I Don't Understand

     Sorry I am typing so slow. I bought a new vegetable peeler yesterday.  It is very sharp!
     Here in this town of Sulphur Springs everyone sort of knows everyone.  Wal-Mart is the store you have to shop at. There are a few Tractor/Feed Supply stores. Gas is more expensive here than in the surrounding towns. Yes, that does sound familiar to Malone. (for those of my fellow Malonians) Even the weather drastically changes from day to day.
     What is different is the mentality of it's people.  Of course this is the South. Malone is definitely the North. However, this is not just the South...No siree Bob! This is Texas! The state most often attempting to secede from the Union. Here in Texas when you leave your home you grab your wallet, your keys, and your gun.  At the Wal-Mart go ahead and buy another gun. Bypass Federal limits on the purchase of ammo simply by driving a few miles to ammo depot.
     Yes, there are cowboy hats, boots, cattle, and trucks. On every corner there is a church. Prior to January 1, 2013 this was a dry county. (the irony of an Irish Catholic  living in a dry county could give a stand up comic months of fresh material!) ((NO Poopy, I am not talking about you)) If you wanted a drink you could;
                    1) go to Chili's and sign a paper fondly called The Lush List.
                    2) become a member of the local Elks,Legion, or other "private" club.  You can drink as a member of "private organizations."
                    3) drive to the next county. Right on the county line there are 2 liquor depots.
     Reckon this county realized how much liquor taxes were going up so now you can by beer at Wal-Mart. You can by wine at Brookshires (a high priced grocery store.) There is even a rumor about town that Joe's Subs, Bait, Tackle and Gas has closed for remodeling and will reopen - dramatic pause...prerequisite gasp, as a (wait for it) LIQUOR STORE!
      In Sulphur Springs God, Country, and Family are the code which most live by. In front of beautiful southern homes, built on acres of land, the flag of The United States, The Texas State Flag, and some branch of military flag blow freely in the Texas wind. On that same lawn you are likely to see, there stuck in the ground - close to the road, a sign depicting President Obama with a red line across his face or a bulls eye, or the words NO.
     Is it just me or is there something wrong with that image? While patriotism is evident everywhere and military service is applauded; the President's image is used for target practice. 
     How can you serve your country while wishing the President was assassinated? Sure, I have had bosses I did not especially like, but wish them dead, ah, NO. The freedom to display such signs is a right earned by men and women dying in protection of this country. The democratic process, so well expounded upon by our Founding Fathers - elected President Obama. The same process that gave W. 4 more years. W. did not win the popular vote. He won the electoral vote - so, even though the majority did not want W. to have 4 more years - the rules laid out in our Republic's Constitution put him back in the White House. Even with the questions surrounding voting machines and hanging chads, and absentee ballots - the Democratic process prevailed. (or as the conspirators believe he just refused to leave the White House because this Country's history was already written W. was required as President)
     This is what I do not understand; While we may not like the individual elected as President, we have a Patriotic imperative to support our country. In a place, such as Sulphur Springs, where Patriotism is in evidence everywhere, so is hatred for our President. I do not get that. Hatred of anyone, in and of itself is difficult for me, hatred of The President in a town where military service is considered a true calling - well, it just does not make any sense.
     The argument would go;
"I don't want a liberal democrat being President."
" I understand, but he was elected fair and square."
"I am not sure it was fair and square. A lot of news people are reporting about rigged voting machines, some people having to wait for hours to vote, absentee ballots not counted correctly."
  "Sounds a lot like what happened when W. was elected for his 2nd term."
"Seriously, the two are apples and oranges."
     I don't understand how a person with a grain of common sense can argue the validity of President Obamas' place in office while simultaneously arguing that W.'s 2nd term was won without any questions.
     I do not understand how you can encourage your son or daughter to become soldiers if you hate the man who would be their "boss."
     I cannot comprehend flying The United States flag and posting a sign depicting the death of the President. It doesn't make any sense to me. I know,do not have conversations with friends about politics or religion,(or the Raiders - Raider fans are fanatical)It is the beauty of our country which allows us to disagree, to debate - heck, it is debate which created The Constitution. We agree to disagree because that is democracy. Majority rules. If it is not your guy on Pennsylvania Avenue that is OK. In 2 years you can vote again - elect all conservative congress people. In 4 years, President Obama is out, we elect a new president.
     All of it - the entire process - it is beautiful. It is amazing! A group of men, over 200 years ago, had such intelligence and fore sight they wrote one of the most powerful documents ever composed. The ideals and freedoms The Constitution represent are inspiring - they allow you to fly The United States Flag while openly displaying your dislike for the President. I guess I just do not understand how you can do such a thing.
     Of course you could fill the Grand Canyon with what I don't understand - why would any place of faith and worship espouse hatred? Why would an individual teach hatred to their children? Why does anyone need to own an assault rifle? When being nice is so much easier, why are some folks mean - just to be mean?
     I just do not understand people. During this difficult economic time - when so many have lost so much - when we need to pull together, support one another - why do some folks choose to be unkind? When a tragic massacre takes place, like Sandy Hook, why do gun owners automatically begin their rhetoric regarding their right to own guns - they have a right to own guns, yes - an assault rifle is not a gun for sport, it is a gun for killing. I can't wrap my head around going to church then going home and hitting your kids - or allowing schools to paddle your children.
     I am fortunate. I grew up in the North.In a mostly democratic county. I lived over 20 years in CA. Live and let live unless you are Mexican or gay. Now, I have the opportunity to stay here in Texas. To learn their culture. To better understand their way of life. Though I have to say - I still don't understand a lot of people! I don't get hate. No matter where I live I will not understand hate. Reckon that is a good thing. If I could begin to understand hate then I might have the capacity to feel it - I do not want to learn how to hate. Be certain of that, hate is learned - it has to be. Some folks, like me, cannot even comprehend it. While other folks not only comprehend it, they use it as a weapon - as much a weapon as a gun - on this one; hate - I am glad I do not understand.