Well, what do you know? The Congress and Senate did something right for a change - they defeated that stupid immigration bill that would have legalized and benefited illegals who had been either sneaky or lucky enough to stay here for five years. Just what we needed - benefits for people who break the law. Once people found out what was actually in the bill, they sent so many e-mails and made so many phone calls to their reps and senators they crashed the server and the switchboard complaining about it. And SC is going to have a new rep next election, probably along with some other states. I think now that people realize that one voice can make a difference, they're going to start speaking up and making noise about things they've been keeping quiet about. It's about time! Those morons in D.C. were elected to do what WE want, not what they want, but that hasn't been happening for some time now. Do we dare hope that the winds of change are finally blowing? Maybe for good, this time. We'll just have to wait and see what happens with the next controversial bill, and in the meantime maybe we can start actually reinforcing our borders. Maybe.

As a conservative republican, I am dismayed at the results of the recent election. What were people thinking? More importantly, what are the republicans in Congress thinking? They were elected to do a job, and they didn't do it. I believe that is the main reason for the changes. If anybody voted for the democrats thinking they had a better plan, they are going to find out how much they DON'T have any plan for just about anything. Their main focus for the past two years has been to blast the President, calling for his impeachment based on his handling of the war. What they never seemed to grasp is who they would end up with if Bush was impeached. Do they honestly believe they would be any happier with Dick Cheney in the Oval Office?

I am as dismayed as the next person over the lack of performance of the so called conservatives in Congress, but to elect the liberals, believing they will make things better, is either ignorance of the situation or just plain lunacy. Do they honestly believe the war will go better with fewer personnel, less armament, shorter training periods, and fewer incentives for enlistments? If you really believe the democrats will do what they say, just take a look at their voting records. Most of them have their own web sites, or you can go to http://www.senate.gov. Make sure you put gov and not com. See for yourself how much good they have actually done for the country. Then remember that when you vote in 2008. And if you didn't vote in this election, don't complain about the government. That's what your vote is for.

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said "If you can read this, thank a teacher...if it's in English, thank a soldier." Amen to that. With all that's going on in the world today, especially in the middle east, we need more than ever to express our support for the troops fighting over there. You can go to Dear Abby and there is a link where you can send a soldier, sailor, airman or marine a letter. If you see a member of the military (the uniform usually gives that away) go up to them and thank them. Even if you don't agree with the war, they are still putting themselves in harm's way for us, and we need to let them know we appreciate it. Donate to a local Fisher House, where the families of wounded military stay to be close to their sponsors. Check out http://www.military.com/blog to see what those who are doing the fighting have to say about it. If you live close to a military hospital, take in some treats for the wounded. They also need underwear, socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes and all kinds of other stuff like that. There are sites that tell you what different units overseas need; check them out. After the foiled terror attempts last week, we need to realize move than ever that this war is not over, and the military is not wasting it's time or resources keeping the war off our front porch.

My husband is retired Army, but that is not why I'm doing this. I really believe that these brave men and women are doing a job that needs to be done. Remember, the military is the only job in the country that allows your boss to order you to go get shot, and if you refuse, you can be jailed. Even so, every member has volunteered. We need to remember that more than anything else. They go in with their eyes open; they are under no illusions, and still they go, some more than once. Do we realize how lucky we are to have these heros among us? I think not, or we would treat them a hell of a lot better than we do.

America would not exist without the military. If you are free, thank a soldier.

Well, I went to the doctor's yesterday and dropped off the letters for Airman Pride (that's his name). I was disappointed that there were only five; I was hoping for a whole lot more. The office staff was pleased that I did that and more than willing to make sure that he got them. Now I am hoping (PLEASE) that I will have more to take in the next time I see the doctor the end of May. That gives you all two months to let this brave fellow know that his actions were appreciated. There aren't many of the Tuskegee Airmen left; indeed, there aren't many of anybody from World War II left. This is your opportunity to express your gratitude for all you have to some of the people who made it possible. And to those of you who did send the letters, thank you. I was beginning to think nobody cared. Thanks for proving me wrong.

Another example of the fine reporting job of the main scream media : remember earlier this week when a tape was uncovered of Mike Brown of FEMA supposedly warning President Bush that the levees could breach? Well, it never happened. He said they might OVERRUN, which means the flood waters might flow over the top of the levees, but that would not be enough to break the levees. A breach is a hole which causes the levees to fail. Once again, the main scream media ran with a story without checking it out. But then, what surprise is there in that?