" Dear Real Christian,
Thank you. My salvation is assured because of the promises of JESUS. I read the Bible daily, but I'm not reading the Bible wrong. The Bible is the Truth. John 1:1-2 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD. He was with GOD in the beginning." I'm a Conservative Christian. When I share and preach, I preach the truth. Not just what makes people feel good, but also what causes people to feel uncomfortable. If you share the truth, you can not skirt around the parts that are hurtful. You have to share the whole truth and nothing but the truth. After JESUS saved the woman who was caught in adultery from being stoned to death, HE said to her "Go now and leave your life of sin." We all must love the sinner and hate the sin as Jesus does. In other words, I accept the person but I do not accept the behavior. It's that simple. Sin in religious terms is defined as conduct that violates a moral rule. GOD requires all of us to repent from our sins. Repent means to feel such sorrow for sin and having the desire to change oneself for the better. Not one of us is perfect. We are all sinners. It's how we look at the sins that we commit. Here's something else JESUS said to his disciples, "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved". I'm not doubting your salvation. That's between you and GOD. However, I think you are being deceived by a liberal, seeker friendly church. "

" Steve, You can cherry pick verses from the Bible that you like and ignore the ones you don't very very well. However you are simply reading the Bible wrong. Simple as that.

You need to read ALL of the Bible, Not just the parts you like.

It may be that you need to re-evaluate your faith. I am here to help you. Please come back to Jesus Christ. He wants to save you from being lost. Christians have the light of the Holy Spirit in their lives and that light is the beacon of Jesus Christ in the darkness. Hell is a real place with real fire.

Please pray about this to the Lord and listen this time to what He says. Sit down with the Bible and read it a book at a time if you need to.

I'd be happy to help you in Jesus' name. "

" Dear Real Christian,
I'm not judging anyone. However, in my opinion I believe that what the Bible says about homosexuality is true.
Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."
Lev. 20:13, " If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them."
1Cor. 6:9-10 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of GOD? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers shall inherit the kingdom of GOD."
Rom. 1:26-28 "For this reason GOD gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men commiting indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge GOD any longer, GOD gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper." These are clear statements. As a Christain, how can you allow someone to damn themselves? "

" Dear Kevan,
Your presupposition of me is wrong. There's no hate. I care for my fellow man. The Bible tells all believers to witness to unbelivers in love. The most loving thing that a believer should do is to present the gospel in hopes of bringing others to salvation, to keep others out of hell. To share the love of GOD is my motivation and in my opinion, there is nothing greater. I believe that the Bible is the truth and you don't, and that's OK. My view is as valid as your view. "

" Steve said:
"Kevan, I'm sorry to hear that. Blessings to you and yours during this holiday season. "

Don't be sorry. I'm not. Your so-called "blessing" is touching, but it's obvious window-dressing designed to hide the fact that your "love" is actually hate. "

" Steve, you CAN'T be a CHristian. Jesus himself taught. "Do Not Judge". A person who claims to follow Jesus and doesn't do what Jesus taught is Not a Christian.

NIce try though. "

" Steve wrote "You are correct. Christians and Jews, etc. did not invent marriage. GOD invented it. In the beginning, he created Adam and Eve; One man, one woman."

No, the invisible pink unicorn created marriage. "

" Kevan, I'm sorry to hear that. Blessings to you and yours during this holiday season. "

" Just what we need....another self professed bible expert. "

" Steve, don't bother. I've read the Bible cover-to-cover several times. That's why I don't believe it. "

" To Kevan,
I am a Bible Literalist. Again, I believe that it is the inspired word of God without errors. Kevan, here's a website to look up, www.creationministries.org. It's a local ministry. Also, please read Romans 1:18-32 in the Bible. "

" Steve, you are wrong again. The Christian God did not invent marriage. Unless you believe the Earth is only 6,000 years old like all the other Bible literalists. "

" getting married is a state priviledge not a federal right. "

" Interesting that not a single person here understands the difference between the CIVIL Right of marriage and a Religious RITE called marriage.

