"The stench that comes from that life (politics) has appeared to some to be so suffocating that they came to the conclusion that politics were not for a god-fearing man." Speech at Guildhouse Church, under the auspices of the Franciscan Society, The Guildhouse, 23 Sept. 1931
Not that I'm a god-fearing man (sometimes I am and sometimes I'm not), but the stench does appear to be suffocating.
Even if I ignore the creeps and crumb-bums and ignoramuses who go into politics in this country, even if I ignore present day political policies designed to ensure that tens of thousands of Americans die from automobiles, junk food, toxic air and water, etc., even if I ignore the money that has always swamped our political system and now threatens to drown us all, I can't ignore the guns and bombs.
I have a marksman's medal awarded by the U.S. government for shooting an M-16. I loaded a live nuclear bomb on my airplane in a revetment in Germany, strapped in the pilots, taxied it out, and saluted the end of the world.
My first vote was for a crook, a criminal. My last vote (Barack Obama) was for (sigh) just another politician.
But I have hope that things can change.
Showing posts with label Nixon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nixon. Show all posts
21 February 2011
19 February 2011
I Voted for Richard Nixon, pt. 1
"My bent is not political but religious and I take part in politics because I feel that there is no department of life which can be divorced from religion and because politics touch the vital being of India almost at every point" Letter to G.S. Arundale, Young India, 6 Aug. 1919
In 1972, having just left home to go to college, I registered and voted for Milhouse. My father was a dyed in the wool Republican and I respected and feared my father. I was afraid of everything. Voting Republican was an attempt to put up a bulwark against fear.
After this election, I fell in with a bad crowd - bridge players. I spent the four years learning the finer points of how to squeeze RHO to unblock his queen of hearts. I lost track of politics.
Then came the military and politics had a new urgency for me. Politic decisions affected my paycheck. Political decisions could end my life. An bent winged bug sucker (F-4E Phantom) with my name spray painted on the cockpit could fly away with a nuclear bomb to help end the world. I had a baby girl.
My views changed. Unfortunately, politics in America had not.
I just couldn't vote for Defense Policies that had the end of the world as a backup plan and Republican or Democrat, that was and remains our country's fall back position.
In 1972, having just left home to go to college, I registered and voted for Milhouse. My father was a dyed in the wool Republican and I respected and feared my father. I was afraid of everything. Voting Republican was an attempt to put up a bulwark against fear.
After this election, I fell in with a bad crowd - bridge players. I spent the four years learning the finer points of how to squeeze RHO to unblock his queen of hearts. I lost track of politics.
Then came the military and politics had a new urgency for me. Politic decisions affected my paycheck. Political decisions could end my life. An bent winged bug sucker (F-4E Phantom) with my name spray painted on the cockpit could fly away with a nuclear bomb to help end the world. I had a baby girl.
My views changed. Unfortunately, politics in America had not.
A young Englishman (yes, that Dudley Moore) is talking to a friend about his upcoming visit to America:
“Paxton Whitehead: They (the United States) have inherited our two party system.
Dudley Moore: How does that work?
Paxton Whitehead: Oh, well, they have the Republican Party which is the equivalent of our Conservative Party, and they have the Democratic Party which is the equivalent of our Conservative Party.” – Beyond the Fringe, 1962
I just couldn't vote for Defense Policies that had the end of the world as a backup plan and Republican or Democrat, that was and remains our country's fall back position.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)