Comments on: Hagel criticizes 'arrogant' Bush White House

By: Paula and Vince, Santa Monica, CA

Paula and Vince, Santa Monica, CA — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:20:31 +0000

History repats said
"and tell me something else how can you group clinton and bush together? bush's decisions have resulted in thousands of US deaths, clinton had an affair…..cliton was actually a good president bush was a disaster……it is what it is"

Posted By HISTORY REPEATS : December 1, 2007 11:01 am

History dearest, read some history, Clintons diddling distracted him from the country's business. The blood bath in Iraq is totally and absolutley his fault. Both Clintons have blood on their hands. I urge you to get out of the CNN / MSNBC / government school rut and seek the truth and not what they are spoon feeding you.

By: HISTORY REPEATS

HISTORY REPEATS — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:01:19 +0000

Andy, Evansville, IN

and tell me something else how can you group clinton and bush together? bush's decisions have resulted in thousands of US deaths, clinton had an affair.....cliton was actually a good president bush was a disaster......it is what it is

By: HISTORY REPEATS

HISTORY REPEATS — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:56:28 +0000

Andy, Evansville, IN

why dont you take another look at my posts ive posted about 8 or 9 times and i just started like a week ago!!! nice try on that though!! people like me havent created the political climate the people that slander john kerry when he saved peoples lives in vietnam or make AL GORE look like a wimp when both of them could have actually done good for this country over the last two terms, they created this. they took this country away from whats right and wrong and got us involved in issues like religion instead of politics of gay marriage instead of economy or clintons marriage instead of foreign policy and education or health care! thats who did this......

By: Andy, Evansville, IN

Andy, Evansville, IN — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:31:53 +0000

history repeats:

Someone needs to get a life? Your posting are all over this site and input at all hours. Perhaps it is symptomatic of the political climate today...we all need to chill out. Charge and countercharge are not constructive...meaningful dialogue is. One thing that appears to be painfully obvious is the need to get over the Bush/Clinton era...as long as the two families hold the high office, we'll never get over this self-destructive attitude.

By: wklwekwl efec jjj

wklwekwl efec jjj — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 04:58:09 +0000

Good for Sen Hagel. At least 1 republican has the guts to confront those clowns in the White House. Sen. Hagel is right on because those morons have made the U. S. a joke around the world. And no wonder, since their leader happens to be the village idiot from Crawford Texas. Bravo, Sen!

By: james kirkpatrick

james kirkpatrick — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:59:03 +0000

Jack C. , Hagel is exactly right about the Bush administration.

By: HISTORY REPEATS

HISTORY REPEATS — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:10:20 +0000

Perhaps the now, very frank Senator Hagel would care to comment on the Diebold scandal in Ohio during the presidential election of 2004?!

Hagel is the former CEO of ESS, the parent company of Diebold.

Well, Senator?!

Posted By Brendan H., San Antonio, TX : November 29, 2007 4:12 pm

what is that???! lets bring up something that has NOTHING to do with the issue. do you think hes lying about his opinion of the bush administration? diebold were voting machines that were reported as vulnerable and hackable!! i dont see how that discredits this man in any way. but nice try!!!!!!!!

By: Barbdoyle cape Coral FL

Barbdoyle cape Coral FL — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:40:40 +0000

Hey Dave from SC; It's not a case of respecting the President it's respecting the OFFICE of the PRESIDENT. The present occupier of that office has done nothing to gain my resepct. Quite the contrary.

By: Brandon, Tampa, FL

Brandon, Tampa, FL — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:42:03 +0000

Nice to see a Republican grow a spine.

By: Andy Sacolaro Indio, California

Andy Sacolaro Indio, California — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:46:49 +0000

Hagel, you flip-flopper.
You voted for the war, now you're against it.
It is a sign of a complete lack of intelligence when one changes their mind, especially if confronted with new information.
Imagine where the world would be if that flip-flopper Copernicus hadn't decided that the earth revolved around the sun, and not the other way around.
Clearly the man was a terrorist, as well as a flip-flopper.
Bring back spontaneous generation!
We don't need people using intelligence to change course or make new decisions.
It takes a real man to never, ever, admit when they are wrong.
A course must be pursued-even to total ruin–once it has been set.
Anything else is weakness,flip-flopping and liberalism.
God Bless America.

