Not Today

I grew up in eastern Iowa, which is where my ex-wife grew up, as well.  We married in 1997, but I was living in Milwaukee at the time.  Shortly after getting married, my company transferred me to Chicago.  Chicago, as it turned out, was “Not my kind of town” so back to Cedar Rapids we came.  It was bittersweet, as I’d kinda gotten beat up from the experience, but we were both relieved to be “going home”.  We looked at a few potential places and decided to rent the lower level of a duplex, in Hiawatha.  Shortly after we moved in, the people in the upper level moved out and Tom, the landlord, offered it to us.  We gladly accepted as it had a nice, big, picture window, much better view, and a big deck on the back, which was perfect for drinks in the summertime.  Tom seemed to like us and offered to let us pick the tenants who would become our new, downstairs, neighbors.  After meeting about a half dozen couples, we picked a nice couple who were about our age & seemed to have things in common with us.  He was a chunky, beer drinker, like me, and she was gossipy & opinionated, like, err, never mind.  We liked them.  One problem; they had a dog and Tom didn't allow dogs.  Well, it was a small dog, and after some consideration on his part, he decided to make an exception, letting them keep their dog.  Not wanting to be hypocritical, he told us we could get a dog, as well, if we chose to do so.  Had he just told me, nothing would have changed, but he told “us”.  My wife gave it some thought, roughly a nanosecond, and she went dog shopping that day.  She looked at a few puppies in the pet store and circled some ads in the paper, but I didn't participate, right away.  After a few  days, I suggested we check the Animal Shelter.  We went out to the Cedar Valley Humane Society on a perfect May afternoon.  When we walked in, there were only two puppies in the place.  The rest were large, full grown, dogs.  Too big for the size of a place we had.  Of the two puppies, I knew, immediately, that you were the only one I’d even consider.  Amy picked you up and, on the spot, fell in love with you, looked at me and said “This is the one”.  I chuckled & shook my head in hesitation as you were the very first dog I’d even looked at.  She insisted.  “Look at him, he’s so cute!”  I nodded and replied “Yep, all puppies are cute”.  “Hold him!” she persisted and shoved you into my chest.  So, I take you, this little six or seven pound, ball of fluff, into my chest and held you.  You smelled like the dog pound and had some gunk in your fur.  I patted you on your little head, but remained steadfast in my hesitation.  I was not going to let the first puppy I saw, pull a one-time close on me.  At that moment you leaned in and slurped your tongue across my chin.  “Damn it.  I’m a dog owner”.

They wouldn't let us take you on the spot.  We had to wait until the next day, as they needed to confirm, with Tom, that we did, indeed, have a place where a dog would be welcome and they needed to get you all clean and pretty, which they certainly did.  I remember, when we picked you up, the next day, that you fit perfectly on the dashboard of my Ford Escort.  Once we got you to your new home, we took you out to the backyard to let you get the lay of the land.  You seemed a little shy, but enjoyed things as they came to you.  I never saw Amy so excited.  After about forty-five minutes, we took you inside, where you promptly shit on the floor.

I've had other dog’s that took a lot of work when it came to potty training, but you weren't bad, at all.  Remember the bell?  I’d taken it off of a wreath, tied it to a thin rope and hung it from the inside back doorknob,  so it hung about 6 inches from the floor.  We showed you how to ring it with your paw to let us know when you wanted to go outside.  It didn't take long to figure out that you were training us.  All you had to do was ring that bell and at least one of us would jump up out of our chair and come open the door for you.  Boy, you took full advantage of that, every time you were bored.  You were so damned funny to watch when you’d go outside, too.  You had a little dance you did when you were “ready to go”.  We called it your "poo poo" dance.  Watching you hop around in circles three or four times before taking your stance, was priceless.

