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It’s come to our attention here on DU that you are reading our posts, so I thought I tell you about my "Mike"...Michael, my son. He’s 8 years old.
Michael is doing well in the third grade. He likes to read and does a good job with math and spelling. We work on his school work every school night. He also likes art and loves to draw. I have several collections of his creations. He loves to read. I used to read to him until this year. Now he likes to read himself. In some ways I’m happy he does, but in other ways I’m sad. In years past, we read many books together on the couch before bedtime. Now he prefers to read himself. Believe it or not, he’s reading a Harry Potter book now (I don’t know which one), but it looks to be a large tome. Something I would never have attempted when I was his age.
We like to play a game called “Tough, Lil’ Guy.” We made this game up about 4 years ago (at least I think we made it up. It could be a game many dads play with their sons, I don’t know). Anyway, “Tough Lil’ Guy” goes like this. I lay down on the living room couch and Michael jumps on me. Then I hold on to him and he tries to get away. I’ll say, over and over, “Can’t get away! Can’t get away!” and he replies “Can too. Can too get away!” Then, after a few minutes he “slips” from my grasp, and we play again. Usually we play three times or so but lately, he’s wearing me out! It was one thing to play “Tough Lil’ Guy” when he was 4 years old: quite another to play it now. I imagine we won’t be playing it too many more years since his dad will be a little older and he’ll be a little bigger. And I’m sure in time he’ll develop other interests and not have much time for daddy.
He’s a big help when we barbeque. He helps me carry the cooking implements from the kitchen and he helps with the steak, chicken, onions, corn, whatever we’re cooking for that evening. He likes to put his hot dogs on the grill and turn them when they’re ready (all under the watchful eye of his daddy). In the kitchen he likes to help me. Just last Monday we made enchiladas together. He actually heated the tortillas in oil, dipped them in sauce and filled them with cheese and onions (again with daddy’s help). Then he arranged them in a casserole pan for the oven. Sometimes he helps clean up and has done the dishes himself (again under the watchful eye of his daddy).
Sometimes we have “Guy Night.” When the “girls” are out for the evening (his mom and sister), Michael and I will do up little pizzas using English muffins, pizza sauce, cheese and toppings. He likes “American sausage” (sausage that’s not too spicy) and pepperoni. Then we lie down on the couch and watch a movie. Michael has developed an interest in the classic movies of Humphrey Bogart and William Powell, and some of the so-called “B” movies like “DOA” and "Quicksand." He especially likes 1950s sci-fi films like “Them,” “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” and “Forbidden Planet.” We listen to jazz while waiting to eat. He’s become very adept at identifying CDs of Nat King Cole, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, the Mills Brothers, and others. I’ll ask him, “Mike, who’s that singing/playing?” and he’ll answer, usually with the right name. It’s a special night: it’s “Guy Night.”
On the weekends we go over to the park. Sometimes we throw a baseball back and forth: he has a new glove and I have my glove from 45 years ago. Sometimes I’ll pitch to him and he’ll try to hit the ball with his bat. He’s not too good at this, yet, but we keep working on it. What he’s really good at is kicking his football, and particularly at place kicking. I hold the ball and he kicks it. His height and distance are impressive for his age. I hope to take him over to the high school some day to see if he can put it between the crossbars. Maybe that’s his forte.
Incidentally, Michael will never be drafted to fight the wars of George W. Bush. Mention that to your boss: "Michael will never be drafted." I’ve told him about the lies and criminal acts of Bush and his thugs and cutthroats. I’ve told him all about that pathetic man who resides in the White House. I’ve told him about the killing of over 600,000 Iraqis and the deaths of almost 3,000 American troops. I’ve told him these people died because of Bush’s lies. I’ve told him some of these people were kids just like him: boys who liked to play “Tough Lil’ Guy” with their daddies; who liked to help out in the kitchen, who liked to relax and play sports with their daddies. Boys who did well in school. He knows and I think he understands: Bush is not a nice person.
So, if the GOP prevails next month and Bush decides to implement a draft for his wars, Michael will not be part of it. It might take me 10 years to figure out a way, but he will not be drafted to fight Bush’s wars--period. If I have to risk prison or take him to another country, so be it. He will not be used by Bush...he will not be drafted. He will not die for Bush's lie.
Tell that to your boss.
:dem:
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