Why Can We NOT All Agree?

Hey folks,

Happy Veteran's Day to you. You know, I just had a great time at the VNA Stuart Airshow yesterday. Pictures posted soon. I got to spend some time with some active and retired Military Men and Woman. I REALLY enjoyed myself and found a new respect for them, by their own words.

When I asked them what they thought of things going on in this country, not the first time I asked this, their answers are ALWAYS the same. "We do not care. We do not get involved in any of that. We just do our jobs to the best of our ability to do them. We KNOW what it is we are fighting for. That is why we are here." {In the Service}

I received the following from Senator Bill Nelson of Florida. I even shared it with some of them and they really appreciated it. Now I want to share it with you.

Senator Nelson is what I would call a Moderate. He is A Democrat, no doubt about it, but I would not go as far as to call him a card caring member of the LWL. I agree with him, and stand WITH him on some things, and on others we have STRONG disagreements on.

Sen. Nelson has been a vocal opponent of oil drilling off Florida's coast. He supports allowing the government to negotiate for lower drug prices from pharmaceutical companies in the Medicare prescription drug program. He is generally regarded as a moderate, and was among the few Democrats to vote in favor of CAFTA. He has also voted in favor of tighter bankruptcy restrictions and abolishing the estate tax. Nelson has received a 75-percent rating from the National Abortion Rights Action League. He has voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act as it had no exception for the life or health of the mother. He has also voted against a bill providing for criminal penalties for anyone harming an unborn child during the commission of a crime. In general, Nelson has high ratings from other left-of-center political action groups.

Nelson has also introduced legislation banning paperless electronic voting machines.

In 2007, the Senate Intelligence Committee voted on a measure to de-fund torture by the CIA except in "dire emergencies." Nelson was the lone Democrat to vote against the measure, but all Republicans voted against it as well, thus defeating it.

Senator Nelson is also a member of the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus.

But even though we disagree on many things, and unlike some of his "friends" in Congress, we can and SHOULD agree on this. Unlike some of his "friends," he is not taking this day to politicize or to attempt to further an agenda. Here is what he said.

Dear Peter:

Six years ago, families across Florida and our nation began sending beloved fathers and mothers, sons and daughters to far-off battlefields, where our nation remains at war against terrorists.

Each year since, citizens from Key West to Pensacola have gathered on Veterans Day to honor the sacrifices of the brave Floridians who over the decades have fought in great battles so that others may live free.

As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continue, and as the veterans of previous wars grow older and wiser, we know there will be more sacrifices ahead for our troops.

So today, let us pray for those who have so nobly served. It is only right that we honor the men and women willing to place themselves in harm’s way.

And let us remember that of the nation’s 25 million living veterans, Florida is home today to almost two million of them.

In return for their service, let us renew our commitment to all those who have worn the uniform--and to their children and families.

This is but one small way to thank them for their unselfishness and their bravery.

AMEN!
Peter