By: Danny, LA, CALIF.

Danny, LA, CALIF. — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:46:48 +0000

I'm not a republican, but finally, somebody with some standing has the "Cajones" to say what everbody thinks but was afraid to say! Arrogant is a good adjective, W also must be hard of hearing too, he doesn't listen to the citizens who put him in office.

By: WANTAGH

WANTAGH — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:17:05 +0000

Oh give us a break, I thought this anti Bush ,Hagel had left!
Give us a break, who really cares what Hagel has to say, he
never was a Republican, he is just
envious of the President, and is
angry that the President just discounted him and his advise, as
inconquential.
GO HOME! GO HOME,HAGEL!

By: Frank Robertson, Amherst, NY

Frank Robertson, Amherst, NY — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:43:04 +0000

It's about time! We have labored for years under the argument that 'you shouldn't criticize the president!' Unless I am mistaken, this is the United States, a country which was founded by people who were seeking the right to criticze their political leaders. If Bush has done a great job, then let's celebrate that. Unfortunately, the truth is that he has done a tragically poor job of leading our country, and the criticisms of his performance are not only warranted and deserved, but are in need of being loudly proclaimed! Face it - he's been a arrogant and self-serving president!

By: mark wilkes barre pa

mark wilkes barre pa — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:36:51 +0000

Republicns follow blindly tied to there party ? look at all the dem /lib responses above,,, they all look the same to me, the republican responses look a little more based on personal opinion. Hagel is not the politician you all want to get into a discusion on who follows who blindly or who is speaking with integrity and virtues over ???? I can"t wait to see how the next president dem/rep handles the war on terror. My guess is not much different than Bush

By: Kevin LA CA

Kevin LA CA — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:40:43 +0000

Its really stupid to blame Hagel, Hillary and others who are now against the war they voted for. At the time of 9/11, the country was in distress and everyone beleived Bush and his cohorts out of sheer patriotism and voted with the President believing he would do the right thing, for the sake of soldiers in harms way. To blame them for siding with the war to show terrorists the county was united. Little did anyone know that Cheney,Bush and the Neo-cons were in this business for oil and profit. They fooled the people then, and they are fooling the people now. SHAME ON THIS ADMINISTRATION.

By: mcclaud

mcclaud — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:45:28 +0000

I weep for my fellow Nebraskans who totally play the blind Conservative motive to slam Chuck Hagel because he practices his right to free speech against a horrible Administration with a horrible agenda. Our party has taken a bad turn into the mire of moral politics with arrogance and an inability to be diplomatic to allies and enemies together. "You haven't the guts to face Nebraskans in the next election, and it only mirrors your about-face on the Iraq question." I think that you're entirely wrong. As a Nebraskan, if he ran again, I would vote for him. As would most of the people I know in western Nebraska (where I'm originally from). Don't include us in your generalized, brainwashed opinions, please.

By: Paul TX

Paul TX — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:49:43 +0000

You know, I think I would just like to point out one thing that I think the majority of Americans, including myself, need to be reminded of from time to time; WE PUT THE PRESIDENT IN OFFICE! I believe that all candadites should be carefully contemplated in the campaign season and people should vote as they see fit, no problem there. However, once we have a president in office we're stuck with him for at least four years no matter what you think of him. if you don't like the president fine, free country and all that, just protest with your vote at the next election. while he is in office, we need to be much more supportive of the president. he is the representitive leader of the UNITED States of America and, currently, to the rest of the world we really come across as many things but united. we need to unite as a people under a single leader and support his actions, we can give our opinons to our congressmen to help shift the government in the direction we feel it needs to go, but if legislation has already been instituted, or if a war has already been started then i feel that we need to unite under our president and form the kind of support structure that america has displayed in the past. this is just one college students opinion but hopefully someone will read it and start thinking.

