My dad is a life-long, conservative, nearly 69 year old Republican. Our political views have almost always been at odds. Now, we don't let our differing opinions affect our relationship, but they've always been there. He voted for George W. Bush, he even used to vote for Jesse Helms. Yeah, I know. He has also had a disbelieving chuckle, or simply turned a deaf ear to all of my talk of how things like the Patriot Act and corrupt politicians are slowly but surely stripping away our freedoms and everything that makes America what it is. Now, during his visit this past weekend, we had our usual brief conversation about politics, and I was surprised and amazed to hear him refer to our government as "approaching socialism, bordering on fascism". Now, my conservative father has always inherently trusted that our government has our best interests in mind. Sometime in the past year, he has stopped believing that, and has awakened to a new realization based on what his senses and his common sense are telling him. This turn-around was not a result of me convincing him to see things my way, it was based on his own observations and experiences. Now, you may ask why I named this entry "A good sign". Well, I think it is a fantastic sign that someone like my dad was speaking of the way this country is headed with a definite defiant tone. If people like my dad are finally waking up to what's going on, and getting angry about it, then I think there is hope for this country changing its course after all.