Oddly, the people we chose to be our new neighbors backed out and Brian, Lisa & their young son, Brandon, moved in downstairs.  You've never believed in strangers, only friends you hadn't met, yet, be they dog or human.  Brian loved you, instantaneously, and gave you cheese, even after I’d repeatedly asked him not to.  “But he likes it” Brian would say to me after I asked him to stop.  You never made the connection that I was looking out for you, boy!  Brian never saw, or smelled, the results.  Trust me, cheese really didn't agree with your digestive system.  Brian was, habitually, a bad influence on you.  I remember him teaching you to howl.  It was really something, watching the two of you standing in front of each other with your faces pointed to the sky “oooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww”. 

It wasn't long after that, that the next door neighbors got a dog as well.  You and she were immediately the best of friends and no chain linked fence was going to keep you apart.  You had your tunnel dug in minutes.  We tried anchoring the fence with tent stakes, but you were having none of it.  Every time we’d block one route, you two would dig another.  Once, you woke me in the middle of the night to go outside.  You ran out, zipped under the fence to the neighbor’s house and barked until they let their dog out, too.  I gotta tell ya, bud, they weren't your biggest fans; not that night, anyway.

I remember taking a half-day on a Friday, once. I came home around 1:00.  It must have been in July or August, as it was crazy hot outside.  I let you out back, forgot you were out there and went to meet a buddy for lunch and some beers.  When I got home, a couple hours later, you were standing by the back door, in the direct sun, and I let you in.  I got really concerned when, ten minutes later, you were still panting like you’d just sprinted a mile.  I took you back outside and started filling the kiddy pool with the hose.  I had some mixed emotions watching you position yourself in the lowest part of the pool to expose your body to as much of the water as possible while drinking as much of it as you could.  It was a damn funny sight, but I felt horrible for having left you outside in that scorching heat.  As soon as you cooled down, though, you made sure to demonstrate the fact that there's nothing quite as friendly as a wet dog!

Then there was the time we gave some kid, with whom Amy worked, a place to crash, for the night, after a big party.  She and I both had to work a half-day, the next morning, so we told him he could hang out there with you & watch TV.  When I got home, the two of you were so proud to show me your new trick.  You’d leap straight up in the air when he would say “Praise Jesus”.  He wasn't “church goin’ folk”, he was just having fun with blasphemy.   I hate to break it to you, boy, but that’s just one of the reasons you and I are running the risk of going to Hell.  I think you'll probably get a pass.

You’re the only dog, in my experience, that grasped the concept of “Hide & Seek”.  You never hid, which was great, but you’d go sit on the couch while I’d hide.  Once I was hidden, I’d whistle one short whistle and you’d come running, searching for me with fervor, barking at me once you’d sniffed me out.  Then you’d run back to the couch and wait for the next whistle.  Just spectacular.

Then came the day Amy was offered  a 1,400 sq ft, 3 bedroom farmhouse outside of Marion, to rent for an extremely good price, since she worked for the City, and it was a City owned property.  It was your first experience with not having a fence.  You thought that meant you had no borders.  You elected not to listen to me when you decided you wanted to meet the neighbor dogs, about a quarter mile down the road.  I remember running after you, down the middle of the road, in my socks.  You kept stealthily looking back at me, using your peripheral vision the best you could to give yourself some sort of plausible deniability, but once you figured out that I wasn't going to stop, you circled around and headed back for the house.  What happened next, still bothers me, a little.  I chased you into the bedroom where I put the fear of God into you.  The look on your face when I shut the bedroom door is still burned into my memory.  I've never punished you so severely, as I did that day, but we were close to a curve and the speed limit on that road was 55 MPH.  You needed to know that you have to obey me when I tell you to come.  I yelled at you louder, and slapped your ass harder, than I should have, but I've had your complete attention ever since, and that was a dozen years ago.  I haven’t had to punish you, outside of some light shaming, ever since.

Remember when you rode with me over to Al’s Citgo to get propane for the grill.  It was a beautiful day, so I had all the windows down, in the car.  I got the propane and headed in to pay for it.  I told you to stay in the car, but after I got, maybe, 15 feet away, you leaped out the window so you could go with me.  I didn't get too upset with you on that one, as for the life of me, I can’t figure out how I thought you would stay put.  You just wanted to go with me.

