patRIOTism...

Happy Independence Day everyone! Despite all the nutty shit going on, we still don't live in that shabby of a place. Yes, civil rights are being trampled, we've got awesome leadership, and don't know if the government has got our back (read: Katrina), but living here still beats some of the other offerings around the world. SOME laws are actually around to protect us, SOME police actually care, SOME school districts are top-rated. Now that I've said that, I feel the need to say this: damn this place has got problems =(

Today I was in the kitchen trying to get my mom's laptop sync'd with our printer (thanks Microsoft for making Vista and XP difficult to network together), and on the radio there was some news about some soldiers re-enlisting. My mom thought that was glorious news, and shared that later at a Church-folk get together, where some other people agreed at what a sign of greatness that was, and others stayed silent. My mom, and apparently some others, are still in the minority that think this war is being fought to protect our lifestyle. I always get uneasy when my mom or anyone else gets patriotic. Protect our lifestyle? Oh, is that what the big brother Patriot Act does? The mentality is old school, support the leadership/president through it all, and now that Bush has plucked the Christianity heart strings, he's got people mislead. I don't really know enough to get into a heated debate about this stuff, but I do know that I don't support much of the decisions/actions our government has taken and it's always an awkward situation when people I'm so closed to have such an opposite way of thinking. I feel a bit foolish for not paying more attention to politics/world news, but I, and I'm sure many of my apathetic peers, have become jaded by all the run-around bullshit we've been fed by the government as we've gone through life. /end pointless vent.

One thing someone said at the get-together in a devotion was that today is one of the few days we can put politics and world views aside and celebrate the fact that we are American. As I hung out there, and at another friend's BBQ, I couldn't help but think about how true those words were. I'm sure everyone's views varied greatly, but we've got this day to remind us that we can still celebrate together as Americans about the lives that we do have, regardless of political stance. Furthermore, republicans, democrats, and everything else in between... there are plenty of benevolent people out there that really do mean well and want to see our people bettered. Note to self, don't be such a hater based solely on one's political views.

^^ what my average-Joe-self thinks about the 4th of the July, I don't care if I sound ignorant by saying it.

By the way, the vacation is going awesome. I might just have to tell my group that I'm not coming in on Monday, or ever. Haha. Maybe soon, a little vacation play-by-play and some pictures to go along with it.

Cheers homies.