Wednesday, April 09, 2003
( 4:16 PM )
Stupidity Should Be Painful
This conversation actually took place today:
Scene: She walks up to my desk where I have a package addressed to my brother that I will be taking to the post office on my lunch hour.
Co-worker (being ever so nosey): "who is that?" (presumably she refers to the fact that it's addressed to "Capt...."
Me: "Oh, it's a package to my brother."
CW: "what kind of address is that?"
Me: "it's an APO address...he's in the Gulf, it's how military members and families overseas get mail."
CW: "the military has its own zip code?"
Me: (thinking that the explanation of how mail is routed to overseas-stationed personnel is not worth my time, so I just sigh...) "yes."
CW: well, that's strange that you would have a brother in the military."
Me: (taken aback at this odd and intrusive comment) "Why do you say that?"
CW: "well, because of those comics you have up (Boondocks), I thought you were against Bush and the war."
Me: "I am." (but it's actually none of her business)
CW: (obviously perplexed) "how can you have a family member in the military then?"
Me: "what?"
CW: "well, i come from such a pacifist, peace-loving family, so that's why i have my beliefs, but it's strange about you."
Me: "okay..."
CW: "my dad wouldn't even go hunting."
Me: "what?" (I have no idea what turn this conversation has taken and I just wish she'd go away)
CW: "he couldn't even touch a gun. he hates violence that much."
Me: (exasperated) "there's a difference between being the military and being militaristic or violent, you know."
CW: "oh. well, it's a shame about your brother."
Me: "what?!?"
CW: "it must be hard for you."
Me: (when I have to talk to idiots like you?) "yes, yes it is."
And thank God just then I got a telephone call.
That was verbatim. I'm not kidding.
No wonder this country is falling apart -- is there no more room for thoughtful consideration of the facts of a matter before opening your mouth? Sigh...
Midweek 'Round the Blogosphere
Daintily reminds us of what it means to be human - and what it feels like - and the fact that we are fast on the road to losing it if we don't hold on.
Check out Wampum today - she gives no rest to the sneaky, conniving Frist and his cronies who are trying to help their multi-billion dollar donors in the pharmaceutical companies. And well she shouldn't. These people are trying to harm all of us.
And thank God, if you were looking for the perfectly patriotic breastpump, easybakecoven knows where you can find it! (I'm not joking)
If you're in the mood for a bit of competition, check out my ace life today.
Sarah's anti-war theme continues to be a relief in the midst of all the misery.
Bartcop's got the photo that the Pentagon wishes the world never saw today. Sometimes that old Freudian slip thing can really getcha when ya don't want it to...especially on worldwide sattelite tv.
Hesiod is gettin' all the attention these days!
Maru's got a fantastic email that was read on Lou Dobbs - along with a story about how US citizens are being shot at by the State in California at while Baghdad is being "liberated."
Byte back talks about "now what" - great article posted there.
mwowwww as ever gives us a clear view through the sh#t to the bigger picture...and the wild success that michael moore has seen since Oscar night... really makes you wonder what is really going on in this country...as opposed to what the polls are saying...
And finally, if you haven't read digby today, you better check it out. I'm the self-appointed advertisment for digby lately. He's right on target.