HAROLD KELLER

Memorial Day is for tribute On the June 4 cover of Newsweek, there was a picture of Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont with these words: “A Quiet Yankee Sends a Loud Message to the Republican Right.” The cover also read, in bold letters, “Mr. Jeffords Blows Up Washington.” Being a conservative Republican and, as far to the right as I can go, the news of the senator’s decision to change parties initially disturbed me. The power shift, giving control to the Democrats in the Senate, was bad news for me and all conservative Republicans. Sen. Jeffords was considered a moderate Republican. I read the following in the Newsweek article: “The plain truth is that the GOP has no place nowadays for someone with Jeffords’ voting record (pro-choice, pro-gay rights, pro-Clinton health plan, anti-Clarence Thomas).” Sounds like a liberal Democrat to me. But, no, Jeffords changed his party affiliation to Independent. While speaking about liberal Democrats, let me say I respect their convictions. The same can be said for the conservative Republicans. One group is far to the left; the other is far to the right. The people I have a problem with are the wishy-washy moderates. They have no convictions; they go with the flow. The flow is what popular opinion polls show. The Bible describes these individuals as double-minded. They have no strong convictions. The Bible also says that these people are unstable in all their ways. I can identify with the far-right conservative Republicans. That’s where I choose to place myself. The liberal left Democrats and their policies are in direct contradiction to what I believe. How can I respect them? It’s easy. They at least have convictions, and everyone respects people who stand for something. As for Sen. Jeffords and the moderates in each party, I am reminded of what Jesus said in Revelations 3:15-16: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.” My consolation is that regardless of who has control of the Senate, my God is in control of the whole world. HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477.