Monday, March 31, 2008

UNIFORMS FOR ALL

I love San Francisco. I originally came out here in the Army in 83 and immediately fell head over hills in love with it. And, the love affair has never ended. However, like a marriage, I have to work on my love and keep it fresh. What invariably happens in marriages is that they become the OMC (old married couple) and the first thing you know, the marriage is headed South. It really is nobody's fault--in some ways, it is the culture. And, the thing that keeps a marriage from being repaired often is the denial process. Well, my love for San Fran does not overshadow the reality of the City. It is the epitome of the left coast and most here are proud of it. Over the years, the City (this is what San Franciscans like to call their town)has been politically wrestled from the Irish and Italians and mostly governed by a contingent of ultra left wingers.

This is a bit of an aside: how did San Francisco become San Francisco? First of all, every weird-do, whatever one's definition might be, in the world has showed up out here. I'm mainly talking about the so called homeless, those who more or less live on the streets, the mentally ill of various degrees, and an assortment of others like teenage run aways and left over hippies. Mind you, I don't view this as all negative. They've got to be somewhere. In some ways, it is what makes San Francisco what it is. And, there are some terrific social programs for those who will take advantage of them.

Here's a relevant question. Why do these marginalized types come to San Francisco? Well, it is a friendly and open and accepting place. And, the climate is tolerable for being outside--never really cold and never hot. And, in this town, part of the charm is that you can be just about anything you want to be. So, why not? And, those who govern the City are by in large, extreme, as compared to the rest of the country. This translates to "way out" only in San Francisco terms. Only Berzerkley exceeds the zaniness of San Francisco.

The flip side of the coin, however, is that it is the most beautiful place in the world. Surrounded on three sides by water. A sun, when it is out, that creates an ambiance of "God is in His heaven and all is right with the world." I have often said that if I ever cross the Golden Gate Bridge and am not awed by the beauty, I am leaving. Thus far, I am not even close.

Sorry to have gotten on this harangue. Sometimes I think that I'm the only moderate human in San Fran and then something happens and I discover there is at least one other following the Biblical admonition of the Apostle Paul of the New Testament and is "kicking against the pricks." The following letter is maybe the best comment that I've ever read on one of my favorite subjects, Community service (The Draft). God bless San Francisco and God bless America.



EDITOR, FAIRNESS WOULD INSIST THAT WE RELIEVE THE MISERY OF THE TROOPS SENT FOR MULTIPLE TOURS IN IRAQ BY CREATING A SOURCE OF FRESH TROOPS. RED MEAT CONSERVATIVES, WHO LIKE TO MAKE SUCH PATRIOTIC NOISE, NEED TO BE COMPELLED TO PUT THEIR BOOTS WHERE THEIR MOUTHS ARE. LIBERAL KIDS NEED TO SEE THAT VALUES ARE NOTHING WITHOUT SACRIFICE; IF THEY OPPOSE THE WAR, THEY NEED TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO AVOID THE DRAFT AND FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. AND, WHILE THEY'D BE OF LITTLE REAL USE, FAIRNESS WOULD DICTATE THAT THE BUSH AND PELOSI CHILDREN SUIT UP. ONCE THEY'RE IN UNIFORM AND THEORETICALLY IN HARM'S WAY, IT'D BE A LOT HARDER FOR BUSH TO LIE AND PELOSI TO EQUIVOCATE ABOUT THIS WAR. ONCE THE HANDS OF THE MILITARY HAVE FINGERED ALL OF AMERICA'S YOUTH, ATTITUDES WOULD CERTAINLY BEGIN TO CHANGE. WITHOUT THE DRAFT, IT'S TOO EASY TO BE DISTRACTED.

Paul Tominac, San Francisco