That's why I love the whole "country divided" concept. I think the one point that everyone will agree with is that we stand behind our troops. I think you'll find that's probably the only thing that keeps this country from going asunder. *laugh* oh well.

Atta boy, Wallace. If Teddy Roosevelt was in office, he'd be deporting the literal thousands of "church goers" in this country that eagerly await the command from overseas to decapitate the infidels. Fortunately for them, political correctness won't let this happen.
Jihad!

Forget the past and work for what one believe to be a better tomorrow, remembering not to make the same mistake twice.
"We must remember our past while improving our future"

I understand, Mr. May, the constraints of your age prevent you from understanding why your "Let's all get along" attitude is so idealistic. I was there, singing that same song, chanting that same ideal years ago.

Does it not speak volumes that, at no other time in (post civil war) history, has our nation been so divided? Even if we, as a nation, disagreed with a president and spoke out about it, we never had such harsh words for one another. Could it be that we, as a nation, have never had a president so unconcerned with what his constituents think? A national leader sets the tone for the rest of the nation.

I have learned in the years post-idealism that if a person does not believe in his (her) own convictions and be willing to fight for those convictions, there is always someone on the sidelines to snatch them away.

That someone is usually male because we live in a testosterone driven world. Thank God there are many men who see thru Bush's chest pounding. I also thank God these men are articulate, level-headed, bright and fair. Without their contribution to this and other forums, we, as a nation, would be doomed.

I even appreciate opposing views. They are usually expressed in a condesending, irrational way. This, in turn, gives more credence to the views of those who speak the truth.

Sorry, Mr. May, count me out on this "play nice" ideal if it means not voicing my concerns and disagreeing with the likes of Bush.

You mention a need to stay together as a nation. Why must we remain united as a nation? Why should such a divided group of people remain together fighting all the time? Why can't we split up into two countries or even three or four? There's no reason not to.
If you were in a club with 100 members and 55 always wanted to do things one way and 45 always wanted to do it another way, wouldn't the most sensible thing be to split into two clubs?
Self-determination is one of the most important rights of mankind. To deny people's right to secede, or, as Thomas Jefferson said, "to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another," is to make slaves of people.

Think about it.

Mr. May espouses a very wonderful thought. Yet, as has been noted, that thought is an ideal, not reality. I can only hope that Mr. May keep one foot in in that ideal plane while living in the real plane.

This country was founded because of difference and indifference. Yet, there was a medidation found and the differing party's joined one another. However, as it stands now, if one differs from the current ruling party, then that differing one is against the rulers. This is basically wrong. Why do differences have to make one wrong. Why can we not converse to strive to bridge the gap that separates us? Maybe this is what Mr. May is saying and I did not comprehend it in his writing. Regardless, our differences need not be so great that we have to separate. What we have to do is strive to bridge our differences so that the greater good for all will ensue.

Yvonne: Could it be that we, as a nation, have never had a president so unconcerned with what his constituents think? A national leader sets the tone for the rest of the nation.

Please check the county by county red/blue map. It appears the president has many constituents who agree with him. A national leader actually LEADS, he/she does not make 180 degree decisions daily based upon popular polls a la John Kerry. Like what he does or not, Bush sticks to his convictions of what he thinks is right.

Yvonne: That someone is usually male because we live in a testosterone driven world.

A little sexist no? Try telling that to Condi Rice, a black female who is the nation's diplomat. I was delighted to see how well she was received and respected during her trip to Europe.

Yvonne:First off, im a Mrs. not a Mr. second, i dont think you fully understood what i was saying. I, in no means was saying, "lets come together as a nation, and all go against bush or disagree with him." I'm saying, though some have trouble with what he is doing with the country, arguing about it is solving nothing. We might as well except what we are given and come together to keep this country strong.

The bitterness of this past election is really hard to get over. I voted for Bush back in 2000, but did not in 2004. I just couldn't see voting for someone with such horrible morals. I made a mistake in 2000.
I like this whole "support our troops" thing going on here in America. How exactly does one do that? I tried supporting the troops by voting against Bush last year, but that didn't work. What else can I do for them? If I buy one of those yellow ribbon magnets for my car, would that be support? LOL. How many of you support our troops and support this war? Isn't that an impossibility? I could never support a war in which our young men and women DIE in every single day.
Bush, get our troops back here NOW!

Amen, Brian. I made that mistake in 2000 as well, but not in 2004.

"I could never support a war in which our young men and women DIE in every single day".

Newsflash, people die in wars. Guess you wouldn't have supported WWII either? One way to support them is thru prayer, which I do every night.

Sara, I never meant to imply there are not a large number of people who support Bush. What I said and meant is we have never had a president so unconcerned with what his constituents think. Apparently you support him. But if you did not support his views, do you honestly think he would give two hoots in hades about what you think? I doubt it.

As for Condi, she lost any credibility with me when she went on national television and tried to convience me and the American public she nor Bush suggested, stated or implied Iraq had any connection to 9/11, al queda or Osamma. I saw what I saw and heard what I heard. As far as I'm concerned she lost what bit of integrity she had.

Mrs. May, I apologize for calling you Mr. The name Wallace fooled me.

I went back and reread your original post three times. Whether you meant thing the way you stated them or not doesn't change the fact you were calling for unity and acceptance on Bush's terms. As I stated, I have no issue with those ideals (Unity and acceptance.) What I have issue with is the suggestion (throughout your post) that we who disagree with Bush just throw up our hands, give up, keep our mouths shut and accept the injustices coming out of this administrations actions. ("Won't change anything. All we are doing is wasting our breaths. Breaking us farther apart. It won't take Bush off the stand. Arguing about it solves nothing. We might as well accept what we are given."

In the USA change does not happen if people just "accept what we are given". Can you imagine saying that black people should "accept what we are given"? Thank God some mighty brave people were not content to just accept things as they were. They had conviction to know things could be better and the courage to fight for change.

While I am glad you are still young enough to be so idealistic, unfortunately, I am one individual (jaded, I'll admit)who thinks your sentiments are not very realistic.

Thank you Dan. It is prayers from people like you who brought me home safe in 1967, 1970 and again in 73. I always appreciated those who were praying and I appreciate them more every day. Today I continue to do the same for those who are still standing in the gap. I will continue to do so until they are brought home safely also. May God bless you, May God bless our troops and May God bless America.

Dan and mrproduce, pray harder...

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/