I Can't Believe I'm Wearing A Mask!

My government has made me feel like I have to cover my face to express dissenting opinions regarding the directions many countries have taken since those hopeful early days of the Kennedy Presidency. I was a good scout, an officer, and a combat veteran. I’m embarrassed to admit I was thoroughly indoctrinated by my government and institutions to serve; most Americans were in those simple, easy days.

I spent nearly two years as a combat pilot and Air Mission Commander in Vietnam – back in that naive time in my life when I believed in my government. I was well into my second tour of duty before the penny dropped and I realized that an alarming number of commanders were dangerously incompetent and my government was corrupt. The country was riven. Returning soldiers received not a hero’s welcome, but scorn and derision. That experience was a WTF Moment in my life. I decided it was a big world and there was no reason to remain in ‘Murica; it was definitely not the country I imagined it to be as a good little Boy Scout.

After Vietnam, I spent my career everywhere but ‘Murica. Recall the saying, “Love it or Leave it.” Well… how can one love an entity that tried to get me killed for no other reason than crass economic and political gain – mostly economic. I figured, instead of spending energy as an angry young man, it would be far more productive to just move along. It’s a big, beautiful world out here. It's said that people get the government they deserve. It's telling that we got President Trump and hordes of religious zealots with their minds and hearts firmly fixed in a past American Dream that never really existed.

I’m disdainful of the religious direction ‘Murica has taken in the past 30 years or so. So many people claim to be doing “god’s” work for the Good Ole USA!!! The collective consciousness seems to me like Slim Pickens in the parody film, Dr. Strangelove, riding astride the Big One insanely waving his cowboy hat on the way to Ground Zero. Yeehawww! ...

"Sweet land of Liberty..." those words taste like bulldust in my mouth. The Liberty of having my mail and private conversations and other private and personal details recorded and monitored by governmental agencies. The Liberty of having political and religious numpties squander the country's resources supporting the military-industrial complex that Eisenhower cautioned about. The Liberty that uses drones to wipe out women and kids going to weddings and other gatherings and then says, "Oooops, sorry 'bout that." Ooooh, Thaaaat Liberty. Wake up, America!

Increasingly, from an outside perspective, it’s difficult see much difference between repressive theocratic governments of the Mideast and the ever growing theocratic movements in ‘Murica. I can’t speak for any deity that might exist; however, I don’t think bombing, blasting, destabilizing, and generally being imperialist furthers any god’s plan for humanity. Just sayin’… That assessment applies to all governments and societies that it describes.

A number of years ago I attended a protest rally about a particularly vile government action. It was not in the USA. After the rally, a clean-cut American guy approached me in a friendly manner. As we chatted, he started to pump me for personal information regarding my views and personal details. The hairs on the back of my neck tingled as we morphed from chatting to an interrogation. I cut short the interview and left. That's why I now wear a mask.

I come to Steemit to express ideas that I hope will offer another perspective and to look for others’ ideas to help improve our existence. I am interested in things political, cryptocurrencies, health, philosophy, technology, and most other stuff.

BTW, Follow - Don't Follow. Vote - Don't Vote. In the words of the fictional character, Rhett Butler, "Frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn."