The Butterfly Emerges
Today I went to visit my good friend Anna. Anna and I used to date back in the dark days but since then we have become very close friends. Anna just got back from boot camp and I must say that while she is still the same country girl that I grew up with she seemed so much more refined. It reminded me of the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly. Before making the decision to go into the marine corps to pursue her musical career she was full of troubles and grievances. But since she has returned I see great change in her character. As her mother put it: "she's all squared away!" I wonder what would happen to yours truly at boot camp. I'm pretty sure that I could handle the physical aspect of boot camp but having a drill instructor scream in my face for three weeks...that could be more challenging. But think of how much muscle three months could put this meager body! The more I think about it I believe that if I had faith in our administration that I would feel comfortable serving it. But instead our administration seems to cater to the desires and beliefs of a select group of people, who happen to be among either the least education in the country or the wealthiest, and that group is hardly representative of the entire population. Anyways, that's what I think of me at boot camp. I did have an interesting conversation with Anna's mother that relates though. She pointed out that our country is developing a complex in which we want things done about the big bad enemies in the world and we want to be defended but fewer and fewer people are willing to get off their asses, step up to the plate, and learn how to defend our country if need be. I agree with her. People these days are quite content to bitch, complain, and point fingers about everything that is wrong with their country, all the while sitting in their nice homes, driving their comfortable cars, and getting fat off a culture where bigger is supposedly better. In other words they are doing nothing. I apologize to those who disagree but I am of the mindset that if you are not doing anything to change your environment then you have no right to complain. Such people are weak. Back to the question. I think that there will always be those who are willing to serve their country. As long as their are disasters out there, natural and man-made, there will be people who are passionate about helping. Take 9/11 as the perfect example. The number of nation-wide recruits sky rocketed. Ok. I'm done. Time to get off my soap box.