"Drill Baby Drill!"

I have been pretty conservative when it comes to politics for a while. However, over the past couple of years I have realized that there are a few issues on which I am not so conservative.

I've never been a 'bible' conservative at all, and when it comes to religion, I have faith in some sort of higher power, but I am more of a 'show me some proof' type of guy. And protesters who use bible passages as their only reason for their stances have always rubbed me the wrong way. Protesters who get down right nasty all in the name of what 'the bible' says to me are using the same reasoning as terrorists, just not killing people. I don't really care what someone's sexual orientation is because it doesn't effect how I make my way in the world, and to each their own. I don't like how people think they can tell others how to live their lives based on the bible. Again, show me some practical proof that this is the be-all, end-all.

Another issue on which I am not with the conservatives and that is that I am largely pro-choice. Again this goes back to the 'telling people how to live their lives thing'.


And last but not least, I don't even know if you'd call this an issue, per se', but I don't like hunting. I could never pick up a gun and shoot a defenseless animal for sport. That's just not me. Using guns for protection is a different story.

There are a few other issues I am fairly liberal about that I won't get into, but let's just say that on everything else I am very conservative.

I won't get into everything but I do believe we need to have zero tolerance for terrorism, and stop showing compassion to proven criminals in our legal system.

Anyway, this blog is not about the issues, so I'll digress, I just wanted to point out that I can be fairly middle of the road at times. However I feel a lot stronger on my conservative views, so I consider myself on the right. Maybe not as far right as I once thought I was, but enough to be inspired by last night's Republican convention.

Now look, I don't know everything about politics. I am not educated enough on a lot of issues to really chime in on every last thing either. As I have grown into my early 30's I started to realize that I can't always put in my two cents on matters that I can't fully back up. I've been doing a lot of listening lately. I find you can learn a lot just by listening to others talk. But last night, it was Mike Huckabee who said something that made me realize that I am still definitely on the right.

Huckabee said "I’m not a Republican because I grew up rich, but because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me."

This struck a chord with me. I loved this line, and I almost cheered out loud when he said it. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it just did. If I had to guess it'd be because I have, for the past couple of years, been a huge proponent of making your own way in this world. Things aren't going to get handed to you in this life. Stop waiting for a free pass. Make your own luck. That's why things like affirmative action and welfare just don't sit right with me. But again, I digress.

Another thing Mr. Huckabee said was "Maybe the most dangerous threat of an Obama presidency is that he would continue to give madmen the benefit of the doubt. If he’s wrong just once, we will pay a heavy price."

I agree. Totally and completely, I agree. I want someone in office who is going to give zero benefit of the doubt to terrorist maniacs who think it is okay to decapitate innocent people on TV and hang dead bodies from bridges, then cheer about it.

Rudy Giuliani (My original choice for President) pointed out that during the Democratic convention, it seems that all the speakers were afraid to use the term "Islamic terrorist", perhaps worried how they'd be perceived by certain people. In other words, being 'politically correct' and not wanting to offend anybody. Who were they worried about offending? Terrorists? I think this burns me up more than anything.

So it is not just that I found VP candidate Sarah Palin extremely dynamic and inspiring last night, it's that I don't want people in office who are worried about offending every last person. Yes I am liberal on a few issues, but when it comes to the safety of our country and the threat of terrorism, I want someone who is going to be extremely tough.

Needless to say, last night I felt so inspired and enthusiastic about McCain-Palin '08 that I felt like I was watching a 'Rocky' movie. These speakers moved me to the point of excitement and goosebumps.