How cool a Republican? Well, look at the picture. It's the bar at the Spokane Doubletree, and it's the first place I headed to after landing. It was a nice place to deliver the necessary text messages, make the obligatory calls, and get myself together for this convention. I'm not going to bomb your abortion clinic because I happen to be pro-life. I'm not going to call you a "fag" if you're gay, even though I think that's not at all normal. I'm not going to basically disinherit you and bad-mouth you to my kids just because you have different beliefs, a different lifestyle or you don't want to let my personal choices invade your living space or potentially threaten your children. That's a damn cool Republican. I wish I knew more of them. Because a lot of these straight-and-narrow Republicans I see on television or at the mall or the family reunions kinda scare me.

Registration and Credentialing took an hour, and I was one of the first in line, so I'm glad I'm not one of those coming in later today, or tonight. After becoming an "official" delegate, I walked around down town for a bit and then came up to my room to update the blog. I've already run into many wonderful friends and associates of mine from Kitsap County, and I hope to run into a lot more.

I'll be updating you on the happenings from an almost AP-stylebook approach (haha, well, best of intentions!), but it will come, as usual, with personal anecdotes and observations.

I am a proud Republican but the "religious right" is an embarrassment to me, and I don't like that stigma. I had one lady approach me, trying to get my vote as a national delegate. She told me all the wonderful organizations she belonged to and I was impressed. But then she got into her church and positions she held there and this and that and my eyes sooooooooooo glossed over. Good for you, lady, but I don't want you carrying my torch all the way to City Hall, if you know what I mean.

Get a life. Let's work together to fix this country and get it back on track, restore its moral compass, and win back the respect not only of the world but of the people who LIVE in this country. Banging them over the head with the Bible isn't the answer. That kinda reminds me of what the radical Muslims do with THEIR particular brand of God's word ...

Ours would be a better party - a better country - if we practiced what we so freely preach. So take off the damn bumpersticker, take a break from the prayer chain letters, and start living it - start doing something about it rather than placating with the smooth suave of prayer and putting the silly little fish emblem on the back of the minivan. We can save ourselves, if only we can see past the end of our upturned noses.

God bless America. But He needs us all WORKING together to do it.

Note: I am a very spiritual person, just not a religious one. Wearing it on the sleeve accomplishes little and I, speaking for myself, have no use for the "trappings" of religion. Not into sacraments, chanting and rituals. It's the kindness and compassion you have when no one is looking that counts, not what is put on display for all to see. Fortunately, it's only a small percentage of the Republican party that makes the term "religious right" offensive to those of us who may be a bit more moderate, but still are loyal Republicans nonetheless. :)