Silly Constitution!

Hey Gang,
  This may be a little behind the times, I was going to post this after the new Congress took office, but the Tucson shootings kind of took everything over. I know I speak for everyone when I say that it is truly a miracle that Congresswoman Giffords is doing great. She has a long road ahead but I know we are all pulling for her.
  That being said, here goes a bit of old news, just wrapping up loose ends I guess.
  Finally, the balance of the Cosmos shifted and righted itself. That's right, the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives on Jan. 5.  One of the first orders of business was a reading of the Constitution by both Republican and Democrat House Members. At least the Democrat members who did not think it was "nonsense", or "propaganda". It sounds like a portion of this month's issue of "Mad" Magazine. But no, that's what Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) had to say about the reading of the very document that specifically authorizes him and his fellow Congressmen, to BE in Washington DC to represent the people of his district.
  Poor Jerry. He just can't for the life of him, figure out why those silly Republicans are treating this like, what did he call it? Oh yeah, like a "sacred text."
  Where does one even begin to wrap their brain around that one? Were it not for the authors of this nearly perfect document, America would simply not exist.  America is not a place without it's flaws, but those brilliant men who drafted the Constitution, in their genius, provided a system of checks and balances and means of correction to perhaps right some of those flaws as Americans, for lack of a better word, evolved.
  No where else on Earth are the laws of any land guaranteed in such a way as ours. Generations of soldiers have given their lives to defend it. Millions upon millions of immigrants (legal ones) have come here knowing that the rights it granted them, if they worked hard and followed the laws embodied within it, that the American dream was theirs for the taking.
  My reply to Congressman Nadler would be that not only is it a sacred text, but it's very words are what make us Americans.      

Tragedy in Arizona

Hey Everyone,
  I was going to talk about the reading of the Constitution this week by the new Congress, but I think the one thing that is on everyones mind today is the senseless tragic shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 5 others outside a Tucson grocery store on Saturday morning.
  Congresswoman Giffords had just begun a townhall-style meeting, something she had done countless times before, when a gunman burst out of the crowd and began shooting, wounding Giffords in the head, and killing 6 people, including a 9 year old girl.
  The predictable blaming of "right-wing" talk radio, and TV has already begun.  We can be assured, I think that in the days to come, some pretty ugly things are going to be said. But I think the first order of business should be to look at the security at events such as this. The very essence of what it means to be a member of Congress is to be able to get out amongst your constituents, shake their hands, and listen to their concerns. But is it time to assign body guards to every member of Congress every time they attend such an event? Is it time to screen every citizen who comes to the event? Would it have the same feel to hold this kind of gathering at a concert hall or a similar venue? These are all things that will be looked at in the future.
  Christina Taylor Greene had just been elected to the student council of her elementary school. Even at the ripe old age of 9, Christina was interested in politics, and came to see Congresswoman Giffords with a neighbor. She wanted to learn how the political system works.  Is this what we are going to teach our children about how the political system works in this country? Are we going to teach them that if you disagree with someone else's beliefs that it is ok to engage in some kind of violent behavior? Or try to silence them? We all like to point the finger at the other guy's bad behavior, myself included, but maybe we are all guilty, at least once. Anyone who saw the telephone interview that Gretchen Carlson did with Christina's mom Roxanne, could not have remained dry-eyed.
  I think the only other thing to say here is that we all pray for Gabrielle Giffords's speedy recovery, as well as the others wounded along with her. That we all keep Christina's family close to our hearts. Let's not be Democrats or Republicans for now, let's just be Americans.      

Happy New Year Everyone!!
  Well, I have had a bit of a hiatus, but I am back and rarin' to go!!  Wow!! what an election night for the Republicans!! At last count I think we had picked up about 64 to 66 seats in the House and I believe 8 in the Senate, awesome!!
  Now it is time to see if these newbies can deliver, because if they can't or won't, there is another election coming up in 2012, and they can always go the way of their predecessors  if need be.
  All in all, I think 2011 is going to be a great year for Republicans. Barring any unforeseen catastrophes,  I think that things can only get better from here on out. But as wiser people than myself have said, never underestimate the power of the GOP to wrench defeat from the jaws of victory.
 But for now, let's put on our boxing gloves and jump into the ring, cause 2011 is going to be a fun ride!