Who agrees?

I helped my sister move out tonight. It was nostalgic.

She even told me thank you, although she didn't have to. But it did give me a chance to tell her that it was my pleasure. We're in America and we say please and thank you. Some people think that family and close friends shouldn't have to say please and thank you, because it infers a distance. It is really hard for me to explain this philosophy, but I do understand it. Politeness is formal, and shouldn't be used in informal settings. I don't have to hug my family every time I see them, say hello and goodbye, or shake their hand, but I do think that a simple thank you is nice just to let someone know you appreciate them.

Back at Work

It's nice to be working 40+ hours a week! I'm glad to be hanging out with my home boys once again.

What I don't like about being back in the real world is that I haven't read the news in weeks, and haven't had many political thoughts. However, tomorrow is the Gallatain County Republicans kick off party, and I'll try to make it.

This last weekend I was up all night twice. Danelle had quite the little get together, of which I'm still recovering. Anyway this post is going nowhere so I guess I'll see you when I see you.

Campaing Trail Day 5

Wednesday and Thursday night we stayed with my good friend Shane Johnston. It was a pleasure to see him, as well as Todd and Tim. Thursday we went to Seeley Lake, Arlee, and Missoula. Today we went to Hamilton, Ronan, Corvallis, Florence and the rest of Ravalli County before driving to Kalispell. On the way here we put up signs in Polson, Elmo, St. Ignatius and the rest of Lake County.

Tomorrow we're doing Flathead County and then going to the Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner in Ronan, where Congressman Rehberg will be speaking. We'll stay here again tomorrow night, and then head home Sunday, probably putting up signs on the way home.

That pretty much wraps up the trip. What can I say? I've enjoyed it. How could a person not enjoy driving around Montana? This place is beautiful! When I was in Missoula, after being away for less than a week, I was reminded how much I love that town. What a great place!

I'm so excited to start an 8-5 job, live with my parents (and everything it entails), see my home boys (my friends from MHS), float (kayak) every river in the GV (Gallatin Valley), and learn how to write a decent parenthetical sentence.

Campaign Trail Day 3

It has been tough to find internet. Yesterday, Tuesday, we woke up in Billings, loaded the truck with more signs, and headed out. We stopped in Gallatin County and hung up some signs. If you are in Bozeman, you'll notice the huge Rehberg sign on 19th Street.

We left Gallatin County and headed for Silver Bow County. We hung up quite a few signs on the interstates going into Butte. From Butte we went for Helena, where we met up with three girls from the College Republicans who helped us out for the night. We were hanging up signs until midnight. We stayed in Helena at their house.

We hit the road very early the next morning; Wednesday, which is today. We were headed for Cascade County. We stopped in Augusta, Sun River, and some other tiny towns on our way to Great Falls. After all that we drove to Missoula, which is where I am now.

Campaign Trail Day 1

Well, it should technically be day three, because I drove to Billings Sunday night, and now it is Tuesday even though it feels like Monday. Get it?

But since this is the first post of the campaign trail it has to be day one. Will Selph and I are working for Denny Rehberg, driving across the beautiful state of Montana hanging up highway signs and yard signs.

Sunday I drove Will's house and got here pretty late. It was Mother's Day after all. Woke up Monday morning and went to campaign headquarters. We made a bunch of phone calls to all the people in Yellowstone County that wanted signs, and then hit the road.

Now it's sixteen hours later and I'm going to bed. I'll try to find internet every place I stay, but it might be tough.

I went on a drive through Lolo National Forest on Tuesday. It was great fun. I went northeast from Missoula to Salmon Lake, and then went west to Placid Lake and then onto Jocko Lakes. I kept heading west and came out just south of St. Ignatious on the Flathead Reservation. Beautiful country, as the pictures show.

George W. Bush

First, I just want to say what a great year I had with the College Republicans. You all are dear friends. I can't say enough about this organization. It has become very special to me. We had the year end BBQ and it was nothing short of amazing. William Selph, our beloved State Chairman, has posted pictures on Facebook that definitely warrant a look, if not for the pictures then for all the witty captions.

With that said, I'd like to tell you a little story about my speech class. We have to give commemorative speeches as our last speech, and in them we are supposed to use metaphors and similes. One girl said, "I want (something I forget) almost as bad as I want Bush impeached."

It's pure ignorance, of course, but still fired me up enough to write the following speech as I commemorate George W. Bush.

As a disclaimer; This is a biased view, and one I may not have. I wrote this speech as if I were hired by the White House.

In 2000, the vote recount in Florida. In 2001, September 11. In 2002, the war in Afghanistan. In 2003, the war in Iraq. In 2004, reelection. In 2005, a push to modernize social security. In 2006, a struggle to lead a nation with very little support.

George W. Bush has had to endure more than any other recent president. But through all of this, he has personified what it takes to be a great leader. He hasn’t bowed to extremist activists, but rather made decisions he believes in and stuck to them. He has stood his ground, like we expect leaders to. He has been the people’s perfect president, and for that we commemorate him today.

In 2000, with the election becoming very controversial with the vote recounts in Florida, he remained dignified and poised. Upon entering office, he fulfilled campaign promises as he cut taxes for all Americans, stimulating economic growth and prosperity. Because of this, we have more Americans that want to work, working and more Americans that want to own homes, owning homes.

In 2001, Bush responded to the attacks of 9/11 like a bear awakened from slumber. Within two weeks we had troops on the ground in Afghanistan, fighting the Taliban, supporters of Osama bin Laden, so we don’t have to face the terrorists at home. We haven’t had to yet.

In 2002, the Taliban is toppled, Osama bin Laden is on the run, al Qaeda is weakened, and America is a safer place to live.

In 2003, with many different countries claiming Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, and with the refusal to allow UN weapons inspectors in, Bush took the lead and acted in order to protect American civilians.

In 2004, Bush showed the nation what he stood for, and Americans responded by reelecting him as our president.

In 2005, Bush took the lead in the fight to fix social security. He lost this battle, but he lost while daring greatly, fighting for the people that elected him.

In 2006, Bush is unwavering in his decision. He knows what he wants accomplished and it is being accomplished. He is doing what is right for Iraq, America, and the security of the entire international system by finishing the job we started.

What we look for in a leader is the ability to lead, not cave into every whim, protest, or demonstration. A leader must do what is right, regardless of the nay sayers. A leader is elected to make tough decisions, and fight for what is right.

George W. Bush has consistently shown what it takes to be the president of the most powerful country in the world. Let us all hope our next president can do the same.

Thank you.

Please keep me in your prayers as I deliver this speech to a brood of liberals.