By: Chris, Texas

Chris, Texas — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:16:30 +0000

It's really not that Hagel has always been honest or not afraid to speak the truth about what he really thinks about Bush & Co. It's that he is not running for re-election in '09 and he knows that anything he says now is inconsequential.

By: Mike, Cleveland, OH

Mike, Cleveland, OH — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:03:48 +0000

During his first campaign, Hagel indicated that, were he to be elected, he would retire in 2008 after two terms in the Senate. [2] Six years later in 2002, Hagel overwhelmingly won re-election with over 83% of the vote, the largest margin of victory in any statewide race in Nebraska history.

Looks like a politician is actually fulfilling a campaign promise...if only we could get more Dems and Reps to move to term limits like Hagel.

By: seth, minneapolis

seth, minneapolis — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:03:20 +0000

One of the last true conservative republicans. I don't know why people don't just admit the neocons are a bunch of big-government, big-war liberals. And they're the worst tax and spend liberals yet because they're taxing us years into the future by running up the deficit and destroying the value of the dollar. I see no difference between Johnson and Bush, except that Bush is more arrogant and less competent.

By: Mike Omaha,NE

Mike Omaha,NE — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 07:00:48 +0000

For those of you calling Hagel a RINO and telling him to switch to the Democratic party, you need to do some research first. While Hagel does disagree with Bush on the war, he votes Republican on EVERY other issue.

By: Mike, Cleveland, OH

Mike, Cleveland, OH — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:54:24 +0000

I see many Hagel haters on the board, like Fremont, CA who called for Hagel to be tried for treason. Are you forgetting that Hagel was in the armed forces? Sounds to me like you are resorting to the same tactics as MOVEON.org with the Petraus ad!

Hagel is a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the U.S. Army infantry, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5) from 1967–1968. While serving during the Vietnam War, he received the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Hagel

By: neil Williamson tampa florida

neil Williamson tampa florida — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:23:48 +0000

I've been saying that for years!!!

By: history repeats

history repeats — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:21:33 +0000

It's Hagel who is arrogant. He misinterprets Bush's resolve to do what's right (even when the polls show people don't agree). I would suggest the only reason many people don't agree is because of the liberal slant the socialist democrats and media put on Bush's policy. It was right to pull down Saddam; it's always right to help people escape tyranny. If Hagel was an Iraqi he would be thankful for Bush unless, of course, he was one of Saddam's cohorts. Posted By 4Freedom , NY : November 29, 2007 4:30 pm only people who dont ACTUALLY research the build up to this war and know nothing about the middle east say we attacked saddam to free the iraqi people. you do realize we employed saddam before. i guess we just made a mistake......lol look up the war in afghanistan against the russias and see how we armed the islamic militants over there. take a look at actual US foreign policy over the past 50 years and you will see soemthing different then AMERICA THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS. youll start seeing the real life side of real life...

By: history repeats

history repeats — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:17:26 +0000

Looks like CNN is fully engaged in the campaign now. What don't they start a 12 week run of specials highlighting and investigating the sexual assaults of Bill Clinton and Hillary's role in intimidating the victims ?

Posted By Paula and Vince, Santa Monica, CA

ou know what i love the most about republicans that blog on cnn is that when CNN reports on anything that puts bush or actually any republican in a darker light they say CNN has taken sides. do you really think republicans are pure or are you playing the high school game where your team is the best no matter what!

By: Joe Nebraska

Joe Nebraska — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 05:49:03 +0000

I've missed the flurry of comments by about 4 hours, but I need to respond to some of these posts for the sake of catharsis;

To those who accuse Hagel of being a closet Democrat: it IS possible to be a social and fiscal conservative and still have the sense to recognize failed policy.

