Smug

The title is the word that described America on 9/11. Smug. Satisfied. Full of great food. Sated on fine wines. What does one expect when they have everything? Smugness. What does the world of paupers think when one nation has everything?

This is the realist view of 9/11. It is not the view of myself but being a veteran of Vietnam combat it is a view point from having seen what other nations considered a spoiled lot of citizens. Philippines, Japan, Taiwan etc. Throw New Zealand and Australia into the sack also. I covered a lot of territory in four years of service and spoke with more people than I can recall. Did we receive a comeuppance? A wake up call? Good questions for the world to answer.

Life is not a promise. Vietnam taught me how cheap life is and how much is spent to take life away. I am no coward. I served in combat and did what I was told. I did my job well enough to be singled out as a sterling example. I didn’t see it that way after a few years as the dreams followed me in my sleep afterwards, for decades.

Smugness is what protestors are. What politicians are. What the wealthy are. What the thoughtless are. What those who do not feel love for their fellow men are. Clowns in tailored clothing. Pick your colors, shades, cut and fit.

Me, I just grow old, consider what I have, what I have had to do, where I am now. All in all I find that my belief in God and Christ are what keep me whole. It is not what I did or the good things in my life that excite me. It is taking a breath or a drink of cold, clear, fresh water. I have succeeded in over simplifying my life and perspective. End of this month I turn 78. Who knows what will come to pass between now and then. I live one hour at a time and appreciate what God has seen fit to give me, us. It is an awful lot if you start with taking a breath.

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