The Broken Soldier

I got some inspiration for today’s post from an unlikely source: Costas Now.  Bob held a town hall with Hank and Willie.  It seemed Bob wanted to talk race.  The interviewees seemed resistant, and played down, as one might expect of two great men, their roles in changing the American attitude on issues of race.

I don’t know much about either man.  What their motivations for doing what they did were.  But from watching the interview it seemed they were just doing their thing.  They were great players.  Talent is no respecter of demographics.

I would like to think they hoped that fact would be recognized in spite of the racial divisions existing at that time.  Though their opinions regarding the equality of moral and legal standing of all peoples was never expressed.  They just played and hoped, given the justness of this cause, peoples’ attitudes and positive laws would catch up.

I have similar hopes for soldiers’ rights.  I mean shit, we’re already ahead of the game by comparison, as no one, except that asshole from ‘Forsake the Troops,’ disagrees that service members ought to be treated well.  I have a political BBQ to attend this weekend to advance this cause.  Chicken, salad, cakes and candies, Levin, Obama’s campaign staff, and various members of elected State government.  Sounds like a hoot.

But this is a good opportunity.  Like Hank and Willie, I have a talent.  A very different talent, but a talent nonetheless.  I speak well, especially on matters of political philosophy.  And while I’m usually not an ends man, I’ll play eristic to get the job done.  Maybe I can just play and facilitate change without those I’m playing with (and against) noticing.  Pray for a good game.