So today, I'll be ranting on the political...

For those who are even interested, I'm a conservative. Not one of those far right, bible thumping Christian conservatives, just a conservative.

I responded to another bloggers post about her feelings on supporting the troops while not supporting the war. I've since discovered that being a conservative will not get you any party invitations anytime soon.

My first complaint is the lack of information that quite a few people are using to form their opinions. Not a questioning soul among them. The TV told them so it must be true. And since when did Bill Maher and Michael Moore become quotable sources??

I'm hugely disappointed in the lack of understanding of broad issues. We seem to have raised a generation of folks who can only see that which is directly in front of them. War in Iraq? Troops being killed? ABORT! ABORT!

Yes there are troops being killed, and it's tragic. There are also Iraqi's being killed and that's just as tragic. There's also the small matter of the United States needing what that region contains....oil.... and if someone thinks that bailing now is a good idea, they had better bust open their piggy bank for gas money next week. Or perhaps they'll just go green....ditch the Jeep, heat the house with peat, and watch the fruit of their loins walk to school uphill both ways in the snow. Next of course, comes the less than popular idea that a destabilized Iraq could lead to a destablized Middle East period. Hmmm what's Arabic for $200 a barrel??

I'm also disappointed in the lack of understanding of Arab/Muslim culture. The fact that much of the Middle East, while divided into countries, is united in a singular religion. That religion not only provides guidance on the spiritual, but also provides guidance on the social and political. And we (Americans) are not real high on the list to get into their heaven, or any heaven for that matter.

I'm tired of the idea that Osama is the only fella out there intent on destroying the US. Osama may be the most recognizable, but he's certainly not the only one. But, the US must destroy Osama, then we will be safe, then the threat will be over.....really?? Ya think so?? Or do we just make the most recognizable hater into the most recognizable martyr. That'll make us more secure.

I'm tired of Americans. I'm not tired of America, she continues to grow and evolve. But I will admit I'm darn sick of Americans in general and I am one. How did it happen? When did our populace change from "inquiring" minds to "enquiring" minds. When did the "sheeple" outbreak happen?

The funniest thing to me is that the ones making the most noise are the ones who have suffered the least. They are the younger ones, the ones who's parents gave them every opportunity.... The ones who coined and defined the term "slacker".

So, I'm starting again. I'm a lucky individual, I get to start again. It's nice to know that life comes with a re-start.

Today I'm thinking about a few things.....

• The fifty people that will arrive at my house on Sunday. Umm, yeah. There's a tent, caterers, balloons, and oh yeah.....I'm not nearly prepared for it.
• The four inches of water that was in Flipper's basement. And the #%$@^ insurance adjuster who just seems to be taking his time. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the ceiling tiles are warping along with the walls because of the humidity. Hellloooo soggy carpeting!!
• The ancient spastic lab of mine who is now beginning to tip over for no apparent reason. My time with him is limited and its killing me.
• The thumb that I so thoughtfully crushed in the car door last week. Still hurts and damn inconvenient. Why must I always damage the dominant hand??
  
• The leak that keeps re-appearing in my family room ceiling.

So, I'm an avid blog reader......yes.... I'll admit it.... my name is Nyt and I'm an addict. So now, maybe, I'll work one of my own, let it all out, amuse, entertain....

Today I read a nice piece about infertility, adoption and the judgments that go with both. I'm a grown-up adoptee and I'm in the process of adopting. Not too hard to figure out which side of the whole infertility fence I'm standing on. Anyhow, the nice lady at this blog and many of those that left comments seem to view adoption as a very, very, last resort. Hmmmm... Then there's the comments about the money...Waaahhhh it costs soooo much money!!!! Um.... no.... and um, no.

I'm all for doing whatever makes you happy, really I am, but I can't help but wonder...

I was not struck by the "Imustcarryachild" lightening bolt. I was hit by the "Imustbeamother" one. Maybe because I am an adopted child, the whole biology thingy is lost on me. I respect it, I just don't get it. I try not to be judgmental, really I do, but I have to ask....What is most important here, being a parent or making sure your genes are in the pool? I'm struck by these wonderful romantic comments that these women make, "I want to make two halfs into a whole person." "I want the image of the man I love". Tell me that again when the image is the man you love standing naked scratching his balls.
Seriously though, what it most important? Does it vary from person to person, or is there some divine finite answer that just hasn't been revealed? And why is it a last resort? And if it is your last resort, should you even be allowed to adopt at all? And if you are that last resort person, what to you tell your child about how he/she came to be your child? "Well John/Jane your father and I reached the end of our list and there you were?
Then there's the cost argument. I wonder if any of those people are actually looking at the bills that are sent to the insurance company. After all, we're all paying for their decision to try to have a child of their "own". Oh yeah, and we're paying for the children who aren't being adopted through social programs..... oh and the other thing...no one is paying for our choice. Just us...