“An Interview” or “A Brief Study of the Sociological Advantages of Hypocrisy”

“You paint me as the devil, the worst scourge to ever use force, violence, to enact change… how hypocritical.  You are all devils.  Your very way of life was founded on the same basic idea: change can only happen when you are taken seriously, and to be taken seriously you have to be a threat.  That isn’t ideal speculation, that is fact, and you all know it.” “You think I enjoy taking lives?  You think I enjoy committing these ‘atrocities,’ as you call them?  I take no pleasure from the pain and suffering of others.  I do not rejoice in spilling the blood of my enemies.  My one, and only, pleasure these days is from the betterment of my people.” “Of course I’m angry, I’m making no attempt to hide that from you, and, no, I won’t calm down.” “It is much easier for you to hide behind your microphones and cameras and judge me than it is to be me and attempt to come up with solutions to problems that truly matter.  What is your biggest problem today?  Deciding what you will eat for dinner?  Fighting traffic on your way home?  I have to figure out how to feed two thousand starving children.  That isn’t my calling.  That isn’t something I’m passionate about doing.  It is the task set before me that I must accomplish to the best of my ability, because no one else will.  That isn’t even my biggest problem.” “I understand why you vilify me, though.  I do.  You don’t want to remember the darker nature of your past.  You want to believe there are always peaceful resolutions to every situation.  That is humane.  That is civilized.  That is a lie you’ve told yourselves so many times you have begun to believe it.” “We are animals and we use the tools at our disposal to ensure our survival.  Some animals can talk their way out of anything.  Some animals can outrun their troubles.  I’ve never been very good at talking, I don’t abide those political games, and I’m too old to run anymore.  I am, however, a good shot, and a good teacher of men who are willing to fight for their homes.” “There is a saying, ‘Let them eat cake,’ I’m sure you are familiar with it, yes?  Well, we have no cake in my country.  The rivers and lakes have vanished, and our manufacturing industry with them, and we have nothing to export, nothing to barter or trade.  So, we go thirsty.  The fields have gone dry from drought and we cannot grow crops to sustain ourselves.  So, we go hungry.  We still have our pride, though, and we will not be treaty to charity.  There is no such thing as free goodwill.  We will not be in your debt.  It would be better to die than to find ourselves slaves to the whims and demands of others.  And, as already stated, we are animals and we will not allow ourselves to die off.  So, we have our pride, and our guns and we will do what we have to so we survive.” “You paint me as the devil, and perhaps I am in a way.  I am your devil.  But, remember this, while you film me here and now and spin my words and my actions to tell one story, history is written by the victors.  In time we will tell our own tale, one of an oppressed people rising up against the odds and building a glorious nation, and in that story you will be the devils.” “You will be the red-coats.” “You will be the red-coats.”

a letter from my son at six months old

Dear Daddy,

I’m not sure I’m going to call you daddy when I find my voice.  I may go with dad, or da, or pops, or father-o-mine, or daddy-o.  Daddy will work for now though.

I see that you and Mommy are doing your best to comfort me, play with me, and teach me.  I appreciate all of your efforts, that’s why you get as many smiles and giggles as you do.  I figure the learning thing will become a lot easier for all of us when I learn how to do that talking thing you and mom excel at.

I hear the kitties talking too, but their words seem different, and I hardly ever hear you and mom use the same ones.  Sometimes you do, but I get the feeling you do it just to be silly.  Yes, I can already tell that you are very silly.  I like that about you.

I’m sorry that I scream when you change my diapers.  I wish I could help you understand why I do that.  I wish I understood why I do that too.  I think it has something to do with being confined to my back and I don’t understand why no one else has to lay down to get dressed.  I just want to help.  Don’t worry, I’ll keep trying and we’ll figure it out eventually.  I do have to say, though, my diapers are much cooler than yours.

I can see that you worry about me, especially when I’m being extra fussy.  You are usually right that it’s just my gums hurting.  These teeth things are annoying.  I don’t understand them either.  I know they will be useful one day, but I don’t need them yet.  I appreciate your concern, and you don’t have to worry as much as you do.  I’ll be okay.

Thank you for walking me around and taking little steps with me.  Thank you for making funny faces and playing peek-a-boo.  Thank you for showing me the soccer ball and letting me chase it and you all around the play room.  Thank you for taking me on adventures with you: the beach, Maine, the beach again, camping, the beach.  I like the beach.  I know I’ll like it even more when I’m older.

My first six months have been very good, and I know a lot of that is because of what you and Mommy do for me every day.  I can’t wait to see what the next six months will be like.

I love you,

The Little Prince

PS – What’s a birthday party?  I think I’m really going to like it and that thing called “cake.”