I was in the kitchen a few minutes ago getting ready to make my Lunch. I began to wash a frying pan from yesterday, but very soon forgot about the drudgery of the pan and began to recall the DVD we rented last night.

The movie was Cold Mountain. Outside of all the technical attributes of the movie regarding the excellent acting and direction in general, it was a film whose content, I could not easily shake from my conscious. I was left with a sense of forboding and malaise, and a sadness that had me stuck in an era. As though I was traveling in a Time Machine that brings on the Civil War horror, but which also brings me the fear of having to face the 21st Century.

The Story is about Love as well as War.

It is a story of a man's spirit so strong and determined to survive the ordeal, that overcoming impossible obstacles to his survival are only steps that will bring him closer to 'Cold Mountain', and the woman he barely has had a chance to know but whose love propels him forward.

It is a grueling, tortorous film, about a very long Journey home, about absolute violence and destruction in a War, blowing up, gunifre, and body parts and blood turning stagnant water and mud soaked hills to red.

From almost the opening credits we are immediately thrown into a battle. A lesson in Battle War tactics ensues, where one side thinks their enemy is asleep, when in fact they are planning an underground tunnel with stockpiles of explosives that ultimately reach the other side 200 yards away. With one light of the match, the 'line' of fire travels to the end where the explosives lie in weight diretly underneath the feet of the enemy.

I thought too,of the wretched 'Home Guard' bunch of rowdies portrayed in the movie, and of how the Bad Eggs of life take advantage of Wartime confusion, and turn it to their advantage, taking every 'opportunity' that falls in their way. Wartime practices that historically go back to the beginning of Man......your average wartime pillaging, raping, thievery and murder. Some of you might say War is allready Murder. Let's just call this Supplemental Murder.....occuring outside the line of Battle.

There has never been a Nation or a Country, that has not ever had Wartime Bad Eggs in their midst.

Centuries ago this War pillaging occurred enmasse, probably up to the time that the Russians first marched into the City of Berlin after Hitler fell. They were animals. I would say, that hopefully much of that has changed because of our long and slow process towards humanization.

But, it does not mean it has disappeared. We can all be thankful, for instance that the majority of our American Troops, for whatever reason they were sent to War, by the decisions of their Politicians, are good honest people. Subjected to a War, they made a committment, and should be honored for their lives on the line. But we should also be aware of those Bad Eggs that , although very few, do pop up now and again. It was what John Kerry was talking about when he returned from Vietnam. He was not talking about every soilder on the front. Just about a few that were committing atrocities. But I do believe some former Vietnam Veterans bitterly hate him because they all took it personally, and felt he was speaking of Everyone.

We have today, soilders in Iraq as well, who took advantage of the situation of War. The Prison at Abu Greb(sp?) is an example. The only one I am aware of.

The point about the pro and con of War is a very difficult and dangerous subject to approach. I really believe, ideally, in my heart of hearts, I would like to be a Pacifist. How can one watch or know of all this horror, historical film or news coverage, that doesn't leave you forever changed at Man's inhumanity to Man. Although I would prefer to believe that we would never have to face the devastation and horror of War, that sometimes, we have no choice. There is absolutely no way we could have let Hitler keep on trucking. The Civil War was not only about preserving the Union, but imparting legislation for halting a way of life that was destroying a country and a people. One-Hundred and Forty years later, you still have a Dixiecrat, who is affected by they hatred for Lincoln and his Republican Party. Zel Miller should have been a Republican for his beliefs, but he is still stubbornly sticking to the Democrat Party although he hates their A--. A true Dixiecrat. It may not really be about Segregation or even Lincoln any more, it's just about an old Southern Goat who refuses to change.

So what am I saying? If you are reacting to the fact that I am pro War and Anti-War, simultaneously, you are correct. How could that be? Am I a Flip Flop? You know what. If you can't accept that, I feel sorry for you. No situation in Life is easy to figure out, be it War or changing Jobs, or putting your old Grandma in a Nursing Home. Speaking out or acting out something that can affect the lives of many people can NEVER be taken lightly. Especially in War. And every situation IS different!

I was on the fence about Iraq in the beginning. I was scared, as many people were, that Hussein had Nuclear potential. When WMD's were not found, it raised many questions. This is NOT about 9/11. Do any of you still remember , that we went after Al Queida, who were being harbored by the Taliban in Afghanistan? That is what President Bush did after 9/11. Many of us felt we had too. Irag opened up many new questions and doors we had to deal with. Saddam Hussein is not a likeable guy. Can you show me one American who thinks he is just terrific? Get Real! People who are stone against the War in Iraq are not Hussein lovers. That is just Kindergarten chain E-mail crap! Other Bilgewater tactics are if you were against the War in Vietnam, you are a Communist. Well, children you would get an ''F' in your Social Studies class. Same goes for the 'people' who believe that Democrats are Communists. Do they really believe that? Very scary. Although there is a Communist Website and Party, are you worried they will take over the Government? It is all very laughable for most of us, but that kind of Internet garbage is out there.

I do not know who is going to win this Election. I do not think if Kerry wins, we will all have to stand by and cover our heads, while our enemies destroy us.

Whatever your beliefs, you are entitled to them. You may not like Kerry's personality, and he may not be very 'folksy' or 'down home' as supporters like to call their President. But as I have said before, I do not vote on personality. I vote on competence. Remember that both Candidiates come from wealthy, privileged families. One wears a Cowboy Hat and Cowboy boots, and comes across as a Person for all people.(Kerry, apparently is not for the people?) The Democrats WANT to spend money on the people. Remember the Democrat slogan "Tax and Spend"? (The Republican Convention boggles the mind. Where is all the money going to come from...for all the 'Programs' Bush was proposing. Remember the Deficit---how many billion?) Maybe money grows on trees after all, and we won't have to pay more taxes if Bush wins. (chuckle, chuckle).

Ever hear about Marketing? Bush's Personalilty comes through and may be what the marketeer ordered. I do not hate him..........I am just not voting for him.

I like John Kerry better, I am supporting him and will vote for him in November.

I am afraid that enough has been said for this post, and I must delay, to another day, the reasons why this Blogger believes so stongly in John Kerry.