To those who attack Hagel for "voting for the war": pay closer attention to legislation. Many like Hagel voted to authorize the President to use all means necessary against Iraq and other nations if it wouldn't detract from the war on terrorism and if diplomatic efforts failed.

To the guy who said "If Hagel was an Iraqi, he'd be thankful for Bush": an overwhelming majority of Iraqis (the ones who haven't fled) now consider themselves far worse off than they ever were under the old regime.

To the Nebraskans who claim Hagel was afraid to run again in Nebraska: though clearly a red state, Nebraskans have a history of electing independant-minded politicians who do not always speak or vote along party lines (e.g., Ben Nelson and Bob Kerry). The only Republican contender Hagel faced when he made his decision not to seek reelection was the young and inexperienced Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning–who most area commentators agree Hagel would have easily defeated.

To Tim from TX, steer clear from political blogs and stick to watching professional wrestling before you make (thoughtful) conservatives look bad.

To both Democrats and Republicans: it is not weakness to admit your side gets it wrong sometimes–don't let mean-spirited, knee-jerk comments from the bottom-feeders in your own party drag you down!

I'm sure I left some people out, but I doubt anyone is still reading this post. I feel much better, anyway. I wish you all the best!

By: Dan, Minneapolis, MN

Dan, Minneapolis, MN — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:39:03 +0000

A bit too late, especially after wathing the Republican presidential debate. The Republican world view as simply a black/white condition was evident in last night debate. A persistent refusal to understand the nuanced dimensions to socio-ethnic conditions within a historical process will prove costly for smug Americans. In grotesque terms "eat it" Americans! We deserve our current plight in all areas.

By: Don Longmont, CO

Don Longmont, CO — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:27:13 +0000

When are some of these hard core Bushies going to open their eyes. Now even members of the Republican party are acknowledging the lack of leadership in this administration. Take a look at the secrecy and corruption of this admiistration for what it is.

My hope is that everyone who staunchly
supported this administation is voted out of office. We need representative's who will support the will of the people they were elected to serve.

Lets restore "WE THE PEOPLE" back into our government.

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:23:06 +0000

Little late Senator but still very much appreciated. On second tour of Iraq, Not much different from last. Money does seem to be trown at this war; with overpriced technology and armor that you would think is made of gold it cost so much. No progress seeingly no end in sight to wasteful glutton "leaders"

By: 4 Freedom

4 Freedom — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:21:28 +0000

VJ, Atlanta,GA What I said is "It was right to pull down Saddam; it's always right to help people escape tyranny." I still believe it was the right decision and I believe we should have stayed in Viet Nam till we had victory then the slaughter that happened there and Cambodia wouldn't have happened. I believe in standing up and fighting against evil before it rears it's ugly head here again. I have never heard a Democratic Senator state how he/she would fight terror other than beefing up the borders and I don't think that alone will do it. The terrorists are not deterred by cowardice.

By: D. Endo, Honolulu HI

D. Endo, Honolulu HI — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:13:10 +0000

Kudos to Senator Hagel, but this is seriously way too little, way to late! How many troops have died between 2002 and now. We need to get our troops home. When you have the Bush twins partying, the Romney boys serving their country by working on big Daddy's campaign, makes me sick. If these bastard truly believe in the war, why is that other Americans are sacrificing their kids. Bush, Cheney and the rest of the bastards need to be tried for treason, crimes against humanity and for wasting oxygen.

By: docrock,lewisville.tx.

docrock,lewisville.tx. — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:08:21 +0000

The illegal invasion of Iraq was perpatrated on the world only to Patent"9/11"for the Republican Party.It is to be used as a cudgel against anyone that dares to disagree with this illegitamate Government.The rumbling sound you hear,is the sound of the Great Respectable Upright Patriotic G.O.P. American Heroes,rolling in their graves.Good luck America.

