Bush

I voted for him the first time. I did it because Tina was intent upon voting for Gore and I just couldn't picture such a thing. Also, we had a cool bet that I can't, really tell you about. Suffice to say, I won and was very pleased w/the result.

I think Bush did a pretty good job when the towers fell. Yeah yeah yeah.. he sat on his ass for a few minutes and then hopped on his plane and flew around for a few hours, but I was much more concerned about the response we would give as a country assuming we knew what was up. Unlike some, Bush's tears moved me and gave me pause to reflect upon the humanity of our leader. I admired Cheney for his stoic demeanor post 9/11 as he calmly explained that the U.S. government would not hesitate to blow an airliner out of the sky in future circumstances similar to 9/11.

I fully supported our invasion of Afghanistan. I must admit that I bought into the hype regarding the almost mythical constitution of the Jihadi fighters and thus figured it would be much more difficult than it was to knock the Taliban out of their turbans.

I also supported our invasion of Iraq, based on what Mr. Powell had to say about WMD. I shallowly looked up to him and Condoleezza Rice primarily for their obvious intelligence and in no small measure, upon the color of their skin and the fact that they occupied some of the most powerful stations in our country's government.

My feelings about our Administration have changed as I have watched them botch the post-invasion management of Iraq, as the facts about the manipulation of the spotty intelligence have come to light and as I have watched them turn away from the original reasons they gave us for sending our troops to war.

I have no confidence in the Adminstration's ability to manage the complexities associated with the Middle East, Korea, and our economy.

Bush's alignment with the far right and his stance on various social issues has turned me off. It's funny how I didn't hear very much about his reborn Christianity during the first election. Oh that's right.... I wasn't paying attention... I was too busy hoping I'd win that bet with Tina.

However, above and beyond everything else, there is this fact: I'm no longer convinced that Bush is really the President. I think Cheney is, and I didn't vote for him to be our President. If you want an interesting read, check out "Dick, the Man Who is President." It's got some pretty interesting information in it.

So there you have it. I don't like Bush anymore. I didn't vote for him this time and I will refuse to vote for a third term for the Republican party in 2008.

That does not change my feelings about Canada. I fully support any plans the current Administration may have to invade this Nefarious Neihbor of the North and will gladly volunteer my own children to that worthy cause.