We Charge The United States With . . .

*** continued from previous post ***


Carl leaned back in his chair, placing both hands behind his head. He did that a lot. "So. You guys have quite an election coming up."

Aw shit.

Really? Was he going to go and ruin a perfectly good evening with talk of politics? It's not that I mind, you know I love a spirited discussion as much as the next guy, but this was Canada and these were Canadians. In my experience what was about to take place wasn't so much a discussion as a prolonged series of accusations and indictments against all things from THE STATES.

Too late now, we had left the calm water and were heading head-long into the vortex with the Kracken waiting below for the killing blow. I glance at your mom, who, as you know, hates political discussions even when both parties agree. She was trying desperately to self-induce a coma, but so far was having little success. She just looked sleepy.

"Why yes. Yes we do."

If Carl wanted to 'hike' down this particular path I was going to make him work for it.
He looked at me. I looked at him. The conversation amongst his family dwindled to silence, much like the final gasps of a car running out of gas which, owing to your childhood, you should be intimately acquainted with. Or, like any holiday dinner conversation we've ever hosted at the house. Especially those attended by Uncle Bob. Bastard. But I digress. There we sat, eyeball to eyeball, two minds locked in a silent battle.

Finally Carl said, "So. I guess the good thing is they can't re-elect Bush, eh?"

*** the journey continues ***