In retrospect, it was stupid of me to respond at all. Much was drawn by many from those few words that was both not there and not intended. I do not put Bush at the same magnitute of evil and inhumanity with Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Mao Zedong, Vlad the Impaler, or myriad others of that ilk. I do, however, as a student of history, see many parallels in behavior and methods, including the usurpation of power and ultra-ideological focus, for which he has been castigated on a number of occasions by the Supreme Court. His mantra is "if you're not my friend, you're my enemy", and he, apparently acts with impunity on it, which is troubling to me as an American. He is a president, who I believe, does not hold the Bill of Rights in high regard, Iraq notwithstanding. Iraq, in both our initial and continued involvement, is but a single manifestation of multiple behaviors to reinforce that view.

Contrary to the popular view on this board, I do not believe I am an ideologue. My my political views are based upon freedom of speech and thought and the right to privacy, and were founded in my civics classes from High School. I firmly believe in freedom of religion and know there are certain rights of minority opinions that need protection from overzealous majorities. That, I believe, is the core of American values.

My Republican credentials are legion, including membership of the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, Republican candidate for Sheriff of Douglas County, Wisconsin, Executive Director of the Wisconsin College Republicans, State Chairman of the Wisconsin College Republicans, paid Field Representative for the 7th Congressional District of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and Campaign Manager of the 7th Congressional District campaign in 1974.

In addition, I am a six year active duty war veteran, with two years service in Southeast Asia. One year near the Laotian border in Thailand and another in Viet-Nam. For service in the attack on Tan Son Nhut, during the Battle for Saigon, in Tet Offensive of 1968, I was part of a small group that was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. If you look it up you will find it is the equivalent of each member of a group being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. It was awarded to our small communications site of 30 people withstanding an attack, during Tet, of approximately 2000 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese regular army soldiers. We were completely surrounded. Almost all of the Air Police and ARVN perimeter guards outside our position were killed. A joint Air Police and MACV reactionary force, as well as a contingent from the 25th Infantry Division, came to our rescue, and many of our rescuers paid the ultimate sacrifice to save my life and the lives of the other survivors. Over 1000 of the enemy died within 600 meters from my position during that attack. It is well documented and I am still being treated for PTSD at the VA Clinic. I think I am entitled to my views as an American and it sickens me to have my patriotism called into question.

I firmly believe that Mr. Bush has abandoned the centrist and libertarian foundations of the Republican Party. My votes are cast for candidates whom I believe are the most honest and least corrupt, and least beholding to special interests. I have yet in my life cast a straight party ballot. My experience in politics, coupled with my observations over the years leads me to believe that most politicians are corrupt and have their own agendas which are not consistent with the benefit of the country, but to their own re-elections and the acquisition of personal power.

That said, I'll be done on this thread and you can rest assured I will answer no more political postings.