Now from my last post you may think I have a negative view of all elected officials. Well for the most part yes, but there are some, believe it or not who want to solve issues. People like Joe Biden(D-Delaware) and John Mccain(R-Arizona) are but the few, but there is a fresh young candidate who wants to be senator for the state of Tennessee by the name of Harold Ford, Jr. He is running aganist Republican Bob Corker for the seat that is going to be vacated by retiring Bill Frist(though he probably will run for president in 2008). Now you say why Harold Ford, what's so impressive about him, he's just like every other politician running, he talks down to the American voter. Not Ford, he is someone who wants to bring fresh ideas and talk to the voters. Ford, before this served in the House of Representatives, and in 2002 ran aganist Nancy Pelosi for minority leader. All the Democrats who are frustrated from the leadership by Pelosi, who is the current minority leader, only wish that Ford had won. 

  Ford is different because he isn't your average Democrat. He has voted to outlaw gay marriage and wants to amend the Constitution to flag burning. He thinks the Ten Commandments should be posted in courtrooms around his state and he believes in sealing the border with Mexico. He actually takes the more hardline approach when dealing with immigration, saying he believes the president is giving amnesty to illegal aliens. Most important of all though he takes a practical approach towards politics. He says he likes the president very much and also believes that when the president is wrong on issue he speaks up. When he does, he does so in a respectful way. He also wants to solve problems, I heard him on C-Span last month and I was very impressed. If you want to know more about where Ford stands on the issues and what he wants to do, you can go to his website, www.fordfortennessee.com . Ok I know what you're thinking, so maybe your right about all this stuff, but so what, Tennessee is a republican state, Bush won by 14 points in the 2004 election, he is facing a uphill battle. Maybe but the polls are showing a neck and neck race, and the talk in Tennessee is this will be a very competitive seat.  To show you how much Ford has a chance he is campaigning in East Tennessee.  Now East Tennessee is one the most Republican strongholds in the nation. Republican candidates usually win here all the time. Ford though I believe probably figures he isn't going to win there but close the gap, so it improves his chances of winning. Alot of you are thinking I'm going overboard just for one candidate. I mean how much can he really make a difference. Besides deep down Ford is just like those politicans(which I don't believe), maybe, that's your decision, but I do know this Republican or Democrat if someone is sincere in their beliefs and really wants to change this country(which I believe there needs to be some), then I want them serving!

 On a sidenote for all those who are following the primaries and can't tell if the ads put out by the candidates are factual or not, go to www.factcheck.org.  It will muddle through it and decide.

   Well today is the fifth anniversary of 9/11 where terrorists killed an estimated 3,000 people. Today will be a day when we remember the victims of this tragic day, with ceremonies from New York and Washigntion and in Pennsylvania where one of the airplanes was brought down due to the courage of average citizens.  Yes we all will come together to as one and remember the victims, not worry about our political differences when it comes, most importantly, to the Iraq War. We will mourn today and move on with our lives and get back to these political differences tomorrow and the next day and so on. But the point I'm trying to make is 9/11 not only was a coming together of a nation, but a splitting of the nation as well. I remember the unification on that day and for several months after that and shortly into 2002. But somewhere after that we lost it, it disappeared.

  We now are a country that's heavily divided and very partisan. In my opinion it's the Iraq War, plain and simple. How this comes back to 9/11 is this, if there was no terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001, then there would be no war in Iraq(or at least the chances of going to war would be less). We split as a nation, due to this, and the partisanship got worse. We had people very upset at the Bush administration for this and some of this has turn into hate. On the other side, if you were for the war in Iraq then your patriotic and love your country, if you weren't you were branded as someone whose unpatriotic. Alot of this was implied and trust me, when it's implied by someone it's worse. What's also just as wrong as to compare Bush and his adminstration to Hitler or just outright hating of Bush or Cheney or anyone in his adminstration, the name calling got to the point of stupid and outright wrong.  Alot of this also tied back to the contentious 2000 election where people said Bush wasn't really elected.