By: Tom Masaryk Omaha NE

Tom Masaryk Omaha NE — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:50:31 +0000

To Conservative:
Do you really think most people in NE are happy with the current state of world affairs? The Senate is probably most responsible and accountable for informing American policy, especially foreign policy. Hagel has called the spades of the last 8 years what they were, predicting the overall erosion of international trust. Do you really contend that Nebraskans would choose either of "the other guys," both of whom have made a political living as neo-con yes men. Lincoln didn't vote for Johanns as governor because they saw how much damage his mis-management as mayor had done. The senate battle in Nebraska would be a battle of records and ideologies–are you happy with the status quo, or should things have been handled differently? (are you a conservative, or a neo-con, and how do you define both)

By: Tom Masaryk

Tom Masaryk — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:45:50 +0000

By: Steve, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Steve, Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:39:57 +0000

Good for Senator Hagel. He is just saying out loud what everyone else knows. This administration is arrogant and will say or do anything to have its way. This is a democaracy not a monarchy! Remember when we were told that tt=he oil profits from Iraq would pay for the war? Surprise! they knew very well we would have to pay for all of this.and paying at the pump now! Senator Hagel is one of the few Republicans whose opinion that alot of people listen to so it is interesting to see the right wingers pile on him now. Senator Hagel would be reelected in a cake walk in the red state of Nebraska. Whose is kidding who here??!!

By: Former Rightie, Pittsburgh

Former Rightie, Pittsburgh — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:14:14 +0000

Bush is the Worse President Ever.

This administration and the blind Republican following has also chased me away from the party. The party has been hijacked by global business motives and is not government of/by/for the people.

I don't know who I am voting for yet, but it will be Democratic. We need to right the wrongs done in the last 7 years. January 2009 cannot come soon enough.

By: billy

billy — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:12:40 +0000

"I love the fact that President Bush went to the Middle East, called Radical Islam out into the yard and kicked their butts up and down the street."

God help us. Seriously.

By: Bill , Covington,LA

Bill , Covington,LA — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:06:33 +0000

Each time I have ever had the pleasure of listening to Der Hagel I enjoy a wonderful PUKE, Keep up the good work Haglie, it cleans out the system.

By: James, Mountain View, CA

James, Mountain View, CA — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:03:13 +0000

As a Democrat, I have a message to all of the Republican conservatives begging for Senator Hagel to change parties: Please keep it up. As you boot moderates out of your party, the Democrats' political 'tent' gets bigger and bigger. We'll be happy to take your socially liberal, fiscally conservative civil libertarians. We'll be happy to take your socially conservative, fiscally liberal religious voters. We'll be happy to claim the American political center, as you shove everyone who isn't neoconservative or both socially conservative and fiscally conservative out of your party. If the current Administration's incompetence isn't enough to win the 2008 election for Democrats, then the Republicans' devotion to their far right-wing constituency is.

By: Alex, Syracuse, NY

Alex, Syracuse, NY — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:56:03 +0000

Oh, yes Dave from SC. SSHHH....better not even THINK about disagreeing with the Pres-even that might help Al Quaeda. Ever heard of a Senator McCarthy? Anyone who disagreed with him was a pinko, a red, a commie, unAmerican...you get the point. I think you should go back to school and research the history of this great nation. The founding fathers, who wrote our constitution, said it was our right, nay our DUTY, to dissent (and for all you rednecks out there that means to disagree with our government and our leaders) especially during times of conflict. How dare you malign someone for exercising their constitutional right to express their views. That is, in fact, the most unAmerican, unpatriotic act of all. Being patriotic doesn't mean agreeing with your political leaders. Does my memory fail me, or didn't many Republicans express dissatisfaction, to put it mildly, with Pres. Clinton? Were they being unpatriotic? Exposing hypocrisy, just one more service we like to offer.

By: Markm Greensboro, North Carolina

Markm Greensboro, North Carolina — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:55:43 +0000

I believe that our current candidates do not know the amount of rage the American voters are feeling now.
I registered in my new state yesterday as an Independent, formerly a Democrat.
I would most likely vote for Hagel but I have not learned enough about Bloomburg to be sure. Otherwise I would accept Obama and Hagel. It is shaping up to be a wide open race. I hope more candidates step up to the truth.

