Cato Meador's Opinions USA

Caroline Kennedy and the Senate Seat

Cato Meador — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:17:42 EST

As a proud Democrat who has supported Bill and Hillary Clinton in every aspect of their national political careers, I believe that the possibility for a Senator Caroline Kennedy from the State of New York is a WONDERFUL idea!

Yes, I know that she and her Uncle Ted helped President-elect Barack Obama in his bid for our party's nomination back in the summer, and did so to the detriment of Hillary. But, to me, one thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other.

And I don't care if some want to believe that she would be treated as a 'legacy' because of her family tree. To me what that 'family tree' means is that she has, like her late brother, the genetic combination of having the political brains one of the greatest presidents in history and the compassion and intelligence along with the hardball nature of the most glamorous and accomplished First Ladies we have ever had.

Even though I am what I am when it comes to the Clintons, I am also a child of the American Camelot and believe in the sincerity and concern for the downtrodden that both John Kennedy and his brother Robert lost their lives attempting to use to change the nature of American history. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for what they believed, and what they bestowed within the lives and outlooks of so many young American including not just myself, but also Bill and Hillary Clinton. And I believe that a Senator Caroline Kennedy, in helping President-elect Obama, is the perfect choice to help put this country back on the road that her family has sacrificed so much in showing us the direction.

Bill and Hillary, along with other New York Democrats, should be endorsing this appointment.

With Obama in the Oval Office, Hillary as our top diplomat, Bill as the greatest envoy for a sitting president in history, an increased majority in both Houses of Congress, and to be able to include into that new, larger majority the daughter of Jack and Jackie Kennedy with her passion for what is right and her political genetics that have grown over the years....is the best possible combination for this country to begin repairing the nearly irrepairable damage done over the last 8 years by George W. Bush and the Republican Party.

But then again...maybe it's just me.....

My Personal Obama Euphoria

Cato Meador — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:24:52 EST

This old Texas Clinton Democrat is on top of the world right now!

The emotions that started on election night when I was listening to President-elect Barack Obama give his victory speech, has turned into nothing short of complete euphoria! I walk with a little more pep in my step. I smile more than I have in....well.....EIGHT YEARS. I even have learned to be a little more tolerant of Republicans....at least for the moment.

To realize that I am 'mature' enough to have been able to experience in my lifetime John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and now Barack Obama winning the White House is a very satisfying feeling.

And even though the original meaning of it really had nothing to do with race......to have been born and raised in a community that used to have a 'Welcome' sign at the train station that said "Welcome to Greenville, The Blackest Land and the Whitest People", this is such an exciting, important and historic moment. Not to mention being old enough to have experienced separate water fountains, restrooms, and entrances to doctor's offices (assuming that the white doctor even treated blacks).

I have never been prouder of my country or my party!!! We made history! Not simply because we finally elected an African-American president. But more because Barack Obama IS what this country and the entire world, for that matter, need at this time in history.

With the mess that George W. Bush has left every aspect of life here and around the world in, the need for the most powerful leadership position in the history of the planet to be filled by an inclusive, intelligent, compassionate and focused individual is more imperative than it has ever been or most likely will be in the forseeable future.

The American people, by way of the Democratic Party, have delivered the right man at the right time.

God Bless America!

What An Inspiring Night!!

Cato Meador — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:36:39 EST

Not too long ago, for the first time I stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and looked out over the reflecting pool, thinking of what Dr. Martin Luther King must have been thinking as he told hundreds of thousands of Americans about his 'dream' for our country. I stood there completely engrossed in my thoughts, as I remembered listening to him and how inspiring he was. And there was never more of a 'son-of-the-Confereracy' than me. I am very proud of my ancestors sacrifices not only during The Civil War, but also during The American Revolution and The Texas Revolution.

But I have never been MORE proud than I am tonight. A little more than 140 years after the end of the Civil War, I watched an African-American become the 44th President of The United States of America. When I was growing up in the 1960's, nothing of this sort was even dared to be dreamed of.

