Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

Please be respectful to others with differing opinions. 

Jim Coats

DeWitt.  I'm putting you down as a "maybe" for Trump.

P.S.  Until Trump starts talking about his ideas for the future of the country....the things we care about....I remain on the bubble.   To be honest, I think Biden might beat Trump because Trump invokes so much hatred from the other side.

Michael Kelly

A BASIC REALIZATION AND SHORING UP FOUNDATION  I have an opinion that I've held for some time, but it does not originate with me and is recognized and very recently reinforced by outside events that to me verify the truthfulness of my opinion.  When I see people who are diametrically opposed to the positions held by one another, it has been my observation that often the person or persons who are Correct and Right, will because of their inherent tendency to be Reasonable, soften their position and compromise with the other side, who, whether Right or Wrong, maintain a Force of Personality that manifests itself in strident insistence until they gain the day and win the argument doing damage to many with their "Victory", This most recently in my opinion manifested itself in the Enforced Governmental Shutdown of our entire Economy because of the Pandemic which had to do with an Insistence of the Rightfulness of opinion and sliencing of opposition than with real Scientific Findings. Adolph Hitler maintained his maniacal hold on the Germans preaching his hatred of brown-eyed peoples, until the gereral populace "gave in to the strength of his insistent Hatred over the Teachings of Religious Beliefs of the Majority of the German Populous" leading to WW II and the extermination of millions of people because of the Lack of Sustained Opposition from the German People. 

Now I'm going to bring this down to why I went into the explanation above. Why is Donald J. Trump so as some say, "Universally Hated"??? No proof exists that he has murdered anyone. No one has ever said that He stole a Fortune from anyone? He has never told an outright Lie about himself, or anyone else! His failings are commonplace, and not at all harsh compared to others. Yet, immense Hatred is directed towards Him. Why? Most believe that a Man lesser Attitudinally constituted would fold up their Tent and go home. I think that is probably true, for I don't know of another Man who has the peculiar composition of Character to put up with and counter the personal attacks on themselves personally. Incredible endurance. Heart. Cowboys look for and feel themselves blessed to have a Horse that has "Heart" which to them, means a Horse that can go 70 miles a day, and the next day is still ready to go. The Apache Indians under Geronimo used to get an extra five miles out of their horses, and then camp where the Cavalry chasing them could see their fires at night but the cavalry horse couldn't go 100 yards more. This is the Endurace and Heart I speak of. Trump has it.

I think my Explanation is the most accurate. Someone (and I say Someone with very strong suspicions of who these people would be) wants him OUT OF HOLDING OFFICE FOR THEY FEAR HIM SO MUCH THEY TREMBLE AT THE MENTION OF HIS NAME IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT. HITLER AND OTHER HATE MONGERS TEACH US THAT IF YOU TELL A LIE OFTEN ENOUGH ABOUT SOMEONE YOU WILL CONVINCE A LARGE ENOUGH GROUP TO FOLLOW THE HATRED WITHOUT KNOWING WHY, JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE WHAT THEY PERCEIVE TO BE A SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE POSITION. TRANSLATION   THEY ARE IN FEAR OF THE NEGATIVE OPINIONS OF NEIGHBORS. 

WE ARE SOCIAL BEINGS. NOT CREATED TO BE LONERS. A DETERMINED LIAR CAN BILK OR DECEIVE US WITH PERSISTENCE, OR CONVINCE OTHERS TO SHUN US IF WE DON'T GO ALONG WITH THE PERCEIVED MOST POPULAR OPINION. 

THIS ELECTION IN 2024 IS AN ELECTION WHICH MAY DETERMINE THE FURTHER EXISTENCE OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC. DON'T LET HATRED OR BIAS DIVERT YOUR ATTENTION FROM WHAT SOMEONE ELSE SAID HEREIN, CHOOSE WHO IS GOING TO DO THEIR BEST TO PRESERVE OUR NATION AS A FREE, CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC. TAKE HEART BE DETERMINED MAKE YOUR CAMPFIRE BURN BRIGHTER AND ALWAYS CLOSER TO THE GOAL OF VICTORY.

Frank Wiley

I hope you got to see on FOX  today the Gold Star Parents of the Marines, Navy, and Soldier who died at Abby Gate in Afghanistan during the pullout.  Almost to a person they said they were lied to.  California Representative Darrel Issa got them all together for their testimonies.  Google: Gold Star Families Speak Out Everyone who claims they Love America should watch.  