 Just to say that you were for the troops, but your not for the war in Iraq. This wasn't good enough for people on the right because there view is the only way you support the troops is to be for the war in Iraq. To say dissent has been called into question would be an understatement. Just like people on the left, who are Bush haters, both sides are dividing us. There seems to be no common ground. Not to say that everyone does that. I've seen or meet people on the right or left who don't do any of what I say and want an unified country. Moderates seem to be left out, it's either liberal vs conservative, in their own version of World War III. So as we remember this sad day let's remember how unified we are and remember it could of stayed that way, but it didn't. Whose ever to blame (I think both are), will we ever come together or will it continue to be like this for years to come?  For me the partisanship sees no end in sight, unless there's somebody or some event that can bring us together again. I'm not saying politics, will be like The Wizard of Oz, but at least hopefully somewhat civilized. 9/11 maybe a unifer, for today, but tomorrow(like I said) you'll hear the same old partisan rhetoric.

  Saying  I'm disappointed would be an understatement, actually it's kind of hard to imagine losing to the Seminoles at home of all places. When I expect my Miami Hurricanes facing off aganist the Florida State Seminoles every year I expect a win, nothing short. But two seasons in a row, ugh. By 3 points just like last year. Last year it was 10-7, this year it was 13-10. To say the offense didn't show up would be an understatement. But I mostly blame the offensive line. The Seminoles defense was pressuring Kyle Wright all game long, they simply didn't do their job. There was no running game whatsoever, and Wright looked so-so throwing the ball. I'll give there offense a little bit of a break because Coker did suspend our top running back and top wide receiver for the game. The defense I think may have worn done a bit in the second half. But besides that they played well and the future looks bright for them. As for the offensive line, if this is the way their going to play the rest of the year, they might end up with two or three more losses. They need to get in shape. I'll recover, I remember in 1989 when we lost to the Seminoles early in the year but we still ended up winning the championship. For that to happen alot of cards have to go right for that to happen. I'm still holding out hope.

  Just a question I'll through out to my democratic and republican subscribers, are any of you interested in the 2006 House and Senate races. Also do you think your party(Republican) will maintain control or Democrats do you see a chance of maybe controlling the House or Senate? Most pundits view it as Democrats will pick up the House and Republicans will maintain Senate control. Who knows. I'm looking for better people than the ones that have represented us, all they seem to do is bicker and play partisan games. I want leaders(Democrat or Republican) who will be bipartisan and cut out this partisan crap!

Well I guess 15+ years was enough. My dog Sandy was put to sleep. She was hardly functioning for the past six months and I guess it was the time. It sure will be unusual not to see her, she was the most friendliest dog you'd ever meet and I'm not being biased. Anyway life moves on. Also this tropical storm Ernesto is supposed to hit us early Wednesday morning as a Category 1 storm(that's what they project). But honestly why does the television, media, radio and so forth try and scare you into panic beyond belief. This is just a 40 mph storm(as of 5 PM-Tuesday) and it's still over Cuba, so it could lose some strength, but there forecasting  it to be a minimal hurricane. I lived in Florida all my life, why does the media do this you tell me. I guess it's to scare the public into thinking it'll be a Andrew of 1992 that we South Floridians should all be scared of. The media successeds in their job, I'm not being cocky about it, it is a hurricane after all. But please the media should get off there high horses and be realistic about their coverage, give the details be on alert, but don't drive us crazy, just give us the basic facts. But knowing the media they probably will continue to do what they do and the media is playing a "fear factor" that they have no right doing.

I'm actually surprised the movie World Trade Center only came in #3 this weekend in the box office. Maybe it's because people still feel five years later it's too early to see something so horrific as 9/11. I actually saw it and I would say it is well worth watching. You don't actually see the planes hit the towers. Because the movie is coming from two NYPD officers perspectives and their pure survival to stay alive while trapped underground while barried in tons of rumble. To me still the one part of the movie that gave me chills is seeing someone fall straight to the ground after the towers have been hit even though it's not a big part of the movie. But still the movie is as real as the events that took place about five years, I recommend it.

You all probably know by know that politically I consider myself an Independent. But you must wonder why. Well it's because my views on the issues of politics are all over the place, also on a couple issues I still haven't decided where I stand. I know most people are either a Democrat or a Republican and you probably figure I need to take a stand on one party, but I don't, basically out of principle. Take for example where I stand on some issues: I am pro-choice, anti-Iraq war and most, not all wars in general(I'm not a pacifist), and I'm not religious; so you figure Democrat, no. Economically I'm a Republican, less government and tax cuts, and I'm for the death penalty.  Those are just a few. But besides that I go with my gut, I believe in fairness, I believe in all administrations being held accountable for their mistakes and I hate it when either side uses issues like the Iraq War, the Terri Schiavo case, gay marriage, and other subjects for political gain. Basically that's why I'm an Independent and I don't stray to the Democratic or Republican sides. No doubt I have my political favorites on both sides, but I'm very pleased on where I stand.

