But I had a nice day and that's what matters

I decided to treat myself to a nice day out today. I didn't have to work, and I've been feeling very discouraged lately about what * is doing to our once great country, etc., etc. So I decided to go to one of the most beautiful places on earth: Monterey, California. I deserved some peace, some beauty, some tranquility. And while I was there, I figured, I would have a nice lunch in a restaurant with an ocean view, and maybe do some shopping, or visit the world famous aquarium. After all, worrying about current affairs is stressful, reading DU is a downer, and contributing money and volunteering don't seem to be helping.

All was going according to plan until shortly after I exited the freeway. The scenery was breathtaking and the weather was gorgeous. Out of the corner of my eye, though, something was interfering with paradise. An African American man stood on the street corner crowded with tourists. He was waving an upside down American flag. I tried to look away. The nerve of him; he was not part of my nice day out. The light changed, and there I was, right in front of him. I tried to avoid looking, but somehow, I had to see what his sign said.

It said: Impeach Bush! How many more must die for the lies of a coward? Reflexively, I honked, and gave him the thumbs up, but I continued on to enjoy my nice day.

After lunch, I couldn't enjoy mingling in the pricey boutiques, and the heavy lunch I'd eaten seemed to disagree with me. I felt uneasy,and decided to cut the day short. On the way back, I passed him again and this time, he was joined by two comrades, one of them in military regalia. I realized that they were veterans. I stopped the car and approached them, offering money to help the cause, barely aware of what I was doing. They refused the money. All three were veterans, they said, veterans for peace. They said that they would be out there every day. I bid them good luck and thanked them, blinking back tears. A horrible feeling of hopelessness and helplessness settled over me. I got in my car and drove home.

But I had a nice day and that's what matters.

:hug:

and no one but me seemed to notice. I felt hopeless because I know that the administration does not care about them, or others like them. I felt hopeless because I know that although I admire them and am grateful to them, the war will continue.

to get peace. They are 'serving' their country and that matters to them no matter how many people stop - and I am betting that others will stop.

I am thinking these past few days with the news from Iraq there may be a real 'turn' - many politicians supporting the Kerry/Feingold resolution to exit in one year - long enough to get Dems into Congress in Nov and get the troops OUT in December.

That is what I will work for...

I wish there was something we could do immediately to stop this foolishness and nonsense that permeates our Government at every step and hurts so many people.

will, of hope that can't be quashed. consider it a good thing.

Being patriotic is not easy.

I wear (one of my my black) VFP t-shirts out most days. The other day in Costco a woman told me "You're doing the right thing." That made my day......

You may be confusing your feeling of hopelessness with sadness for what * has done to our country. Just wanted to let you know you made their day.

Peace.

unhappycamper
Proud member of the Smedley D. Butler Brigade of the Veterans For Peace.


om edit: tell a vet thanks - it helps a lot