But truly, it has been proven tonight that ANYONE REALLY CAN BECOME PRESIDENT. The election of Barack Obama to the presidency is not only an achievement for the African-American youth of this country....but for ALL of America's youth!

I was so wishing that Daddy had lived to see this. I have been sad when he wasn't around to see the Berlin Wall felled and the end of the Cold War and the Soviet Union. But THIS? The man who made me into the Democrat AND the American that I am, would have loved to have seen this moment. But I also believe that he, Dr. King, LBJ, JFK and RFK, along with so many that have gone before, are looking down and smiling right now.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

And GOD BLESS BARACK OBAMA, 44th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!

Barack and Bill in Florida

Cato Meador — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:16:59 EDT

As I was watching President Clinton campaigning in Florida for Barack Obama, I was seriously awe struck.

Two of the greatest political minds and two of the greatest political orators in a generation...speaking intelligently about, not only the plight of America, but also in the future of our country and the world. And what it would take to pull America back up within the world community as THE leader for democracy and freedom. The shining beacon of hope for the downtrodden within not only our society, but worldwide.

And then I got to thinking about the last eight years. A president of shallow character, even shallower thinking and with absolutely no ability to see the American people as the backbone of everything that makes The United States of America great! A 'leader' who never lead....only followed. A president who put us in the international 'backseat' of concern for others. A commander-in-chief who became the biggest terrorist, torturer and mass murderer since the fall of 'Iron Curtain' in Europe. A man who indiscremently ordered the killing of thousands of innocent Iraqis under the guise of 'freeing' them.

After which I realized just how great this country is, and how resilient The Founding Fathers so aptly created this experiment, that we could come thru such horrible times as "The W Years", and still be able to find public servants like Barack Obama that has the brains and compassion and GUTS to take on such a mess, and to do it with such calming and precise reasoning and thinking.

God Bless America..............

McCain's Connection to Communist Vietnam

Cato Meador — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:54:43 EDT

Well, he DID spend several years living in the same area with some of the most ruthless terrorists in history.....

Maybe Senator McCain should have to answer for his 'record'.

Yeah, it is as stupid a thing that you can think of.

And THIS is the kind of campaign that some people want from THEIR candidate for president?

Thank God that Barack Obama and Democrats like most of us, don't believe that using old connections to throw fear into the hearts of Americans is a legitimate way to oppose someone elses candidacy.

Seems John McCain has learned well from the Bush Administration as to how to attempt to govern from a state of FEAR instead of HOPE!

Unfortunately for McCain, the 'fear card' has worn out on most Americans.....

Why CAN'T Colin Powell Endorse Obama Without Race Being The Primary Reason?

Cato Meador — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:25:03 EDT

What is it about these Republicans and some folks who still claim to be Democrats, that make them believe if a prominent black Republican American, like Colin Powell, endorses a Black Democratic American presidential candidate it HAS to be because they are both black?

And what is worse, if the WHITE Republicans and WHITE folks who still claim to be Democrats endorse any WHITE candidate that it ISN'T about race. Or more on point, if they DON'T endorse someone like Barack Obama that it definitely has NOTHING to do with race!!

How ridiculous is that argument? You are about race because you are black, but what? ME?? A WHITE AMERICAN?? A RACIST???? Geez.........

Powells endorsement COULD just have something to do with the same reasons used by WHITE Republicans Susan Eisenhower and Christopher Buckley, don't you think? They don't like the character attacks at a time of national crisis. They don't like the HARD RIGHT TURN that the Republican Party has taken the last 8 years, and how John McCain has embraced it after the party trashed HIS image in 2000!

Honestly, I believe that the Dems who refuse to back Obama have honestly felt deep reasons for not doing so. And I can respect that. And some Republicans are the same way. It really DOESN'T have anything to do with race for probably MOST of them.

But to back the ravings of a lunatic like Rush Limbaugh by claiming to know what is in the heart of another AMERICAN is NOT what the Founding Fathers had in mind!

