off he went into the wild blue yonder
Jude and I took Nathan back to the airport yesterday. As we were waiting for his
plane to take off, I was watching the news on TV. The sound was turned down,
but it was easy to imagine what Obama, his pals and the oppositional true patriots
were saying about the odious legislation they had just passed.
” . . . best for our great nation . . .”, ” . . . start of a new era . . . “, ” . . . everyone will have
to pitch in . . .”
It was equally easy to imagine them speaking the truth: ” . . . we believe it’s the
right thing to do to have the rich fuck over the poor yet again . . .”, ” . . . this bill
is a breathtaking piece of cowardice, obfuscation and evasion of responsibility
. . .”, ” . . . we have no idea how 80 or so freshman members of Congress bullied
the power elite into this . . .”
Although I had promised myself to stop fretting about such matters as a 65th
birthday gift last month, I couldn’t not hear the roar of rage and howl of despair
in my gut. No over-the-counter meds from the airport gift shop could calm them,
and I couldn’t afford to drink at its bar.
I dearly love Nathan. He’s an old soul in the body of an NFL lineman. I wondered
if my family felt the same way I felt as they watched my flight slouch me toward
Vietnam. I was the same age as our gentle giant. What were Jude and I sending
him into? Didn’t I go to southeast Asia so America would live happily ever after?
Someone in the Pentagon owes me an explanation.
Jude and I drove home mostly in silence. When we talked, it was about mundane
things. We were steeping in the sadness we always feel when Nathan goes back.
He’ll always be her baby boy. I slept and mapped out changes to the farm in my
head. Shortly before we got home, I told her I was ready to become a Canadian
citizen.
Comments are closed.
Anchor Struck 
Wow! What’s involved in becoming a Citizen? Would you hold dual Citizenships? I imagine if you’re a citizen of one country you don’t un-become a citizen, right? Am I showing how very UNtraveled I am?
Because Jude and I are both over 55, we don’t even have to test out. It’s just a matter of paperwork. A real human at a Social Security office told me that the change wouldn’t affect my benefits (although the Super Congress might). I expect to find the same from the Veterans Administration. Some friends who just changed have dual citizenship. All valid questions, Tiff. But please don’t be traveling in that Arizona heat.
I know exactly what you mean, Allen – – you’ve put it so beautifully, and so sadly. My heart has been breaking ever since our president rolled over and fucked the good ole USA – all except for the wealthy, of course! I’m not yet ready to denounce my citizenship; first, I want to see and be a part of REAL AMERICANS MARCHING IN THE STREET, BRINGING THOSE BASTARDS DOWN!. If that doesn’t happen, then I’ll be moving on, too – – somewhere else, where my heart doesn’t bleed every time I check my email.
Since we’re the same age, I know you won’t let me get away with saying I simply got too old for this shit. And I claim no special consideration because I’m a veteran. But when I compared my energy level to what I thought I’d need to put a perceptible dent in the system,
I decided it was time to seek my freedom elsewhere. When I see someone at a Koch-brothers-designed Tea Party rally holding a sign that says “Government Hands Off My Medicare”, the hopelessness is overwhelming.
Glad you are becoming a Canadian citizen! A plus for Canada!!
And another reason for a party on the deck, eh?
i felt that way when bush was prez… i am sad at what those teabagging ass-wipes did but i have hope that we will get the country back. people are just beginning to realize what a mistake they made electing this group of morons. hopefully next election cycle they will be gone.. or at least enough decent new people will call them out and stop this madness
I really hope you’re right, kris. A historian on PBS news last night talked about how these bad patches are cyclical (albeit decades in the making). And I know that there are millions of caring folks in the states — even a majority, I hope. I think the bewildering Tea Party success will be short-lived when actual cuts start being made. Look at the stink over the FAA furloughs already. Hang in there.
My heart breaks for all Americans when I hear the news from US. Sure hope kris is right and change will come. In the meantime, I think I’ll go watch a few Bill Maher episodes, maybe a little Colbert or Stewart, see what they’re saying about it all.
Hoping Canuckland is good to you!
Julie
Welcome to the blog, Julie. Canuckland is great for me. Stewart/Colbert were crucial in helping me through the Bush years. I can’t wait to see how they handle yesterday’s credit rating downgrade.
Hey, Allen,
Not trying to be all mysterious. It’s me, Brainie, from Stubblejumpers Cafe. I’m not all that deliberate about computer settings, or how my comments are signed.
Yeah, I’ve been a Canadian forever and I love it. Hoping we can stand on guard for our country, as it says in our national anthem, and not let bad politicians get too carried away here too. People seem to have to learn the hard way!
Best wishes,
Julie