Existential Punk

This Makes Me Queasy

So, the other day i emailed my mom to make sure she was doing ok regarding her investments and this horrible time in the economy. Her reply really made me queasy and reminded me the myriad of reasons why i left right-wing, Evangelical, charismatic, literal interpretations of the Bible religion. We have not seen each other or spoken on the phone since March 1998 and have communicated only via email and letters. She is a very religious person and we have not seen eye-to-eye in many years. i just do not get this kind of Christianity. It really is hard for me to wrap my head around her kind of belief system. i have no idea how or where to find common ground with her. i asked her then if she believes like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson that us Queers are the reason for 9/11 happening. She did not respond to that. She was a bit hesitant, as in a later reply, to give me a more nuanced answer because she was wondering why i was so concerned. i have shown concern for her over the years in asking about her health. She just continually hides behind her religion and the notion that 'Trusting G-D' is all it takes. There is a place for trusting G-D but there is also using common sense and our brains too. We cannot get bogged down in worry and fear but they are legitimate feelings we cannot ignore. We cannot put our heads in the sand. Anyone else relate to me and my not getting this kind of faith or are there others out there who believe our country is under G-D's judgment? i find it narcissistic to think our nation is so bad enough that we are the only nation under the judgment of G-D!

Adele,
 
I have not even looked at my paperwork.  I am totally trusting in the Lord to take care of me.  You can't sell when things are low.  I believe things midght get a little better for a short time, but really believe this country is under judgment of God because we have totally turned from Him.  We have taken Him out of everything:  Schools, government, businesses, even churches.  We have slaughtered His babies in the womb and now we are going to be killing embryos.  We have totally changed the meaning of his Word.  People interpret it according to how they want to live regardless of what God thinks.  Doctrines are being changed and rewritten.  We don't even value families in  godly manner.  It is a wonder He doesn't bring down fire and brimstone on this country like He did on Sodom and Gomorrah.  There is so much corruption in our Congress and other areas of government.  This president is spending our money like crazy.  He can't fix things until the moral fiber of the people of this country improves.  I am doing fine because my King still sits on the throne, not in the White House in Washington D. C.  Would you be stupid enough to give banks so much so much money without any strings to it?  Same for the car manufacturers.  Ther are very few people in Washington who are moral and upright.
 
Love ya,
 
Mom

Fresh from the front lines . . .

Here are some photos Dylan's mom emailed me recently. I am so very proud of my little cousin. I pray continually for his physical, mental and emotional protection. He has always had a beautiful smile and it's so nice to see it once again, even though he is thousands of miles away in an occupied land.

          

Dylan's Iraq Military Job

An email from Dylan's mom on what Dylan is doing over in Iraq, which has totally FREAKED me out:

"Dylan is in between Al Fallujah and  Ar Ramadi--if you google Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq---you'll see where it is.  Dylan is the gunner/driver in a Humvee. He is in the Army National Guard Calvary division-- A troop 1-152nd. He is supposed to be there for 9 months--he joined when he was 17 in November so this November it will 4 years hes been in --he has a 6 year commitment."

i am not sure if this picture is exactly the Humvee kind he is working in, but i'm sure it's close enough. GOD, PLEASE continue to watch over DJ and his fellow troops. PLEASE help this stupid and disheartening war/occupation end SOON!!!! i AM SO VERY PROUD OF YOU AND LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, DJ!!!!

Personal Connection

i have sadly come to the place in the senseless Iraq War where i have a personal connection. i have never known someone close to be in a war going on in my lifetime. But, i just recieved an email yesterday from my cousin, Kim Brasier, that my little 20 year old cousin, her son, Dylan James Brasier, is now stationed in Iraq. She sent me his mailing address over there, and when i get over the shock of him actually being there, i will write him a letter. i knew several months ago he was heading out to training and going to be shipped out to Iraq in March, but i guess i kept telling myself it was far off and not really dealing with it. Well after seeing the film, "Stop-Loss" today, something hit in my emotions and i became very sad and angry at the same time. I would LOVE for all the children of military age of this current administration and ALL of Congress to be taken over to Iraq to fight in this senseless and stupid war where we are getting no closer to being finished. If this happened, i bet our troops would be home in no time! i don't think they would want to sacrifice their precious children. Yet, they expect other Americans to sacrifice their loved ones.

i remember Dylan as a kid always when asked what he wanted to do when he grew up, would say, "Join the military". He always wore army camo clothes and had a smile on his face  at the mention of the military. i never gave it a 2nd thought because we were not in any serious conflicts and used to think the military was a great option for young people not inclined to go to university.

Now i have to trust God to look after him because our government sure won't. God, i LOVE my little cousin, SPC. Brasier, Dylan, and i ask you to watch over him and all of our military in Iraq and Afghanistan. PLEASE bring him home quickly and safely, unharmed physically, mentally and emotionally. PLEASE look out for his mom and dad, and his siblings, and his girlfriend, who are all back in Indiana. PLEASE, PLEASE, don't allow me to have to attend his funeral. God, help me with my deep-seated anger i already had towards this administration and that is now growing more intense in light of this news about Dylan. God, have mercy on me and on those who make decisions in your Name.