The holiday season is truly upon us and I only have one thing to say. Better load up on the eggnog.
I'm still listening to Merle this week. There's too much going on and I just want to stick my head in a hole. Meat and Tater have been there to pull me away from myself.
But first, a quote.
Upon hearing my completely improvised on the spot explanation of the Iran Hostage crisis in a Non-Western Traditions course in college circa 1980, my wise and very tenured professor stared at me.
"Ruth, after you graduate, you should invest in a tractor." She paused just long enough to ensure the rest of the class was with her. "Cause that's what it's gonna take to pull your head out of your ass."
I'm dropping this here because the fine professor pointed out something very important to a future paid pontificator. Do not explain the things you know nothing about. Not even if it sounds good.
Which brings me back to my neighbors. Tater made me a fresh batch of nog with Makers for kicker the other night. Meat was watching football because Tater wouldn't let him put it on Fox or CNN.
"I can't take anymore video of crying men with dead kids in their arms. What Israel is doing is wrong. What Hamas did was wrong. I don't think there's any more you can say about it."
Meat pointed to the TV. "Look, it's the Titans. Their quarterback's from Kentucky. Pay attention."
No sooner had the words come out of his mouth he turned to me, gave me his crooked eye and almost whispered, "What do you think about it SJ? What would you do?"
"I'd give it to Henry," I said. Tater hooted "that's right" and held up her class as a toast.
Meat wasn't having any. "O come on chicken. I know you have an opinion."
I finished my glass. "I believe I need another' and handed it to Meat.
"I believe Israel's response to Hamas' October terrorist attack is way out of proportion. There is no justification for so many innocent people dying because they belong to another religion or nationality or ethnicity. And that is true wherever it's happening. In Gaza, in Israel, in Ukraine, in this country."
Meat smiled. "That's more like it." He started toward the kitchen with my glass. "So what do ya do?" He quickly returned, my glass full. "Hmmm? What do ya do?"
I grabbed the glass, took a sip, then a drink. "Too many extremists. Islamic fundamentalists. Ultra-orthodox Jews. You've got a region largely dominated by a mix of theocracy and feudal tribalism. You just can't have peace in that picture."
I paused and tipped my glass to Tater. "Tater knows those same kind of extremists are right here. Don't look now but a Christian nationalist is the Speaker of the House. He believes preachers instead of doctors should make women's healthcare choices and guess what? you can pray the gay away!"
I emptied my glass. "When the laws your politicians pass are only based on fundamentalist religious dogma, your country has no hope."
Pass the tractor please.