What can we say? Time has come for you to choose, better get it right.
LSP
LSP
Next day? Not so much, as construction crews ripped up the neighborhood like a sledgehammer and industrial scale leafblowing tore through the tranquility of the morning.
Well, whoever said life'd be easy? I remember no such promise and we repaired to Bishop Arts for a grilled cheese sandwich. It was full of people ignoring the "6' distance!" signs on the pavement and having fun in the springlike weather.
You wouldn't have known, for a second, that our Republic was hanging by a thread under the threat of massive, industrial scale vote rigging and that our democracy was an ephemeral scam, a smokescreen hiding a transnational kleptocracy.
No, everyone was happy and rightly so. The Climate, our Old Enemy, smiled upon us. Maybe she'd been paid off in some weird carbon credit, pay-to-play version of Danegeld. Whatever, all was good.
I think this is excellent. Via Borepatch:
The citizens of the United States have a different relationship with the Military than many countries do. The Military is seen as being part of the citizenry (and actually vice versa, as a reading of the Second Amendment will show). In many countries the military is seen as separate and distinct from the populace.
This isn't unique - the same dynamic has long been in play certainly in the Anglosphere, and other nations as well (c.f. Switzerland). This has resulted in the Military being seen as high status, and commanding broad respect through society.
It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given us
Freedom of the Press.
It's the soldier, not the poet, who has given us
Freedom of Speech.
It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
Freedom to Demonstrate.
It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the
Right to a Fair Trial.
It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and
whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who gives the protestor the right to burn the flag.
- Father Dennis O'Brien, USMCAnd so in the United States, today is the celebration of Veteran's Day. The rest of the Anglosphere (and other places) hold today as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day, recalling the Millions slaughtered in the Great War which ended 95 years ago today. America does not need a Remembrance Day, as we have our own Memorial Day holiday (an outgrowth of the American War of Southern Independence a half century earlier than the War To End All Wars).
As a result, there's less sadness here. On these shores, today is a day for the living, not for the dead. We see signs at small restaurants saying "Veterans Eat Free", which would be difficult for those asleep in Flanders' Fields.
But even here it's worth a moment's reflection on the War where Europe committed suicide, when a whole generation was butchered and damned. And how they nearly took us with her, then and 20 years later. It's rarely the politicians who caused the problem who bleed.
Thanks to all who served, including Grandpa, Dad, Uncle Dick, nephew Daniel, The Queen Of The World's son, our Son-In-Law (currently deployed), and last but by no means least our very own ASM826. The citizens - of whom you were once part and to which you returned - are grateful indeed that this nation does not fear its own Armed Forces.
Grateful. Yes indeed,
LSP
Happy Birthday, USMC, respect to all those serving and veteran. Speaking of which, I got a call from a churchwoman who was worried about her son being deployed to an island near Japan. She felt bad about feeling so undone by the thing, "I guess I'm not a good Marine Mom! He's still my baby."
OK, it's not the Spartan approach, but more than understandable. I reassured her; thousands of Mothers are feeling exactly what you feel, you're not alone. But be strong, that helps your boy. Of course I spoke from experience, the Private's mom wasn't too pleased he'd emigrated to South Korea.
Without delving into psychology and the difference between the sexes, both women were and are proud of their sons. Good for them, they raised patriots who are serving their country. Again, respect, be strong. And I don't say that lightly.
While we're at it, it's also the anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Here's the tune:
Congrats to the USMC, the military, and the Mothers of our soldiers.
God bless you all,
LSP
Esper's fired, and we have to ask why this pathetic leftist bureaucrat was ever in charge of anything military. Well, now he's not. Dominoes fall?
Carry on,
LSP
No, I don't think so. And note, Xi and Putin haven't endorsed the Corpse.
Your Pal,
LSP
This seems appropriate, right about now:
The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be freed and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science.
Never surrender,
LSP