It may be impossible to avoid election news or perhaps just highly improbable. The only big surprise was Proposition 8 in California. I remember in 2006 when the gay marriage ban passed in Wisconsin there were many transplants I knew that took that opportunity to call Wisconsin a bunch of ignorant backwoods hicks. Several of these people were from California. It turns out their home state has many more ignorant backwoods hicks. Four million, one hundred sixty four thousand, three hundred sixty two more to be exact. The eligible voter population of Wisconsin is slightly more than the number of voters that supported the gay marriage ban in California. Those that voted aren’t why the measure passed however. It was the many that didn’t. Only 38.5% of eligible voters in California voted. Only 38.5% bothered to get off their ass to decide the leaders of this country. Only 38.5% bothered to vote during a Presidential election. Only 38.5% exercised their vote during a war and economic crisis. Only 38.5% should be breathing today. Make no mistake, if it within my power they would not be. The apathetic deserve neither life nor freedom.
There I go again giving out hints about the future.
All in due time. There’s been a quiet and serious vibe around base. A subtle tension under the surface. Not about the election, but things happening over here in Iraq. Since the Syria incident there have been some developments. I’m not suggesting that Syria is a serious military threat. Hardly. This is just complicated because I’m not authorized to disclose details about military operations. In short, there’s concern that some of the neighbors may be attempting to provoke an incident. Why I can’t guess, but it would only end in tears for them.
The heavy rain weeks ago has caused an interesting change in the landscape. Small patches of vibrant green grass, clover like sprouts and fantastic little pricker plants grow in small bunches here and there, breaking up the larger expanses of tan desert, and the cold lifeless gray of concrete. This part of Iraq seems almost like Earth now. The roof of this world has bright blue skies with wisps of clouds like stretched and unraveling cotton balls. Patches of green, brown, gray and blue from the sky reflecting on pools of water, form the floor that extends to the thin black line of the horizon. Almost like Earth, but not quite. A camera could never capture the differences. They have to be felt, heard, sensed. Something unnamed is missing.
I find part of myself has changed as well. My testicles are now blue and verging towards black and bruised due to atrophy. This is a sincere concern for me. I’ll have to make serious effort to correct this once I return home, which is rapidly approaching. I’ve found that bedroom exercise is vitally important for a healthy body and mind. Doubly effective with a partner.
All of the terribly interesting news I can’t discuss. But if you’re watching the talking heads on the television and you hear them say “Balad”, then you’ll know part of what I’m hinting at.