So, elections are taking place tomorrow…a slightly big deal for those in Mesquite, mainly concerning alcohol sales. There is no question that the demographic of Mesquite has changed, the differences I have seen before and after the Navy are very obvious. We will see what the new people of Mesquite have to say. Christine and I have early voted, voting is almost near up there with putting on the uniform as one of the greatest ways to serve your country. Unfortunately, while I think some of my fellow military members have a lost outlook and meaning of their duty, I see it at a more grave level in the world of voting.

This is probably most prevalent around my generation and younger, that window of those that are allowed to vote. Those jokes that people like Jay Leno do where they go on the street to see if anyone can name of the current President of the United States is funny, but at the same point it is sad…and yet your are generally told to lighten up if you observe this disturbance. Amongst a lot of my military friends and colleagues, politics is discussed. However, at least in conversations where I am involved, our political discussions are different than what I get when discussing it with someone who hasn’t served the military or moderately related civic duty. We don’t really pay attention to the news on the TV or the newspapers…do we have to? We have a job to do, not an ideology to drive…or any other matter of drive so that is probably why the discussion is different. When politics becomes a discussion among my civilian peers, they look like they’re about to go in labor…birthing a hippo. This is equally disturbing when the pained look on my friend’s face are from the men, amusing it is however.

I have a friend in the Army who is convinced he will not even bother engaging in political discussion with civilians. Sad, isn’t it? Not for him, I understand…I mentally roll my eyes when I am with my civilian friends and the discussion goes that way. Previously I had an online discussion with him and had told him that I was torn. I understand and respect the equality given to us individuals which we collectively voice and shape this nation, but that great gift is also in a way a great curse. I do not have doctors building our skyscrapers, I do not have football players building our highways. Yet when it comes that time to go to the polls, my voice in shaping my hometown, my state and my country has no greater or less weight than the voice of a freshman college student who spends more life online and his idea of reality is convincing himself through repetitive video watching that giant US government missiles hit the New York World Trade Center towers.

I am not saying that military people should have a stronger voice than others when it comes to shaping this nation. The military is a great asset, but we’re not nation builders. You don’t need me to point to places like Iraq as an example. So I don’t want to change the weight of the voice of people, that is a headache of its own right to begin with. At the same role, I don’t want people to just say, “Just Go Vote!”…seriously? How many people actually know what’s going to be said on the ballot before they even say it? If you don’t, do you seriously think you know what you’re choosing for in a wise manner? The news has been crazy, people don’t want to watch it because it gives them headaches…they the the “described agony” every single day, so when you say anything remotely political then all of a sudden everyone, men and women alike, start going into hippo labor.

Yet, I have no problems with these discussions with those currently and formerly in uniform. We’re too busy with our real lives and our real jobs to sit around and moan and what the guys on the TV are groaning about. We’re not oblivious of it either, we’re fairly aware. Don’t think we’re lockstep with whatever political party you think we’re buddy-buddy with either. Generally we’re not allowed to be publicly critical, we’ll say it amongst ourselves anyways. Why? They’re for the most part politicians, the doctors building the skyscrapers…and if they agree with us, so be it. If not, there will be lots of moaning and groaning, gnashing of teeth…all that typical stuff you’d expect, then if we can we will find the best way to achieve it with our goals in mind. We’re always pushing ourselves and striving for the better. You can call the situation in Iraq whatever you call it…but as far as the current situation right now, overall I do not think any other group could’ve done any better with a very crazy situation. I usually like to keep things simple, but the truth with all this is there is no simple explanation, or answer, for Iraq or the Middle East in general. Anyone that wants to sum it up by personally attacking you and listing off these bullet points read off the Internet within five minutes…well, you get what you pay for.

So with that digression, I was asked if I do engage in conversation with civilians with politics. The answer, yes I do. For one good example, should I say nothing to Christine (my Sister, but nonetheless a civilian)? So then what when it’s time for her to voice her own opinion. I don’t clone her into myself either (otherwise she wouldn’t shoot better than me…), could that cause a loss of votes in my head? Do I care? She’s speaking for her, not me…and when she helps shape the country, she will own up to the results as everyone else should instead of putting bumper stickers on their cars that say, “Don’t Blame Me, I Voted For *insert whoever*!” I also want to hear the other side, if there is another side.

I’m aware of what the news says and oftentimes what I get will be a recitation of the news. When it becomes a thinking discussion, which I will bring in if they let me, then it actually becomes a bit more enjoyable. I don’t expect to be right. In the years that have evolved since I was able to start voting, I have seen, experienced and have been a part of much. In my core, I have not changed…but my thinking has altered in some fashions, not really a back and forth in ideology but in understanding the big picture of how the world works and how I think is the best way for it to move in the future. I know I may be wrong, but I’m seldom gravely wrong nowadays…actually, I don’t think I’ve ever been gravely wrong.

Other than having equal voices, the other great thing was being able to have an opinion…this is another thing I’m being disturbed by. One, that it seems that the idea of dissenting opinion should be squashed and on the flip side and equally dangerous, that one person’s opinion has to be lauded into some great reality and has to be shoved down everyone’s throats. As with impeccable timing, I have received a post from another person whom I greatly respect and I think it comes at no better time than as I type this:

“Let me provide my definition of civility, which is also my definition of a civilized society. It is the state in which human beings can hold views sincerely while being open to the possibility that their views might in error. The converse of that view is to be open to the possibility that the other person is right. These days, the most prized emotional standpoint is passionate conviction. My view is the most prized stance is cautious conviction, a conviction that can be changed. What goes with that is attributing the best motives to those you disagree with, not the worst, barring evidence to the contrary.”

That above is I think what gives me two different conversations from a generally uniformed crowd and a generally civilian crowd. My friends in uniform are no more diverse than those as civilians, we have just come to respect each other for their opinions. It is this that has allowed us to be the best warship in that time period…whereas you do not have this as a whole in the country and many are convinced this country is a notch away from falling into the core of the Earth.

So now I say it…mainly because I don’t really talk much politics, kind of like my friend…no point in saying it especially on this particular medium. But there is a frenzy now as we are more or less a year away from next year’s elections. It’s all a game to them, the politicians, media and special groups. Really, you don’t need them to come up with your vote. You just need you…your own brain. Can’t you think for yourself? If you like playing games all day, believe…playing games are more fun than voting, you may want to stay behind…be responsible. Sounds funny, doesn’t it? But seems simple enough to me. So there you go, I’ve been approached on my views by several now, and I think that about sums it up really.

This weekend, the American Girl store opened in the Galleria. I want to just poke my head in and see what all the ruckus is about. Looking at the news story, it’s kinda scary…but that’s another discussion for another time.

Finally, after five rounds of pistol shooting…it seems Christine may have named a winner. There will be a final confirmation round in the short term future. After that, it’s smooth sailing onwards! We were a little surprised by the outcome, some of you may as well. Oh well…more later on.

So, I wonder what funky Thanksgiving dessert I should try whipping up this year… Or should I just stay with stuff that worked the past couple of times? Decisions, decisions…