I read that story about the overpasses in Ft. Lewis and it reminded me of something...
For those that read my thread a while ago, I'm writing a book about my experiences in the military, namely the search and recovery ops at the pentagon.
We were out there doing the cleanup, and nightly we'd load up on the deuce and a halfs and go back to Ft. Myer for a few hours sleep.
Every single night, there was a HUGE amount of people on the grass next to the navy annex, cheering for us. It was the biggest feeling of appreciation I've ever felt.
Well, when we finally got a day off, my friend Boyer and I went down to the candlelight vigil to put up a flag on the fence.
While down there, we got interviewed by the BBC, who were total jerks to us, trying to get us to express "our" disgust for the presidents "dead or alive" attitude. I told him that, as commander in chief, the president had my complete and 100% support.
Anyways, as we were getting ready to leave, a kid tugged on my pantleg. I thought it was kinda odd that he was out here at 11:00 at night, but whatever. I bent down to see what he needed, and he handed me a little american flag.
His mom informed me that his dad was either injured or killed in the pentagon (I can't remember which, sorry... in fact, I can't remember a lot of things about my time out there.)
Apparently he'd been out there since 10AM waiting for a soldier to give a flag to. His mom told him that we were out there looking for people, and he forced his mom to take him by throwing a tantrum...
I lost my marbles at that point... Poor kid. I'm 6'6" and over 200 pounds, and I was squeezing this kid, cryin like a little schoolgirl.
What did I learn about that incident? That there's always hope for america. As long as a kid that young will stay out that late to simply make a soldier feel better, I'd say there's hope yet.
I hate what's happened to our country, but I find reasons to love America everyday. I think that loving america, while unpopular as of late, will see a resurgance.
I only have to talk to the babysitter that my mom occasionally hires to feel that way.
She emmigrated from the middle east some years back. She was a refugee, but she desired to work toward obtaining real citizenship. Her husband was some kind of political opponent of whatever radical Islam group ran that particular country. He unvieled her as they stepped off the plane, telling her "you will never have to hide your face again here."
I love america. Most of us here love america, and a good portion of the public loves america. Give it some time for our soldiers and citizens to gain more experience in life, and run for office.
I'd say we won't have to deal with the lesser of two evils too much longer.
James
I want us out the UN, those gun grabbing, no good, lying, worthless, and other non-profane insults, i hate em, my uncle was a weapons inspector for them, COVER-UP central, those rag head camel schtuppers are dirty as hell. 
