Don't Close Your Blinds

The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we were at war.
My husband looked at our son and then looked at me.  My husband and I
were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored to serve and defend our Country again today.  I knew that my husband would give him a good explanation.

My husband thought for a few minutes and then told my son to go stand
in our front living room window.  He said "Son, stand there and tell me
what  you see?"

"I see trees and cars and our neighbor's houses." he replied.

"OK, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard is the
United States of America and you are President Bush."

Our son giggled and said "OK."

"Now son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that every
house and yard on this block is a different country" my husband said.

"OK Dad, I'm pretending."

"Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and pretend you
see Saddam come out of his house with his wife,  he has her by the
hair and is hitting her.  You see her bleeding and crying.  He hits her in
the face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick her to
death.  Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are
screaming and crying, they are watching this but do nothing because
they are kids and they are afraid of their father.  You see all of
this son.... what do you do?"

"Dad?"

"What do you do son?"

"I'd call the police, Dad."

"OK.  Pretend that the police are the United Nations and they take
your call, listen to what you know and saw but they refuse to help.  What do you do then son?"

"Dad.......... but the police are supposed to help!"  My son starts to whine.

"They don't want to son, because they say that it is not their place
or your place to get involved and that you should stay out of it," my
husband says "But Dad...he killed her!!" my son exclaims.

"I know he did..but the police tell you to stay out of it.  Now I  want
you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor who
you're pretending is Saddam turn around and do the same thing to his
children."

"Daddy...he kills them?"

"Yes son, he does. What do you do?"

"Well, if the police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next door
neighbor to help me stop him." our son says.

"Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and refuses to get
involved as well.  He refuses to open the door and help you stop him,"
my husband says.

"But Dad, I NEED help!!!  I can't stop him by myself!!"

"WHAT DO YOU DO SON?"  Our son starts to cry.

"OK, no one wants to help you, the man across the street saw you ask
for help and saw that no one would help you stop him.  He stands
taller and puffs out his chest.  Guess what he does next son?"

"What Daddy?"

"He walks across the street to the old ladies house and breaks down
her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her house on
fire and then...he kills her.  He turns around and sees you standing in he
window and laughs at you.  WHAT DO YOU DO?"

"Daddy..."

"WHAT DO YOU DO?"

Our son is crying and he looks down and he whispers, "I'd close the blinds, Daddy."

My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks him..."Why?"

"Because Daddy.....the poli ce are supposed to help people who need
them...and they won't help.... You always say that neighbors are
supposed to HELP neighbors, but they won't help either...they won't
help me stop him...I'm afraid....I can't do it by myself Daddy.....I
can't look out my window and just watch him do all these terrible
things and...and.....do nothing...so....I'm just going to close the
blinds.... so I can't see what he's doing........and I'm going to pretend that it is not happening."

I start to cry.

My husband looks at our nine year old son standing in the window,
looking pitiful and ashamed at his answers to my husbands questions
and he says..."Son"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Open the blinds because that man... he's at your front door..."WHAT
DO YOU DO?"

My son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes.  He balls
up his tiny fists and looks his father square in the eyes, without
hesitation he says: "I DEFEND MY FAMILY DAD!!  I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER, DAD!!!  I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM!!!!!"

I see a tear roll down my husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his
chest and hugs him tight, and says... "It's too late to fight him,
he's too strong and he's already at YOUR front door son.....you should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his children and the old
lady across the way.You have to do what's right, even if you have to
do it alone, before it's too late."  my husband whispers.

THAT scenario I just gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq.   When
good men stand by and let evil happen son, THAT is the greatest EVIL of all.

Our President is doing what is right.  We, as a free nation, must
un derstand that this war is a war of humanity.  WE must remove evil men from power so that we can continue to live in a free world where we are not afraid to look out our window so that my nine year old son won't grow up in a world where he feels that if he just  "closes the blinds" the atrocities in the world won't affect him.  "YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT!  EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!"   BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!   BE PROUD OF
OUR TROOPS!!   SUPPORT THEM!!!  SUPPORT AMERICA!!  SO THAT IN THE FUTURE OUR CHILDREN WILL NEVER HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR BLINDS..."

+1

someone should post this on DU, of course they'll be banned, but so the fuck what. Will a member at DU post this because I want to see their BS.

A little overdone for a 9-year old...but a great story.  

Damn. That almost made me cry.

we need a yawnig avatar

Quoted: we need a yawnig avatar

Well . . . NOW we do, for you.

