Astonishing.
I do not normally write diaries off the cuff, but I have to relate what just happened here in my house with the guy who is here presently cleaning my carpets.
Picture it: Family town on the outskirts of Seattle. Grey day. A white guy, mid-40s, beer gut but otherwise skinny and tall, East Coaster (Philly) shows up at my house ready to clean my floors.
I go outside to smoke a cigarette. He makes a comment about my long Army-green cargo-type jacket. I ask him if he was ever in the military. Yes, he says.
When?
Germany and Iraq, 1988-1994.
Did you see combat?
Yes, Army artillary in Southern Iraq. Was there till the end of the Persian Gulf War.
Let me ask you a question: What do you think about what's happening over there now?
Quick response: I think it's worth it. I totally support it. I've been a staunch Republican for a long time. Saddam Hussein obviously had WMDs, I've seen them. I mean, he used them on his own people.
Well, we know that for a fact, don't we? Where did he get them from?
Syria, Egypt.
(I don't mention any other alternatives.)
He continues: I mean, I mainly support the troops, above everything else.
Of course. You'll get no argument there, from me.
I say: What gets me is how much debt this is putting our country in (trying to go for a non-emotional topic). I mean, China pretty much owns our ass.
He nods in understanding.
I ask: So, how long do you think we'll be over there?
At least twenty years. I mean, we will always have a presence over there. I mean, I know we've lost, what, 3800 guys over there?
I just saw a poll today that says we're losing a lot of guys to suicide once they get back.
Well, in Viet Nam we lost like 50,000.
Facetiously, I say: Yeah, Iraq's nothing in comparison to that.
I write this to say that this guy is not an "idiot," not belligerent, seems like he may drink a lot of whiskey at home, but I'm not catching any psychotic vibe off of him. He's in my house and I'm a woman alone in it with him, and since he's here for strictly non-political purposes, I'm not going to push it.
But what the hell. Some people refused to be reached.
Or, what in the hell are WE doing WRONG?
Thank you for reading.