Bill Kaehler

Dennis re #10682-  Your post is thought provoking.  You have made a list of scenarios under which your question is . . . conservative or liberal?  If I (or anyone else for that matter) were to answer those questions it would be a pretty straight-forward and interesting exercise.  Each answer would be a product of personal values, experiences, morals and ideology.  Key word here is "personal".  So, personally, I would separate those I thought were political in nature from those I thought were more moralistic in nature.  And, as I posted earlier, my conservative political views are often (not always) driven from what I have experienced and learned from the likes of Goldwater, Buckley, Reagan, Sowell, Friedman and others. So, the candidate that most closely reflects my personal conservative views AND has the best chance of being elected, gets my support.

Jim Coats

REMEMBER THE THIRTEEN.

Bill Kaehler

DeWitt- Yes, probably we disagree on Trump's chances against Biden.  After all, it doesn't make us bad people does it?  Trump vs Biden . . . seems like an old movie I've seen before and one that has run its course.  That, in my opinion would be a 50-50 race, at best.  DeSantis, Haley or Scott.  Any of those three would beat Biden by 5+ points.  Ramaswamy would be interesting, but he's not too well known.  If the democrats would throw Biden overboard (as they probably should) and turn to Gavin Newsome, then Desantis would be the best choice.  A campaign about how California has done with Newsome versus how Florida has done with DeSantis has my mouth watering. 

Bill RIHS

Frank, I saw the Fox show with the families of the 13 lost during the stupid incompetent Afghanistan withdrawal, shamefully and heart wrenching to listen to their stories while the Lyin Biden leads the Lyin military assholes.

DeWitt Bacon

Bill Kaehler. Right, disagreeing does not make us bad people. It shows that we use our right to form our own opinions. Two of the three candidates you mentioned are trolling at the bottom. Trump still has a healthy lead over DeSantis. How can you expect them to beat Biden when they can't even come close to beating someone in their own party? Granted, if the Dems get their way and get Trump out of the race, DeSantis would be my second choice. No, this is not the same movie you saw in 2020. 2024 will be a remake with better actors and a different outcome. It's possible that Biden won't even be playing the antagonist. It may be a 50/50 race now, but the actual campaigning hasn't even begun yet.

Jim C, What do you mean by " a 'maybe' for Trump." lol

Jim Coats

The following example of Biden lying is so despicable, it needs to be repeated.

Yesterday, family members of THE THIRTEEN who died at Abbey Gate, Afghanistan testified about their grief and the lack of attention paid by “OUR” government to the cause and deaths suffered by the thirteen service members who died during Biden’s botched retreat from Afghanistan.

A Gold Star Mom said the following…..speaking of what Joe Biden said to her about Beau Biden: “His (Joe Biden’s) words were, ‘My wife, Jill and I know how you feel.  We lost our son as well and brought him home in a flag-draped coffin.’”

This, of course, was a lie.  Maybe the lie of lies!  EVERYONE knows Beau Biden died of cancer in a hospital…with family, including Joe Biden present.  Tragic….yes….but President Biden cannot “steal the honor” from The Thirteen and make a false comparison to service members who died in combat.  You cannot parse the words to make what he told that Gold Star Mom acceptable.  He actually made the conversation about HIMSELF.

There is no more accurate word to describe the liar in the Oval Office than DESPICABLE.

SECURE THE BORDER!!  ENFORCE THE LAW!!  AMERICA FIRST!!  FOLLOW THE MONEY….RIGHT INTO THE OVAL OFFICE!!

Michael Wetzel

I read this morning that biden has set another new record above all presidents, that includes past and present presidents. He has now taken approximately 367 days of vacation in  2 1/2 yrs. as president. That's one year of vacations folks. That is more than 40% of his total time as setting president....If what I read is correct and true, he also owns, and recieves payment of, 10% of China's production of and importation of lithium. I have not verified this as yet....The corruption of the biden crime family, is beyond measure...........

Frank Wiley

So I was wondering--If Hunter and Devin Archer were such experts in the Oil Industry and Ukraine, Russia, and other countries paid them millions of dollars in consulting fees, why didn't Exxon or Chevron ever hire them. Hmmm?

DeWitt Bacon

Frank.

