by YourLocalSecurity.com>

I was very disappointed last week when it became increasingly evident that Mit Romney would not “come out” in favor of gay marriage.  I feel that he lacked the moral conviction to put what was right in front of his party and winning.  That being said, despite any shortcomings Romney may display, he is an excellent leader who can salvage our country’s stagnating economy. And, in this election, it is the economy, not social issues, that must be the primary consideration.

            Over the last four years, the Obama administration has dithered and utterly failed to pull our country out of the economic morass. Governor Romney has a solid record as a job creator.  He had the best record of anyone in a decade inMassachusettsand he lowered unemployment to a mere 4.7%. Romney helped turn a liberal state in the economically shriveling northeast into a national leader in economic growth.

            Romney’s experience in business also bodes well for competency in the economic arena.  While some might say that Romney was a profit seeking hatchet man, the Federal government needs some hatcheting right now.  Romney’s company took over companies and made them more prosperous and efficient.  The Federal government needs the leadership of an individual who will take on ingrained interests and shore up our national finances.  We need someone brave enough to cut inefficient and expensive programs.  Governor Romney has the ability to do that for this nation.

            Romney is also a man of character.  Although the son of rich parents, most of his fortune is self made.  Romney spent his youth working as a missionary…..meanwhile President Obama was a member of the “choom gang” taking bong hits on mountains in Hawaii.  Romney may not always present policies that reflect his morals, but he is a deeply moral and upstanding man.

            Finally, Governor Romney has the ability to fix our nation’s broken healthcare system.  As Governor of Massachusetts he helped get everyone insured in a program that is overwhelmingly popular.  While Obamacare is a gross overreach of Federal power, we can not have uninsured citizens.  Such citizens simply go to emergency rooms for medical attention, taking beds from real emergencies and costing the taxpayers millions. Romney can deliver an alternative to the current national healthcare law that is efficient and truly promotes good health.

            Romney may not be the perfect candidate, but he is a good man and an effective leader.  He has the strength to lead and is the best person to lead this country at this time.

            Family, Teachers, Friends of Lutheran West, thank you for supporting me and my classmates this evening just as you have for the past four years. As much as everyone talks about graduation being a happy time, the start of the adventures that are our adult lives, I can’t help but feel a little sad to be saying goodbye to so much this evening.  When we walk across this stage and get our diplomas tonight, it will symbolize the end of so much more then high school.  As well as saying goodbye to Lutheran West many of us will be saying goodbye to our community, our churches, our friends, and our families in the coming months. And while tonight may be about looking at the wonderful opportunities that lie in the future, I would like to take this opportunity to offer several thank you’s on behalf of myself and my classmates.

            First, I would be remiss if I did not thank the phenomenal Lutheran grade schools so many of us attended before high school.  I am the proud product ofLakewoodLutheranSchool. Lakewood Lutheran was small but mighty for this is the third consecutive year a Lakewood Lutheran alumn has graced this stage. I would first like to thank the 8 students graduating this year who attended Lakewood Lutheran with me. I would also like to thank the many wonderful teachers at Lakewood Lutheran, many of whom remain a part of my life and are here celebrating tonight.I especially need to thank my old principal, Mr. Dittmar.  As well as being an excellent coach, teacher, and role model, Mr. Dittmar took special interest in helping his students continue to grow in their faith.  Mr. Dittmar taught us the importance of a personal walk with God.  Mr. Dittmar taught my confirmation class and, during that class, I choose Proverbs 3:6 as my bible verse which reads “in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” I honestly feel God’s presence directing my life as I walk with him, and I know that Mr. Dittmar played an integral role in helping me walk with my Lord.

The last four years at Lutheran West, I have gained so much from so many wonderful teachers. Teachers like Mrs. Gross who helped me learn to speak in public, Mr. Muth and Mr. Chamberlin who helped me excel at music Mrs. Nemeth, who even after I finished her class fostered my interest in science, and Mrs. Johns who taught me the skills I really needed to succeed in college. The caring of Lutheran West teachers is epitomized by Ms. Shimek who spent countless hours with me before school the last two years dragging me through upper level math. The great success of Lutheran West’s E.P.I.C. Service Club is a testament to our advisors, Mr. Ragland and Mr. Fuchs, and I am so grateful to them for all they did. I also need to thank Mr. Fenske who taught me how to argue and helped plant me more firmly in my beliefs. My reputation as a leader would not have happened without the help of Mrs. Pangrace, who, as well as giving me a love of history, encouraged me to run for student council. Although I knew virtually no one, I was elected Freshman Class President. Mrs. Pangrace reignited my love of politics, and my choice of colleges proves what a huge impact she had.  Frau, danke shön. Ich habe viele Deutsch gelernt, aber wichtiger, habe ich auch das Erlebnis gehabt, einen Schauspieler zu warden. Vor dir zeige ich nur Respekt.

