Wednesday, August 11, 2010

But I AM an American

I have not spoken a lot about my job. Maybe because I get those constant emails about security and NOT talking about it? Maybe because I don't want anyone I know in 'real' life to connect me to this 'blog? Maybe because I just don't? I don't know. All of the above?

I am employed by a company in.. the west? California? Or Arizona? Hell, maybe in Virginia. I work. My checks come. Life is good.

But my actual work location is at a Government installation in NW Florida. The Panhandle. The Redneck Riviera. I work there. I am a 'contract employee.' I am employed by a contract company, but I provide services for the government. I have done this for 10 years and I have never had a huge problem BEING a contractor. I have had difficulty with those I work with. I have had difficulty with those I work for. But I love my job.

The President will be here this weekend. The President of the United States. And his family. On Vacation. No public appearances.

And the email was sent out this morning, asking for volunteers to drive "members of the White House staff" around for the weekend. All day Saturday and most of Sunday. The reward? Meeting the President and (possibly) having a picture made with him. I had more than one person bad mouth this President and the fact that I volunteered. I had one person (who already had weekend plans, but who would have volunteered otherwise) tell me I would probably end up making coffee. I had one person tell me I would probably drive the hair dresser.

My response? OK. Make coffee. Drive hairdresser. Drive the DOG and/or the DOG trainer. Fine. Great. I don't even LIKE To drive, but I would. To meet the President. THIS President. His family.

Only active duty military and GS civilians will be considered. No contractors. So I came home and took a nap.

Because most of those GS civilians hate him. And 75% have no military bearing and no respect for those who served. And no respect for the Commander in Chief.

I am upset. I am mad. This was my chance to meet him. This was my chance to be a part of history.

There will be no next time.

2 comments:

Mauigirl said...

That is such a disappointment! I'm with you, this is the one president (other than JFK) that I would want to have met in person. Although I did hear Bill Clinton was great in person, I still think he kinda blew it for the Dems (pun intended) when he had his fling with Monica so I hold that against him.

LeftLeaningLady said...

And I think there is something to be said about just meeting the man who holds the office. Honestly, other than W, I would have volunteered for any of them. Well, I only remember back to Ford, though. Funny, I remember the Apollo 13 landing, but I don't remember Watergate.

Bill did wave to me, I am not sure I put that in the post. No, I was not in a crowd of hundereds. I was with 4 or 5 other people standing on the side of the road as the motorcade went by. I think that and the fact that I touched Rick Springfield in July 1985 may be my only claims to fame. :-)