We as citizens are always held accountable for our actions by our government. There are laws that we must obey and follow or be held accountable for our actions, i.e. pay fines and or jail. Just as we have laws that govern us, we have the Constitution & The Bill of Rights that the government must obey if we are truly a country that believes in Liberty and the rule of law.

So when the leader of our government, President George W. Bush exercises absolute power to go to war (which only Congress can declare) and to lie for the reasons to go to war. To suspend habeas corpus and to engage in warrant less searches. When our government jails journalists for not naming names or uses torture to interrogate prisoners. When our President can disobey more then 750 laws since he took office, claiming that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress. Most all of this accomplished by using fear mongering as a tactic to implement his power grab. Remember Ben Franklin, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Does any of this ring any bells America?

I can only think of one word to define our President, Tyrant; One who exercises absolute power without legal warrant, whether ruling well or badly.

So until President George W. Bush is held accountable for his blatant tyrannical rule and all the wrongs are righted, don't tell me that we live in a Free Country, it's a lie.

The Norman Rockwell image of the Policeman sitting at the dinner counter with the little runaway boy is no longer a true representation of law enforcement today. I no longer view most of our countries police force as being a part of a greater good for our society. I am appalled at the total disrespect that many police officers display towards our citizens, especially our youth. The motto, "To protect and serve" has been lost to a more sinister one of "To harass and arrest". Our media with the help of such web sites like Youtube has been exposing gross abuse and out and out criminal behavior by our police. I myself have witnessed Lewiston officers right here in the valley using very loud and profane language towards non threatening citizens. Police for the most part do not operate within the confines of the US constitution and use a dysfunctional if not criminal notion that the ends justifies the means. Just look at some of our so called finest, some fall right in to the negative stereo typical view, overweight donut eating buffoons. What has happened to the qualifications of being physically fit. There are some officers right here in the valley that are so morbidly obese as to preclude them from any type of physical rescue, thus endangering the public. For the most part the police answer to no one as they continue to police themselves as if the public was unaware of the code of silence that the police operate under. This is not to say that there is not good and honest police officers out there because there are, and it's up to them to step up and break the code of silence and rid our society of this non professional and criminal element. The public also needs to become more vigilant and report police abuse and demand from our city, county, state and federal leaders to have higher standards for our police. Physically fit, ethical, well trained, and well paid police is what the public expects.


Richard

www.MySpace.com/Richard732

There are two things that I try to avoid talking about and that's Religion and Politics. Both can be stumbling blocks in both family and friendships. We have been lucky to have both family and friends with very different views on these subject matters and still have been respectful and tolerant to each others views.

I can remember when I was of grade school age my mom and dad discussing the politics of the day, which was JFK vs Nixon for President. My dad is English/Protestant and my mom is Irish/Catholic and so you know that my mom was for Kennedy and my dad was for Nixon. That was the only time my mom and dad voted differently, and yet their marriage lasted a lifetime. That was a lession in tolerance for me. Since I always saw my dad as the head of the house, sorta speak, I was curious as to why mom would be so different in her choice. Now thinking like a grade school boy would think, I thought that JFK would be a better looking President then Nixon. I liked JFK's accent and his wife was very beautiful. Now we all know that this would not be a real good reasons to vote, but remember, I was in grade school.

After JFK won the election, life went on and mom and dad were fine. I can remember getting new book covers for my school books and they had pictures of all the presidents on it leading up to the picture of JFK. I can recall exactly thinking we have a very modern looking president compared to all the others in the past. I can remember Jackie Kennedy on TV speaking Spanish and thought, wow not only is she beautiful but very smart too. They also had a big family and children my age.

Then that dark day came, I was in school when the principle came in and directed us to all go home, that our president had been killed. I walked home to my Grandmother house where all eyes were focused on the TV. It was as if everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch TV and to some how figure out , why? When I watched the funeral, and saw the horse walk by with the riding boots backwards in the stirups, this was the first time I saw a man weap. My Grandfather, WWI veteran openly cried when he saw that image. When JFK's son saluted his Father, it made me cry. I had never seen or felt such emotions and thought only why would someone do such a terrible thing to such a nice man and his family. I haven't seen or felt that type of emotion for any other person since.

Now, fast forward over 45 years, hear comes this fellow, Barack Obama.

I first saw Sen. Obama on TV giving a key note speech at the Democrat convention. To say I was impressed would be an extreme understatement. I can remember saying "Wow" a lot. He was so articulate and came across so friendly. Right away I felt like I could trust this guy and came away feeling better after hearing and seeing his speech. Since his speech we all know that he is now running for President and Im sure by now you know that we plan on voting for Sen. Barack Obama. Much like JFK, Sen. Obama gives me the same feeling of hope for the future of our great country.

I would encourage everyone to vote, but before you do, atleast give Sen. Barack Obama your consideration. Please give a look at the below link and may Peace and Freedom prevail.

http://www.myspace.com/clarkstonforobama

Richard