Your favorite toy has always been your rope bone, but you loved your Frisbee, too!  You never mastered catching it, but you maintained about a .600 average.  It was never hard to figure out when you were done, though.  You’d chase it over and over, but once you decided you were done, you’d wait for me to throw it, take a few strides in the direction of the Frisbee but then veer off in another direction, leaving me to chase it the last time.

Perhaps the cruelest part of the day we got you, is that we brought you home the same day that the cats came home from being declawed.  You thought you had a couple new friends, but they were not impressed.  Bear was horrified with your presence and Tom, the cat, stood up on his hind legs to chase you across the floor, punching at you like he was boxing.  You couldn't understand what that was about, but you kept your distance; for a little while.

Your buddy, Barry, always made a practice of saving his steak bones for you.  It got to the point that your mouth would start watering as soon as we turned onto his road.  Now that he & Lois have Zoe, you don’t get the bones, anymore, but you like going there, just the same, as you & Zoe get along so well.  You've always enjoyed running in their timber, even though, on more than a few occasions, you came out with your coat full of burrs & I had to cut so much out, you got embarrassed by how you looked.

You used to be the energetic dog who drove other dogs nuts with your incessant need to constantly play, but now, in your “golden years” you've lost a step and have become the dog who gets grumpy when the neighbor dog, Sam, just wants to play a bit.  He still likes you; a lot.

Sleeping with you over the years has been an experience, as well.  You don’t do it quite as much as you used to, but on more occasions than I can count, I've woken up with you in the dead center of the bed while I’m lying cockeyed with my feet hanging off one side and my head off the other.  Then, when I gently push you over to your “half” you give me a look as if to say “Hey, buddy, what’s the big idea?”.  In the morning, you don’t always mind sleeping in, but when you decide it’s time to get up, apparently, it’s time for me to get up, too.  Your habit of subtly lying across my face, gets your point across, well. 

For years now, our bond has been unbreakable.  We have complete trust in one another.  When you sense something, I stop to see what the matter is, and if I tell you to stop, regardless of the drawing distraction, you stop.  Coz, it’s good to know you got my back and I have yours!  I just wish I'd seen that skunk first, that day.  What a rough week-end, that was.  Took me three days to get the stink off you.

Remember when T.J. lived with us and decided to get his own pup from the “No Kill” shelter?  She was a sweet dog, but the days of just keeping your food dish filled were over.  She’d been a stray, so she felt the need to eat every morsel available and growl at anyone in the vicinity.  Sorry about that, boy, it wasn't your fault.

You didn't even seem to mind moving back into town from the farmhouse, even if you didn't have as much room.  It was nice, though, that the lack of a fence wasn't an issue, as you had matured and figured out your boundaries, quickly.  Even the elderly neighbor lady loved you.

You were there when we brought Ella home for the first time and you seemed to know immediately that she was someone who was going to be a part of everything going forward.  I've heard of pets getting jealous of new babies, but you knew she was part of your family.  As she grew and crawled more, you grumpily accepted her pulling your hair and tasting your ears.  You groaned a few times, but never growled or nipped, and I was never worried, for a second, that you would.

And seven years ago, you were there when my marriage failed.  You whined a little more than normal, but you always worry, don't you?  Whenever you sense something is uncertain, you worry.  You seemed to sense my feelings and curled up tight to me, and rarely left my feet if I was in the chair, or my lap if I was on the couch.  I tell ya, I've had some amazing dogs in my life, but none compare to you.

You've gotten to the point, now, where you know you don’t have to put much effort into begging, as I’ll make sure you’ll get your portion, whether it’s the last of my sandwich, eggs, or even the time I had to wake you up to give you the last of my Klondike bar.  You didn't seem to mind.  Sorry about my habit of crumbling dried cayenne peppers on my eggs.  You've never gotten used to that, but it’s also never stopped you from cleaning my breakfast plate.  For crying out loud, Cosmo, I even share my bacon with you!

There was a time I believed you were the fastest thing on four legs, and you, no doubt, were certain of it.  You ran like the wind & could turn on a dime. 

