It's time to watch the news and open your eyes.

Readers, I ask you to open your eyes and look at the country you find yourself in.

These first 2 weeks of Sept. mark a year since H. Katrina, five years since 9/11, and months before midterm elections. Now more than ever, you must look at how your government officials have represented you. Note: most would say failed.

A year after the country's worse national disaster, a city is still in rumbles, dead remain unfound or await burial, people fear their home city will never be functional as it was (if it was), and the country still lacks a functioning approach to handle this disaster or future catastrophes that may occur. The blame and responsibilities have been passed around like a hot potato and it is time for some one to step up to the challenge, be it an organization at federal or state level. It isn't just about New Orleans though. Several areas faced severe natural disasters last year that need support.

I must say that after years of talk of the War on Terror, Op. Iraqi Freedom, National security, the "other" war, etc. we find ourselves with little results. We were told the war against Iraq was part of the war against terrorism and yet nothing could be heard of our progress in Afghanistan. Now called the 'other war' by the media, we are told that our troops will be met with more resistance there. In Iraq, our troops are part of a civil war (?) which results in Iraqi civilian casualties daily. There is no sign of leaving or giving the govt we helped establish full control of their own resources or troops. There is even the question of how we have made Iraq worse for its citizens and opened it up to more terrorist activity. Bush has gone on to deliver several speeches over the last few days about the need for continued support in the war in Iraq and against terror, wars that the majority don't believe we are successful in or should be in at all. And yet as we continue to fight terrorists, we still learn of more weaknesses in our national security.

Other issues like economy, social security, immigration reform and national borders, and education need attention. International issues are still there like Iran and its nuclear technologies.

Maybe, you don't trust polls and news programs that show only brief clips of stories you don't know the details for. Perhaps you look at the news and media as companies producing fear and distrust which I believe some are. Perhaps you don't know how many deaths have occurred because of these wars or how much they cost. Perhaps you are comfortable in your life ignoring these problems. You must open your eyes, question what you hear and what you don't, and you must vote in 2 months for those congress seats that will shape the next two years of our country. So, do a little research. It isn't just who is a Democrat or who is a Republican; it is about how they will react to these problems we face together or how they have proven they can't.

Some websites that might provide you with information:

The White House
U.S. Senate
House of Representatives
The New York Times
CNN

Please take the time to look at the bigger picture. Look at where our country is going. Question how the problems you ignore now while haunt you in the future (taxes, worse domestic policy, more American hatred). Hold accountable those who choose our actions.

In reading this, please know that I support our troops and the belief of freedom, and do not question those. I, as a citizen, question our leaders and how they have not acted to protect our nation, our troops, and its resources.

with that, I'm out.