We were waiting for a High School club meeting to end. We talked about the weather, and not enough sleep, and our kids’ plans for college. When she mentioned another child considering the military so that he could pay for college, I couldn’t resist easing the conversation over a little.
“The military can be a good way to pay for college, provided you survive it.”
[Puzzled look]
“Iraq. A lot of kids have died there.”
“Yes, but they are very dedicated to the cause.”
“Actually, there have been record numbers of desertions, and a record number of West Point graduates are not reenlisting.”
“But what can we do? They hate our culture. They want to kill us.”
“They don’t hate our culture. They just don’t like us running their country.”
“They hate our culture.”
“Even in Iran, most of them like the American people. They just don’t like our government trying to run their country. They would like to have more freedom like us, but they want to do it themselves.”
“Well, a small minority of them hate our culture.”
“A small minority of OUR culture hates our culture.”
She had to stop and think about that idea. It was just small talk between two mothers passing the time, but who knows? Maybe she will consider the idea a little more. Maybe she’ll repeat it to someone else.
also at kos
Nice – i like it. From tiny seeds….
When mothers face the facts of war, things can change, so we must all continue to witness. I’m sure you had a strong effect on her and maybe on her children as well.
I hope so.
Hens teeth, was absolutely perfect. I love it. And yes, always plant seeds wherever you can.
Hugs
Shirl
Thank you. We need lots of seeds around here.
It’s disheartening to hear “real people” mimicking the line about hating our culture and fighting them there so they don’t follow us back here. But good work. I usually stammer something and then much later think of what I should have said in response.
me too. I’ve had some great responses a day too late.
In the heart of bush land, I’m surprised when I find someone who doesn’t parrot the talking points.
I had a conversation that went something like this:
———–
Me: The war is perhaps unwise.
Her: They hate us. They’re terrorists. We have to fight them.
Me: Not many hate us enough to be terrorists. If we give them enough reason, there will be ten times as many.
Her:
[Crowd sweeps us apart]
———–
You handled that with tremendous grace and tact. Thanks for sharing this.