Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Modern Romans


I response to this:



I said this:

The Romans used to torture us, imprison us and feed us to lions. My faith calls on me to forgive... over and over... always. To the real hate mongers... to the modern day Romans, I say "I forgive you. You know not what you do." To the perverters of my faith (from the Crusades, through the Inquisition, through all the scummy televangelists to those who hide fear behind dogma... I forgive you as well. I cannot deny my faith so all I can do is bear the burden, pray for strength and continue to forgive my persecutors. If I can be true, God's everlasting kingdom shall be my reward.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

 
 
When my son wanted to be a dumptruck at the age of four, I guess I should have strapped a bucket of dirt to his back and called him "Mack" or "Kenworth" instead of ignoring his self-determination. I'm all for exploring who you are and who you can become and certainly don't want to see anyone harmed physically or psychologically by intoleranbce but there are sure to be problems down the road that won't become evident for years until this generation of self-determiners grow into adulthood. I just can't applaud this as a total-good with the future (and unintended) consequences being unknown.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

The Boot Snake Latrine Incident

Anyone who has served in the military in the last 60 years will know what "bloused boots" means.  For everyone else... bloused boots is the method of drawing up the trouser cuff and either tucking it into the top of the boot or (as I prefer) rolling it under an elastic band around the lower calf, above the boot top.



Our fatigue pants have a drawstring in the cuff that makes this easier and more secure.  Don't want the pant legs coming untucked.  Occasionally though, the drawstring slips out and we call that a boot snake.

I was in the latrine after lunch; having just finished my business, when I glanced down and saw a boot snake.  I bent over and tried to tuck it back under the elastic band but it would not cooperate.  I began muttering to myself,  "Dang you... c'mon!  Get in there.  I mean it.  Can't walk around with you hanging out."  I finally succeeded in getting the string tucked back in and the boot blouser band gave an audible "thwack" as it snapped back.  I opened the stall and was heading to the sinks to wash my hands when I noticed two gentleman watching me; hands motionless in the act of drying their hands with paper towels.  I stared blankly back for a few moments then realization dawned on me that they heard my muttered comments earlier.  I tried to think of some funny remark but decided to just go.  Sometimes all you can do is just go.