And to start resurrecting 'MCCARTHYISM' so you can try to "divide and conquer" the country, and putting that kind of picture in the head of the international community is inexcusable! Not to mention Sarah Palin and her inciting of violence against Barack Obama and his supporters by not speaking against those kinds of comments from the 'White Power' sections at her rallies!

Republicans have just forgotten how to actually run a real American campaign for office WITHOUT Nixonian dirty tricks or Bushie character assassinations and election theft!!

They obviously believe that when you pick a VP candidate that has never read The Constitution, and you are so far behind that the Supreme Court most likely won't be able to steal the election for you, that you have to turn to the term 'Communist' again.......

The "HEALTH" of the Mother?

Cato Meador — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:27:57 EDT

I am well known as more of a moderate than most on here. I have never been so much pro 'abortion', as I am literally pro 'choice', because I don't think the State has any right to tell a woman what she must do with her own body. But I also believe that life begins when a baby is actually 'viable' outside the mother's womb, and should be protected in most cases.

But for an old angry MAN to tell a woman, or a husband, or a family that they MUST risk the "HEALTH" of the mother (and don't let him fool you....he would put the "life" of the mother in there the same way), is to put a pregnant woman....pro "LIFE" or pro "CHOICE"....at the level of a life that matters not to the white haired old man, once she becomes pregnant.

"Stretching" the definition of "HEALTH"?? Are you KIDDING ME???

My wife...my daughter....my sister....my daughter-in-law....are NOT just baby factories!!! They are human beings, and I could NEVER see John McCain or any of the OTHER MEN that are always arguing these points against the rights of women, actually talk about the "HEALTH" of men...........

That was probably the saddest thing that I ever heard a politician say. And honestly....abortion, as such, isn't even right now within my top 10 political concerns......

But THAT STATEMENT shows exactly where the right-wing of this country is putting there deepest thoughts and politics!!

Obama Might Think About Extension of Tax Breaks to Foreign Companies

Cato Meador — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:36:49 EDT

Now, if I am offbase here, it wouldn't be the first time, and probably won't be the last.

But, after hearing Senator Obama's idea of tax breaks for companies that will keep jobs in the United States, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if we offered tax breaks for foreign businesses who bring NEW jobs to the U.S.

I mean wouldn't it be a good economic move to try to lure NEW jobs from overseas, in addition to luring OLD jobs BACK here?

Just got me thinkin' is all........

A $5000 Tax Credit for Health Insurance?

Cato Meador — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:21:44 EDT

For the moment, lets go past the fact that John McCain's $5000 tax credit to 'offset' health insurance costs and get to what I consider the REAL meat of the problem.

If you cannot, right now, afford health insurance then how does this help, even if it WAS enough to get the job done?

WHERE ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO GET THE $5000 FOR HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE FIRST PLACE???

Much less wait until the next year's tax refund to get it back!!!

Tax credits are delayed reimbursement for money these people who do not have the means to pay for it anyway!!

Just wondering........

Game Over!

Cato Meador — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:44:23 EDT

I think that John McCain just handed over what was left of his chances of winning the White House to Barack Obama tonight!

He looked uncomfortable. He acted like a cranky old man. He kept repeating himself over and over. And, with all of his experience and his supposed ease at 'town hall' meetings, he looked out-classed and completely worn out.

I may not be as certain of victory right now as I was in 1976, when at 21 years old, I listened to Gerald Ford say that eastern Europe would be surprised to hear that they were under Soviet domination, when my wife ran in and asked what I was so happy about all of a sudden (I told her we had just won the election). But I think after tonight, at least within a week, the margins are going to be larger for Barack, and he has the wind to his back!

The independents are finally making their way away from the dark side, and as we have all known....the new voters are extremely heavy for Obama. And that doesn't even take into consideration what will certainly be a record turnout in 'minority' voting this year.

I still think all of that may play into a much better than expected Democratic election day in Texas! Maybe I am just wishfully dreaming, but Texas IS a minority majority state. No single minority is larger than the white population of Texas, but when you combine all minorities.....they easily outnumber whites in my beautiful state!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08!!!!

Hussein? Are You Kidding?

