Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: Opinions

I served in the U.S. Army for more than seven years. From my very first day in the Army all the way through my very last day, there was one thing that I truly feared.

It wasn't a fear of the drill sergeants and it wasn't a fear of getting killed on the battlefield.

It was the fear of not knowing how to respond to someone when they showed me a picture of their "beautiful" wife, kids or girlfriend - because, inevitably, in my eyes they probably were not.

I'm sure we've all experienced this same phenomenon at some point in our respective lives.

I have often wondered if this common fear transcends the realm of "beautiful" family photos and enters into the world of politics.

This just recently came to mind when I happened to run into my congressman at the gym in Urbana a couple of weeks ago.

This unexpected meeting would mark the fourth occasion that I was able to meet my congressman face-to-face in the last three years.

Unfortunately, it was also the fourth time that he was far too busy to talk to me.

I am completely aware that our elected officials are busy, as they should be, but it's not because they're spending a few minutes talking to war veterans.

However, I can't help feeling like maybe this guy is avoiding me.

When I returned home from Iraq and was at Walter Reed Army Hospital, I had the opportunity to meet many elected officials. To most of them, I was not even a constituent.

I tried reaching this same congressman at his office and in the six months I was there, I never got a response.

To be fair, this actually happened with two other congressmen, not just the one at hand.

So what does this have to do with a picture?

Fear, I would suppose.

I would imagine not knowing how to respond to a person's perception of an issue is strikingly similar to not knowing how to respond to a person's perception of beauty.

Of course, dealing with such an issue is much easier when you also agree that the subject in the picture is beautiful.

The dilemma exists when you first see the photo before you know how to respond.

So, Congressman Tim Johnson, if you've happened to have time to read this, please feel free to contact me.

The issues that I've needed to discuss with you over the past three years are mounting because they are continuing to be pushed aside.

I promise that I won't show you pictures of my wife and kids - even though they're beautiful.

Sam Slaven is a senior geography major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com