I agree with the above comment totally. I should also add that the lines about Daniel's friend going to war is less about politics and more about a bigger picture, which is that there are problems far greater than his "own shit", and he knows it. He acknowledges them, and it definitely makes him sad...but he forgets all that once he's back to his old 'pattern' of drinking and self-pity again and again.
I agree with the above comment totally. I should also add that the lines about Daniel's friend going to war is less about politics and more about a bigger picture, which is that there are problems far greater than his "own shit", and he knows it. He acknowledges them, and it definitely makes him sad...but he forgets all that once he's back to his old 'pattern' of drinking and self-pity again and again.