1,000,000 hits, Energy & Israel

Since the beginning of our U.S. Senate campaign, we've stressed the importance of separating our nation's energy and Middle East policies. It is clear Iran is using its influence on Syria's and Lebanon's militant factions to stir up the swarm of bees, knowing full well Israel would make a responsive strike. Iran, once a U.S. ally, is doing this to provoke the U.S. influence on Iran's desire to have a nuclear reactor.

Remember when President Bush pledged he'd take all means necessary, including military action, to take down terrorists and the countries harboring them? The misguided Iraq invasion is replete with strategic and tactical blunders that have cost unnecessary loss of lives. Bush has reduced our forces in Afghanistan while the Taliban regains ground and Osama bin Laden remains free. Remember when Bush named Iran and North Korea as the "axis of evil"? North Korea has fired its long range missiles and Iran has the U.S. over a barrel of oil, so to speak. So now what? Tough talk by provoking and alienating other countries and selecting the likes of Bolton for the U.N. speaks volumes about what's needed to bring stability. Our military isn't big enough to plug all the dikes this administration is creating.

It's one thing for the United States to support Israel's right to remain a free and safe democratic nation. However, our lopsided diplomatic efforts with Israel's neighbors have been primarily guided by our need for foreign oil. Our nation's economy and perceived safety are directly tied to our military presence in the Middle East due to this dependence. Since last year our campaign anticipated a civil war between the Shias and Sunnis, forcing our continued presence in Iraq and our economic vulnerability associated with the volatility of oil prices.

So much for walk softly and carrying a big stick. . . More like bull in a china shop with bravado putting others' lives on the line. We need "great communicators" who understand implied threats are often more powerful, especially, when support exists among other nations.

We do need vigilance and stronger domestic security. We do not need so called leaders and their supporters playing chicken hawk. We need a balance in our Congress that stresses building bridges across her aisles and across nations. There's a time to unholster one's pistol, flip the safety, then cock the hammer and there's a time when it's not done. Wise leaders know the conditions and consequences, especially when others are at risk.

Our campaign's bold vision was not just opposition of the Iraq war and how it has been prosecuted, but focus on how we can restore hope and honor through more prudent alternative energy, economic, foreign and domestic security policies. This might be why our website (www.carlsheeler.com) has received 1,000,000 hits and counting. It's a fact those political polls seem to be missing. It's time for leadership... for a change.