Brand New Column

2004-09-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a regular columnist for the Kentucky Kernel, the student newspaper at the University of Kentucky. From time to time, I'll be posting links to my columns, along with excerpts. My latest column was originally published Thursday, September 23. It reveals a new flip flop by John Kerry. I had to do a little bit of background reading from the 1980's for this particular column.

Here are a couple of excerpts. As always, I'd appreciate any feedback at all.

"At the height of the 1988 campaign, following the Republican Convention, questions arose about vice presidential nominee Dan Quayle's 1969 enlistment in the Indiana National Guard. Led by liberal columnists, some Democrats alleged that Quayle used his family's influence and his enrollment in law school to avoid the draft.Kerry, however, sought to stay above the fray."

"Bush has maintained all along that he fulfilled his duties in the National Guard. In 1970, his now-infamous commanding officer, Jerry Killian, wrote that Bush was a "dynamic, outstanding young officer."

"Kerry should take a lesson from the last Democratic president. Bill Clinton was successful in deflecting criticism concerning his own Vietnam record, thus, it was rendered ineffective as a campaign issue. "

Thanks for reading!

Here's the link: http://www.kykernel.com/news/2004/09/23/Opinions/Bushs.Service.Solicits.Another.Kerry.FlipFlop-727880.shtml?page=2

Introductions are in order

2004-09-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

I suppose the first thing I'll do is introduce myself to anyone who may happen to find my thoughts interesting. I'm a 23 year old graduate student at the University of Kentucky. I'm also a columnist for the student newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel; I write about every other week, usually about politics.

Since political topics will be the main issues discussed, I think it's important for me to define myself politically. I consider myself a conservative with libertarian tendencies. On economic issues, I am a fan of supply side capitalism. I believe, as John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan did, that decreasing the tax burden on citizens increases government revenue. I would like to see less spending in Washington. The government wastes too much of our money on programs that have failed Americans for years.

My views on security issues closely resemble those of President Bush. I believe that the US must carry the fight to the terrorists, so they cannot strike us here. I supported the war on Iraq when it began, and I maintain my support to this day. I think the government can afford to increase military pay so that the families of our troops can make ends meet at home. At the same time, our military must be adequately funded.

Social issues really are a mixed bag for me. I think the War on Drugs has been a massive waste, and I would support decriminalization of certain drugs, with stipulations attached. I am pro-choice to the extent that I believe that abortion should be an option for victims of rape or incest, or in cases where the mother's life is in danger. I do not think that abortion should be used as a means of birth control. I have no problem with gays getting married, because I don't think that it would destroy the institution of marriage.

Obviously, I've left out a lot of issues. Some will inevitably be discussed in subsequent posts. I've always enjoyed receiving feedback from readers of the Kernel, and I'd appreciate feedback from anyone who reads my posts here. I'll try to keep my posts up to date, but as a student, I might not always be able to find time. I hope everyone enjoys my posts, thanks for reading!

The Common Sense Conservative

Brand New Column

Introductions are in order