Your trot is more determined now.  You walk, mostly.  You get up slower, and stretch more than you used to.  You might be getting up there, but when the Golden Retrievers, from down the hill, come up and start barking, you still come off the couch as fast as you can & head, full tilt, for the back door, barking all the way.  Watching you, and them, running up and down the fence line, barking like you’re ready to tear each other to shreds used to concern me, until the day you and I were walking outside the fence when they came up.  You started after them, until you realized there was no fence between you and them.  Suddenly you weren't quite as ferocious.  Interestingly enough, neither were they.  Apparently that fence isn't really the only thing preventing you from destroying each other.

You don’t always hear me when I call you, now, but you’re not deaf.  Seems you have a bit of “Selective Hearing”.  You still hear the word "treat", clear as a bell.  Gray has replaced the gleam your eyes used to have.  You've put on some pounds and I can see the arthritis getting worse.  You turned fourteen a few months back and you have more and more trouble doing the things you used to do so effortlessly.  I don’t mind lifting you into the car when we go for rides, nor do I mind having the stool next to the bed to give you an extra assist when it's time to sack out.  I don’t mind doing anything I can do, to help make things a little easier for you, boy. 

There’s a day on the horizon.  I don’t know how far off it is.  I pray it’s later, not sooner, but life, for you, will become more pain than pleasure.  I dread it so much, but I will do what has to be done, if I must, to end your pain.  Between now & then, we're going to have as much fun as we can and I'm going to continue being thankful for all the days I can say “Not Today.”

Addendum:
13 April 2013.  I was not able to say "Not Today", today.  My best friend has ended his journey.  There is no question I loved him, unconditionally.  He was a trooper to the end.  I can't remember the last time I did something so difficult.  I'd, sincerely hoped he'd just pass in his sleep.  His body just could go no further.  He'd stopped eating and stopped drinking.  He was no longer able to remain on his feet.  I was picking him up, to take him outside, where he'd walk for a while and lose his balance.  I'd carry him back in to his pad.  Then at bed time, I'd carry him to bed with me.  His will to live was evident, but his body just couldn't accommodate any longer.  The veterinarian was compassionate and could see how much Cosmo mattered to me.  His 15th birthday was a little less than two weeks ago, so I guess I shouldn't complain, but sure did want a little more time with him,  I don't know what I'm going to do without him.

International Burn the Koran Day

The ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is upon us.  I’ve been reflecting a lot in the last few days.  I’ve listened to some tributes and find myself fighting back tears.  I still can’t listen to that Alan Jackson song that asks “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turnin’”.  I was one of those people you heard about that went home from work the morning of 9/11, turned on the news channel and sat mesmerized for three days straight.  I was traumatized.  I can think of a lot of things that would be good to do to commemorate this macabre anniversary, but now I’m hearing about Pastor Terry Jones from Gainesville Florida, the Pastor at Dove World Outreach Church.  On the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I guess he’s planning on having an “International Burn the Koran Day”.

We’ve come a long way since that awful day, but apparently we’re still going in a number of different directions.  At the very least, this is “controversial”.  Pastor Jones has been under a tremendous amount of pressure to “re-think” his plans.  Burning the Koran would upset many Muslims throughout the globe.  In fact, a few folks in Afghanistan found out about the plan and commensurately organized a protest.  Whaddya suppose they did?  They burned the American flag while chanting “Death to America!”  How about that?  They heard that someone in America was planning to burn the Koran and their immediate reaction was to burn our flag and condemn our entire nation.  So, for clarification:

A select few radical Muslims are terrorists that kill based on religion: we are tolerant.

A select few Christian Americans plan on burning the Koran: there are protests calling for the destruction of America.

I hate to sound elitist, but I’m starting to wonder if some people are simply beyond help.

These people won’t condemn Hamas as a terrorist organization.  They won’t even condemn Al Qaida!  We tiptoe all over the place because we need to demonstrate our tolerance to a group, many of whom believe it is their mission to kill anyone not willing to convert to Islam, and then we take their side against a guy in Florida that plans to exercise his 1^st amendment right?  Some think that we have to compromise.  That sounds like the type of compromise I had when I was married.  My wife would want A, I would want Z and we would compromise somewhere around B. 

