POST SCRIPTS

Speaking of rumor mills, only recently it seemed like liberal America was ready to believe President Bush and his aide, Carl Rove, had deliberately leaked the Valerie Plame information. Oh, this was going to be a huge scandal, they said. Liberals across the land were convinced this allegation/rumor was completely true and they were jubilant, because it fit in so well with their own agenda to crush Bush; never mind what it was doing to our nation here and abroad. So self assured they were, they proclaimed Bush and Rove's pending demise. When the truth finally came out they looked foolish, but unfortunately there was still personal and political damage done. NO crime was committed and the responsible party was not even among the liberals targets. One man's life had been ruined and a number of other lives had been tarnish (it's hard to unring the bell). And it was all over nothing. Those that started it, just moved along as if it never really happened, no accountability and no responsibility.

Time and again, people are victimized by gossip, false rumors and false accusations, but sadly it never seems to slow down this loathsome proactice from spreading, especially when it involves a major political advantage. That's why it's said, "When it comes to politics, perception is as good as reality." Elections can be changed by rumors and we should all know that by now, especially if [said rumor] is released in the 11th hour, just enough time for the rumor to circulate and too little time for a response. Expect this tactic to be used in a number of races in about five weeks.

Do you remember when Bernie Richter's democratic challenger put out this rumor in the final days of their assembly race? Half truth rumor: "Did you know that Richter owns an establishment where police have investigated illegal sexual offenses involving minors?" Minors, sexual offenses and a political candidate! Oh my gosh, its the stuff rumors thrive on! Fact: Bernie called the cops once on a drunken bum urinating near his kids Playland building. That's it. When weighed against the truth it makes that half-truth look more like an outright lie...a deliberate attempt to spread a blatantly false rumor in a desperate attempt to win a few more votes.

Those with an axe to grind or an opportunity to exploit really don't care about the truth and they play on the character weakness of others to do their dirty work. They rely on others that have not learned from the repeated exposures to false rumors to spread even more rumors. They count on those types that would rather not examine anything too closely because the truth often ruins a titillating story or "it's just too much trouble". I believe those who are the new [masters of deceit] and constantly spread false rumors are winning. I've never seen Americans more polarized and at each others throats than now, and this can only be good for our enemies, enemies that would love to see us all go under. This is another one of those reality checks people...time to see the big picture and realize your part in it.

More than ever before in our history, America needs honest patriots at all levels of our society. A real patriot speaks the truth, challenges rumors and denounces liars. Doesn't matter if you are a voter or a Congressman, this is what you do to be a patriot. A patriot does this because it is the right thing to do for their country and it's a matter of personal character. All I'm asking you to do this election, as voters and as politicians, is be a patriot. Place our national interest ahead of any notions of personal gain or a special interest agenda. National interests, based on honor and integrity, ought to come first, before any other consideration. If we can do that, we will be worthy of being the leader for the world to follow.