Today, I visited both John Kerry and George W. Bush’s web sites, looking for inspiration on online fundraising. If it weren’t for the campaign logos in the upper left hand corners, it’d be easy to confuse the two sites: On Kerry’s home page, there are two pictures of Bush (and only one of Kerry); on Bush’s home page, there are two pictures of Kerry (and only one of Bush). I’m not exactly sure what this says about negative campaigning … but I don’t know if putting more photos of your opponent on your web site than photos of yourself is going to get you into the White House.

I’m also amazed at other similarities between the two sites:

Quick glances at both sites says to me it doesn’t really matter who I vote for in November.

A few weeks ago, Newman finished basic dog obedience. Here he is with his trainer, Sherry Knez, who teaches through the Bloomington-Richfield community ed program. She’s an awesome trainer, and the classes are a good bargain. It’s too bad Newman still doesn’t behave.

This is the first thought that pops into my head when I see all of these damn protesters. It’s not that I’m against people having the freedom of speech, it just seems like the time could be much better spent. Protesting and demonstrating at this point in the game isn’t going to change anything that’s going on in Iraq. It’s not going to end the war sooner. It’s not going to make Saddam Hussein surrender. It’s probably not even going to change the opinions of that many Americans. But it might make real difference if you go and help someone.

The simple fact of the matter is that those that are protesting probably don’t have the foggiest clue what it’s like to serve your country in peacetime, let alone war time. Now, I still have mixed emotions about if we should really have our men and women of the Armed Forces fighting over in Iraq. But I can tell you this, I know what it’s like to serve in the military and if I was in Iraq for whatever the reason, it sure would be nice to know that the people at home were doing something constructive with their time. Maybe they could even send me a care package with items I can’t just go out and buy at the mall like they can.

Finally, all of this reminds me of a quote who’s author escapes me “I may not agree with what you are saying, but I will fight for your right to say it!” So to all you protesters, make sure to think of all the men and women who died for freedom over the past 200 years and thank them for your right to protest when they get home.