Cato Meador — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:40:52 EDT

After reading just one too many letters in my local paper, literally pushing the Barack Obama's middle name, without saying why.....being one of those who KNOWS why, the following was my response to my local paper:

I keep noticing how some on the extreme fringe right make sure that we all know that Senator Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein. Is it supposed to scare people? I mean really, a name? They never, for instance, mention Sarah Palin's full name. Sarah Louise Heath Palin. I saw that and thought "Oh my gosh!! She's English!!". And with my roots being so dominantly Scottish and Irish I couldn't help but think...."Is she going to bring the wrath of the British Empire back down on us??" Of course, then I remembered.....her running mate's name is McCain.

Everytime in my adult life that I have heard the name Hussein, there is one really bad reference in my mind and now, two really good ones.

Of course, Saddam Hussein...you know the guy responsible for bringing down the towers and killing on 9/11 over 3000 people on American soil......oh wait, that guys real name is Osama....now that sounds somewhat scarier. But when I realize that the Republican Party forgot who Osama bin Laden was for so long......that can't be too scary to those who have voted for them over the past 8 years.

So what did Saddam do that should scare us? Nothing that I can think of. I mean he was a bad guy.....he killed many political prisoners and gassed his own people. But is that much worse than Fidel Castro? Wow, that's the same last name as Jason Castro, the talented boy from Rockwall, Texas (20 minutes from my house), who did so well this past season on American Idol! He doesn't seem all that scary.....but then again.......there's that name, so it must mean something!

Anyway, the other two references that come to mind when I hear the name Hussein are very, very positive to me.

The first, the late King Hussein of Jordan who was a longtime ally of the United States, and whose widow is an American.

The other is Senator Barack Hussein Obama, the next President of the United States of America. And what exactly is Sarah Palin and John McCain hiding by not using their middle names like some people think Senator Obama is doing.

I realize that some are frightened to death of Muslims. And that is understandable to an extent, those Muslims from Iraq....wait, Saudi Arabia, attacked us. But I am a lifelong Southern Baptist. I have been taught since childhood to also have problems with such anti-Christian religions as Mormons and Catholics!

And keep in mind, Senator Barack Hussein Obama is a member of the Church of Christ. And what's more, these people know it.

They are so afraid that their party can't win on the issues, since they were the ones that gave us the mess we are in right now. And they are so afraid that the Supreme Court probably won't get the opportunity to appoint Senator John McCain....that good ole celtic name just rolls off the tongue.

Now if you really want to be scared, think about this. Senator McCain, a personal hero of mine, is 72 years old and had two bouts with cancer. The person he is wanting you to allow him to bring within a heartbeat of being the most powerful person in the world, should his health falter from having the most pressure filled job in the history of the world, is a woman who was the mayor of a town smaller than Commerce, and who was elected, less than two years ago to be governor of a state that has less population than the city of Austin, Texas. Who everytime she opens her mouth, Senator Obama rises in the polls.

Now that is something that, along with 4 more years of Bush policies that have worked so well for the middle class, is really scary!!

The Simplest Idea is Usually the Best

Cato Meador — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:43:10 EDT

I have watched with great interest, the news on the proposed bailout that failed. As a moderate Democrat, I wasn't too crazy about ANY of the proposals that have been made public up to now.

However, since my Daddy always told me that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, then why not just use a much easier idea, with the same amount of money?

Take the $700 billion and instead of buying out the 'bad debt'.....PAY IT OFF!! Pay off the mortgages that have been difficult-to-impossible for homeowners to pay, and then the lenders will have their money back. But not the interest...just the principle. Then, after 6 months or so of allowing the homeowners to take a breath, allow them 10-15 year notes to the government without any interest!

Trickling UP always works better than down. Why give it STRAIGHT to the banks, when you could do the same thing by giving it back to them in the name of thousands of middle-class mortgage holders, who have been screwed six-ways-to-Sunday the last 8 years?

Obviously I am only a lowly salesman....but THIS seems MUCH more realistic and do-able than what I have seen so far!!

