Everything's Relative

They sat there at the table with pizza and pepperoni rolls arrayed before them. Periodically one of them would get up and refill his plate. Behind them, a couple was talking quietly. Around them, TVs blared, four or five of them -- one with basketball, two with CNN updates on the war, the others with advertisements or something equally meaningful.

They looked up at a map on one of the screens. Najaf on one river. Baghdad on the other.

You know what the problem with the elections is, Dad? the younger one said.

What?

It is so long before another election comes. There's nothing you can do for four years.

The dad smiled. That's what separation of powers is for.

Yeah, but still there's nothing you can do -- for four years.

The dad didn't think four years was such a long time, but the son did not relent. Everything's relative.

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