Reflections, Post 9/11

I was hoping to have had time to hit the blog on 9/11, but it was the first day of my new job so needless to say, The Rock has been too busy to visit The Rock. But I'm back now and recommitted and I thought this might be a good time to take a break from politics for a few paragraphs and reflect on some of the good things in life.

Despite the reckless, calculated abuses perpetrated against us by our federal government, we as Americans are generally a free people. Yes, we're overtaxed, overregulated, pretty much over-everythinged, but I'm sitting here on my couch, watching college football, surfing the web and writing things that our government can't censor. We have this thing called the First Amendment, and each of us blogging is doing our part to protect it. I'm grateful for the First Amendment.

I'll probably order pizza or pick up a sandwich for dinner and enjoy good food and a good football game, watch a movie later, maybe play some guitar, maybe write some poetry. Yes, folks, The Rock writes poetry. It's my sensitive side coming out. I have a friend that always makes a point to tell me I'm sensitive. I'm still trying to figure out if she means it in a good way or a bad way. I'm pretty sure she appreciates that about me, so I'm taking it as a compliment. :) I have great friends and I'm grateful for each one of them. I'm grateful to know that despite so many differences I have with them, be it politically, socially, economically, religiously or otherwise, we can still always find the common ground to continue to grow our relationships. I think so many of us take this amazing thing called friendship for granted.

I have a great family. My dad is a little bit more arms-length than my mom, but I know I can count on him to give me advice, a shoulder to lean on if I need one, or anything I ask him for. He seems to always know what to say to make me feel better. I enjoy spending time with him, matching wits with him, or just sharing a beer with him. I'm grateful for my dad. My mom is my rock. If I need anything I know I can count on my mom. We've spent a lot of time this week on the phone together, her helping me deal with a personal situation. She gave me advice and selflessly gave her time to her son when he needed it. From 3000 miles away she put her arms around me and told me that no matter what, everything would be OK. She's done that ever since I can remember and I still believe it every time she tells me so, even when doubt creeps in. I don't know if she has any idea just how much I need her, and how much I appreciate her. She will when she reads this. My brother is the best. That's about all I can say. I love my family.

It's interesting to put your life in perspective like this, even just in the span of a few paragraphs. I have so many things to be grateful for. Many of us do but we oftentimes neglect to stop and smell the roses. Sometimes the walls feel close, whether it's because you're having trouble at work or at home or somewhere else, and when they do it helps to think about the good things in life. You think about the people who make a difference, the things you enjoy, your family. We're so fortunate to live where we do, as we do. Just something to ponder.

A Battle of Ideas in Pennsylvania

The title of this blog posting is misleading. The senatorial race in Pennsylvania between incumbent Rick Santorum and Bob Casey, Jr. isn't really a battle of ideas. It would take two parties with ideas to actually engage in a battle but only one of the two men in this race have ideas and it isn't Bob Casey, Jr.

I suffered through another laborious episode of Meet the Press with the usually insufferable Tim Russert while he grilled both of the candidates. Surprisingly he was tough on both whereas usually "Big Tim" only finds the time to grill the Republican while tossing softies to the Democrats on his program. This time, though, he was fair and balanced.

Russert grilled both men on a variety of topics, including Social Security reform, the war on terrorism, Iraq (a central front on the war on terrorism), abortion and taxes. Santorum, trailing in the polls for most of the spring and summer, was strong and clear on all of the points, making sure to link the war on terrorism with the battle raging in Iraq. He disagreed with President Bush on a few points as many of us do, but overall he demonstrated his understanding that Iraq and the overall war against radical Islam are one on the same. Further, he spoke eloquently on the need for the partial privatization of Social Security, which will ensure that my generation and ones to follow will actually have the money they're paying into the "trust fund". He spoke clearly about his belief that life begins at conception. He also spoke of the need to continue to cut taxes across the board and to eliminate the death tax once and for all. Simply put, Santorum gets it on every point that Russert threw at him.

Conversely and sadly, Bob Casey just doesn't get it. He didn't have any ideas except to roll back the "tax cuts on the rich", withdraw the troops from Iraq and allow a nation nurturing the seeds of self-government to descend into chaos and anarchy. He is anti-abortion like his father. That's about the only good thing I can say about Bob Casey, Jr.

The reality of this senatorial race is that the good people of Pennsylvania have a very distinct choice to make in November. They can choose between a man with clear principles who has demostrated a strong understanding of what is at stake in both Iraq and the larger war against radical Islam and a man who would choose to cut and run. They can choose between a man who sees the big picture regarding tax cuts and a man who believes in rolling back tax cuts that have helped the American economy continue to grow. They can choose between a man with ideas and a man running on his father's good name. Having grown up in Pennsylvania I know that the people of the Keystone State have the ability to see the big picture. They've sent Santorum to the United States Senate before and I believe they will do the right thing and send him back for another six years. The future direction of our nation depends on such clear and rational decision-making.