A Short Thought on the Obama Inaurgual

Cato Meador — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:59:15 EDT

I believe that the ultimate showing of how much the country's mood has changed, would be to place within the concerts at Barack's inaugural......The Dixie Chicks!

But, that's just me...........

Conditions for Bailout

Cato Meador — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:37:56 EDT

It would seem to me that the Bush Administration would want to actually do something RIGHT before they actually are FINALLY put out to pasture. But here we go again...give big money MORE big money while at the same time, members of their own party are calling the American people...."whiners"!

If this bailout really is the only way out of this mess, I just believe that a couple of ground rules should be required. Starting with the help that the Democrats are trying to get for the actual homeowners. But I also think that some kind of repayment should be required from the CEO's and the boards of directors at these institutions that caused and profited from this mess.

First, the government should move, maybe under the RICO laws (I obviously am not a lawyer, but I have seen Law & Order), to take possession of all assets built up by these people during the time in question.....meaning the last 6 years or so.

Second, I believe that in addition to 'bailing them out', the government should move to take control of every one of these companies until, if ever, they reach the point of complete solvancy. And in doing so, fire the boards and all corporate officers.....the same ones they have just been required to make repayment by the claiming all of their assets.

This would probably bring most, if not everyone of them, into the midst of us in the MIDDLE CLASS!

And then maybe....just maybe.....they might see the evil of their ways, and start voting DEMOCRATIC when they realize that the only American political party that gives two hoots about them NOW....is the DEMOCRATIC PARTY!

McCain and His Lobbyist Campaign

Cato Meador — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 19:47:19 EDT

I may be the only one who had not seen this site, but I found it interesting.

http://mclobbyist.com/

Watch The Bubble Deflate

Cato Meador — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:49:04 EDT

Finally, the media, the American people in general and most American women specifically have finally figured out what most of us have known all along......the 'bounce' for the other ticket went up....and is now on its way down.

Most Americans have known all along that John McCain is such a bad idea and not just because of the 'new' positions he discovered right after George W. Bush pulled an early version of 'swiftboating' of him in 2000. They also are showing some concerns about his age and health. And what is making them start to have concerns about these issues? His ignorant, political choice of Sarah Palin as his VP running-mate.

They looked pretty good together, but then they started to be seen apart. She is a speaker....and he isn't. And it just MAGNIFIES HIS WEAKNESS in this area. She is fairly young.....and he isn't. And it just MAGNIFIES HIS WEAKNESS in THIS area, also.

And THEN, they realize just how empty-headed Palin is.....and how frail John McCain may really get after he takes the most pressure-filled job in the history of the world.....and how if he DIDN'T survive his first term, the most powerful person in the world would all of a sudden be....RUNNER-UP TO MISS ALASKA 1982!!!

Plus, the more we hear from her, the more she sounds like her biggest experience in life WAS her years as a beauty contest participant.

But I feel the best about this. Barack Obama has decided to handle her properly.....IGNOR HER!! Sarah Palin is a major LIGHTWEIGHT!! Why raise her up to YOUR level by acknowledging ANYTHING that she has to say?

And what is the result of this shift in campaign actions and thinking?

A TURN AROUND IN THE POLLS!! Granted, I STILL believe that the polls are fatally flawed this time due to the large number of new, young Obama voters being ignored because they have cell phones and not land lines....AND because their 'models' are flawed because they can't take into account the extremely high numbers of new DEMOCRATIC voters this year.

I always felt the American public, in general anyway, was not going to continue to fall behind McCain/Bush/Cheney/Palin...and would wake up and 'pay attention to the men (and woman) behind the curtain.

But then again....what the hell do I know?????

My Latest LTTE....Feel Free to Comment

Cato Meador — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:54:08 EDT

There you go. Now, those who have never voted before, as well as those who shifted to the right as independents the last two presidential elections, and Democrats who haven't been going to the polls because they live in a 'red' state, "so what's the use?".....now you can see the kind of results you allow when you decide not to get involved, or you believe that a president that you'd "like to have a beer with" is the best way to choose your government officials. We have had 8 years of deception, incompetence, bowing to the oil companies and a pretense that The Constitution of the United States of America is just one of those pieces of paper that means absolutely nothing....even if you swore on a Bible to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God".

