Chapter 115 proved one of the most compelling in the story, if email response volume is a metric. I had upwards of 80 emails on this chapter, all positive, though some cursed me for awakening emotions they had thought buried. That was the first day. I woke up the next morning to another 60! I think I ended up somewhere between 150 and 160. What a phenomenal number! For most of you I simply sent back a thank you, but I read all your responses. Many of you referred to loved ones who had passed away from cancer. For what it’s worth, in the ugly disease rating system, I would prefer cancer to the way my father went out with Alzheimer’s. I’d rather lose my body than my mind. Just my opinion.
Many asked if I had a child or loved one die of cancer. No, fortunately not. My mother-in-law and father-in-law passed away from hepatic cancer and melanoma, respectively, but they were in their 70s. I have certainly known people who have survived cancer. I must admit that my daughter likes medical shows, and I am constantly seeing this stuff on television. I lost a couple of nieces at an early age (I have about forty or fifty nephews & nieces & great-nephews & -nieces, maybe more) but one was in a car accident when she was about ten and the other was born with a fatal heart defect and never made it past three weeks. From that I can honestly state that no parent should ever have to bury a child; Nature calls on the child to bury the parent. Burying my father was difficult, but I cannot conceive of the pain of burying one of my children. By the time I finished writing the eulogy, I was crying, too.
In Chapter 116 we get back to a mishmash of personal stuff and politics. As always, the important part is not whether you agree with Carl’s politics but watching him maneuver. For those of you who think it doesn’t get this convoluted or hypocritical, I am not showing a tenth of what really occurs.
One reader sent me some comments that it is not 100% illegal for a civilian to own automatic weaponry. He described the procedure involved, and it is lengthy and expensive and involves a lengthy background check. It is not illegal, though. For the average citizen, however, it is a real pain in the ass. The 1934 National Firearms Act is involved, as well as the Reagan-era Hughes Amendment. I don’t think it is worth doing a rewrite, but I do think I can pass it along. Thank you, spamtrap.
I don’t want to get into an argument with anybody about gun control. I think if I asked a hundred people what should be done, I would get back a hundred answers. Please don’t tell me what Carl would do, because he’s a Republican or because he’s an Army vet, or whatever. I guarantee not every member of any group you mention will agree.
The same applies to the rest of the Contract with America (or Contract on America, as some have called it.) Regardless of your political philosophy, it was a big part of the Congressional fun and games in the ‘90s. If Carl wanted to be known as a serious player, he would be involved in it. Most of the various elements were cribbed straight from the real Contract, whether you agree with them or not. Just because I write about them does not mean I agree with them 100%. Please don’t bother telling me how stupid/evil/hateful/wrong I am. I can get that from my wife for free.