So I was having a conversation with my Mother-in-Law.  Something you would not have been able to hear me say ten years ago, but we’ve both grown a lot since then.  Rather, I’ve grown, and she’s relaxed a LOT.

     Anyway, she said “I just wish we didn’t have to be the world’s policeman.”

     I said, “I know, I wish we didn’t either, but as long as our corporations want to dominate and control the world market, we’re going to have to go to war to protect their interests.  You can’t ruthlessly exploit the whole world’s economy decade after decade without the pressure having to come out somewhere.”  ( I was thinking, gee the Republicans are soo big on personal responsibility…you know starving families by cutting welfare…maybe we should institute the same gauge for international politics:  Too bad, if the corporate-sponsored dictator you bought to let you exploit his people and rob his country of natural resources, and pollute the land with impunity can’t keep the people from cutting your throats…too bad, we’re not sending our sons and daughters to bail you out.)

     She nodded, and said, “And we have to stop the terrorists there so they can’t come over here and kill us.”

     I went back to scrubbing the very crusty casserole dish I was trying to get clean.

     One more lovely Thanksgiving dinner left unspoiled by my motor mouth.  Sometimes, all you need is one little victory…and sometimes, that one little victory is NOT starting a pointless argument and ruining an otherwise warm and happy holiday.