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I admit I jumped the gun at you because I was mad at what I was reading from some others. You and I have never really had any problems until I went over the top and I freely admit that fact. I should have rewritten what I was going to post which I usually do when I am mad.

Don't have a problem with people disagreeing with a policy or statement of the President. I do have a problem when they attack him personally about his integrity or what he believes. I don't agree with him 100% on policy, but then I didn't agree with Pres Reagan 100%. I admit I do agree with Senator Inhofe more than almost any other politician I have known and fortunately he is my Senator.

BTW, I detest your senior Senator and love your junior Senator. Thought I would throw that in FWIW!

My thoughts on the whole deal are that if someone cannot defend the President and takes to name calling it is no better than the anti-Bush folks who cannot find one good thing that the President has done and calls him all kinds of names. What bothers me are the Freepers that automatically paint all Bush supporters with a broad brush that we support him 100% and don't think. I don't walk lockstep with anyone I know because I do think!

Think immigration is a major issue, not sure what the real answer is because it is way above my pay grade, but I do know that it is up to the Congress to write the law and that is where the focus should be right now. If President Bush had signed an Executive Order with his proposal, I could readily understand all the disgust, but he didn't. He proposed his ideas to Congress for them to act, but some on here that have trashed him the worst act like it is the law.

Don't think we are that far apart either. I am not asking Freepers to not disagree with a policy or what is stated, but I am asking them not to get so nasty against the President. It is so important that Kerry not become President for all the obvious reasons -- #1 being he is more liberal than Ted Kennedy and I didn't think it was possible.

As most of you know, I really don't like Alan Keyes very much after what he did here in Oklahoma during the primary in 2000 against Pres Bush, but I will guarantee you that if he were running for President against John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, or any other democRAT for that matter, he would have my vote, my support, and I would work to get him elected. EV knows what it takes for me to say that and it shows just how much I feel deep inside that a DemocRAT would do unreparable harm if elected at this time in our Nation's history.

That is how important I think it is to defeat John Kerry and make sure that an ultra liberal, anti-Vietnam war protestor does not become President.

I didn't want Bob Dole in 1996, but the other two candidates were so much worse that I held my nose and voted for him. I am asking Freepers if there is anything you agree with what Pres Bush has done as President, hold your nose and vote for him, because I would be willing to bet if you are conservative that you would disagree with John Kerry almost 100% of the time.

Thanks for those words. I have always known you were a fine and decent conservative Christian woman, notwithstanding any disagreements we have had. There isn't a dime's worth of difference between your political conservatism and mine.

Here's a reality check I received in my email this morning that I think you'll enjoy, and that some people need to read to regain some perspective:

THE WHITE HOUSE NOW

A lot has changed since George W. Bush became president--executive orders that support a "culture of life," judicial appointees who respect the constitution
and members of the Cabinet who are unapologetic about their faith. But perhaps nothing more clearly represents the new leadership we enjoy as a country than that place Mr. Bush now calls his temporary home, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The president is quick to point out that it is not his house, but the American people's house. And, as such, he treats it and the people who work there with respect. From the Secret Service to the grounds crew, the folks who work at the White House rave about the First Family.

The President and First Lady prefer to entertain family friends in their private quarters rather than ask the stewards and waiters to negotiate difficult formal dining rooms.

Harkening back to the days of Ronald Reagan, Bush will not allow any man to attend a meeting in the Oval Office without a jacket and tie. Gone are the days of blue jeans and pizza boxes.

One of the clearest ways to show respect for someone is to respect their time. Everyone who works with and around the President has noted his punctuality. Meetings begin and end on time. This stands in stark
contrast to the previous occupant of the White House, who was notorious for keeping visitors and the media waiting.

And speaking of the former President, in his administration more than 500 staffers had access to the White House kitchen. One presidential aide said they turned it into a fast-food restaurant. These days, only 150 senior staff members have meal privileges.

Of course the Clinton years were known for worse things than that. US News &World Report reported recently that it was common for President Clinton to have violent and sex-laden R-rated films playing on Air Force One. Even seasoned reporters would blush at the images being played out before their eyes while trying to question the President on some issue of national importance. A Marine who worked at Camp David publicly stated that pornography was littered all over the retreat.

In contrast, President Bush has said that even some of the new major motion picture releases, which are routinely sent to the White House for viewing by the First Family, are too vulgar for him. I've visited the White House twice since President Bush moved in. As anyone might be, I was awed by the history of the place. Oil portraits of past occupants reminded me that some presidents have understood the honor of living there and others have wantonly dishonored it.

My visits with President Bush at the White House were an opportunity to witness firsthand how much this man respects the office to which he was elected. He arrived at our meetings promptly and took the time to greet every person in attendance. He was warm and polite to each of us. His manner conveyed the message that he knew he was only a temporary resident, and his job is to leave this august home in better shape than he found it.

In one of my meetings, I made a point of speaking to a young man who is part of the military service assigned to the White House. His job is to escort guests and to help people find their way through the large hallways. His uniform was covered with ribbons and his shoes were perfectly polished.

His face was emotionless, and he drew no attention to himself, but for some reason he caught my eye.

"Thank you," I said, "for the work you do. You really represent us all in your service here. It must be wonderful work."

He paused and then allowed a big smile to cross his face. "Oh, yes, sir, it truly is."

Yes, things certainly are different in Washington.
friends: NOTE WHAT'S SAID HERE AND PLEASE BE MORE DILIGENT IN YOUR PRAYERS for the PRESIDENT &STAFF

--- LOVE GENE AND DIENA NELSON
Courtesy of: Rear Admiral Steve Brachet, USN (Ret) &
Brigadier General Bob Clements, USAF (Ret)