The INALIENABLE RIGHT OF MARRIAGE in the state starts as a Civil Marriage. A marriage license is issued BY THE STATE. The couple goes to an officiator authorized BY THE STATE to exchange verbal commitments to their contract of Civil Marriage. The Officiator signs the marriage license as do the witnesses. The signed marriage license is returned TO THE STATE to be recorded and a Certificate of Marriage is issued.

NEVER ONCE IN THIS PROCESS IS A MEMBER OF THE CLERGY REQUIRED.

The couple have the INALIENABLE Right (First Amendment) to have the process the Officiator be a member of their chosen religious organization. The Religious RITE of marriage is performed by members of the clergy.

The idea that the Right of marriage is CONTROLLED BY the Religious RITE of marriage is absolutely incorrect and a violation of church and state. It is a blending of the authorities of the STATE and the Church. It is my personal opinion members of the clergy should not be officiating over the part of Marriage that is a civil matter.

Hey I think I've Got IT!!! The INALIENABLE CIVIL RIGHT of marriage should be officiated over by an authorized member of the STATE. The Religious RITE of marriage should be officiated over by a member of the clergy. That solves all the problems. The guy next door could get a Civil marriage to his girlfriend at the courthouse and then go to his Catholic Church that recognizes Hetero relationships and have his Religious Marriage RITE performed by the Priest. My gay friends could go to the Courthouse get a Civil Marriage and then go to THEIR church that recongnizes gay relationships and have their Religious Marriage RITE performed by their minister.

Or they could each do what my wife and I did, simply got a Civil Marriage before a justice of the peace and that was it. NO CLERGY REQUIRED.

Now isn't that just ducky. I solved all the worlds problems. -- if only all of you could really see yourselves bickering over such a trivial methodology of the two meanings of a single word, which is not that uncommon in the English language. No one has a problem with the double meaning of other words!!! Why the word marriage??? Because people do not understand the difference between A CIVIL RIGHT OF MARRIAGE AND THE RELIGIOUS RITE OF MARRIAGE.

KEEP RELIGION OUT OF GOVERNMENT -- PERIOD. "

" In response to Kevan Taylor-Perry's comment of Nov. 22, 2008
You are correct. Christians and Jews, etc. did not invent marriage. GOD invented it. In the beginning, he created Adam and Eve; One man, one woman. "

" Once more, some of the same people who have never cracked a history book. Christians did not invent marriage. Neither did the Jews. Let me say that again: Marriage is not a Judeo-Christian construct. It already existed. All Pagan societies throughout history married. Buddhists marry. Hindus marry. So, you Christians need to quit acting like you own it. You don't.

Marriage also wasn't mainly for procreation among the nobility in the Middle Ages (the good ol' days for Christians when they could burn dissenters at the stake). Marriages were arranged to create alliances among nations. A king's son would be married to the daughter of another nation's king and so forth. People married in mercantile classes to create business alliances. If kids came, whatever. The point was to make a deal. And with the nobility, they intermarried so much, very interesting genetic diseases started cropping up as a result of the inbreeding. All approved by the church.

The problem with Christians isn't the religion itself. It's that the adherants seek to force it on other non-interested parties and always have. Luckily, they no longer have the military power to do so at gunpoint and swordpoint as they did when the Spaniards went through North, Central, and South America. But now they seek to use someone else's guns---the government---to basically force their religion on others by fiat of law.

And as far as the "majority rules" thing some of you conservatives are chanting here, lets' see how well you like that if some of your cherished rights get voted away by a majority. You know what I'm talking about: the guns. Like I have said, the rights you speak up for today, might be your own later. Rights should never be voted on. They are supposed to be inalienable. I guess that's just for people the majority approves of, according to some of you. Which is why true democracy didn't work in Ancient Athens and why the Founding Fathers didn't want it here, either. "

" Steve wrote " Gay rights is not the issue. I'm a Christian. I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of GOD. It's very clear what it says about homosexuality, it is a sin."

Do you avoid stepping on cracks too? Maybe walking under ladders is sin.

Not everyone believes in your quaint superstitions.