By: Jay, Kenosha, WI

Jay, Kenosha, WI — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:43:35 +0000

It's too bad only the bomb throwing politicians get headlines. We need less of them, not more.

By: Wobbly, Your Town, USA

Wobbly, Your Town, USA — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:43:35 +0000

Sen Hagel has been right for quite a while on this topic. You people claiming he's a liberal only show your ignorance. And you people claiming Dems are socialists show you don't own a dictionary.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:42:43 +0000

Senator, Go home buddy.. Your time is over. Do you want to join the Hillary campaign.. It will be interesting. You voted for war and now you are against it. Typical Hillary way.. Flip flop.... God Bless America.

By: David, Colts Neck, New Jersey

David, Colts Neck, New Jersey — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:32:52 +0000

While I generally support our efforts in Iraq, I do very much agree with Hagel regarding the arrogance of this administration. While I tend to support Rudy now, I do see in him an element of arrogance that the USA simply can not afford going forward. In this regard, I could certainly entertain the idea of supporting a Bloomberg/Hagel ticket. I see them as the only ones who can talk seriously about the issues rather than getting into 6th grade arguments on who did what with illegals.
If you watch both and Dems and Republicans debate, it reminds me of the debate I witnessed for my elementary school president. The level of discourse of all just stinks. No one is capable to discussing the critical issues of the day in a serious and thoughtful manner. I can only hope that when we finally get to the two major party candidates, that the quality of discussions start being a little more enlightening. I guess we have as much chance of that as Bin Laden converting to Judaism.

By: Dave, Charlotte, NC

Dave, Charlotte, NC — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:31:16 +0000

Chuck Hagel is an honorable man, and a real Republican. Recognizing the error of our current foreign policy is not the same as "turning tail" and running. Our foreign policy has been dead wrong since the end of WWII. You people who believe that the United States is right no matter what we do or how belligerent we are, are blind and deaf. Unfortunately for the rest of us, you aren't mute as well.

By: Cris, Colorado Springs, CO

Cris, Colorado Springs, CO — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:30:37 +0000

Because of his continual castigation of the president (a fellow Republican), Chuck Hagel has squandered an opportunity to exert quiet and effective influence with the White House to advance his anti-war agenda. If his cause is so just, why not cultivate a relationship with Bush and exert a positive influence? Hagel is in the same position as the Dems: if things improve in Iraq, he can claim that his incessant criticism led to success; if things deteriorate, he can say that "he told us so." If Hagel was so smart, he would have proposed a brilliant plan two years ago that would have allowed us to win and have our men and women home already WITH VICTORY. Those who lead, do so. Those who CAN'T lead critisize from the Senate.

By: steveo st louis mo

steveo st louis mo — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:30:02 +0000

Hagel. He figured it out.
Better late than never like the other Republicans Senators who continue to support Bush's foolish policies.

By: Mike Brooks, Eugene, Oregon

Mike Brooks, Eugene, Oregon — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:29:24 +0000

Michael Torrance, CA - Don't feel too bad. I'm a life long Democrat and the very thought of Hillary Clinton on the 2008 ticket makes me wish for a third party. In fact, there is a national movement by Democrats called taking "The Pledge". That means we don't vote for *any* Democratic candidate, even at the local level, if CLinton is the nominee. I've taken the pledge and so have most of my friends. (and, in anser to the feminists who say...we might loose "choice" and gays who think that another Republican will harm "gay rights" we say "That's the whole idea" - you try and stick us with a corporate insider that outsources our jobs and displaces us with guest workers, that floods us with millions of expensive illegals and you can count on a backlash.)

By: conservative in Nebraska

conservative in Nebraska — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:24:14 +0000

What a sore loser! He could't get the nod to be a contender so he slams everybody! He would have lost his senate seat here in Nebraska if there would have been a next time!