24 May - Memorial Day Weekend
Sunday, 24. May 2009, 14:10:29
I'm away from home much of the time right now - and my internet is down because of a combination of factors. So here is a post of current concerns while I have the opportunity.
Online one sees wonderful topical posts 'vanish into obscurity' as the moment passes and attention wanders on. An E-Card at Care2 reminded me that Memorial Day has returned. Our Remembrance Day on November 11 serves much the same purpose. This time I'm resurrecting several literary picks
for the occasion
In Flanders Fields
Lions Led by Donkeys
Some must wonder why a person convinced war is evil so supports military tradition. That's because the sacrifice of those idealistically enlisting to serve in what they think is an existentialist struggle at risk of their actual continued being should never be denigrated. The role of those who put them in that condition is another matter.
This veers too close to mindless 'patriotism' for easy comfort. I do remember the paternalistic roots of that word : disdain as clear as calling Army regulars 'infant-ry' and using them as 'cannon fodder'. Those families losing young people to such pursuits are more sanguine : organized murder.
The voice of experience : Maj-General Smedley-Butler
War is a Racket
With an analysis like that, the wonder is that we do not see the situation quite differently. How would you know we don't ? Here's one outraged and honest but 'safe' response
When the Generals chose lies over their soldiers' lives
More is going on than meets the eye here, isn't there ?
Foreign Policy as practiced by seven-year-old children
The 'wars' in the Middle East and more are deployments promoted to serve the interests of the populations sending the troops. How accurate is that ?
War and Peace - Understanding War, Winning Our Freedom
Persuasion and Brainwashing Techniques being used on the public today
The bombing of people in their homes and public places is 'justified' by outright lies which paint a fictitious manufactured 'reality' in place of reporting. Even the portrayal of good intentions doesn't stand up under analysis
More George C. Marshall
Bremer's 100 Orders
Lest We Forget.
Online one sees wonderful topical posts 'vanish into obscurity' as the moment passes and attention wanders on. An E-Card at Care2 reminded me that Memorial Day has returned. Our Remembrance Day on November 11 serves much the same purpose. This time I'm resurrecting several literary picks
for the occasion
In Flanders Fields
Lions Led by Donkeys
Some must wonder why a person convinced war is evil so supports military tradition. That's because the sacrifice of those idealistically enlisting to serve in what they think is an existentialist struggle at risk of their actual continued being should never be denigrated. The role of those who put them in that condition is another matter.
This veers too close to mindless 'patriotism' for easy comfort. I do remember the paternalistic roots of that word : disdain as clear as calling Army regulars 'infant-ry' and using them as 'cannon fodder'. Those families losing young people to such pursuits are more sanguine : organized murder.
The voice of experience : Maj-General Smedley-Butler
War is a Racket
With an analysis like that, the wonder is that we do not see the situation quite differently. How would you know we don't ? Here's one outraged and honest but 'safe' response
When the Generals chose lies over their soldiers' lives
More is going on than meets the eye here, isn't there ?
Foreign Policy as practiced by seven-year-old children
The 'wars' in the Middle East and more are deployments promoted to serve the interests of the populations sending the troops. How accurate is that ?
War and Peace - Understanding War, Winning Our Freedom
Persuasion and Brainwashing Techniques being used on the public today
The bombing of people in their homes and public places is 'justified' by outright lies which paint a fictitious manufactured 'reality' in place of reporting. Even the portrayal of good intentions doesn't stand up under analysis
More George C. Marshall
Bremer's 100 Orders
Lest We Forget.
WIDGETIZE
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