            Finally, there is one special teacher that I need to thank. My first day of Lutheran West I showed up for Biology late and was told I was a “typical Freshman.” By the time that class had ended, all the papers I had signed “Tim” were slapped back on my desk and I was ordered to “use my big boy name”.  Before that first semester was over, Mrs. Miller had given me and F on a test, and what remains the only detention I have ever received at Lutheran West.

            Fortunately for me, Mrs. Miller was a phenomenal teacher who did not write me off. She challenged me to do better.  During a second semester shadowing project, I discovered my interest in medicine while shadowing a local surgeon. I told Mrs. Miller who then, characteristically, went above and beyond for a student. With her help, I secured an internship in the Cleveland Clinic’s top ranked cardiology department which I have now held for 3 years. I am so grateful to her, and everyone at the Clinic for all they have taught me.

            I also need to thank my guidance counselor Mrs. Slack.  As well as being an excellent Academic Challenge coach, Mrs. Slack was a perfect counselor. My first week at Lutheran West Mrs. Slack called me down to her office. She wanted to meet with each of her students. Her first question was “what do you think a guidance counselor does?” to which I answered “helps people if they get involved with drugs?” It turns our a guidance counselor is the person who makes it possible for you to get great internships, win scholarships, and apply to twenty some schools. I can not thank you enough for everything you did for me.

            Finally, I need to thank my parents.  My father refers to all the money he pays for my siblings and my school “his lexus payments.’ Turns out dad, that after you pay three through college, it’ll be more like two ferrari’s…..probably ought to have Ms. Shimeck check that. I’m not up here for my math skills.

            Also my mother, who gave up a career to stay home with me.  My mom would wait for me to get home from work and play practices till 11:30 at night to talk to and help me, just to get up to help me leave for school at 6am the next morning for bio early birds. I know that so much of my success is directly attributable to you.

            It is customary for the Valedictorian to offer some forward looking and uplifting advice to his classmates, and all I can say to the singularly impressive class of 2012 is don’t settle.  Don’t become complacent. We have accomplished so much thus far and we can do so much more in the future.  When I look out into this crowd of faces I know that the world I will die in will be so much greater that the one I was born into.  I look forward to living in buildings designed by Bethany Roman, decorated by Abby Cole, and constructed by Emily Alexander’s bare hands. I know I’ll be well cared for in a world with doctors like Josh Krach and nurses like Rachel Civittolo. I look forward to crossing party lines to vote for Tabatha Pawlak, and to dieing in the nuclear apocalypse caused by Anna Kukelhan’s endeavors in international diplomacy.  And that doesn’t even begin to do justice to the members of the class of 2012 who are amazing at everything………and by members I mean Taylor Mack.

            Hebrews 12 describes a great “cloud of witnesses”, and I truly feel like a part of such a group as a member of the class of 2012.  This class has the opportunity to better our world and help create a stronger, kinder, Christianity.  I challenge each and every one of you to sort through what you’ve learned here at West and apply what you keep to your daily lives.  You should never hold a belief you think is stupid, don’t let anyone tell you what to believe or what to do, just seek out the path God has for you and put it into action. Live out Christ’s message of love above all else, acknowledge him in all you do, and I know that he will bless you so deeply. Although we cherish our memories of Lutheran West, don’t let this be thehigh point. Take full advantage of the bottomless abilities God as given you, harness ambition on his behalf, and I look forward to how you will truly change the world that we share.

            Thank you all for joining us here this evening. May God bless you all, and may God bless Lutheran West.

Today's life lesson from our friends in Britain is.......don't try.  Don't try to work your way up from being a secretary to a CEO. Don't try to rise above the social class you were born in.  Don't go from a small working family to having dinner with royalty and Prime Ministers.  Don't try to be successful......because if you do you will be attacked mercilessly and unfairly for nothing.

This morning Rebekah Brooks was arrested in connection with a phone hacking scandal.  She is being held, without being charged, in the arcane and backward British judicial system.  The words I want to use to describe this move by the London PD are not appropriate for this forum.  Ms. Brooks was an executive.  She never hacked a phone.  She never offered someone a bribe.

There may be a case to say she knew these thing were happening.  My response is so what.  Who cares? What did she do wrong? It may be slightly unethical, maybe even slightly illegal, to hack someone's phone.  But it should not be unexpected, and it should not topple this hard-working woman's career.  The people her paper supposedly targeted were mostly celebrities.  They were superstars and politicians.  If you want privacy, don't go into politics.  People that willingly put themselves out in front of the public forfeit their expectations of privacy.  Everything they do will be scrutinized.  In fact, legally, the protections granted to land line conversations are not provided to cell phone calls.  There is no right to privacy for a celebrity, especially on something as susceptible as a cellphone.

British police should release Ms. Brooks immediately.  The British public should send a clear message of apology to Ms. Brooks and the rest of News Corp. They should make it clear that they respect success, that they appreciate good reporting, and that they admire the genius that made a secretary a kingmaker.