Who You Voting For?

-
There was no way the topic was going to be ignored.

The subject of The Donald came up about halfway through the Christmas Party.

"He's gonna' make America great again," one of my nephews said.

I didn't want any part of it.

My goal for the upcoming year is to not get into any lengthy debates on social media...

...God help me if I have to argue with someone in public.

"Get away from me," I said.

But the truth of the matter is that I was born to argue...and a little while later...

The Donald...

...came up again.

"When he's the president he's gonna' throw everyone out who doesn't belong!"

I tried to explain the dynamics of a big city.

"In New York, you ride in a subway car with people from about 11 different countries," I said. "People don't fight. All of the different cultures mix."

"Not after Trump gets in! All white!!"

My brother-in-law is a funny guy. He can stir up laughter at a crash scene.

I laughed.

But as is prone to happen...

...someone gets mad at someone else's opinion.

Then soon enough someone is holding court to push an agenda on someone who wants no part of it.

The shouting was going on around the bar.

I moved off to the children's table.

Propped up my feet and listened.

"We're gonna' make America great again!"

"Bush sucked."

"Obama was worse!"

"They are all criminals!!"

"I like Bernie!!!"

"Hilary is going to jail!!!"

One of the kids showed me a stuffed animal.

At that point in the evening I might've voted for that fluffy red thing as the next prez.

"Seriously," my niece said later in the night. "I'm gonna' erase my Facebook account. I can't deal with all the political arguments."

The first good idea of the entire evening.

"Make America great again!" Someone shouted from the hallway.

Who are you voting for?

I don't care.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more