Media

While these have been challenging times in America’s war on terrorism, I know that many of you join me in the belief that in the end, we will win the war on terrorism, providing millions of people around the world with the democracy they deserve. We have heard lately the reports about some disturbing actions on behalf of a few of those who serve our country. I believe they are few and far between.

Many Americans have helplessly, and literally, watched as the nation’s broadcasters have filled our airways – and homes – with often offensive programming.

Most recently, I joined many of you in outrage after watching the now-infamous 2004 Super Bowl half-time performance just a few weeks ago. That single event has even further increased the American public's awareness of the problem, and the need to clean up the airwaves. It just may have been the straw that “broke the camel’s back.”

I recently traveled to Iraq for a first hand look at “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” As part of an eight member Congressional delegation, I traveled to Baghdad and Kirkuk to visit with United States troops, and see the work they are doing to free that country and ensure it does not threaten the safety of our nation and the safety of the free world.

November 5, 2003, was a historic day in Washington, DC. I joined several of my House and Senate Colleagues at the Ronald Reagan International Building for President Bush’s signing of the ban on partial birth abortions.

Recently, I joined many of you in watching the national media cover the removal of the Ten Commandments display from Montgomery’s State judicial complex. To actually have the Ten Commandments carted out of that building’s lobby is a scene one would expect to see in the former Soviet Union, not the United States of America.

When I returned to Washington after the August Congressional recess, I renewed my calls for the United States House of Representatives to act to protect the public display of the Ten Commandments.

The procedure known as partial birth abortion is one of the most barbaric and disturbing operations in today’s society. It is considered wrong by virtually every standard by which it could be measured – except the legal one. Now, we are making progress to change that.

On June 4, 2003, I joined my House colleagues in supporting the ban on the partial birth abortion procedure. The bill passed by a vote of 282 - 139. The legislation will now be reconciled with the Senate version in order to produce a unified bill to send to the President.

The World Wide Web truly offers a world of opportunity. What used to require a trip to the library, the store, or the bank is now accomplished with the push of the button. In a sense, the world now comes to us. But along with the Internet’s convenience and benefits come hazards. However, The Truth in Domain Names Act - an amendment to the Child Abduction Prevention Act - represents a move to protect our children from inappropriate and pornographic websites.

It is hard to believe that Baghdad used to be one of the world’s great cities; the capital of an empire stretching from North Africa to the edge of China. A city made famous -- in part -- by the stories “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” and tales from "A Thousand and One Nights.” It was the city of great prosperity: gleaming with modern hospitals and universities, filled with shops and restaurants rivaling the world’s finest.