Romney takes stage in Grand Prairie, Texas

At Freedom Concert, he praises troops, says U.S. will win war on terror

The more I hear about Mitt Romney, the more I like him. Of all the presidential candidates for 2008, he appears to be the only one with the class and dignity to win back the respect of the world. Say what you will about him but he is as honest and dependable as any politician out there.

Here's a report out of Dallas, Texas:

By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News
gjeffers@dallasnews.com
12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 15, 2007

GRAND PRAIRIE – Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told about 6,000 people gathered for a country music show that the country would win the ongoing fight against terrorism.

"There's a huge sacrifice being made by families and men women of this country around the world, and it's worth it because there's evil in this world," Mr. Romney said to a crowd gathered at Nokia Theatre for an event called Freedom Concert. "There are jihadists and there are fundamentalists who want to bring down moderate Islamic states and they want to bring us down as well, and they are not going to do it."



Mr. Romney is fresh off a victory in the Iowa straw poll and considered a front-runner in the Republican race for president.

But his campaign has work to do to win over Texans, many of whom are suspicious about the credentials of any candidate from Massachusetts – even Republicans.

Before introducing Mr. Romney, Fox News commentator Sean Hannity said it was hard to believe an elected Republican led a state represented by longtime Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Even so, Mr. Romney was greeted with applause, and his brief remarks centered on the contributions of the military troops and their families.

"There's war being waged by the terrorists," he said. "We're going to wage a war on them, and we're going to win."

The concert, sponsored by Mr. Hannity and WBAP radio, also featured retired Lt. Col. Oliver North and former House Speaker Newt Gringrich. It is one of several shows throughout the country designed to raise money for scholarships for the children of soldiers killed or permanently wounded in the line of duty.

Mr. Gingrich called for a three-day special session of Congress to react to the recent execution-style slayings of three students in Newark, N.J.

A new law is needed, he said, that allows local law officials to hold suspects charged in felonies until it can be determined if they are U.S citizens. Two of the suspects in Newark were illegal immigrants with long criminal records, he said.

"When young college students get massacred on American streets, we should act now," he said.

Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, welcomed concertgoers. Mr. Perry compared the current military struggle to the standoff at the Alamo and said those fighting in the military and their families understand that "Freedom is not free."

"There are some things that are worth putting your life on the line for, and freedom in America is that today," Mr. Perry said as the crowd screamed and cheered. "There ain't no place like Texas, and there ain't nobody like the United States military."

Then, at Mr. Perry's urging, the crowd, decked out in red, white and blue, began chanting "USA, USA, USA."

Ms. Hutchison had similar praise for the military and their families.

"Let me tell you a few things about our state," Ms. Hutchison said. "Number One, we love our military. We love our country."

The concert featured performances by Montgomery Gentry, Lee Greenwood and Collin Raye.

Friendships

A friend brought a couple horses over to our place to help eat down our overgrown pastures. One of his horses was a brooding mare with a young colt. I enjoyed watching as our dog, Sushi, got to know the new addition. Sushi is normally a little shy around the other horses around here but she has never experienced being around a new colt.


Their process of getting to know each other wasn't a whole lot different than that of their two legged masters. Here's a few photos of their budding friendship and a few pointers on making friends. Maybe there someone in your class, office, or neighborhood that you'd like as a friend. Afterall, todays a good day to start that friendship!

1. The quickest way to make a friend is to smile. When you smile, people think you are friendly and easy to talk to. Just remember that people would rather talk to your smiling face or your usual face than an angry or scared looking face.


2. Start a conversation. One easy way to start a conversation with someone is to say something nice about them. For example, you could comment on what a great answer they had to a teacher's question, how good their yard looks, how much you like their car, etc...Think about how great you feel when someone says something nice to you. Doesn't it make you want to keep talking to that person?

3. Ask your new friends questions about themselves. Who's their favorite singer, where do they live, who's their teacher, what do they do after school are all good questions to start a conversation. It's not really nosey to ask questions about people. It's the only way to get to know what they're like. AND, it's the only way they'll know that you are interested in them.

4. Make sure you have something to add to the conversation too. When someone asks you a question, do have an answer for them. Nobody knows you better than you!

5. Shy people often have some trouble with complements. When someone says something nice, us shy folk will often freeze in our tracks and say nothing. This leaves the other person wondering if they said something wrong. The best and easiest reply to a complement is a simple "Thank You".


6. Be a friend. People who show an interest in other People and who are kind and friendly make good friends. Remember, everyone wants to be around people who like to do similar things and people who are nice to them.

ON FRIENDSHIP:

We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everyhwere."
---Tim McGraw

"Never forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours."
---Ludwig Van Beethoven

"I believe that friends are quiet angels who sit on our shoulders and lift our wings when we forget how to fly."
---Unknown

"Trouble is a sieve through which we sift our acquaintances. Those too big to pass through are our friends."
---Arlene Francis

"The best part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family."
---Danica Whitfield


"Go through your phone book, call people and ask them to drive you to the airport. The ones who will drive you are your true friends. The rest aren't bad people; they're just acquaintances."
---Jay Leno

Personal Journeys

Our journey through life can take us to some beautiful places and introduce us to people and cultures that influence us forever afterwards. I've had the opportunity of visiting the orient (Japan and Korea), a visit to Vancouver, Canada and about two-thirds of the United States. I've been amazed at the variety of landscapes and lifestyles available for us to choose from.

A little over a year and a half ago, my wife and I made the decision to move from our home in Utah. We discussed our options and set out on an internet search of properties. We could go anywhere but we narrowed our selections down based on weather, community, lifestyle, ecomonics, etc. Over time we found ourselves in a little town in Southeast Texas.

We gave up the cold and snowy Utah winters for the hot and humid Texas summers. But we are pleased with our decision. Here's a few photos of our little ranch. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as we enjoy "walking" them!


View from our pond



A couple of the horses in the south pasture



Looking towards the old barn