Look, I only know one Muslim on a personal level.  He’s a great guy.  I think of him as a thoughtful, considerate, peaceful man.  I consider him a friend, but he's more of a “friend of a friend” but whenever the three of us get together, it's always a good time.  He and I have not discussed much politically, but I did notice he’s a member of a Facebook group called “Hamas is not a Terrorist Organization”.

As Christians, many of us express our disdain for radical Christians.  I don’t know anyone who has anything positive to say about Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church from Kansas.  You know, the people that go to military funerals and hold up signs stating “God Hates Fags”.  I deplore those jerks.  I denounce them.  Most of us think this guy in Florida is a schmuck too, and we’re not afraid to say it.  But where are the moderate Muslims expounding about Radical Muslims?  Hamas claimed responsibility for the killing of four Israelis this week, one of them a pregnant woman.  Until I hear Muslims coming out en masse to denounce that type of behavior, I will see blatant hypocrisy.  I want a huge group of Muslims shouting their condemnation of Hamas.  I want to hear it about Al Qaida and The Taliban too!

Rosie O’Donnell thinks radical Christianity is as dangerous as radical Islam.  Sure thing, Rosie, when was the last time in our lifetime that Christians killed 3,000 people in a day in the name of Christ?  Are there atrocities in our history attributable to Christianity?  Of course, but that was a very long time ago, and we see clearly that those actions were terrible.  We, as Christians, denounce those actions, and we do it unequivocally.  

Over the years I’ve seen a lot of protests, Foreign, National and Local; Political & Religious (I’ve personally attended a few Tea Party rallies.  Keep that under your hat, I don’t want folks to know about my radical racist homophobia).   It seems that many of the foreign and liberal protests tend to get violent, and fire comes into play regularly.  What do they burn?  Among other things: The American Flag, The Israeli Flag, and Effigies of our Leaders.  *They’ve even done effigies of President Obama.  I thought he was going to restore our relations with everyone?  Keep in mind, we’re the ones deserving of death for having a small group in our country planning to burn Korans.  They haven’t done it yet, but we all deserve death because they intend to do it.  I wonder if any Muslims have ever burned bibles?

I frequently hear that Islam is a religion of peace.  Keep in mind that the Koran refers to Jews as Apes and Pigs.  Mohammed took a nine year old girl as his wife.  Islamic papers often depict Jews with horns.  Islamists don’t denounce people who participate in reprehensible things like CUTTING PEOPLE’S HEADS OFF!  There is fatwa on a Danish cartoonist for drawing Mohammed.  Comedy Central often shows material that mocks Christianity, but when there was a planned showing of something slightly mocking Islam, it was quickly pulled, following repeated death threats.  Muslims force their wives to cover their faces in shame.  In fact, in Iran, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was sentenced to “Death by Stoning” for being so gallivant as to allow herself to be photographed without her head covered.  Death?  By Stoning?  Really?  I seem to remember that America is frequently chastised for being so uncivilized because we still employ the death penalty.  It’s done after a conviction and years of appeals.  Then, when it is actually carried out, is done as humanely as possible; a humane punishment for those that have committed barbaric, inhumane, acts.  In the Muslim world a woman can be sentenced to death by stoning for being photographed without her face covered?  Death comes to adulteresses too.  I didn’t realize how broad the definition of adultery can be.  The act of a woman speaking to a man who is not her husband, or a member of her family, can be construed as adultery; this applies to widows as well.  Conversion to Christianity is punishable by death in many regions of the Middle East.  Where’s Mike Farrell for this?  Oh yeah, he’s advocating for the release of Mumia.  *Sorry, that’s an entirely different can of worms that I’m not prepared to open right now.

We are tolerant of the least tolerant of religions.  There are no Synagogues or Christian Churches, outside of Israel, in the Middle East.  Even possessing a bible is a crime.  If you’re not Muslim, you’re not even allowed to visit Mecca!  We’re not talking radical here, this is just the way it is in the Middle East.  Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is quoted as wanting to wipe Israel off the map!  I’m still waiting for Muslims to go on the record condemning that kind of talk.  Something tells me that I’ll be waiting a very long time.