Beliefs are neat. Cherish them... just don't walk around like it's the truth. "

" Friday's Child wrote: "Our duly-elected legislators also pass many laws that affect the minority. Some examples include: You must be 18 to vote. You must be 21 to drink alcohol. "

LOL!

Friday's Child really thinks this is a valid point.
Wow! Why am I even talking to this guy? "

" Coco Most reasonable people who voted yes on 102 have no problem with "civil unions". It's using the term "marriage" that is unacceptable. Gays should enjoy the same social and economic benefits as a married couple...just a different name since it is a different relationship dynamic. "

" To Mike:

Whoops, I left something out of my last comment to you. You wrote, "Only Friday's Child would think that you can decide the rights of a minority with a vote of the majority."

I don't think I'm the ONLY one who believes that concept, especially since it happens to be a true and widely-held belief in our society. American citizens vote on a regular basis on issues (affecting minorities) that they believe to be in the public interest and for the public good. Our duly-elected legislators also pass many laws that affect the minority.

Some examples include: You must be 18 to vote. You must be 21 to drink alcohol. (There's a huge minority of under-21 kids who hate that one, but the MAJORITY has ruled it to be so.)

Let's see, some other majority decisions are limitations on buying cigarettes, age-limitations on marrying, anti-polygamy laws, who can drive a car, and so on. This is the majority limiting the rights of a minority. So, you see, Mike, all of this "majority rules" stuff is clearly not MY doing only. "

" I'm curious? How many people would have voted to pass an amendment requireing equality if the measure was titled " Civil Unions"? "

" Gay rights is not the issue. I'm a Christian. I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of GOD. It's very clear what it says about homosexuality, it is a sin. However, we all sin and the penalty of sin is death, separation from GOD forever in hell. We sin because we are sinners, but it's how we look at that sin that we commit. Do we repent from our sins? Do we seek help with our sin habits? Are we sorriful because of our sins. Remember, GOD does not promise tomorrow, but he does promise eternity. Either in heaven or hell. I'd be negligent if I did not explain to another human being that they are at risk of death, separation from GOD forever. If you were driving your car on bald tires, I would tell you that you are risking your life. If you are practicing homosexual behavior, I would tell you that you are risking your life. I print this in love, not judgement. "

" Congratulations on bringing .003 percent of the population in Flagstaff together for your cause. It really shows the public support you recieve and deserve. "

" "I just checked the latest tally for Prop. 102 on the AZ Secretary of State's website, and 1,204,497 voters said "YES" on Prop. 102. 1,204,497 clearly stated that marriage IS to be between one man and one woman. Period."

LOL! 1,204,497. oooh..

Only Friday's Child would think that you can decide the rights of a minority with a vote of the majority. I think he's been listening to his Pastor for too too long.

Friday's Child, I hate to tell you this, but I'm afraid passing this Proposition IS part of the "gay agenda" We WANTED it to pass. That way a Federal law allowing same-sex marriage is the next step and you just brought us closer to it. Don't believe me? Loving Vs. Virginia? Plessy vs. Ferguson? Perhaps you've heard of the Constitution of the US?

Face it. The US Constitution protects us and gives us the same rights you do... or at least it will. Period. Now go watch the "Passion of the Christ" or something.

Thanks for helping us. Be sure to thank your pastor for us too. "

" To: Lisa Rayner-

I got my information concerning the Black vote defeating Prop 8,

from several reliable sources. IE: C-span, the Rasmussen exit polling

of African-American voters in California. Their polls results were proven to be the most comprehensive public opinion coverage of the 2008 post election coverage.

I was in not way blaming anyone, just making a statement of voting results from the exiting polls!

See below:



Robert Paul Reyes is a NewsBlaze writer on Politics, Pop Culture and Pointless Pontificating. Contact him by writing to NewsBlaze.

"It's ironic that on the same day that we witnessed the milestone of an African American winning the presidency, it was African Americans who were responsible for denying another minority the most basic of human rights: The right to marry.

For a long time gays and lesbians have been in the forefront of the battle for racial equality. It's high time that African Americans returned the favor and supported gay rights. "

" Friday's Child wrote: "According to the election results on Prop. 102, there are 1,204,497 people just like me who have the same primitive prejudices. Wow, how have we survived all these years?"

