I voted for Bush twice and his father once. I have carried a pistol for personal protection since I was 19 (I’m 34 now) and thank God I have never had to use it. I work for the largest Hummer dealer in the state as a manager. I believe in the death penalty. I think you (Hammer) and I are probably about as opposite as two people can get, but if I happened to see you in a bar I would buy you a beer.

Why you ask? You make me think. You force me to examine what I believe and why I believe it. I’m not sure exactly when I began to look at the world the way I do, but I know it’s different than it used to be. I know more people that are personally bankrupt and hanging on by a thread than I ever thought I would. People that I never believed would be reduced to what they are now and I’ve just been trying to figure out the answer. I suppose if I had the solution I would be running for president.

I used to just read your column because I thought you were an idiot and I wanted to be entertained, but that has changed. As I’ve gotten older I have become more open-minded and have seen the value in examining opposing viewpoints. You really hit the nail on the head with this week’s column on Tim Russert (June 18-25). I didn’t realize that you and I were doing the exact same thing at the exact same time every Sunday. Of course that is drinking coffee and watching Meet the Press. My wife and I are going to miss him greatly, especially with the coming election.

You do a good job, Hammer. Even though you and I may not agree on many issues, I always look forward to see what you have to say every Wednesday. You keep writing and I’ll keep reading.

Don’t let that shit go to your head though.