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Where were you that September day when the planes crashed into the trade center towers, the Pentagon, and those brave Americans aboard Flight 77 fought to save those on the ground?

Where were you when the towers fell?  Where were you when the earth seemed to stand still and everything you thought you knew was taken away from you?

Where were you when the President and Congress declared war?  Where were you?

Where are you now?  Do you remember that day in September?  Do you remember what you saw on every TV screen in this nation?  Do you remember the Americans jumping out of the towers to escape the flames?  Do you remember the policemen and firefighters rushing into the burning towers trying to save as many people as they could and not giving up….they kept running back in…even after the towers fell…they still were going in trying to find survivors.  Do you remember that day?  Do you remember being glued to the TV while they searched for any survivors?

Do you remember where you were and what you felt that day?  How did you feel?  What did you do?  Did you cling to everyone that meant anything to you and maybe even comforting a complete stranger?  Did you call everyone in your family?  What where you doing that day?

Do you know why our troops are overseas right now? Do you remember that our troops are over there right now fighting for you and your safety?  Do you know that those soldiers over there would give up their lives to ensure your life in this country is safe?!!!

That’s why they are over there!  For you and for me and our safety!  They aren’t over there because some stupid decision was made, but because our country was attached by terrorists whose main goal is to destroy the lives of the American people!   The best way to support our troops is to support the cause…support the reason we are over there fighting in the first place!!!

On this, our nations Independence Day, please never forget that there were soldiers that gave their lives so you could enjoy your freedom!!!

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I’m not Democrat and I’m not a Republican, I’m an American with an opinion and my opinion is….how does changing the person in the oval office effect the news coverage of the War on Terror?  I don’t get it.  We still have troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Where is the news coverage on those soldiers and our fight against terrorist?

When Bush was in office, every single day there were top stories in the media about the war. They covered everything from how many troops were over there to how many soldiers lost their lives fighting the fight against terrorist.  The media wanted details on the progress on the War on Terror; they demanded it and they got it.  Bush and the Commanders of the Military gave detail progress reports weekly on the War and it was televised daily on the news. It was analyzed by every political figure in the country and the American people actually had a voice on the War.  The War was a central vocal point of the last Presidential election.  When did we forget about the War?  When did we forget these soldiers? When did we forget that there are men and women overseas fighting for our safety and our freedom?  As soon as Obama took office, the media coverage of the war took a back seat.  Why?  We are still over in these other countries even though Obama promised they would all be home by now.

Now, I’m not saying they should be home; what I’m saying is I’m saddened about the lack of media coverage.  Did the media and the American people forget why we are over there fighting in the first place?  It’s not because Bush made a stupid decision.  It’s because as a nation, we went after the people responsible for the 9-11 attacks on our country!!!!  That’s what the fighting is still about, bringing an end to the terrorist group responsible for shattering the lives of the American people that horrible September day!  Why is that coverage lost?  Why is that not at the center of all the political discussions regarding the War on Terror?

I don’t understand why the coverage of the war took a back seat as soon as the person in the oval office changed.  As Americans, we have the right to know the progress on the War on Terror.  I think it’s time to demand the weekly progress reports again.  It’s time to stand up for our troops and show them our support.  The American people need to be reminded why we are fighting this war and the important role our military plays in winning the fight against terrorist.  I feel our soldiers and the 9-11 attacks have been forgotten and that deeply saddens me and it should sadden every American.

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Am I supposed to feel sorry for BP now?  They are destroying our Gulf Coast and soon our Eastern Seaboard will be affected and they don’t seem to be that concerned about stopping the oil leak and cleaning up their mess.  Now, for the icing on the cake, I saw a news story covering how the boycott of BP is affecting local businesses.

The other day our local news station was covering the BP disaster and how it was affecting our local economy already.  Their angle was local BP gas stations.  The news station interviewed local BP gas station owners who were trying to persuade people to continue buying their gas.  The spill wasn’t their fault and they are just trying to provide a living for their families.  Now, I get trying to support your family but at the same time, come on.  You aligned with the wrong company, it happens all the time.  But, instead of asking people to give up their boycott of BP so you can feed your family, why don’t you do something about it and shove it back up BP’s ass?  BP isn’t the one feeding your family; it’s the American people, the consumer.   So, listen to the consumers and stop selling BP oil and find another oil company to align with to help you feed your family.  Why would you want to sell the same oil that is polluting our ocean, wildlife, marine life, and marsh life? GET OUT and get BP out of this country!  Yes, that’s harsh but it doesn’t even compare to what Americans are going to have to deal with for decades

Now, I’m not being cold-hearted, just being real here for a minute, so stay with me.  I am not an expert in oil contracts and all that legal crap, but in my opinion every contracted BP gas station owner should approach ExxonMobil, Shell, or any other gas provider, and since you are not owned by BP you just have a contract with them to sell their gas, why not ask these other oil companies to help you get out of BP and start selling their gas?  Wow, what a concept!  Seriously, think about this one.  Why would you want to sell BP’s gas and give them your support?  They have done nothing to earn your loyalty at all!  The ramifications of this oil spill will be devastating to our nation.  Why not send BP a real message?  Get the hell out of our country and our waters!!!

