Holiday blahs or simply disillusioned?~shrugs~

[Horse with no Name]

I have been travelling and have not been able to keep up with the events....I glanced and knew we were waiting on Monday, but then I don't see any results of Monday. Would be wonderful if someone could fill me in in a nutshell.
I spent the holidays with family...and learned some very interesting things.
My grandpa broke his cardinal family rule. His rule is to NEVER discuss politics at family gatherings...since we have so many members in the military, etc.
I had always ASS-umed that my grandpa was a Republican, however, I found out...that he is a Democrat..and that brought joy to me.
Even greater was his disdain for the Rethugs and their slimy administration.
Another thing I learned...one of my cousins is in Iraq. It gets down under 20 degrees in the desert at night.
Our wonderful military only gives the soldiers their issue...too fucking bad if they are cold. My uncle had to send blankets to Iraq so that someone fighting this mangled war of Bush's could at least be warm at night. Up to the point he received the blankets...he has not had a night that he wasn't cold. Grrrr.....
I want so much to tell you all about the things my brother told me about over there since he has finally returned home, but terribly afraid that this site may be monitored and afraid of repercussions towards him. However, I am deeply saddened and angered by many things he told me.
Say a prayer tonight for those soldiers over there--they surely need it.

[Left coast liberal]

1. Yes, I'm with you. I adopted a soldier just to be able to do something

I just feel so bad for all those folks over there and I just cried for 2 days while I packed the box. Those pesky hormones, plus genuine horror and dismay.

He wrote me an e-mail to thank me but went on to tell me how much good they are doing over there. I guess, I should have expected the positive spin. He said, if I could see the looks on those kids faces when they are bringing them school supplies I would realize that we are doing the right thing over there.

Well, that got me crying again. And, I just had to leave it as, "Far enough. If I had seen the smiles on those kids faces, maybe I would be able to see the silver lining."

But, I lied. I don't see a silver lining. And, I can't stop thinking about all the dead kids. But, this poor soldier is just trying to stay alive and sane. Good F@#$%ing luck.

Nice to hear ol'Grampa is one of us! Cheers! :hi:

[Radio_Lady]

2. Don't know where you are...

but there must be an organization that could use you as a volunteer over the next month or two. Get together with kids or adults or seniors who need company or help. Makes you feel great!

We have Loaves & Fishes here in Portland, Oregon. They distribute food to the elderly. Wherever you are, there are so many who need help. Face to face is better for me, although I must admit, when I gave time to the Good Neighbor Center in Tigard, Oregon one Christmas Day, I went home in tears. There were so many little kids who had such bad teeth that they had to crown their baby teeth with alloys to keep them from rotting.

There are people all over the United States who are desparate for your assistance. Check out volunteer opportunities in your area. Believe me, it will help you feel good!

[Left coast liberal]

3. Thanks you are so right. I'm on Vashon Island, near Seattle.

We have a lot of really terrific volunteer opportunities here as we are a very small community. You're right it does help.

That's one thing that I realized after the election horror. I need to pay more attention to changing things locally where I have some control because this national politics sometimes feels like hitting yourself over the head.

So, even with baby in tow, we did lots of fund raising, food drives etc. this year. Always trying to teach a little empathy to the kids.

Hope you have a happy new year. And, thanks for the perspective.

:)