General Patraeus decided to get involved.  That really bothers me.  As a member of the United States Armed Forces, you’re not to take a position on political matters.  He's the top dog of the military and breaks that rule so blatantly?  If it’s that important, Obama should be on it.  Oh, that’s right, he doesn’t like to comment on local issues….pause for scoffing/laughter.

Toleration of the intolerant is only leading to more problems.  The United States has consistently held itself to a higher standard, and its thanks is perpetual condemnation.

At this point Pastor Jones plans on moving forward.  I am trying to figure out just what it is that he believes he will accomplish.  Does he think he’s going to change someone’s opinion?  My guess is that it will only harden the opinions of people on both sides of the argument; those that won't be be swayed regardless.  And much like the situation with the “Ground Zero Mosque”.  Just because you have the right to do it, doesn’t make it the right thing to do. 

So, Pastor Terry Jones, if you were to ask me what I thought you should do, with regards to your plan for an “International Burn the Koran Day”, I would say, “knock it off you flippant moron!  You’re acting as stupidly as they are”.

Nolan D. Winans

Just a copy of an email I sent to a columnist

Ms. Thompson,

Your column was forwarded to me.  I read through it and had some comments.  None of this is meant to be a personal attack, but I just don't agree with you on a lot of your statements.  If you have the time and are interested in an opposing viewpoint, please peruse at your leisure.  If not, I hope you had a nice day, and that tomorrow is even better.

Nolan D. Winans

Jean Thompson column: Anger, not analysis, leading people's actions

August 24, 2010

I'm undergoing a crisis of faith but not of a religious nature. I've lived the good life in the United States for well over 50 years and expect to end my days here. That said, I find my core values are increasingly in conflict with the society I live in now. I feel that a paradigm shift has taken place ethically, politically and socially, making me feel alien.

The country and society we moved into was overly different from the current one that sometimes I think wistfully about leaving, moving back to a friendlier, less angry country. But I'm too old to undertake such a move so I'll have to live with my mental unease concerning the path we're on.

It's hard to know where to start but here goes: There's a lack of logic and critical analysis of issues by people most affected by those issues.  

The tea party movement is a prime example of a lot of noisy slogans but little understanding of underlying causes and possible solutions.  Opinion stated as fact.  I am proud to have been to several Tea Party rallies.  I'm sure you heard the news that we're all a bunch of hateful, racist, homophobes.  By some strange coincidence, I didn't see any of that at the rallies I went to.  I did, however read that there were liberal bloggers promoting the idea of going into rallies undercover with racist rhetoric to discredit the movement.

We surely must realize that an educated and skilled populace is our insurance that the United States will prosper and continue to be among the world's leaders. At the same time, we scream for lower taxes and endorse closing schools, laying off teachers, dropping foreign language and advanced placement courses while endorsing expensive football and other athletic programs that benefit only a small percentage of students.  Outrageously over simplified, and pretty misleading.

Are the very few top athletes going to save our economy in this highly competitive world market? No, so what?

There are still people who claim that the huge tax cut for the top 1 percent of taxpayers should be maintained, using the disproved argument that this will provide an abundance of jobs. History has shown repeatedly that raising taxes on the top income earners effects the economy negatively.  I have that documentation if you would like to see it.

Sorry, most of 

for most people. A return to slightly higher taxes for the top 1 percent would not be painful to them and may allow for some tax breaks to small businesses that do create jobs. The top one percent make approximately 20% of the income and pay approximately 40% of the taxes, but that's not enough?

Why are those who will never pay this increased tax or even earn $250,000 per annum of taxable income so against it?  Because it's not fair.  By that line of thinking, I should endorse slavery since I'm white.  *For the record, I don't.

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates Sr. have supported the end of the tax breaks. Buffett, along with Bill Gates Jr. and a group of 40 billionaires, have met to discuss a plan to give at least 50 percent of their own income to help the impoverished people worldwide withhealth care, education and housing.

