On this Memorial Day, let’s do our very best to honor those who’ve died while serving in the armed forces—let’s stay the hell out of stupid wars from here on out. We’ve been in one war or another for most of my lifetime. All but maybe one (Desert Storm, and even that was probably avoidable) war in my lifetime has been stupid, unnecessary, and two (Viet Nam, Iraq) were rationalized by lies. You can look it up: Gulf of Tonkin and WMD.
Americans mostly endorsed this crap, so we don’t get off the hook by being solemn once a year, applauding the guest veteran during the ball game, or other sundry hollow gestures.
And while I’m at the grouch thing, let’s talk about the two worst inventions in modern history.
Retractable leashes are evil. They are leashes only in name. Their stupid users never pay enough attention to retract the leash before their (usually small) dogs do something stupid. Then they look at you sheepishly like, “What are you gonna do?” Buy a real freakin’ leash, that’s what you’re gonna do.
Number two: The CD jewel case. OK, “jewel case”? Really? Thanks to the generosity of our friend Laura, we just got Mark Knopfler’s latest CD. I hadn’t tried to open a new CD for a long while. But, nothing’s changed! The cellophane is impossibly hard to rip open, and that impossible tape thing on the top somehow lives on.
And now, I can only look forward to the first time one of us drops it, and the little ear/hinge breaks off and, well, you know.
But. The CD is really good. Thanks Laura.
And let’s all have a nice day. Except for you retractable leash users.
Mike, after reading this, I don’t know whether to scream or applaud. On the leashes and CDs thing, you’ll hear me all the way past Dearborn Park. However, you’ll also hear a full out BRAVO on the sentiments about war. This is one of my favorites: I’M ALREADY AGAINST THE NEXT WAR.
I’ll turn it into a button for you. Happy Memorial Day to you and Beth.
Ha, thanks for humoring my grouchiness. I’ll happily wear that button.
“War is not good for children and other living things.” is a motto from the past which STILL remains highly important. I’ve participated in the annual WOOGMS (Wellington Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society) every year for almost 5 decades. I honor our country and those that have died for it, but I weep for all the unnecessary deaths and physical and mental destruction. I also did volunteer work in Hines Veterans Hospital, for several years. That would cure anyone with a heart and soul from promoting war. War is for ego and profit, period. The military are dispensable, unimportant humans to those running the show. The rich and powerful should be forced to head into war, instead.
Thanks Sheila.
Ditto on the thanks to Sheila .
This piece reads a bit like stand up comedy, love it!
And how about the Air and Water Show? It’s a big PR piece for the Military. They even have military recruiters at several locations. Yes, I am in awe of the jets flying past my high rise window. The British Poet Wilfred Owen, a soldier in WWI said , our leaders ask the young to do terrible things.
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