September Eleventh: A day of Remembrance and Vigilance.

On September eleventh we need to remember that there are those who wish to destroy our country and way of life, that we must remain vigilant against attack from our enemies.
On September eleventh we need to remember those who died on this day in 2001 simply for being in The United States of America. We need to remember those who died protecting their country on Flight 93. Most of all we need to thank those who stand in defense of our country everyday.

The events of Sept. 11, 2001 kept running through my thoughts until I had to write my feelings down. Eventually, I wrote the following poem, and I would like to share it with you in remembrance and vigilance.

For Which It Stands

every morning I raise my flag high
I like to stand and watch it against the clear blue sky

sometimes I can’t help but remember another clear blue morning
when hatred and death came without warning

then I stand and watch a while longer
it makes me feel proud – and a little stronger

I think of you who’ve been called to fight
so that I may always enjoy that sight

though far away in desert sands
you struggle so all may share in that for which it stands:
Liberty and Justice for All

in a world that has grown so small
I thank you for standing tall
Freedom and Peace come at high cost
because of people like you, they will never be lost


Mark Conrad

More Health Care Reform Rhetoric

Our President refuses to listen:

President Obama returned to the same old rhetoric in his speech to the AFL-CIO last night. During this speech Mr. Obama stated “I’ve got a question for all those folks (opposing his health care reform); What are you going to do? What’s your answer? What’s your solution?” He added “And you know what? They don’t have one. Their answer is to do nothing.”

Mr. President, if you were listening, you would know that no one is saying to “do nothing”! There are scores of suggestions on how to reform health care, on what the American people want to have addressed and what we don’t want to see happen. Are you really so arrogant that if you don’t hear people embracing your ideas that you hear us saying that we don’t want to do anything? Do you actually believe that your concept of a government run health care system is the only proposal that has merit? Please open your mind and your ears, hear what the people are saying and help create health care change that will benefit all Americans!