"How dare you lie about such nonsense, you MAGA FASCHIST?  I know about these things because I was once on the board of both CHEVRON and EXXON." Joseph R. Biden

Michael Kelly

Frank W.  Hunter and Devon Archer WERE NOT WORKING FOR OUR COUNTRY IN SECURING FUELS FOR THE USA, NO, WHY WORK FOR CHEVRON OR OTHER AMERICAN OIL PRODUCER THAT IS A CLIMATOLOGY NO NO, THOSE TWO NIMRODS WERE WORKING FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES, THUS THE BRIBES AND CLASSIFIED DOCS DAD HAD SECURED OVER THE YEARS FROM HIS FREQUENT VISITS TO THE SECRET DOCUMENT CUBBYHOLES OR WHATEVER THEY CALL THEM. THESE BOYS WERE PLAYING FOR THE BIG BUCKS. WHY LET AMERICAN INTERESTS GET IN THE WAY.

its cyclical Order, now the roar and hullbaloo is over the Immigration Disaster again, New Yorks Vegetarian Mayor ex cop Adams is P & Ming over the glut of immigrants that are arriving in NY and the drain on its resources. What a Dope, Just stop being a Sanctuary City, State, and Refuge area from the Border Patrol and immigration authorities. Build the Wall ( you need to talk to the Governor of Texas about this, he has some helpful hints, you know Governor Abbott. Reach Out to Him,Reach across the Aisle yuk yuk).Despite very Good Advice from members of Congress and Governors of Border States, the Immigration Crisis has not improved since the last time anybody cared to say they Care. 

Well Well Well, How did all those Fires get started in Hawaii, Could it be they were deliberately Started! Certainly this possibility is another Argument of the many to CLOSE THE BORDER.for not only are people coming across our Southern Border ordinary seekers of help, but some are Terrorists, and they are not above starting Fires to destroy American lives.

GET RID OF DENIERS OF LOGIC, AND THE REST WILL EVENTUALLY TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

Frank Wiley

Hi De Witt--I didn't know that you followed Lyin Biden that closely??  😂 LOL     N.S.--New York City went into a cith park with youth soccer fields and almost overnight turned it into an Illegal imigrant community.  The taxpayers of New York City are deservedly receiving what they voted for just like the citizens of Chicago are getting what they voted for, just as the citizens of L.A. are getting what they voted for, just as the citizens of__________________. (Fill in the Democrat City) are getting what they voted for.

Frank Wiley

Garland just appointed a Special Counsel to investigate Hunter.  The screws are tightening on Hunter and the Lyin Biden's!!

DeWitt Bacon

Frank and Michael. Biden's immigration policy is to have no policy at all. OPEN THE BORDER AND LET THEM FLOOD INTO OUR COUNTRY" is the policy. And Myorkis sits before Congress with his smug look and says, "THE BORDER IS NOT OPEN. WE HAVE OPERATIONAL CONTROL." Bull shit. The only ones with operation control of the border are the cartels. The left welcomes them in but says, "NOT IN MY BACK YARD." They want a "REMAIN IN TEXAS AND ARIZONA" policy

In hot, dry areas in the summer, forests can become a tinder box. The slightest spark can erupt into a gigantic forest fire like a carelessly tossed cigarette or match. However, the last few years have seen many devastating fires caused mainly by a lack of proper forest management, such as clearing out dead and fallen trees and underbrush and building fire breaks and roads for fire fighting equipment. And yes, it is also from some mindless climate freaks wanting to prove their unprovable CLIMATE CHANGE theories.

DeWitt Bacon

Frank, I'm confident that this special counsel investigating Hunter will be a tough investigation into the truth. 

Jim Coats

CHECKING IN ON WOUNDED SPARTANS

1.  Mike Kelly.  How's your leg?  Everything working out since the surgery?  You don't mention it.

2.  Mike Wetzel.  What's the status on your back surgery?  Still waiting for it?

3.  Anybody else?  Want me to tell you about all my aches & pains??  I will, you know.  I'm like Chistopher Meloni on Law & Order, SVU doing those Tommy Copper ads.  He wakes up every morning and says..."there's a new one" meaning pain.  Don't know about you, but I can relate.

Frank Wiley

Andy McCarthy--Former Assistant U.S. Attorney.  Says putting Weiss in as Special Counsel is a scam because Weiss is part of the Justice Department and it was a move to continue the cover up.  Yes you two Michael's, how are you doing??

