Miscellaneous Ramblings

Quite some time ago, I abandoned the Clinton vs Obama competition.  I live in Florida where we have no clue how to run elections anyway.  But the entire thing left me mentally exhausted.  These days, I don't engage much in that discussion.  I don't really know anyone in states that left to vote.  But I think about things.  And that is why I'm here today.

I have a friend who owns a small take out restaurant.  And while I wait on food, we usually engage in some talk about sports teams.  Good natured rival ribbing.  Yesterday, a series of events took place that took things to a direction that I would not have imagined.  While I was waiting, my friend's dad showed up.  I always liked the old man.  So I said hello.  This part is  a little fuzzy, but the old man brought up Obama.  I'm with you on that one I said to him.  "Talk to him" he said pointing to the son.  In retrospect, it seems that I had uncovered a father son heated disagreement.  While all of this was going on, an older man came in.  He had a familiar look to him.  While the son and father warmed up their discussion, the man looked at me and said I looked familiar.  I asked him his name and when he said it, I knew it instantly.  As a young boy, he had been peers of my parents and grand parents.  "I'm sorry to hear that you are a democrat," he said.  "They should shoot your ass for that."

I wasn't sure what I was just heard.  Did he really say that?  I had to think quickly.  He took a seat. I turned to him. "The day that I can be put into a political box, it's game over.  Tell me the issue and I will tell you where I stand."

I turned back to the son who proceeded to tell me he had always supported republicans until GWB screwed it up.  Now he was switching back.  He had little time to give me his take.  But here it is as I understand it.  Neocons, GWB and that group are far right and Ariana Huffington, Soros, Obama and MSNBC represented the far left.  Now this is his view.  Much of it I don't agree with.  I heard from him how intelligent Clinton is.  I agree with that. I said.  I suppose he would be one of those who would vote for McCain if Obama was the Democratic nominee.

I wasn't in a mood for a pointless political discussion that would do nothing but use up my brain energy.  I had to get out of there.

I shook the old man's hand as I left and wished him well.  I left him talking to the dad in their discussion of oil prices and other things over which they have no control.

I thought about this event afterwards.  I was a little freaked out that this guy thought I ought to be shot just for holding a political view.  I should have asked him who was going to do the shooting.

At this point, I really believe in voting.  Let everyone vote and let the chips fall where they may.  At this point, it seems like Clinton does have a better chance of winning the general election than Obama.  That is if you believe polls and all that stuff.  But  you know what?  I don't care.  A nominee has to he ELECTED, not crowned.  And if that nominee fails in the general election, then so be it.