My Uncle Sammy

[struggle4progress]

For pretty much as long as I can remember, my Uncle Sammy has been part of my life. I started hearing stories about him when I was a tot: true or false, there are lots of them, and I haven't heard all yet.

Let me first say I love my Uncle. I adored him in a childish way when I first met him, because he was big and busy. And ever since then his preaching sometimes brings bright tears to my eyes. But a long and active life can have several sides, and Uncle Sammy's been in the wrong more than once. At times he's pinned on a sheriff's badge to play outlaw.

When I first realized Uncle Sammy wasn't all goodness and light, I was a teenager. I didn't know how he could do some of those things and didn't want to believe it. Once I knew how nasty he could be, I got pretty mad. And Uncle Sammy wasn't the only one I stopped listening to.

Now I'm older and sift better. Nobody's perfect. My Uncle Sammy's a mess of a personality, as if angels and devils were fighting for his soul, and it's often a toss-up who will win. Learning about him is always like riding a rollercoaster up and down. But he's still part of the family, and we've usually been on speaking terms.

Things were OK for a while, and Uncle Sammy knew how our family felt. He knew that if I ever saw him pull one of his criminal stunts, I turn him in, post his bail, find him a lawyer, and then testify against him.

Uncle Sammy isn't doing too well currently. He's talking up his own saintliness, always a bad sign, and his voice doesn't sparkle anymore. There was a time when you could talk to him about his past: the people he freed or cheated or saved or killed, whether they needed killing or not; now he habitually lies like an alcoholic in denial. He needs professional help, before it's too late.

[Wiley50]

1. I see your thread

and I'm gonna respond to it because
I don't watch TV
and I posted a couple of important threads tonight
that no one noticed due to PT911 frenzy

Is your Uncle Sammy famous
or a mafioso
or an evangelical minister

or just your uncle Sammy
that you picked an inopportune moment
to ask DU
to help you understand?

[struggle4progress]

3. Famous minister & mafiosi

http://drinkingliberally.org.nyud.net:8090/blogs/oakland/archives/uncle%20sam-thumb.jpg

[Wiley50]

6. UH Oh! There's a lot more to this story

If you don't wanna do it publicly, I understand.

But, of course, you do have my attention

[Wiley50]

7. Surely not the " Throw down your crutches. Get up and dance." Sammy

Oh boy!

[struggle4progress]

8. I'm guessing you don't see a graphic in the post you replied to

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2101822&mesg_id=2101967

[Wiley50]

11. Oh! THAT Uncle Sammy!

I'm dense sometimes

[uppityperson]

2. If your Uncle Sammy is my Uncle Sammy too, he does need help.

If he is not, not speaking metaphorically, the best of luck with him and you. If you are speaking metaphorically, the best of luck to us all. Onward.

[struggle4progress]

4. One & the same

:cry:

[uppityperson]

5. good luck to us all.

what happens with Sammy affects so many, in so many ways.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. It's time for Uncle Sammy to retire.

And, take his place with all the other mean old murderous geezers with delusions of grandeur.

[Jcrowley]

10. Is Uncle Sammy

an abusive father figure who keeps the house well-armed while neglecting the children's hunger?

[struggle4progress]

12. Yeah. He once burned down a poor neighborhood to catch a thug ..

.. who lived there ..