I meant Emocon not avatar.  Excuse me

Still, it's heavy handed and boring

Chris

I know what you meant.

It makes an important point, and quite well and accurately.

+1

Quoted: I meant Emocon not avatar.  Excuse me Still, it's heavy handed and boring Chris

Wow, way to be a douche bag.

kind of overrought but makes a damn good point

The domino theory, broken down so a kid can understand.  

It worked in SE Asia 40 years ago.  It works in SW Asia today.

the more things change, the more they remain the same.  Only this time, we have the voice of experience telling us how NOT to end it.  I hope that the PTB are able to hear.

Ops

Sure is a shit load of  trolls here today.

I'm not trolling just suggesting that this story never happened as written.  It's just too perfect.

And seriously what does the emocon mean?

What are we getting weepy at the flag or the fact that its at half mast?

Chris

Quoted: I'm not trolling just suggesting that this story never happened as written.  It's just too perfect. And seriously what does the emocon mean? What are we getting weepy at the flag or the fact that its at half mast? Chris

It has to do with pride in your country.  Judging from your responses I would guess you don't understand such a thing.

Great job.

Quoted: I'm not trolling just suggesting that this story never happened as written.  It's just too perfect. Chris

Did you read the title of the thread? It says "Short Story.
Something to just make you think.

Quoted: It has to do with pride in your country.  Judging from your responses I would guess you don't understand such a thing.

What should I have pride for Cypher?

Should I feel pride for poor intelligence that gently prodded a president who was already itching to go to war?

Should I feel pride for a AMERICAN citizens (just like you and me) who were deprived of counsel for years until SCOTUS said something?

Should I feel pride about a presidental campaign that kicks teachers out of a rally for "obsene" shirts that say "Protect Our Civil Liberties"?link

Should I feel pride about the head prosecutor in the land who covers up a statue in the DOJ building because its a naked woman who is supposed to represent that Justice is open for all to see?

Tell me exactly what I'm supposed to feel pride in right now.

Chris

Quoted: Did you read the title of the thread? It says "Short Story. Something to just make you think.

point taken, it does say that and I stand by my original statement.  Its heavy handed.

Chris

Quoted: Quoted: It has to do with pride in your country.  Judging from your responses I would guess you don't understand such a thing. What should I have pride for Cypher? Should I feel pride for poor intelligence that gently prodded a president who was already itching to go to war? Should I feel pride for a AMERICAN citizens (just like you and me) who were deprived of counsel for years until SCOTUS said something? Should I feel pride about a presidental campaign that kicks teachers out of a rally for "obsene" shirts that say "Protect Our Civil Liberties"?link Should I feel pride about the head prosecutor in the land who covers up a statue in the DOJ building because its a naked woman who is supposed to represent that Justice is open for all to see? Tell me exactly what I'm supposed to feel pride in right now. Chris

How about your leftist social agenda?

Quoted: How about your leftist social agenda?

What agenda are you talking about?

I'm a card carrying NRA member republican.

I don't think we have a whole lot to be prideful about right now, thats all.

A little antedote for you.  
My Fedex guy was the chairman of Collegians for Goldwater in '64 at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.  Thats as thankless a job as you could find.  He is a die hard republican.  And even he is going to vote Liberatrian in Nov.  Because of what the God awful leadership by this administration.

Chris

    I absolutely hate fucking trolls!!!!!!!!!

Troll?  Are you talking about me?

Instead of name calling, How about arguing any one of my previous assertions

Chris

Quoted: Quoted: How about your leftist social agenda? What agenda are you talking about? I'm a card carrying NRA member republican. I don't think we have a whole lot to be prideful about right now, thats all. A little antedote for you.   My Fedex guy was the chairman of Collegians for Goldwater in '64 at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.  Thats as thankless a job as you could find.  He is a die hard republican.  And even he is going to vote Liberatrian in Nov.  Because of what the God awful leadership by this administration. Chris

Sounds like your trying to convince yourself, no need to spew your crap on me.

I would smoke the evil f**k in his little world before he could get to mine Good story though well put!

Quoted: Sounds like your trying to convince yourself, no need to spew your crap on me.

Convince myself of what?

Do you believe that prescription drug coverage is the responsibility of the federal government?

Would you be suprised to know that GWB has expanded the size of the non defense-non security government more than any president in history?

Did you know that GWB advocated sending 15 Billion of your tax dollars to Africa for AIDS prevention?

