GREETINGS FROM THE ASYLUM

John Edwards: “I'd say If you live in the United States of America and you vote for George Bush, you've lost your mind.” (ABC’s “Nightline,” 10/4/04)

Isn't it strange that when you disagree with the very liberal left, you are accused of losing your mind. I read a lot of news from the NY Times, LA Times, Boston Globe,Washington Post and somehow the Kerry/Edwards campaign does not resonate with me. I watched the Democratic National Convention and heard a lot about Vietnam. I have read stump speeches, seen some on TV, and watched the first debate. I hear John Kerry has a plan, he will be a more effective leader and he will bring people to the table who have been working against the United States. He claims he will gain the cooperation of France and Germany despite the leaders of those countries denials that they will ever help in Iraq. He proposes giving the Iranians nuclear material, similar to what Clinton did with North Korea, and monitor that it is used for peaceful purposes. This too was tried with North Korea and we know how that turned out. Kick out the inspectors and enrich spent fuel so as to build nuclear weapons.
Kerry may think that is a wise move and will show Iran how willing we are to be friends. Iran has, however, rejected this proposal.

In the meantime he will kill the development of better bunker buster bombs with small nuclear warheads that could penetrate the depths where enemies have stored their nuclear or chemical weapons. We should have learned from Reagan's example that strength and the ability to respond is the best determent to aggression from others. This seems to be one value that Kerry has long held. America should be weaker so others like us more. He fought the policies of President Reagan and is now fighting the policies of President Bush.

In Kerry's acceptance speech at the DNC, he said he would not hesitate to retaliate if we were attacked. I thought that an interesting phrase, in a pre-written speech,
and indicated to me that he had forgotten that we have already been attacked and that is why President Bush responded. Now at the debate, which was perhaps not a well pre-planned response, he indicates the need for a global test before responding
to another attack or serious threat.

Kerry tells Americans, civilian and military alike, that this is the wrong war, in the wrong place at the wrong time. In my demented condition, that does not reassure me that he will be able to bring any new allies aboard to fight this wrong war. In fact, I think we might see our current allies pull out because they have been repeatedly denigrated for their efforts. PM Allawi will most likely no longer be the top leader in Iraq when elections are held in January. The new leader may work with Kerry because Kerry has been so supportive of the Iraqis through this long and difficult period.

Color me crazy!