So there I was, proudly wearing my Red Sox hat

[LittleClarkie]

at the pub, a hat tthat I just bought Thursday, when I was insulted.

I admit it. I'm not much of a Sox fan, though I do think it's neat that they broke their streak of bad luck dating back to 1918. And I do so love an underdog who can come from behind.

Nevertheless, I probably wouldn't have gotten a Red Sox hat if I didn't feel an odd connection. It just seemed like a good omen.

So someone at the bar whom I've known since 1983 looked at me today and said that if I only had a Red Sox hat on because of Kerry, that's pathetic.

Lump in my gut (for some reason) I could only reply pointedly while staring him in the eye, "Is it?"

He repeated that it was indeed pathetic, because Kerry himself couldn't even name a Red Sox team member when asked. (Since when?!) Geez, it's his hometown team. Can't these people accept that perhaps Kerry might be enjoying that his team won, aside from politics? Hey, if Kerry was suddenly a Cardinals fan, then I'd question.

Feeling the need to "unpathetic" myself, I mentioned my other reasons for cheering tor the Sox (underdog, Bambino curse broken, the sweep) but I know I was only coverin up.

But then one of the bartenders mentioned (half-jokingly) that we'd have to cheer against our beloved Packers, as a Packers win will mean a Kerry win.

Cheering against your hometown team for the sake of politics. I looked at my old friend and commented, "and said "Now THAT's pathetic."

Still later on in the evening, I realized "1983" and someone else were talking about the election in terms of a sort of foxhole prayer, like "God, I don't ask for much, but if you could make George Bush president..."

First of all, it struck me that they're praying for a win, meaning they're not all that sure.

Second of all, it occurred to me that these particular people, near as I can tell, haven't contributed time and/or money to the Bush campaign. They just expect him to win. Perhaps a bit of prayer, but that's it.

I on the other hand, have given about $200 in supplies, worked the phones, written letters and generally given time to the Kerry campaign.

Do you know any Freepers who are actively working on the Bush campaign? Or are they all just assuming that they can watch on television what is going on. I hope so?

Meanwhile, I'm still stinging from the "That's pathetic" comment, though. I guess, all politics aside, I thought it was just plain rude.

So, why would anyone think Kerry doens't follow the Red Sox? He's from Boston, for pete's sake).