrant!

As a life long republican,who strayed away once to vote for President Kennedy, I am disturbed by the public pronouncements of our president during his press conference welcoming the Chinese Communist "president" at the White House.
All the platitudes and "diplomatic correct" verbiage used for public consumption will not obscure the fact that Communist China could become the 21st century equivalent of "the axis of evil". No matter what the Administration PR people tell us will be discussed in private meetings regarding Chinas' persecution of religion, lack of human rights and disgracefully low wages for the Chinese worker. It is the public images and words spoken at the White House that will be carried all over the world by television and radio. Even in China.
There are too many problems in China to bring to an article like this, but I will attempt to elaborate on three that are particularly troublesome to me.
First, is the ever present but seldom spoken military threat posed to the United States and its allies in Asia. In 1953 the North Koreans invaded South Korea. In the ensuing five years over fifty thousand American service men and women died with the aid of Communist troops from China and their weapons fighting the North Korean aggression. We still face the threat of further North Korean warfare to "re-unify " Korea. But the greatest threat comes from the Nuclear build up in China, and their stated treat that any attempt to help defend our ally Taiwan if China decides to invade Taiwan would result in a nuclear attack on United States. Classified Chinese documents, specifically "Document 65" indicate that China has presently nuclear ICBMs targeting U.S. West coast cities. This according to the book "The Chinese Threat" by Mr. Gertz. This The result of the largesse of the Clinton Administration when it allowed the technology for missile guidance to be sold to Communist China.
The Second, is the failure of china to allow religious freedom despite President Bush's appeal to the Communist leaders during his "state visit" in 2005. The Communist regime has an established State controlled religion, but any other denomination (Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Buddhist, or Jewish) that worships in secret for fear of reprisals is considered a "cult", and an "evil influence". The punishment for participation can be one or many of the following: fines, imprisonment, torture, welfare payment deductions and withholding medical care. It is also common practice to confiscate Church valuables and property. Recently Cai-Zhoohua pastor of a Chinese Protestant church was sent to prison for three years and fined the U, S. equivalent of $20,000 for printing and distributing Bibles!
Lastly, the worse than "third world" wages paid to Chinese workers making goods for sale in the United States. Unfortunately, "Free Trade" with China results in one thing only. Access by American Companies to "cheap labor".
I don't usually take the position of anti-free traders and Unions, but on this one I have to agree. When Chinese workers are paid 23 cents an hour to make Ralph Lauren shirts, and Nike shoes are made by workers who work 16 hours a day six days a week to make Nike shoes for a paltry $3.00 a day, there is something wrong with this picture. The Wall Street Journal published a recent article praising Communist China stating, "More efficient Chinese production has slashed the price of consumer goods". Why not substitute the words "slave labor" for "efficient production". In the last five years the average Chinese workers wages have been slashed by as much as 80+ percent. American companies continue to send billions of dollars to China for production of cheap goods that can be sold here for huge profits. Nothing wrong with the profit motive, but when it contributes to a regime that is totalitarian and oppress it people as do the Chinese Communists. There has to be a better way.

The Politics of Double Speak.

As I do every morning I was perusing the articles posted on the internet which had been written by political notables and pundits. This morning among the numerous stories about the immigration "amnesty", generals criticizing the way secretary Rumsfeld is waging the war, and should be replaced. I found two articles that deserve consideration. The first was President Bush going on the "stump" for more women in the academic fields of Mathematics and Science. This at first "blush" sounds like a good idea since most of those presently enrolled in American universities are men. But a further review of what is going on here reveals that our President is pushing for another "affirmative action" in mathematics and science for women. Such benefits of this type of program would be grants in aid earmarked only for women, quotas for Universities to fill with woman in these academic disciplines,and penalties incumbent upon non-compliance. What we don't need in this wonderful country is another program that decides who gets valuable training in the fields of scientific effort. We need to have gender and color-blind selection by admissions committees if we want the best scientists. Not the most politically correct.
The second article was written by former Mayor of New York City, Mr. Ed. Koch. In his article concerning how the Democrats, he is one himself, can win back control of the federal government. In this article were numerous things which the Democrats must offer in their platform, in lieu of "Bush Bashing", to win back Congress and eventually the White house. The one that hit me between the eyes was to "offer a comprehensive National health care plan that is based on "the resources available".
This political speak for two things. Rationing of care and increasing the taxes on those who pay taxes. Are the American people ready to hand over the decision for who gets care and who doesn't because of age, rate of survival based on past statistics,or failing to follow government dictated standards of eating and drinking. This doesn't even consider what the increase in tax liability would be if such a comprehensive plan were adopted.
In her "first year in office", Hillary got together a large group of "eggheaded" Liberals to draft a plan for "socialized Medicine".When the American public discovered what was going on behind closed doors we were outraged. Now she is on the "stump' only this time she is not running for "first lady", but for the whole enchilada. President of the United States of America. Don't think for a second that she has changed her core beliefs. Along with reditstribution of wealth through expansion of the unearned tax credit, her election will certainly lead us further down the road to socialism.
The average American works from January to May presently to pay his taxes, which currently consumes twenty percent (20%) of our Gross Domestic Product! Can we allow people like Hillary and her left wing followers in Congress to continue taxing us so they can live like the 21st century equivalent of Royalty?