Day 153: The President that Opened My Eyes

Earlier today I shared a reel about the first time I realized I really could be and should be doing anything I wanted.

I was in the sales pit with a few friends around. The conversation of politics came up. Or partying. Or both.

We were discussing how in other countries talking smack against your leaders could have you imprisoned or even killed. I said that because of that, I wouldn’t say anything bad about G W Bush. Despite having the first amendment that protects our freedom of speech.

Lets rewind to a couple years before this conversation with my party friends and coworkers.

It was September 11. The plane that hit the Pentagon cast a shadow over the building I was in seconds before it hit. Our building was half a mile from the Pentagon.

A few days after that experience G W Bush said he would send troops to recover weapons of mass destruction. I remember when the announcement was made. Ryan and I were at our local watering hole with a couple friends and when the news broke the story, my gut dropped. That’s what made me lose all respect for him. My dad served two tours and I knew the gravity of what he was committing our country to.

Within the past couple years we’ve since withdrawn all our troops (after more than 2 decades of being there). The reign of terror there for their citizens is worse than it was before we sent our military over. And, you guessed it, no weapons of mass destruction were found. They did find Bin Laden and Hussain so I guess that was a win and worth all the soldiers we’ve lost and vets we’ve since neglected since their return?

Anyways. Back to the sales pit. I couldn’t believe that the leader of our nation was a former college party boy. Honestly, I think he’d be fun to hang out with. But he was the first nepo baby that made me realize that the stuff I was sweating, wasn’t necessary.

Sure it’s easier for people born into powerful families with wealth to erase their wrong doings. But if there’s been anything I’ve learned it’s that people aren’t looking. Of if they are looking, they don’t care.

Things that are done may not be forgivable but it is likely forgettable.

So why doubt, question, and play small?