Don't these things bother you?

How can you vote for anyone who so recklessly spends YOUR money?

Quoted: Troll?  Are you talking about me? Instead of name calling, How about arguing any one of my previous assertions Chris

Nah, why bother, the brother calling you a troll sums you up quite well. I'm thinking that arguing points with you would be a waste of time as I doubt you'd get it, after all, you certainly didn't get the jist of the story and THAT is clearly obvious. Whilst you've mentioned that your an NRA member and a Republican only serves to prove that there are a few weenies in every crowd.

P.S. When you're an AMERICAN, there's PLENTY to be PROUD of...

Mexico is so close to you... please go there if you don't understand pride in this country. I don't care what you think about our leader, opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one and they all stink.

Quoted: Quoted: It has to do with pride in your country.  Judging from your responses I would guess you don't understand such a thing. What should I have pride for Cypher? Should I feel pride for poor intelligence that gently prodded a president who was already itching to go to war? Should I feel pride for a AMERICAN citizens (just like you and me) who were deprived of counsel for years until SCOTUS said something? Should I feel pride about a presidental campaign that kicks teachers out of a rally for "obsene" shirts that say "Protect Our Civil Liberties"?link Should I feel pride about the head prosecutor in the land who covers up a statue in the DOJ building because its a naked woman who is supposed to represent that Justice is open for all to see? Tell me exactly what I'm supposed to feel pride in right now. Chris

Others have responded for me and have done a fine job.

I will say this:  Love it or leave it.

Quoted: Others have responded for me and have done a fine job. I will say this:  Love it or leave it.

SO if Kerry gets in office that's your plan?

I forgot political disent is bad.

I must be one of the terrorists.

Quoted: Quoted: Others have responded for me and have done a fine job. I will say this:  Love it or leave it. I must be one of the terrorists.

Ok, If you say so.
If you want to troll and argue, go to the pit since you decided to destroy this thread with your anti Bush make-believe bovine excrement.

edited to add: bovine

Quoted: Quoted: Others have responded for me and have done a fine job. I will say this:  Love it or leave it. SO if Kerry gets in office that's your plan? I forgot political disent is bad. I must be one of the terrorists.

If Kerry gets in office (ha!) I will petition my congressmen to continue doing what they currently do... support my constitutional rights.

I won't sit around bitching about my country and showing my disdain for prideful Americans.

There is a difference between political dissent and America-hating, which your tone and attitude appear to portray.  You come here and parrot the same bullshit the left babbles on and on about as your reasons for not having pride in your country.  

Quoted: If Kerry gets in office (ha!) I will petition my congressmen to continue doing what they currently do... support my constitutional rights.

What district are you in?  How did he vote on the Patriot Act?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59626-2004Sep29.html?nav=rss_technology/techpolicy

Quoted: What district are you in?  How did he vote on the Patriot Act? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59626-2004Sep29.html?nav=rss_technology/techpolicy

Quoted: Quoted: If Kerry gets in office (ha!) I will petition my congressmen to continue doing what they currently do... support my constitutional rights. What district are you in?  How did he vote on the Patriot Act? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59626-2004Sep29.html?nav=rss_technology/techpolicy

I want you to point out SPECIFICALLY what rights you lost under the Patriot Act.

You and your lefty friends don't take the time to realize that the Patriot Act did nothing that wasn't already in place for use against drug dealers and the mob while making it easier for federal agencies to work together.

I will be waiting for your specific grievances against the Patriot Act and the corresponding Amendment(s) to the Constitution that has/have been violated.

I hate TROLLS !


Like someone else said...   take it to the Bear Pit, PUNK !

LB

Quoted: I want you to point out SPECIFICALLY what rights you lost under the Patriot Act. You and your lefty friends don't take the time to realize that the Patriot Act did nothing that wasn't already in place for use against drug dealers and the mob while making it easier for federal agencies to work together. I will be waiting for your specific grievances against the Patriot Act and the corresponding Amendment(s) to the Constitution that has/have been violated.

Do you really want me to just quote from the decision or do you want an argument on the ever growing largese and unaccountability of the Federal Government?

I'm ready for each.

Chris

CCK, there are many problems with this country, and there are many things to be proud of.

However, you seem to have the attitude that has affected many otherwise intelligent folks:

you are willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I am assuming you are an American citizen. Your grievances are perfectly legitimate, and as such you have every right to run for public office, to vote, to protest, to keep and bear arms.

