Some brothers have that perfect, idealistic relationship that seems as though it should be a part of the Hallmark collection. They go on weekend fishing trips together, and the older brother is always ready to give meaningful advice that helps the younger one through life. Such a close affinity is stitched together that nothing could tear the two apart.
Then there are the harsh realities of the majority of the population who have relationships with siblings like I do, where the two may go on weekend fishing trips, but it will definitely not be with each other, and insults are exchanged instead of insights.
While we do not have the most loving and close relationship one would hope for, it is still a firm brotherhood that neither of us would exchange, much like an old and tattered blanket from your childhood that still brings comfort and warmth, even if ill-fitting and worn.
My brother, Kelley, and I have polarized to such an extreme that familial resemblance is barely noticeable.
In our childhood we were nearly identical. We both loved the same things: sports, movies, TV shows, music.
But as time progressed, a rift began to form in the tightly-woven garment of brotherhood.
Now, I am the long-haired, often reticent, slightly cynical and mildly mordant English major who dabbles in socialism. Kelley is the crew-cutted, greatly gregarious, somewhat sentimental devil-dog Marine who is faithful to the Republican Party.
But despite our differences, we still have a bond that seems unbreakable.
While we may not necessarily agree with each other's opinions and actions, we do respect them. With the impending war, though, that mutual respect may come to a crossroads.
My brother joined the Marines over two years ago -- a time of relative peace, a time when terror threats just seemed to be threats, a time when the Twin Towers still stood tall, a time when gas masks were not on the shopping list.
After being trained as a low air altitude defense gunner, he is prepared to do his duty to the best of his abilities and defend what needs to be defended.
His duty lies within fighting for what he is told to fight for.
From what I have heard from him, he is ready and willing to fight for his country and thinks the upcoming military actions to be just.
It is, after all, his job. Whether or not the cause is completely just is not up to him.
I, however, do not agree with Bush's crusade and have the liberty that my brother does not to openly criticize what I do not think right.
From my current vantage point, the potential action that President Bush wishes to undergo does not seem just.
A dangerous precedent is about to be set if America invades Iraq pre-emptively and without approval from the U.N.
A difficult decision weighs in my mind.
Should I show support for my brother and what he may be forced to do when I think his commander-in-chief is incompetent and his motives unjust?
The answer is simply yes.
My brother does not choose the fights. My brother simply fights them.
I don't agree with Bush's current urgency for war, but I do support our nation's men and women who will fight it.
At the moment, it is difficult to make the firmest judgment on whether or not the proposed disarmament of Iraq is just. We do not have the benefit of being able to see into the future, so we do not know exactly how Bush's actions will be viewed in 20 years.
Saddam Hussein may very well hold a cache of weapons of mass destruction and America is the only country brave enough to stand up to a madman.
We also may end up being viewed as a country of bullies who do what we want despite the world's beliefs.
Saddam is a madman who should definitely not be in power; however, Bush's current push may not be the best way to oust him.
I do not trust Bush in his proceedings and do not give support to him; however, I cannot help but give support to the men and women who will fight his potentially just or unjust cause.
They do not choose the fights. They simply fight them.
And they do not fight for an idealized Hallmark version of freedom or liberty but for the reality of their torn and tattered lives and the imperfections of simple realities.
They fight for America --Ebut not the abstract thought of American ideals, but for friends, family and life, or even for that tattered brotherhood.
I pray for all those who are willing to fight for their simple realities and for those who will die in the wake of war.
Nick Josten is a 2002 graduate of Carson High School and is now a freshman in college at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. Kelley graduated from CHS in 2000.