How has discrimination and prejudice survived all these years? I suggest you read your Bible to figure that one out. "

" Friday's child, please refrain from bolding words in your posts. Thanks. "

" To Mike:

You said, "I'll be the adult here and not belittle myself in responding to your primitive, superstitious prejudice."

That's ok with me. You be the adult. As far as my having "primitive, superstitious" prejudices, I don't feel so bad. According to the election results on Prop. 102, there are 1,204,497 people just like me who have the same primitive prejudices. Wow, how have we survived all these years?

Now, Mike, stop insulting me and put your thinking cap on. How soon will the gay folke take to the streets and campaign for their own form of "marriage", such as civil partnerships? Or are you going to continue to beat a dead horse and demand "marriages"?

By the way, just out of curiosity, where's Kevan Taylor-Perry? He's the only one who can put me in my place. I'm running wild here, Kevan. Your work is cut out for you. "

" To Lisa Rayner:

I don't think you get it, do you? I just checked the latest tally for Prop. 102 on the AZ Secretary of State's website, and 1,204,497 voters said "YES" on Prop. 102. 1,204,497 clearly stated that marriage IS to be between one man and one woman. Period.

In Coconino County, 25,198 voters said "Yes on 102", which was a majority. Out of 15 counties, the gay vote only carried one county (Pima). ONE!

So in light of that, your "200" chanting rabble-rousers are only a tiny percentage of the 25,198 voters who voted down any possibility of gay marriage being allowed in this state. If my math serves me correctly, your little gathering was less than 1% of those who voted "Yes on 102" in Coconino County. 1%!

Your statement here should more accurately have read, "It was a lot of fun and a clear demonstration of how Flagstaff residents, all 1% of them, support gay civil rights." So sorry to have let my simple math skills burst your bubble.

For those who like to double-check figures, here's the link to the Secretary of State's website:

http://www.azsos.gov/results/2008/general/BM102.htm "

" LOCO: "Black voters" are not responsible for the passage of Prop 8 in California. The majority of "yes" votes came from white, socially, conservative people over the age of 30.

"Blaming Black Voters for Prop 8 Loss is Wrong and Destructive"
http://site.pfaw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=issues_equality_prop_8_memo

Both white and black voters under the age of 30 voted against Prop 8, Prop 102 in Arizona and Amendment 2 in Florida. "

" Sorry you missed the 90 minute rally at City Hall today. The Lumberjack and 200 demonstrators were there chanting for equality. "

" hey what planet, you might want to realize the resounding defeat of marriage for homosexuals in america last election. seems most americans don't want it. ummm, why can't our fellow radical lefty americans accept the peoples decision? if i have to accept barack and the possibly coming awb, that does take away my constitutional freedoms, shouldn't they have to accept this decision? "

" The chickens will come home to roost for OB ib the next 2 years.
All the special interest groups, will demand payment for their support!
OB will not be able to smooth talk him way out, He will have to act, and when he does, watch out!
Especially from the GLBT Community.
Have you been following what has happened in California?
It is my understanding that the Black vote in Califorina defeated the GLBT and their outside support that poured millions of $$$ to support them.
Yet! The don't commit violence & demonstrations against Black Churches!
Can some one from the GLBT offer a rational explianation? "

" Thank you to everyone who attended today's (Saturday) rally for LGBT rights in front of city hall on the corner of Rt. 66 and Humphreys. Close to 200 people participated. My sign said, "Can I vote on YOUR marriage?". It was a lot of fun and a clear demonstration of how Flagstaff residents support gay civil rights. "

" Fridays Child wrote "My point, which you failed to understand or address, was that not every gay person on this planet agrees with the so-called 'gay agenda'."

