Bumpy week

I don't know what is wrong with me. I have a serious case of irritability and exhaustion, and no it has nothing to do with women things (i.e. not that time and haven't done the other thing that could cause womanly-irritability). The crazy thing is that things are actually going well right now. I may be able to graduate next year and get a real job, which is kind of scary. I wish I knew why I was burnt out and bitchy.

I can't resolve that, so instead I'll share my laundry list of gripes:
1) Reunion Pron (yes, that is deliberately misspelled): Oh, yes, I know lots of people who think this paints milspouses in a positive light and shows what it is like to be a milspouse. The problem is that this show does NOT portray what deployment is like or how families deal with the separation, the worry, the loss in some cases, etc.
Moreover, it is something Americans have seen and seen and seen again. It hasn't motivated the American people to do more than slap bumper stickers on their cars in almost a decade of homecomings, so it isn't going to change their opinions about who we are or what we need now. I have written a more extensive piece that addresses this idea that will be published in May, but suffice it to say, Americans are tired of war. When Mrs. Obama or Oprah rally around military families and asks people to help us, they rely on these same images (families waiting as they leave or as the ship comes in). These are images the American people clearly do NOT identify with. If you want to communicate a message to people, you have to meet them in their space and share your story in terms of what they understand. If they don't get this (and they don't) then it isn't an effective use of resources. It's doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

2) The budget
The defense budget will be cut. It has to be cut. There are no two ways around this. America is broke. Lots of other programs are taking a beating too (science research and technology development among them). It's what happens when you let idiots get hold of the family credit card.
I know no one wants cuts and I know everyone has their pet thing that they don't want cut, but surely we can all agree on some basic themes:
    A) If it will keep your soldier/sailor/airman/marine safe, it should NOT be cut. I don't know about you, but if it comes down to a choice between AAFES and my husband's ship having basic maintenance to keep it afloat, I am voting for my husband's ship to get the money. Recently a sailor died because there was something spilled in one of the spaces and he slipped. He tried to grab an electrical box to catch himself, but the hinges were rusted and so it came loose in his hand. He continued to fall, cracked his skull open and boom...DEAD. I don't want that for my husband and I am willing to trade quite a lot in order to ensure his safety.
   B) Mental and physical health care for military personnel and their families cannot be cut. PTSD is rampant and largely an invisible injury. We need to take care of all of the people involved in this war.

Beyond those two things, I am fine with them hacking away at things. I can live without a cost of living increase and I can accept fewer services in most areas.

My list is lots longer, but I am sleepy and probably should just have a glass of wine tonight and go to bed.