Now we see the financial markets collapsing like most of us have never seen in our lives. And Republican Presidential nominee John McCain, is using the exact same words that Republican President Herbert Hoover used at the beginning of the Great Depression, "the fundamentals of the economy are strong." You want to talk about infamous last words?

We have watched the oil companies thrive with record profits, at the expense of the American consumer at all levels. Not just the gas pumps, but in food, produce, beef, school supplies, energy costs (such as electricity) and the overall cost of living. This while the real income of American families has dropped significantly since the beginning of the Republican takeover of the government back in 2001. And what has our Republican Congressman Ralph Hall been doing about it. Throwing rose pedals at the feet of big oil with quotes like, "I can't understand the pure venom felt against the oil and gas industry". This after voting against bills that allowed tax-credits for solar energy and a national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for electricity production. And he was one of only 26 Republicans to vote against them. He also told the Dallas Morning News that he had to run against to protect the causes of the "fossil fuel industry?. Also, our Texas Republican Senators have been doing their part to prop up all of George W. Bush's special interests.

The Treasury Department reported earlier this month that the first 11 months of this budget year, that the defict was $483.4 billion, which was an increase of 76.2% over the same period a year ago. And remember, the Iraq War is 'off-budget', meaning it isn't even included in the deficit. And the Congressional Budget Office says, that depending on troop levels and the length of time we stay there, the overall cost, and remember it's 'off-budget', will be $1 trillion to $2 trillion in the long run. And with Republican accounting, this hocus pocus is supposed to just be invisible to the American public, in hopes that if you don't understand the truth, you won't bother to throw the bums out of office, as they so richly deserve.

And where do the 'hawkish' neo-con Republicans get all of this money? Communist China!!! Yep...Red China. The very people that the Republican Party wanted to make sure that we knew were so scary, that their hero Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy went on a witch hunt, in the 1950's to find them in the U.S.! And because the communists have the money we need, because we can't afford a war that we actually started, while ignoring the Afghanistan War which was supposed to be the way to completely irradicate The Taliban, Osama bin Laden and his band of merry men who actually attacked us on 9/11.

So, independents and past non-voters and anyone else who continued to trust the Republican government who made the Congress nearly irrelevant while attempting to scare the public into submission (a tactic that worked to the detriment of a country in Europe in the 1930's and 40's), if you really think that this is what America is supposed to be about, continue just as they hope you do.

Otherwise, why not join The Hunt County Democratic Party, as well as the Texas Democratic Party, and work on cleaning house of these self-absorbed, in the pocket of Big Oil, surrogates for Saudi Arabia and the other OPEC countries, who have proven over and over that they believe they can do anything they want, because the American people are too busy to really pay any attention.

Too busy, maybe, until recently.

I guess that the reason that I have always been a Democrat is that I have never made enough money to be able to afford to vote Republican. Plus, I don't even drink, so having a beer with George W. Bush never appealed to me.........

Check out www.democrats.org, or www.barackobama.com or www.txdemocrats.org and read our answers to the issues. Check out the voting records of our candidates, and see if they don't relate to your life situation, than the alternatives.

But more than anything, I want to urge everyone to get involved. Democrat, Republican, Independent, it doesn't matter. American's need to be involved and quit letting such small groups of people choose what your life is going to be like over the next 4 years. At the very least....vote!! A democracy only works correctly when the citizenry demands it work. And that starts at the voting booth. If more get involved, the government becomes more representative of those that are being represented. Otherwise, a very small minority controls the lives of the majority......and that is exactly what that small minority is always betting on.

Sincerely,
Cato Meador

Hurricane Update

Cato Meador — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:06:19 EDT

Thanks for all of the prayers and messages of support for my family during and after Hurricane Ike. Friends on PB are always caring and concerned.....thanks.