Right... the "gay agenda", your made up equivalent of the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion". I'll be the adult here and not belittle myself in responding to your primitive, superstitious prejudice. "

" Easy Brown: Uhhhmmm.... I hate to break it to you bud, but LOTS of people HATE Bush. If you haven't noticed he's the most unpopular president of all times and almost universally despised. The resounding defeat of the right is clear evidence that Bush as well as the religious right does not represent the views of most Americans. The Bush presidency is a pathetic failure only punctuated by a handful of even more pathetic "hangers on" that can't see the light of day. "

" To Mike:

Ha ha! No, I don't compare Elton John in any way to James Dobson, because that would be insulting to James Dobson. My point, which you failed to understand or address, was that not every gay person on this planet agrees with the so-called 'gay agenda'.

My point was that the idea of gays having 'civil partnerships', instead of stealing or copying 'marriage rights' from normal people is a very, very good idea. Just forget the 'marriage' part, and form your OWN idea of a civil union.

But, Mike, I'm puzzled......since you don't like to argue or discuss things with people who disagree with you, WHY are you even reading these comments? Apparently, you are here just to ridicule and insult other folks, and have no original ideas of your own. Am I right? Thought so...... "

" Lisa, once again you are blinded by your own agenda and miss the point of my response. I too voted against prop 102. And Obama is a black biracial presiden elect? Funny, I had not noticed. Is that why you voted for him? Because, as we know, many voters did just that. Voted because of the color of his skin. And seeing you made no reference to the last part of my response, I assume you are in agreement. "

" Why are we arguing with these people? Why are we giving the least creedence to the viewpoints of people who are no better than racists?

This is a civil rights issue no different from the civil rights issues of the 50's and 60's. Faced with this fact, it is embarrasing to give a second of our time to entertain the pre-historic arguments against it. Think about it. There's V Marshall who believes the younger voters who voted against 102 were brainwashed, Friday's Child who thinks Elton John is the stereotypical "James Dobson" or "Pat Robertson"-like spokesperson of gay people, and then there's Larry who takes the focus off of LGTB couples and takes issue of whether marraige is a "right" or a priviledge"... a priviledge he thinks himself as the one with the authority to control "marraige" in order to bestow it on a priviledged few.

These aren't arguments. They are nothing but the present-day equivalent of racism. "

" V Marshall:

What kind of school did you go to??? Brainwashing in schools? No. Our generation is just a little bit more free thinking maybe than Generation X. Maybe its a good thing, maybe a bad thing; but it is not brainwashing. "

" Lisa, I didn't vote for marxism. So when you voted for change you may get more than you bargained for when you discover YOUR personal freedoms are in jeopardy, when you sell your home with double capital gains tax, when your hard earned paycheck is much smaller going to bigger government and more welfare programs to some people who don't intend to work but have their hand out as if the world owes them something. Maybe you should also look at other areas of news coverage beside the biased spin from the mainstream media. You'll discover who is really intolerant and militant protesting like spoiled brats against the majority who know marriage is between a man and a woman. What homosexuals do behind closed doors is their business, but even psychologists will tell you a stable child depends on the balance of a Mom and a Dad. The reason the younger voters may have but not necessarily voted for gay marriage is that they are brainwashed in schools. "

" Here's something new to add to the discussion, my friends. The gay folke are not only fighting us normal people, but are fighting with each other! Case in point, please see an article that was just posted on USA Today regarding an interview with the very gay Elton John:

"Elton John says the reason Prop. 8 in California passed, banning gay marriages, is because of one word — marriage.

“I don’t want to be married,” he told USA TODAY’s Donna Freydkin at a New York fundraiser last night. “I’m very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership,” said John. “The word marriage, I think, puts a lot of people off. You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships.

Of his partner David Furnish, he says, "We're not married. Let's get that right. We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that they went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word marriage."

Here's the link to read this article: http://blogs.usatoday.com/entertainment/2008/11/elton-john-i-do.html. Don't forget to also cast a vote on this issue on this website. When I clicked on "View Results of Voting", 77% of those who voted AGREED with Elton John. Sounds like the British gays have their heads on straight.

