I'm very flattered that you take the time to read my entries daily. Thank you.

I'm the sort of person that wishes to have communication be ongoing, especially with people who can do so with civility. Far too often I find people in all spectrums of politics to be idological rather than thoughtful. That's why I wished for you to read my response, rather than have my words wasted.

I don't believe my conviction is in opposition to the calm I always try to live with. I believe the policies and leadership that Bush has shown were vile and among the worst your nation has ever known. I didn't come to this judgement lightly, but through years of research and personal experience. I feel that opposition to wrong can be done calmly but with the greatest of conviction.

I don't think that terrorism can be dealt with only with peaceful actions. To repell violence sometimes we need to resort to violence, but that always must be a last resort.

Terrorism is not irrational. Terrorism is a tactic like any other. That would be like saying, a cop firing at a hostage-taker to save the life of the hostage is irrational, or that the use of guerrilla warfare is irrational. It can sometimes be effective. America's founders used both terrorism and guerrilla warfare effectively to build your country. Perhaps they were wrong to do so, but they were successful.

There is no way to eliminate evil with more evil. Perhaps it can limit evil, but never cure it. Only good can defeat evil, only love disarm hate. We need to say to our world community that we'll help each other with kindness and work to end violence. That's the only way to stop the problem of terrorism, to win the minds of people across the globe. Terrorists are winning right now because America is proving them right with their violence.

America (and Europe before it) started this cycle of violence. Do you really think Muslems had no reason to hate America? Your government has long supported horrendous acts by terrible leaders in the middle east. Ask yourself why one of the greatest human rights violaters there, Saudi Arabia, is one of America's friendliest allies. Why did America put Saddam, and other dictators in power, overthrowing democratically elected leaders? Why did America train Osama and his ilk, giving him weapons and money? America gave the world reasons to distrust it and perhaps to hate it.

Both sides are wrong to use violence. Both sides are wrong to hate. We need to work to find alternatives, not just continue the cycle.

I put Osama and Bush in the same league. Using the Lord of the Rings analogy, one would be Sauron and the other Saruman, allies in violence but treacherous. You must remember that Regan and Bush Sr. created Osama. They trained him and provided for him immensely.

No, Kerry is not perfect, but of all American leaders I'd liken him to Aragorn more than any other. He has the resolve, leadership and compassion that Aragorn demonstrated.

I don't have faith that Bush can redeem himself. He's too corrupted with religious zealoucy and hatred for me to hold hope. I would love for him to completely change, but that seems unlikely.