Leader of the world? Sure sounds like it!

Seems like it's just not enough to be president of the U.S.A. George W. Bush is gunning for the political title “Leader of the World.” Yep, any country can and must jump on his bandwagon as long as they embrace an American style of democracy.

Consequences of not joining the Bush team are threats, economic boycotts, warnings of eminent attack, military invasion, and occupation.

Well, why not? We the citizens of this rich and powerful country have all the resources and military muscle to enforce the Bush megalomania. Hell, let's got for it, 'cause it only costs money, which we have by the trillions and thousands upon thousands of lives that we can spare. ¡Adelante!

Eight million, 80 million, or 800 million voters in Iraq are not, in my opinion, worth the life or physical or mental well-being of one American solder or civilian.

Whether based on faulty information or a knee-jerk decision to get the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack, our presence in Iraq is a monumental ongoing tragedy. A costly mistake, on many fronts, by the politicians, both Democrat and Republican, who wanted to look good and brave to their constituents by sallying forth to save the world from terrorism. Panic and fear exhibited by our leaders!

When the smoke began to clear, the finger-pointing started: “Those Republican warmongers caused this boondoggle.” “Oh yeah? Well, you also voted for the go-ahead on Iraq, you wishy-washy Democrat.”

So now if you ask any congressman in Washington about when we should pull out of Iraq, you get definitive answers like “When the time is right,” “As soon as the Iraqi forces are ready,” “The day the different elements of the newly-formed Iraqi government have enough control to guarantee a stable Iraq,” “Five years, ten years, more? I just don't know at this juncture,” “God, I wish I knew. What do you think?”

I vote for “God, I wish I knew. What do you think?”

Visit a Nuevo Laredo physician for treatment. I did and the results were excellent, to say nothing of the cost.

My right foot was swollen and painful. I tried to get some medical attention in Laredo , but the two physicians I tried were booked solid.

I was pretty desperate, so I decided to go to the Clinica de Especialidades in Nuevo Laredo , where Dr. Nabor Ramirez, MD, practices. His name was familiar to me, because so many of my insurance clients go to him and swear by his diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Clean clinic, a small, unassuming consultation office, and a 20-minute wait; $25 for Dr. Ramirez's consultation, $27.58 for a two-view X-ray of my foot, $12.50 for the prescribed tablets and an injectable liquid, $3.50 for the injection service (disposable syringe and needle); $68.58 for the whole shebang.

The pain is gone, I can walk normally, and I feel great. Wait a minute, I didn't add $4 for the bridge toll fees.

Same treatment in Laredo , a hit of around $350. Aw, heck, in this country, we're so rich compared to our Nuevo Laredo neighbors, $350 is peanuts. Right?

Sylvia Bruni, dedicated to education and the development of young minds, now superintendent of Laredo Independent School District. She is capable, worthy, and will do a great job. Let's keep her in her present position for a long time so she can really strut her stuff.

Bobby Santos knows what is best for the students at UISD better than anyone anywhere. It's about time the school board recognized that the cream is right here in Laredo , Texas .

To Robert Santos, superintendent of United Independent School District :

Felicidades, “por fin se diespertaron.”

Th-th-that's all, folks!