I think Elton John summed it all up in a nutshell: " If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership." A CIVIL PARTNERSHIP. Isn't that what we've all been saying all this time? All one million (plus) of us who voted 'Yes' on Prop 102? No marriage rights for gays! Go create your OWN form of legal relationship, and leave OURS alone! "

" Exactly Lisa! Thanks for your comments "

" Lisa,

I am a social conservative who believes in the Bible. We may be different in many ways, but you are consistently among the clearest-thinking, most balanced writers to the Sun. Thank you. "

" If you look at amendments to the Federal Constitution they are mostly about extending rights, and prohibition didn't last long. It's a new and disturbing trend to watch social conservatives use State constitutions to limit and deny rights. What we need is an amendment to our State Constitution that would make it harder to pass amendments (as the Founders realized when they set the bar so high for amending the Federal Constitution). It seems clear that we are on the wrong track when it comes to extending freedom and working towards a more perfect union. If you don't like gay marriage, don't have one. "

" A reminder: civil rights are not only about race and ethnicity. While we still call the movement by African-Americans leading up to the 1960s the "Civil Rights Movement", there are also many other kinds of 'civil rights' when the term is used generally. This includes women, hispanics, Native Americans, the disabled, etc - basically any population (many who have an identity that is not "readily viewable") that has not had full and equal rights under the law and been offered them later ... at least on paper.

Let's not forget that women didn't have the right to vote in the entire country until the early-1920s ... black men used to worth a percentage of a white man ... the disabled were institutionalized against their will ... the list could go on and on. We can also include the GLBT community, who is not given access to all privileges extended to heterosexual couples. While paying full taxes, they cannot marry, leave pensions or Social Security benefits to partners, adopt children together (in some states: including AZ) ....

I simply don't understand how these can be called "special rights" for one population (the GLBT community) but "civil rights" (people of color, women, the disabled, etc) for the rest.

And one last correction to "easy brown": had Prop 102 not passed in AZ, nothing legally would have changed in the state. It *would not* have brought about gay marriage ... it only would have kept the definition of marriage where it already stood - at the state statute level. "

" Bob: I am married to a white, heterosexual male over the age of 30. He's actually 43, and believes in full civil rights for women, people of color and GLBT people.

It's interesting to me how talking about the civil rights of non-white, non-heterosexual, non-male people freaks out the white, heterosexual males so darn much. Equal rights for all does not take away rights from anyone. I realize that giving up your unearned male privilege, white privilege and heterosexual privilege feels threatening to you, but that's too bad. The wave of the future is increased civil rights for all people, as evidenced by the trends in under-30 voters (including white, male, heterosexual voters under 30!). "

" Lisa, gay marriage is not a basic civil right. You can dress it up anyway you want but it is not.
Flag voters may have voted for it but darn those county people they did not. You know those folks that help support Flagstaff. Sorry. Obama won the election because of the economy. Thats it. The next 4 years you will really have to come up with another excuse than it's Bush's fault. That may be hard for you. "

" Civil rights: A skin color or race being discriminated against for reasons they cannot physically change.
Special Rights: A group of Homosexuals who are trying to milk more rights out of the system, and intrude on ours. To call wrong right and call the right wrong. To take the idea of marriage, pervert its sanctity, the legal protection for women and children, into a joke. I'm sorry, but that is a big thing for me. It's enough that Men and Women just get married for a bunch of rosy feelings rather than the idea that we are going to raise children together in a safe, loving environment with shared responsibilities. I can tolerate a lot of diverse people and ideas, just not perverse people and ideas.To be honest, anyone who'd rather come out of the closet than clean it needs psychiatric help, not to be celebrated. "

" why doesn't your letter just read, i hated bush. i still hate bush. i will always hate bush. oh by the way prop 102 failed. no homosexual marriage. seems in your letter you think it passed. one glimmer of hope in this last election. have you seen all your fellow democrats attacking black people in california who voted against it there? disgusting behavior.
i am middle class and i don't need help from barack by the way. can you please tell barack he doesn't need to steal any money for me, thanks. "

" Way to go Lisa. Thanks for disenfranchising white, heterosexual males over the age of 30. Guess straight white guys just don't count in your world. Now thats not very inclusive. At least I finally have one thing in common with you. I wish the next president success. That is where the commonality ends, because unlike you, I have wished every president the best and have always had hope for this country. Those wishes and hopes don't wain because my personal agenda is not realized. "