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Today, I’m on my soap box.  The topic….Abortion.  I know it’s a sensitive subject that everyone has a strong position on.  Well, here’s my two cents worth.

I believe abortion should be an option to women in certain situations only.  Meaning, abortion should only be used in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother and child are in danger of dying.  As a mother, I couldn’t imagine having an abortion, but as a rape victim I completely understand and empathize with those women.  I understand the fear surrounding being pregnant not by choice but by someone who gave you no choice.  I couldn’t imagine carrying a child of rape inside of me for nine months feeling he was still inside and a part of me, then giving birth and having that child around knowing what their father did to me.  I would see his face in them every day of my life and he would continually haunt me.  So, I completely and strongly agree with abortion in rape and incest situations.

The mother and child in danger is a tricky area for me.  If a woman and her child are at risk of dying, and it has been medically advised to abort, that is completely up to the woman.  It’s her choice what to do from there.  Some women spend their whole lives trying to get pregnant, and then to find out you both are in danger of dying…I know a few women who would risk death to have the baby they always dreamed of.  I can’t imagine not fighting for your life and your child’s life.  I do know, however, there are certain situations where the danger outweighs the possibility of a healthy delivery.  So, the woman and her family have a horrible and difficult decision to make and shouldn’t be judged for making the decision of life…whether it’s her life she chooses or her baby’s life.

Most importantly, Abortion should not be used as a form of birth control!  If a woman makes a decision to have sex with her partner, then she needs to be prepared for the consequences.  Abortion is not the answer for a condom break or unprotected sex mistake.   A woman should enter every sexual encounter knowing she could potentially become pregnant.  If you don’t want to get pregnant there are hundreds of contraceptives out there to prevent pregnancy.  All local Health Departments and most College campus medical facilities give out birth control to women for free, no questions asked.  So, there should be no excuses in preventing the pregnancy in the first place.

Abortion is a serious procedure that doesn’t end when a woman walks out of the office.  It stays with her the rest of her life.  The decision to abort should not be entered into lightly but should be discussed with a mental health professional, medical doctor, and a woman’s family.  She needs support regardless of her decision.  And, she will need that support the rest of her life.

Dear Governor McDonnell,

I am a deeply concerned resident living in Williamsburg (James City County).  I have concerns regarding the upcoming 2010-2011 budget and its effects on the educational system.  I received a letter from my daughter’s school the other day.  It basically was informing us that the school would be facing an $8.6 million deficit next school year.  They wanted parental input regarding which programs would be cut next year.  Now, that is sad!  The school board has to hold a special meeting to figure out what programs will be cut because of this deficit.  What will this do to our children?

Education should be the very last program to face budget cuts.  They are already working with very little and now they have to find a miracle to keep our children educated.  Teachers are going without a pay raise again this year.  Most teachers in the current school system have never seen a pay increase, not even cost of living increase.  I understand the economy is difficult right now, but teachers are the single most important people on the planet.  They are responsible for educating the future leaders of this country.  Teachers have to work in cramped trailers and overcrowded classrooms with very little to no money to help them.  Our teachers have to ask parent’s for supplies for the classroom because there is no money for paper towels!  How sad for our children.  We may not fully understand the impact these cuts will have on our children and their education, but there will definitely be negative consequences.

I know the government is a complicated system, but I’m sorry, there is nothing complicated about keeping funding for the programs that are actually needed by individuals who cannot help themselves.  I just cannot understand what you are thinking.  Have you really been out of the education system that long that you have forgotten how important these programs are to the people you represent?  I believe you and all the elected officials need to take a week and actually go back to school!  You need to sit in a classroom and see how the teachers struggle to educate the students in an overcrowded classroom, with little or no money, and with old or out dated classroom material.  Then go back to Richmond and figure out a way to save our children’s future!

This budget deficit that our school systems are facing will have a horrific impact on our children not just this upcoming school year, but for years to come.  I urge you to really take a look at what you are doing to our children.

Thank you!