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Good letter, Mr. Maddox, but I don't understand the last paragraph. First you said, "Defense, yes. Aggression, no." I agree. But then you claim that Abraham Lincoln, a man who fought a war of aggression which led to the deaths of 1 million men, is "perhaps our greatest leader." That just doesn't make sense.

Excellent, insightful writing. How wonderful to share the wisdom of his years, and how accurate his remarks! Thank you.

In the light of his wisdom, I ask, what has caused the erosion of this country? Readers? . .

My personal belief is we, as a nation, have displaced spirituality. Note I am NOT saying religion or religious beliefs. I AM speaking of the spirit of kindness, fairness, tolerence, honesty, goodness, equality, respect and devotion.

While I think most people want to be spiritual and behave in a spiritual way, a lot of people fail. It is hard to help our neighbors, make a living, attend school functions, go to church, visit our families and be the best we can be. It takes a lot of energy and time so most of us just don't try as hard as we should.

Our leaders (and , please, I am not referring to Bush alone) are becoming less and less qualified to lead this nation. And they are less spiritual. Their policies drain us financially and emotionally. They pit one segment of our society aganist the other and cause division. They suck the spirit out of the ordinary person.

Our priorities usually start with the almighty dollar. We get caught in a revolving trap and can't find our way out. We put our faith in things rather than people.

The answers to solve any thing lies within us as individuals. We need to embrace one another in the spirit of expectation; the expectation that we are going to make a positive difference in our own lives and the lives of others.

Dan said in a prior post his view of some people had changed and he decided they were not so bad after all. I related also how my attitude had changed about some of the posters here. It was not because we all of a sudden agreed with one another. I think we saw the spirit of one another and saw that our spirits were good, just different.

All this is hokey but it is what I believe.

Yeah, Yvonne, in the first few arguments I had with you about smoking in restaurants, I had quite a negative view of you, but since then I've come to see that we agree on a few things, and I don't think you're all bad.

Mr. Elledge, I remember also how frustrated I became about the private property stance you and Mr. Sheridan took. Although I still do not agree with either one of you re public smoking, I respect your right to express what you believe.

I have come to think highly of your knowledge of the constitution, your perseverance and your ability to disagree without compromising your integrity. And I appreciate the clever ways you manage to work into any subject your pitch for the Libertarian Party. Makes me shake my head and laugh.

oh here we go again another kodak moment. Stop it your taking all the fun out of hating each other.

Wait maybe that is the point.

Good morning Hayes. Have missed your participation the last couple of days. You hit the nail on the head. When you "see" a good spirit in folks it's kinda hard to hate them.

You guys!
What's next, you all get together around an environmentally correct campfire in your Birkenstocks, have a group hug and sing koom-ba-ya? Then attend an anti-war, anti-Bush rally?

No name, Nope. Just appreciate the goodness of spirit I see, even in the war supporting, Bush loving folks who post here.

Actually I thought we would all go to "an big business profit over envirnment and screw the little people" campfire singing Money and then go to a "Lets rewrite the Constitution" campaign in Texas headed by Delay to make Bush a lifetime Pres.

Sorry Yvonne just had to get that out of my system.

Hayes, No apology necessary. Rightous indignation is covered in the scriptures. So there is a time and place for everything. As I was LOL I thought "Wish I had thought of that". Thanks for the humor. God and ____ (insert whomever is fitting) are pleased with happy people.