As much as I would have liked to join in the revelry today, and as it often happens here oberblogensphere, the real world saw fit to interject itself. For most of the day I was on range detail. Ironic as it may sound, for all my political leanings, there is a special place in this sometimes contrarian heart for the smell of cordite.
This gave me time to think, however, without the taint of all the first class pundits from both Left and Right planting their memes.
First thing I noted was how my peers reacted. All the expected things came up. Will this signal to terrorists a capitulation? Taxes? Homeland Security money, will it dry up? Will anything get done in the next two years? In most situations like these I tend play the role of the silent observer, there are more than one kind of politics after all. Then the subject of Muslim culture came around the corner at full steam when some one commented on how "they" treat their women.
"There are Conservatives out in Utah that bear more than a passing resemblance to Muslims in how they treat women," slipped out before I could stop myself.
Now as I said, I try to play the role of the silent observer, for the most part. Sure I trade barbs with those I know to be politicos like myself, but not with everyone. The whole room paused. But there were no stares. It was a contemplative pause, and in a moment it was gone, and we were on to the next topic.
Now I don't know if you know what this means, but there is no more politically incorrect environment than the United States Army. Bill Maher would blanch. Say the wrong thing and prepare to be pounced on (but in a playful way, there's no better way to pass the time than to give your battle buddy some shit about what they let slip). It means it was absorbed and excepted.
Later on, as I was driving back from the range I dialed up some Bill O'Reilly on the radio for shits and giggles. Some guy had called in to grip about how Secretary Rumsfeld had been a giant weight around the Administration's neck, and Bush should have dumped him 6 months ago...when Billo interjected, "...what?"
[paraphrase]
"You may have got your wish, I'm getting news in as we speak that Rumsfeld is out..."
To be continued tomorrow morning...I feel like I haven't slept in ages.
First thing I noted was how my peers reacted. All the expected things came up. Will this signal to terrorists a capitulation? Taxes? Homeland Security money, will it dry up? Will anything get done in the next two years? In most situations like these I tend play the role of the silent observer, there are more than one kind of politics after all. Then the subject of Muslim culture came around the corner at full steam when some one commented on how "they" treat their women.
"There are Conservatives out in Utah that bear more than a passing resemblance to Muslims in how they treat women," slipped out before I could stop myself.
Now as I said, I try to play the role of the silent observer, for the most part. Sure I trade barbs with those I know to be politicos like myself, but not with everyone. The whole room paused. But there were no stares. It was a contemplative pause, and in a moment it was gone, and we were on to the next topic.
Now I don't know if you know what this means, but there is no more politically incorrect environment than the United States Army. Bill Maher would blanch. Say the wrong thing and prepare to be pounced on (but in a playful way, there's no better way to pass the time than to give your battle buddy some shit about what they let slip). It means it was absorbed and excepted.
Later on, as I was driving back from the range I dialed up some Bill O'Reilly on the radio for shits and giggles. Some guy had called in to grip about how Secretary Rumsfeld had been a giant weight around the Administration's neck, and Bush should have dumped him 6 months ago...when Billo interjected, "...what?"
[paraphrase]
"You may have got your wish, I'm getting news in as we speak that Rumsfeld is out..."
To be continued tomorrow morning...I feel like I haven't slept in ages.