If you are not proud that you have those options as opposed to a GAS CHAMBER or HANGING or being shot (as would be your option in many other countries)  then leave. You have that freedom too. No one here will try and stop you from leaving under your own free will.

Edit: added clarity and fixed spelling

Quoted: I'm not trolling just suggesting that this story never happened as written.  It's just too perfect. And seriously what does the emocon mean? What are we getting weepy at the flag or the fact that its at half mast? Chris

It means that the "smiley" is crying for the one (or ones) that the flag is flying at half-mast for.  A simple tribute for a person or persons that commanded the respect of a nation with his/her/their passing.

But then this is probably lost on you as your are most likely the type that continues on with your daily activities while the National Anthem is being played.

Quoted: How can you vote for anyone who so recklessly spends YOUR money?

As a (former) card-carrying Libertarian,
I agree with many of your points, cck.
However, the fact remains that the
alternative to GWB is MUCH worse...

I have a feeling this is going to degrade
into an AGNTSA situation...

ETA: Oh, and don't shit on other people's
threads.

Quoted: I'm not trolling just suggesting that this story never happened as written.  It's just too perfect. And seriously what does the emocon mean? What are we getting weepy at the flag or the fact that its at half mast? Chris

If we have to explain you won't understand.

And never will.

Quoted: I must be one of the terrorists.

Terrorist? Nah. Uninformed moron with an agenda to push? That one's looking likely.  Troll? I think we have a winner.

Dissent all you want. But don't act so surprised when the majority of the members here hand you your ass and brand you a troll with your  uninformed blather.

SG

Quoted: Quoted: I want you to point out SPECIFICALLY what rights you lost under the Patriot Act. You and your lefty friends don't take the time to realize that the Patriot Act did nothing that wasn't already in place for use against drug dealers and the mob while making it easier for federal agencies to work together. I will be waiting for your specific grievances against the Patriot Act and the corresponding Amendment(s) to the Constitution that has/have been violated. Do you really want me to just quote from the decision or do you want an argument on the ever growing largese and unaccountability of the Federal Government? I'm ready for each. Chris

I want the specific rights you have lost as a result of the Patriot Act.  References to the bill itself and the corresponding right lost as listed in the Constitution.

Quoted: Quoted: I want you to point out SPECIFICALLY what rights you lost under the Patriot Act. You and your lefty friends don't take the time to realize that the Patriot Act did nothing that wasn't already in place for use against drug dealers and the mob while making it easier for federal agencies to work together. I will be waiting for your specific grievances against the Patriot Act and the corresponding Amendment(s) to the Constitution that has/have been violated. Do you really want me to just quote from the decision or do you want an argument on the ever growing largese and unaccountability of the Federal Government? I'm ready for each. Chris

I am not going to argue about anything with you, I am going to TELL you
that all you have done is continue to post negative things in a patriotic thread.
You are just another cry baby who wants to stir up shit.
Wrong place wrong time, If you want to debate politics go find a suitable place to do it.
Stiring up shit in a thread titled Have you read this short story--"Don't close your blinds" just sais
I AM AN ATTENION WHORE LOOK AT ME

Quoted: Troll?  Are you talking about me? Instead of name calling, How about arguing any one of my previous assertions Chris

Smartass teachers get bad treatment. Crap happens

Arabs push the USA one more time and the USA decides to shove back. Iraq was a stroke of genius. Iran AND Syria surrounded while stomping one of the USA's biggest headaches all in one, one month operation. Possibly turning thirty years of neglect of the terror state threat on its ear with only a little over 1000 soldiers lost.

Decency in the courts of justice maybe it's about time. Rampant sexuality hasn't done us any favours.

Oh, go troll somewhere else! Planerench out.

+1
 

Quoted: Quoted: Sounds like your trying to convince yourself, no need to spew your crap on me. Convince myself of what? Do you believe that prescription drug coverage is the responsibility of the federal government? Would you be suprised to know that GWB has expanded the size of the non defense-non security government more than any president in history? Did you know that GWB advocated sending 15 Billion of your tax dollars to Africa for AIDS prevention? Don't these things bother you? How can you vote for anyone who so recklessly spends YOUR money?

Agreed. Stealing the Democrate's issues and succeeding is against my grain too but they are small in comparison to the USA continuing to bend to state sponsored terrorism. We are thirty years behind in Islam ass kicking. The sKerry SCOTUS appointments will also haunt us forever. Planerench out.