Up here, we just got raked a little in North Texas......50 mi NE of Dallas.

My son escaped Corpus Christi.....which was missed.....and got to his in-laws in East Texas...only to have to deal with some flooding and power outages. He and his wife arrived safely back in Corpus early Sunday evening.

My big brother and his wife (from Galveston) and their two daughters and their families (from Port Arthur) seem to be stuck up here with my younger brother for an undetermined amount of time. His house, on Galveston Island, was checked by someone who stayed behind (and survived, obviously) and appears to be fine. Water got very close to his front door but not in. There is a chance, though, that some may have come in the back door, but no one thinks it will be too bad.

Not sure about my nieces places yet, and my friend in Houston made it through, about 40 mi north of the city, but still doesn't have power, and can't get back to her own house yet.

Thanks for caring, and now it's time to go kick some McCain/Palin BUTT!!!

Cato

Waiting On Hurricane Ike

Cato Meador — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:39:12 EDT

Sometimes, things come along in life that make you really understand what is important. Watching the southern part of my native Texas getting ravaged by Hurricane Ike is one of those times.

My son lives in Corpus Christi....he made it up to East Texas where his inlaws are. My big brother lives on Galveston Island and he and his wife came up here to NE Texas to safety. And their two daughters who live in Port Arthur are also safely up here.

One of my dearest friends, her name is Karen, lives south of Houston and went north to her son's home, but they are STILL only 40 miles north of the city. For her, I am very concerned. We have passed a couple of emails, and so far she is fine (they bought a generator). But that hasn't eased my concerns very much. I am praying that God watches over her and keeps her safe, so that I can pick at her about her political leanings for years to come.

But, what will be left of my brother's 60 year old colonial style home after the water recedes? It IS just stuff...but it is 40 years of a life left behind.

On top of that, it is expected that by the time Ike reaches here, northeast of Dallas, it will STILL be at least a tropical storm. Talk about something we are not used to around HERE.......

Pray for all on the coast, especially for the 90,000 that chose, for whatever silly reason, to remain on Galveston Island, and cannot be rescued.....several calls have been coming into authorities to come and help them....but for now that is impossible.

By the way, check out my play site.... www.myspace.com/texian1

You might get a smile out of it......

Palin is FRIGHTENING

Cato Meador — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:37:42 EDT

Watching this air-head try to go one-on-one with Charlie Gibson, who showed no quarter with the former runner-up to Miss Alaska 1982, just fortifies my opinion that this woman has NO business being in the position that John McCain has put her in.

She couldn't, not wouldn't...couldn't, give straight answers to Gibson's questions because she hasn't got a CLUE as to what the job of Vice President entails! How could someone who has ALWAYS been such a patriot and national hero, risk putting the country he has always loved, to a Sarah Palin catastrophe of Biblical proportions?

She actually is less informed than George W. Bush was (and still is) about world problems and the complexities of international relations involving the United States! WHAT WAS HE THINKING???

The only thing scarier than that to me, is the group of independents that like to call themselves 'Hillary supporters', willing to vote for McCain/Palin, against the will of Bill and Hillary Clinton.....whom I have always supported, and did so in the primary. When THEY tell me that Obama/Biden is the ONLY option for America at this time in history.....I FALL IN LINE BEHIND THEM, as I have always done. WHY? Because I trust them to not lead me down a path of destruction.......and thus is the reasoning behind the thoughts of this Clintonian Democrat.

Charlie Gibson exposed Princess Palin for what she really is.....an empty skirt of a small town mayor. And thus exposing John McCain as what he has become since 2000.....a man who is willing to throw away every patriotic principle he has ever had, to win an election.

Can you imagine what the Republican women (and men) would be saying about any Democratic woman who had Palin's experience, knowledge and opinions? But there she is......the centerfold for "Republican Women's Monthly", who can do no wrong.....walk on water.....and is supposed to be treated, by her opponents, like the lady that Republican's refused to treat Hillary Clinton for years!

The Republican Party has NEVER been as hypocritical as they are RIGHT NOW!!!

And THAT is saying something.........