So, I am going to counter your latest argument by using some of your politcs, and by using an argument you've used so much it's become a sort of catch phrase.
"It was the Cold War back then."
This is the statement you use time and time again to justify all of the bad shit we did during the Cold War. Was putting Saddam in power a bad idea? Yeah, but, hey, it was the Cold War back then. What about all of those undemocratic leaders we put in place in South America? "Walbert, it was the cold war back then." Forsaking India, the largest Democracy on the planet, for China, the largest Communist Nation? "Walbert, I'm not going to say it again - it was the Cold War back then."
It is clear, John, that you understand that, sometimes, ideals need to be put aside, in order to deal with something that takes precedence - like the Cold War.
Why shouldn't Europe be any different? Why shouldn't that Frenchman, who might be blown up like you or me, have bigger fish to fry, as we once did? Why shouldn't he have greater goals to aspire to, more important things to deal with, things we should attempt to understand and utilize in bringing him to our side, instead of some half-assed cause with some catchy catch-phrases?
"Walbert - it was the Cold War back then."
My mother is clearly hating the E-son. My mother said she'd drive me, but then we realized that Ericson's sister had dancing classes that day. Her dancing classes are in the exact same building as the driving school at the exact same time, so I tell my mom, hey, I'll save you the trip and go with Ericson.
"No," she says, quite seriously, "forget it. Don't go."
My mother would rather have me not go to driving classes than go with Ericson. Oi, gavult.
Suffice it to say, I blew my silly mother off, and went with him.
Oh, but things get more interesting. My brother had Karate this evening, and, usually, my father will wait for him at the library down the block, where he'll read for a bit, and then drive my brother back home.
Well, my mother looks up the number for this library, has them page my dad, and tells him to come and pick me up when the lessons are done - as she'd rather not have Ericson drive me back.
My father thought she was being rather foolish, but, not one to incur the wrath of his wife, he does so. However, when he comes out to get me, I tell him that mom is being crazy, and he agrees, and he goes home without me, satisfied that he at least did his part in keeping my mother happy. A bit later, Ericson drove me back.
I don't understand any of it. My mother doesn't hesitate to tell me that she can't stand him being around, but she never really gets into why. I think it's mainly because she thinks he's quite the slacker - whic he won't deny - but, in all honesty, I think my mother has this creeping suspicion in the back of her head that we might be lovers. No joke. It's certainly not helping my case that I see much more him than I do of Jill. I remember one time I slept over at Jason's house with Kim, and my mother flipped out - god forbid I stay overnight at a gay guy's house, and she was never too keen on me spending time with Jason, Erik and Ericson - who, if I hadn't made it clear already, is ambiguously straight. God forbid her son "turn gay." Not that I have any plans on doing so, but it's silly sometimes the way she gets these ideas.
Anyway, wow. It's past midnight, and I still have some work I need to wrap up, so I'm out. Ciao.