The Other Side of Paradise, Part 2
As I put my laundry into one of the machines, I noticed one of the NCO's that hadn't been very visible during the day. As he begin to walk out of the building, I called out to him. Passing through the two crudely crafted plywood doors, I turned the corner to find him waiting for me.
"What's up?" He stood with his back to the sun, adjusting his feet on the baseball size gravel that covered all of the ground on the fire base.
"I noticed you didn't say much earlier."
"The guys have their opinions. It's definitely interesting." He smiled and then chuckled.
"And what about you? How are you feeling about the election?"
"The media seems to be focusing on the fact that he is a black President. It has never been about race for me."
He continued, "I looked at each candidate for what I thought would be best for the country. I felt Obama had a better approach for the country and what we are facing. Black candidates of the past have had black agendas. I felt Obama was speaking to all of America."
The Staff Sergeant's focus then shifted, "People get wrapped around the person who is President. But he can only do so much. We need to be focusing on the legislation that comes from the Democrats and Republicans we elect to Congress. They affect America more. Obama can come in and push an agenda, but if the Congress doesn't buy off on it, nothing will happen."
As we talked I asked the Staff Sergeant about some of the discussions that had been happening throughout the day.
He chuckled again. "It definitely keeps things interesting. You just can't take things too seriously over here. It will mess you up." Then he added, "But if there is anything I take away from this, it is that change is fearful."
Later that evening I ran into the Staff Sergeant again. He invited me into his room where he had been watching a movie on his laptop.
"People back in the States voiced their opinions by voting. We had the chance to vote, but by the time the ballots got here and would have arrived back home, it would have been too late. But we have our opinions."
As we sat and talked he reiterated his thoughts from earlier in the day, "For me the greater importance is who is in the Congress. Obama is just a man and can only do so much."
As I got up to leave, he smiled and finished with these words, "In the end the team is still together. We have our opinions and we support whoever is President. In the end it is always mission first."
With that we said good-night.
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Don't forget that today is the birthday of the United States Marines. .....................
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/11/10/usmc-birthday/
Well it shows you ignorance is not bliss, it can spread hateful ideas, thoughts and beliefs and disunity among troops too.
Again, this guy needs to go back to his Soldier of Fortune magazine and his militia meeting at the local bar. While soldiers grumble- and oh yes we do!- they're smart enough to know that Bush Corp. has been taking them for a ride. Everyone wants change, and given what "leadership" they've had, they're every bit as interested in what Mr. O is bringing as everyone else is.
I beg to differ; one man can have much power in spite of Congress. Look at the last 8 years.
Republicans were firmly in control of Congress for 6 of those years, and had enough control in the last 2 to prevent Democrats from passing anything in the Senate.
"But if there is anything I take away from this, it is that change is fearful."
Yes, sometimes - - but change is developmental.
The change to Bush paved the way for the nation's first black president, and a truly new political stance. Bush was so bad that some of my friends that I consider to be bigots actually voted for Obama as the lesser of two evils.
Ed Graham
Only two comments. Interesting. I suppose about 500 people will be having 'foot-soup' for breakfast this morning. It’s amazing, the change in temperament, once people get their way. I consider myself to be a liberal. I am also a firm believer that everybody has a right to be heard, no matter if I'm in agreement or not. I was disappointed to see all of the nasty, hurtful things being said towards those folks who were only stating their opinion about things. I thought it to be hypocritical, childish and very closed-minded. It's ironic that everybody seems to be fighting each other, losing sight on the very thing we all desire in the first place. Peace.
I understand your point but I cannot agree. I am infuriated by the Right Wing Liberal Bashing. I am fine with questions of his experience or even his judgment.
But to have people still saying they think he will be sworn in on a Koran is lunacy and propaganda. And the idea that Obama is going to run the war worse than Bush did is ridiculous. Bushco never gave a good G0d Damn about the troops; if they had they would have made resupply with proper equipment the number 1 priority and VA healthcare number 2.
I would also like to point out that the reasonable comments were from an NCO and the FIXed News comments came from junior to mid-level officers. I am sure this is not always true but in this case it was.
Well, thank God for part two.
AHHHHH thank you for this follow up.
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