My Sunday

I'm labeling this Iraq because... well a) this is a blog about a conversation about Iraq and 2) I read recently about the idea about how often does the average American think about Iraq- and I think I think about Iraq more then the average person and want to prove it( besides the link I have on blogger to Iraq Body Count)

So towards the end of my day at the game store it's me and the old guy. The old guy is a semi nice fixture at the store. On the one hand he's genorous- giving cards and clix to others, on the other hand it's hard to hold a conversation with him because he a) had a stroke and b) was in 'Nam. It is my understanding that he's mellowed after the stroke( like he's forgot to be angry).... However he has this burning HATRED towards Hilliry and Bill, nevermind that they did more for the Army and vets out of guilt then W. has- out of greed and powerplays.
Old guy ends up talking to this red voter type. And I got lulled into the conversation as somehow( I forget how or who brought it up) Iraq was mentioned. I asked him why were we in Iraq- He said { drum roll} 9/11. I decided that his speech patterns( like W.'s) reminded me of Darmok; one of the best Next Gen episodes, where the aliens only speak in metaphors. This red voter wasn't engaging me in conversation, he was telling me talking points. 9/11, We're fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them over here, If we leave there will be another 9/11....

I finally decided to cut to the chase. I tell the Red Voter that he seems like a healthy red blooded type- why wasn't HE fighting in Iraq. I was glad I wasn't drinking when he responded otherwise I might've done a spit take. It really was funny. He said at 37 he was too old and that he was overweight. Well I decided that I wasn't going to talk to this guy any more and returned to my reading. In less then a year I lost 50 lbs. I did it for myself and my well being; while this guy couldn't be bothered to lose ANY weight to protect his country... And I'm sure that with the military hurting for recruits, 37 wouldn't be that bad.
I went back to my reading and was a bit amused when I thought about it- that the old guy who judges everybody on what they did during Nam( he gets mad at Romney because he was a missionary in like France at the time...) was jawing with this chickenhawk.

At about 10 min. to closing I got out the vacuum cleaner. I don't always vacuum but I wanted Red Voter out of my store... and thus I was amused that the guy bought something at my store. I felt that was an 'acheived victory' for me and the store. Both me and the manager/my best freind have nothing but disdain for the chickenhawks- so taking their money while looking down on them is a good thing.