Still in Book Four: Ichi-no-Tani 2017

I feel like I am taking crazy pills!
We are in Des Moines at my parents and my brother and his family are here as well.
- Wife is on her tablet continuing to binge watch House.
- Dad is trying to watch the Super Bowl despite brother and SIL explaining that they are trying to limit screen time for niece.
- When “America The Beautiful” started playing, my former military brother started to complain, demanding to know why they don’t sing The National Anthem. Before I could respond, the fuse had already been lit, with parents explaining that it was probably to do with those Black Lives Matters agitators. When the ill-informed bitching stopped; I jumped in to say that they DO still sing the anthem just after ATB. No sooner had I said that then the anthem started. With surprise, Mom asked “when did they start doing that?” To which I replied, “I think as far back as 9/11.” At which point my brother snapped at me and demanded that I be quiet so he could listen to the anthem. Upset that simply responding to my mother would be treated in such a manner. I snarkily asked if he’d prefer I play the song for him on my phone. This made him upset and he went off on a “snowflake rant” which is, of course, upsetting.

So… even though my brother is equal parts Libertarian, Hipster, and Don’t Tread On Me… even though my Dad is a staunch Trump supporter… I still have to say better here than Tiny Town. But… it genuinely takes me aback when people claiming to be educated and DEVOUTLY Christian behave in ways that contradict either of those self-identifiers. You want to claim to be educated, don’t buy what Trump says… at last statistical analysis, LESS THAN 40% of what he’s said is even “somewhat true.” You want to claim to be a Christian, don’t claim that Love of Country is equal to Love of Christ.