These billionaires support keeping the estate tax, cunningly renamed the death tax.  I would say "accurately renamed".  Why does the government deserve a chunk of someone's life's work when they choose to give it to their heirs?

Most people who noisily oppose keeping this tax will never come close to having the kind of estate subject to it.  You seem to be repeating yourself here.  Not specifically, but the idea.

Don't they realize that? I do.  

They would do better concentrating on indexing the alternative minimum tax or simplifying the tax code.  Are you suggesting we increase the number of people that pay no taxes?  *I'm with you with in regards to simplifying the tax code.

Now the other side of the coin: If we cater to the noisy demands for lower taxes or, alternatively, a flat tax, consider the outcome. Ooh, "noisy" nice little dig.  Noisy people aren't usually credible.  Were you as dismissive of the people bashing Bush, many of them advocating violence, for eight years? or were they just exercising their right to free speech?

We have already read in national newspapers that some communities are turning off all streetlights in residential areas while cutting police forces to the bone. Does this make sense? I don't think it's right to speak for others, as I've not read that.  I'd like to see documentation.  Also, again, outrageously over simplified and misleading.  It's such a knee-jerk reaction that anytime anyone suggests we lower taxes that that just means they advocate firing all the firemen and police officers.  I'm sorry, but that's silliness. 

Shorter school year — is this how we maintain our place in the world? Who has proposed that?  I'll have to look into that.

Think also of neglected infrastructure such as unsafe bridges and dams, sinkholes and potholes in highways and unsafe streets. These are the things that are financed by taxes. Scary rhetoric always works.  It doesn't matter if it's accurate.

We can eliminate waste, including "bridges to nowhere" and pork-barrel projects, but this requires bipartisan efforts and well-informed and active citizens. Finally!  Something with which I agree.  How do you feel about the Line Item Veto?  

In this angry, polarized political climate, we're descending into chaos.

The party currently in power is not being forceful enough in explaining its actions, why they're needed and how things can be improved. Not forceful enough?  Just how much more forceful would you like them to be?  The healthcare bill had over 2,000 pages in it.  Have you read it?  I made it through about a hundred pages be and my eyes glazed over.  I don't think a bill should be over 750 pages.  Yes, I just pulled that number out of the air, but it sounds good to me. 

In short, we're floundering while the Republican Party is capitalizing on the fact that it can and will frustrate all positive action.  Ah, we have named the villain!  I mean only nasty Republicans would object to "positive action", right?

The party of no has no goal higher than reclaiming power. Hey, "party of no", another nice little dig!  Again you're asserting opinion as fact.  I think that's irresponsible. 

To this end, it has openly vowed to prevent virtually any useful action proposed by the current administration. Useful, huh?  A lot of people, myself included, see much of it as something we don't need and can't afford.  Much of it seems to punish success and reward failure.  What does that do for our world standing?

The right-wing-inspired hysteria over the new health care law being "crammed down our throats" seems to have cooled somewhat but misunderstandings persist. Ah, if you object to it, you simply just don't understand?  Maybe they can put conservatives in camps to "re-educate" them.  You really seem to like labeling people.  "Republicans/right wing/noisy/party of no" etc.  At least you didn't use the pejorative "tea baggers"

This is evidenced by the USA Today article that shows that less than 50 percent of Americans correctly understand many of the new benefits and a similar low 40-plus percent incorrectly believe that Medicare payments are being cut and that "death panels" are in the bill. If you didn't read this article, do it now with an open mind and re-evaluate.I'll go hunting for it, but a link would have helped.

I urge all who plan to vote in November to put aside their anger and anxiety and read about the issues in reputable books and publications. Don't get hooked by the hysteria of Fox News and the emotional bludgeoning their commentators engage in. Got it, we should get our information from sources the left approves of.  

Keep your cool, be analytical and consider the consequences of your vote. The good of the country should take priority over individual gripes.  I assure you, I have kept my cool and I try to look at every side of every issue that I can think of, and I make, what I believe to be, "educated decisions.

If you made it here, thanks for taking the time to read it.  

Jean Thompson is a Grand Chute resident and is a Post-Crescent Community Columnist. 2 of 2