[SOC] Melancholy Me

[Ian C. Purdie]

This was gunna be sidebar only but what the hell...

The world seems to be moving into the last phases of an unstoppable war and its
consequences. I've been thinking all afternoon of my own consequences of
voicing my strident opinions and so forth over recent weeks.

Firstly, I can't be sure I haven't caused Claude more than one problem than
necessary over it on SOC. I've burned bridges on FPQRP [any left?],  I've
solidified good relationships with Republicans in the USA who talk with a brain
in their head.

Likewise I've solidified friendships with conservatives in other countries.

I guess on balance all can't be too bad.

The irony of all ironies?

We are in the midst of a state election here in Australia, my own state
representative facing re-election won't have me involved in his campaign
effort. The election is next Saturday.

We're a relatively left wing party [Labor] but he's so right wing he almost
thinks I'm a communist. His main opponent, a very young conservative, is in
fact one of Glady's Hacksaw [Margaret Thatcher] "wets".

Irony knows no bounds. Wait 'til later in the week when they need the
"experienced number crushers".

If it looks being close, see how fast I come out of mothballs....

As I said, being somewhat melancholy. A daughter visited today and parroted on
about bombing the shit out of Iraq. I shoulda kept my mouth shut but I looked
at my 7 year old grandson and said to her:

"You reckon US bombers should come over 31 Mardi Street, Girraween and drop
1,000 lb bombs on it while Joshua is asleep next week?

You can imagine the reaction...

I said: "So don't f***in shame me by saying Iraqi children should have their
sleep disturbed.

That's the way I think, I feel and, I'll bash it into my kids verbally if
necessary. Her and her sisters, cousins had a conference, it never occurred to
any of them among the jingoistic bullshit propagated by the mass media what war
really means. They never realised it was bombs dropping in the night on kids
like their own.

I'm thoroughly ashamed a 32 year educated woman, a daughter of mine, couldn't
realise what it all meant. That it wasn't just some other friggin' sporting
event they are all look forward to on TV - true, that's how some stupid young
[and older] folk in OZ see it.

Anyway, Claude if I've caused problems in recent weeks I'm sorry. If I've upset
a lot of others then tough shit.

Your melancholy mate,

Ian