Monday, July 4, 2011

Bathroom Monologue: Suppression at the Barbecue

“Suppression: the best gift a family can give.

“No, you're bold and bright and original. You're going to tell Mom that her Jesus was wrong and that you don't appreciate Grandpa's service in the War. That the food and supplies came from immoral stores, the meat is murder and while sitting around all day is great, sitting around not thinking these specific thoughts is damaging the future of humanity.

“Bullshit you are. You're going to silence and suppress. You're going to do this because:

"One: it'll hurt their feelings,

"Two: it won't change their minds,

"Three: you're not a total ingrate,

"Four: only the sweetest of them don’t have the same scrutiny for you,

"And five: the resulting fight wouldn’t change anyone’s mind, including yours.

“So you're going to shut up and pass the high-fat gravy. The America you want to live in is a rare amalgam of fantasy and cynicism, and that's why your home state is bankrupt and still trying to build a light rail. Suppress it, just like I will.”

5 comments:

  1. God bless the American family. #barbecueface

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  2. I like the theme of this one very much. Thoughts of the world's many problems, or just our own complaints being suppressed daily, and instead of speaking up we just pass the gravy. And why don't we have more light rail by now anyway?

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  3. This piece reiterate more or less what my own brother said to me in an email in reply to my happy 4th July card I sent. Get's one thinking eh.

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  4. Ah, well. What can you do? :)

    Although I did once bring up meat with my family, and managed to turn all my closest relatives into pescatarians. That isn't the point. The point is that most of the time, this is it. This is the scenario. "God" love us all. ;)

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  5. "The America you want to live in is a rare amalgam of fantasy and cynicism, and that's why your home state is bankrupt and still trying to build a light rail." Oh, so beautiful! Such a succinct summation of such a complex desire. And a brillant way to sum up the ballet being danced across America on this day. Love it!

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