Michael Kelly

Coats et. al.  You inquired about the left leg I have left. Well, Jan 10, 2021 the lower half which had turned Gangrenous, came off. Later, the Vascular Surgeon told me it was blood clots due to Covid 19 which I had a bout with Jan 2020 that caused the loss of my leg. When I got Covid probably Christmas 2019, I ran a severe Fever, recovered but never fully recovered my previous Stamina, due to the blood clotting condition. So after the limb came off I was in Rehab wound healing, and then about 3 weeks post surgery I slipped on the Floor using the Walker, and cut a rather large gash about 3 inches long and a one inch deep in the stub which due to force of habit, I used to break my fall, but it was a much further fall. I of course, did not cry and I could not even utter a Cuss Word because it hurt so damned bad. So then Rehab was prolonged and I had to let the large Gash recover, which had some complications. Finally in March 2022 I got fitted with a Prosthesis, even did a Trial in San Luis Obispo, was driving back and forth myself Getting Used To The Device. Cruising along, developing endurance with walking distances. You know, people are very nice and really willing to help out. So December 2022 I had a bad bout with some kind of vicious Flu and went to the Hospital, there for 11 hours and the Hospital Staff made repeated attempts to jam my left leg onto a Foot Pedestal on the Wheel Chair. This created a Blister, and a very Cranky old man (Me) 3 days later the blister had turned into a hole in the Stub about 2 inches deep and 3 inches across. I went to the Hospital again, they gave me pills, told me to go home and Socialized Medicine kicked in. Still have the remainder of the Terrible Wound left to heal up Thank God it is healing and I still have my left leg below the left knee. Soon I will be back on the Prosthesis again and will be doing better. I am planning on attending one of your get togethers and communing with some of my Junior Classmates. I was born in Jan 1947 so I am older than most of you youngsters.

Since that has happened, my Law Practice had all but come to a Screeching Halt, but now it has again begun to thrive and I am going to Court and doing Trials once again. I miss my Horses, and Winston Churchill said "One of the best things for the insides of a Man, is the outsides of a Horse" When you are fortunate enough to have a friendship with a good horse, it really is calming, and causes one to appreciate your Surroundings much more. Never Give Up Keep Trying. Thanks for asking about my temporary setback and it gave me the opportunity to speak about recovery. Have a Good Weekend All. 

Frank Wiley

Michael K.--I which I lived closer so I could be of assistance.  What a run of bad luck.  I'll pray for you and you hang in there!!

Michael Wetzel

After Michael's story, what can I say? My problems are just trivial ! All I can say is Michael is pure Man, all the way. Michael, I have, and will continue to Pray for you !...I am still just trying to stay upright as much as my back will allow, doing much better, getting my legs stronger, waiting for my surgery...Thank you, for inquiring about us, very thoughtful of you guys...I would try to attend the next get together, but I'm not real fond of down town Phx. Have fun.........

Bill RIHS

Micheal K. Wow! You have definitely been through the mill. You are a tough dude. I wish you a speedier return to normal. Thanks for the story. Most of us have had issues and it's good to know I/we are not the only ones. Take care Buddy!

Jim Coats

Mike (Lefty) Kelly.  You always were stoic, even as a kid.  I thought it was because you were a Southpaw and felt weird.  Wait a minute....my Dad was a Southpaw.  Hell....my wife is a Southpaw!!!

After reading your post, I'm not going to whine about my problems......as much.

I hope your healing continues.  Julie and I are praying for you.  Take care my friend.  Keep talking to us on The Forum.  I enjoy your cross between Will Rogers and Louis L'Amour style....although I do admit sometimes you almost serve too high for me....but I struggle through and eventually get it.

10-4  Over and out.

Michael Kelly

You Friends are Great. I am encouraged. Mike Wetzel and Jim Coats and all the Rest with Back Problems I sure do sympathize with you. I had a very badly injured Sciatic nerve on the left side and after two weeks the pain disappeared Thank God. What misery I don't carry Railroad Ties on my shoulder anymore. 

I notice that Glenn Youngkin of Virginia now leads Biden by 7 points in a What If Poll of who would you favor as a President. Youngkin denies any interest and I think he is being Truthful. Youngkin reminds me of the Actor Jimmy Stewart, and it would be like a real life "Mr Smith goes to Washington" if Youngkin was elected as President. He has that Straight Shooter Character we need in the White House. I would somewhat fear of his Naivete with the DC Crowd who preen about being in "The Club'. 

I am amazed at the Baseball performances of the Angel Shohai Ohtani. Not only is he a Home Run Hitter with more than anyone else this year, but he is a very good Right Handed Pitcher. I think the Angels toyed with the idea of Trading him for a whole team, but he decided to stay and try to help them win a Series this year.At least he bats from the Left Side of the Plate.