Based on this, whatever political affliation you are, what are the reasons for which side you are on????

  Avril Lavigne, the anti-Britney(thank god!), has officially wed over the past weekend to Sum 41 guitarist Deryck Whilbey. Blond hair(I still can't picture her as a blond) and all she walked down the aisle in her white gown saying her I do's and officially becoming hitched. Avril Lavigne, somehow I can't picture her married, so I don't know how long it'll last but I wish her the best. I guess an era has ended, the free-spirited in your face independent, I don't take BS from anyone time is probably gone. I must say that is one of the greatest things I like about her, along with her talent to sing(unlike Britney), I liked her realness her I'm being me and sorry you can't do anything about it, it just brought a smile to my face. But I guess that's when she was brunette. According to her she has become more feminine, and now she likes it when people dress her up for magazines, like Bazaar. It's weird, it's strange, but I'll guess I'll have to get used to it, to like the new blonde-haired feminine married person she is now. I will, I've always loved her music(I have both her CDs), so it'll take time. I hope her the best in her marriage, though I can't picture her being a mom or married. So that's why I feel it won't last that long(I know I shouldn't be pessimistic), but maybe she really has changed. Oh well, still love you Avril. Britney Spears could've learned a thing or to from her, about not sexualizing yourself and still having the talent to sing. Avril did both and Britney struck out on both counts.

P.S.:  Sorry I haven't checked in lately, summer has been a bit of a bore, the fall will pick up and I'll have much more to write about. Hope all of you are happy and having fun this summer

Well I attended a wedding this past weekend in Miami, who of course, my brother. I was best man of course I did everything that was required, I didn't make a toast though. I'm very shy in terms of speaking in public and I couldn't go through with it, but besides that I did all the steps, though when they were doing prayers for the ceremony, I forgot to kneel down on the pillow but I looked over at the bridesmaid and just followed what she was doing. Everything came out fine, then there was the wedding reception. Which I must say was alright, I didn't get into it at first but towards the end I let loose(in terms of myself). When they were playing nonstop music from hip-hop to Spanish music to you name it and everyone was dancing on the dance floor I mostly was sitting down, but I realized you don't attend these things to often and you mine as well have fun, even if you can't dance. But things worked out, I should say the bridesmaid Christina was a big help at the reception, I probably wouldn't have gotten through it without her, so I say thanks to her. My brother and his wife(both with degrees in dentistry) are moving to New Mexico, so there going to try and make it from a long distance away. All the best to him and I told him that four days beforehand and I sort of gave him what I would of said if I actually gave the toast. So it was fun, interesting, tedious, you name it, but it was worth it. Oh by the way, when I went to sleep when I got back home all I heard in my ear was music playing and it wouldn't stop, it must have been the after effects of the loud music played.

HEAT ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!  4-2, Dwayne Wade MVP, contributions from Udonis Haslem and intensity and defense from Alonzo Morning( The Blocking Machine). Anyway Cari, must be dispondent. But somebody had to lose and I'm glad it was your team. Though I will say I LOVED the competitiion between you and me and I throughly enjoyed it! But the MAVS will be having nightmares about Dwayne Wade and at the end their key players like Nitowstki(who only scored two points in the 4th quarter) didn't come through and ours did. I loved it the Heat were in the penalty early on in the 4th quarter, yet all they did was settle for three point shots, not smart basketball. I don't care we're the champions the Mavs had their opportunities and let the celebrating begin, it's only going to get better.

Down 0 -2, up 3 - 2; just one more victory to clinch our first NBA Championship. You can cut the tension with a knife and the MVP of the series Dwayne Wade will hopefully lead us to a Game 6 win Tuesday night, I want to win Tuesday night, I don't want this to go to a Game 7. Dallas doesn't have an answer for him and when they do slow him down (like last night), he puts on a show towards the end of the game. You can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him. Dallas will have nightmares of him if they lose this series and of Game 3 where they choked blowing a 13 point lead. Anyway nothing's accomplished yet, but you can feel it's inches away, I know Cari's frustrated but still very optimistic. Whatever happens whoever the victor(that will be the Heat), it's been a hard fought battle and it's been great competing aganist one of my online friends. GO HEAT!!!!