Dear Mr. Martinez: I read with interest and relief that you experienced being fired upon by the Muslims as you ascended from Baghdad airport. Such experiences usually have consequences on the philosophical stance of people who have them, especially those who just performed an action of supreme confidence (taking off your body armor). The weapons the Muslims use aren't very sophisticated, nor very accurate, nor very expensive. Being killed by a smart bomb is one thing. Being killed by a shoulder-launched RPG is quite another. Imagine what your great grandchildren would say. Anyway, I'm filled with new hope that you will reconsider your former positions as a supporter of Mr. Bush and his policies and his way of dealing with the world. On every issue I have previously addressed, you have replied (thank you) with the Bush-line. It's way past time for you to recognize your power and prestige as a legislator. You do not have to continue as the lackey of the neo-conservatives of South Florida. Machiavelli’s political doctrine serves as the foundation of neo-conservatism and it denies the relevance of morality in political affairs. It states that that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing and maintaining political power. It implies that when it comes to achieving or maintaining power the end justifies the means. This is essentially the core of Machiavellianism and serves as the foundation for Neo-Conservatism: The priority for the power holder is to keep the security of the state regardless of the morality of the means. As a Catholic you are called to personal holiness, to personal integrity, to understanding that the "good" ends never justify "evil" means. I hope your brush with death in Baghdad converts you away from the false god of Bushism. John Dwyer