Yes, I know I've been on my soapbox more than usual lately. But I'm not going to apologize for the contents of this column, because what I consider to be the most important presidential AND gubernatorial races in memory will reach the finish line Tuesday. I say this not because of the individuals seeking those and other offices throughout the land, but because of the positions they have pledged to represent.

In West Virginia, members of the Supreme Court of Appeals are elected by the people. I hope the voters will make the proper choices. But what concerns me more is the national picture. I think that voters everywhere should be thinking about what will likely happen in the U.S. Supreme Court if, in the next four years -- during the administration of the person who wins the presidential race -- one of the nine justices would decide to retire or, heaven forbid, would die. It is the president of the United States who nominates the justices, subject to congressional approval, of course.

As I see it, we need to move toward a more conservative court, with justices committed to upholding the high moral standards on which this country was founded. I know I sound as if I'm making a patriotic speech, and I'm not campaigning or telling anyone how I think they should vote. I just believe the direction that the high court takes is so crucial at this juncture.

Thanks to Jim Hood of Broad Oaks, who brought me an article titled "By The People, For The People," which was taken from the November issue of the Voice in the Wilderness magazine, I am using a timetable or list of "milestones" of various Supreme Court actions from 1962 until 2000. Being a court matter, perhaps some would call them "benchmarks."

The timetable, titled "A Nation in Decline," is preceded by the following comments:

"Does your vote count? Are we controlled by 435 congressmen, 100 senators, nine Supreme Court justices and one president? Our voice, our vote, our letters, and phone calls can make a difference. Don't stand by silently."

Now, let me demonstrate my point by listing the events:

"The Supreme Court ...

* "Banned prayer in schools in 1962;

* "Banned the Bible in schools in 1963;

* "Legalized abortion on demand in 1973 (Roe v. Wade);

* "Banned the 10 Commandments in schools in 1980;

* "Banned daily moments of silence if used for prayer in 1985;

* "Banned clergy-led prayer at graduation in 1992, and

* "Banned prayer before football games in 2000."

I'll conclude this by simply asking you the question: Do you notice a trend?