Politics and General Reality

First let me apologize this is promptly written. I have just returned from DC and I learned more than I can fairly process. We are not moribund but dynamic. Our social wars are to be fought. Can you imagine reading an original Declaration of Independence? You cannot imagine the glorification of Harriet Tubman and Dan George and MLK. They are not left out of our heritage they are made a conspicuous and glorified part of who we are. From Irish immigrants to the Vietnam Wall memorial. Our heritage springs forth from a love of country and the individual. We tried to stop it, from suffrage to Japanese to Civil Rights, but conflict prevails and leads us.

If you read this and find it silly, I get it. I get that the masses sometimes flow like a herd of cattle. That is OK.

But we have great leaders who see us and lead us through conflict. LGBT versus evangilical fundamentalist Christian is right and natural. It is good.

When someone censors my words it is good and right. I must stand up and protect my rights even if they are new rights. Our conflicts bring growth and have for nearly 250 years.

Did you know that Mexico's and Vietnam's declaration of Independence are fashion completely from out own? This battle between ideologies and politics is what is our right..The others fall into place if we keep the debate alive.

I really could give a rat's tush who you vote for. But I need you to see this unfettered wonderful process for what it is.

My country - oh I mean the land, has nearly kilt me many a time. (I hope you get the reference to Kilt- I hope you get the ref. to Dan Boione) And yet I love it so much I go back for more with a 50 pound pack and a destination. I am tied to this country both the institutions and the land. My half and more century has taught me well that the battle of progress may even be bloody but God bless those who fight the battles. They are heroes.

This year two amazing competitors fight hard to keep the American dream alive. Damn it but I just cannot do anything but appreciate both of them. The conflict is real and divisive. Thank our founders that we have this. Perhaps in this time of civil unrest but peace we find our place. Our nation is under siege as it was in 1776. It will always be for we stand for such lofty goals that there are those who oppose them. And God bless those who promote change and those who hold onto the past.

How can a man like me oppose anyone to pledges allegiance to our flag. I must be open and accepting of their opposing view but I must fight against those I oppose. My wife who is an immigrant from a communist country and I have a half breed child. And we have this posted on our refrigerator: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." And we say it together often. Since our hero Lincoln fought to keep the nation one, we must always keep the nation competitive. We cannot sully the names of our millions who have died to prevent tyranny, we must activate our rights by being in conflict with honor. Americans are not bound by conformity we are born of conflicting rights.

I had a wonderful experience the other night. We gathered with folk who are not aids in the Capitol but Chiefs of staff and CEO's. My daughter's bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos were to die for and the cous cous had a sauce that made me eat too much. These people were committed to a party line, more like cheering fans for their home team than ideological. I suspect my mensa mind was beaten down with younger more filled with vigor and smarter folk than I could ever hope to be.

We watched the debate - the reason for the get together. It was amazing how these young people dissected the issues and performance. Maybe 35 is not young. I learned so much I was bummed out it was time to go. The debate was far too short for me with this crew. Did I mention that the hostess produced cookies that lightened any mood with sweat and happy.

I feel so bad that I cannot cuss out one party or the other. Wow they are so brilliant and lead my nation so well.

Of course being a former Lay Eucharistic Minister in the Episcopal Church I visited the National Cathedral. I was moved to tears and understood "under God". Please to not tell me that Geronimo and FDR did not know God. A view miles apart but together in understanding that there is something guiding and watching over my land and yours.

Most of my readers are writers. Wow, how great is that?! We do judge and we do pass judgment. And we make our point in our creativity in life. Men like Ray below make me so proud. He takes words and turns them into a majesty of emotion. He fights for my freedom through his artistic translations of words my nation aspires to.

Eisenhower and Theodore Roosevelt raised themselves up to the presidency with basically nothing than their war record. Brutal war records. They are revered and did nothing but good in civilian political life. Men born and raised of the fight that is American. Let conflict reign.

Alright now. Cuss your neighbor. Disagree. Fight for your cause. And be proud that you are what America is all about. I love you. I made the mistake, of visiting our national archives. In in the morning and out when they kicked me out. I visited the Capitol building with a private tour, my daughter is a big wig, and I insisted that a docent explain the actual physical battles that happened in our early legislature up to the Civil War. Wow! What passion and caring and compassion these people had for our establishment and continuation as a true democracy.

Please do not abhor our conflict within. Embrace it and know that women like Eleanor and Nancy and men like MLK and Grant did their best to preserve our rights to be a member of the finest nation on earth.