American Soldier- Toby Keith (tribute)

I have honored those fallen. This video and post goes to men like my "little brother" Chief Marty Moore. They stand at the gates and get the job done, and lose their brothers in the cause. Remember those guys and gals too. They are what keeps us free. Enjoy your bbq and the great races. But, remember the folks who make it all possible.

Trace Adkins - Arlington

I think of the boys of Saluda, whose names are on the that little stone at the county courthouse. My great uncle, Ira J. McCarty has his name there. Others have joined him. While you are enjoying the races, the bbq and the fun this holiday weekend, take time to rememeber those who made it all possible. For Sgt. Ira J. McCarty and for Capt. Eric Bergstrom (USAF). May we never forget the thanks we owe you for the things we have and the lives we live. We are in awe forever to your sacrafice for our freedom.

Their wives and sweethearts never had the happy homecoming. They gave the full measure of devotion for us and this country we live in.

This and every Memorial Day, we are in awe of their full measure of devotion to our nation.

School Choice: The Legal elephant in the room

The major problem that those advocating vouchers/tax credits for private education ignores is what happened to higher education. On the state and federal levels, political leaders found a way to issue tuition grants and other assistance to students who attended private higher education institutions.

It sounds good, right? Well, take a look at what happened. Once government dollars were sent flowing to private colleges, clever lawyers found a way through lawsuits to make sure that those private colleges met certain government standards in order to get the money. In other words, once truly private institutions became quasi public institutions in that they had to dance to the government tune, so to speak, to get the money.

Now, we have very powerful political forces at work in South Carolina telling us to that our government needs to advocate school choice and a voucher or tax credit plan. Again it seems good. But, with the legal precedent set by the situation with private colleges, it is clear the situation could not end up as planned.

If the government, at any level, gives you money to send your kid to a private institution for K through 12 education, you can rest assured some clever lawyers will find a way to tie that to the situation to private colleges and make the private school you send your kid to dance to their tune for the money. Private schools who once called the way they educated children will have to answer to the government to get the money. That will defeat the purpose.

So, while those children in the areas of South Carolina who are really behind on the various measures of achievement are left trapped in the public schools of their area because there are no real private school choices for them, those parents in other areas of the state who do have private school options will find their children in schools subject to the government's regulations.

The school choice crowd's position is not well thought out, to say the least. If they prevail, the courts show it will be a false victory. It is better for them to use their energy and resources to reform public education as we know it and to call for real substantive changes in how things are done in public education. Making now truly private schools semi public ones just seems to be a waste of resources.

Bobby Jindal revisted

Back on March 12th, Voting under the Influence introduced voters to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal as a possible Vice Presidential pick by John McCain.

To update that post, it is widely reported in the press that Governor Jindal will be among a handful of politicians who will be the guests of Senator McCain over the this holiday weekend. It is suspected to be job interviews in a nice setting.

I believe McCain should pick Jindal for the following reasons.

First, Indian American businessmen will back the ticket strongly. That will make a dent in the money deficit the GOP faces. The GOP will have its first non-white pick on a ticket ever.

Jindal is young, charismatic and believes in hope. Heard that one before? Even if McCain/Jindal loses, McCain can affect the future of the party and help stop its decline with an energetic running mate.

The guy is sharp as a tack. He is not fluff. He is Ivy League educated, a Rhodes Scholar and a known policy wonk. Recent prominent national leaders such as Reagan and Bill Clinton not only were charismatic, they knew the issues of their respective times well. Jindal knows health care better than any other young politician in either party. Jindal also is an ethics champion.

Of course, some will say he is too young and lacks experience. However, Jindal has more years in DC than the Democratic nominee to be. It will be hard for Democrats to say" look how inexperienced your Vice Presidential nominee is," when their Presidential nominee has comparable experience.

Of course, picking a first generation Indian American who was born Hindu, (but now is Catholic) is a wild card pick. But, when you are behind in the money and you are up against a sensational candidate, you have to "roll the dice" so to speak.

Bobby Jindal will shore up social conservatives, dispel some myths about the Republican party and race, and give the nation a look at a new, optimistic and youthful Republican party in the future, win or lose this election. The Governor also might give the McCain campaign an injection of enthusiasm needed to win in November.

What do you think. Who are your picks for VP?