Happy Memorial Day?

Happy Memorial Day! 

    The following is a serious telling of the origins of Memorial Day, which is anything but happy.  It's a repost from Penwasser Place, but I thought it would be better here.  I promise there will be no political tomfoolery.

"Therefore, I've introduced a bill in Congress which would eliminate the Electoral College.  Higher education will no longer be the sole purview of the wealthy.  Part of my bill will be the establishment of the Electoral Community College, where every American, and those who snuck in, will be given a free education.  And gender reassignment."

    Okay, maybe a little tomfoolery.

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Nothing happy about this

    I wonder how many of us say that without realizing the last Monday in May is really not about the unofficial start of summer?  

     Lost among backyard barbecues, fireworks (for those looking to get a jump on Independence Day...and bug the shit out of their neighbors), trips to Jersey beaches (to watch the annual washing ashore of mob hits), Florida tropical storms, and California wildfires is the true purpose behind Memorial Day.

    Originally called Decoration Day, recognition of those who gave their lives in the recent Civil War, was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868, by General John Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic (weren’t they all full of themselves?).  Planned for May 30th, it drew former foes together to plant flowers and otherwise spruce up graves of war dead from North and South alike at Arlington National Cemetery.

    Fun Fact:  Arlington Cemetery was built on the grounds of the Robert E. Lee estate.  Kind of an FU, wouldn't you say?

NOTE:  For my non-American friends (and products of a Learing Center), the American Civil War (or “War of Northern Aggression”-sheesh, those people can really hold a grudge) took place between 1861 and 1865 between the “North” and the “South.”  I could bore you with the whys, whens, and whats about one of my country’s most horrific conflicts, but I won’t (no sense cracking a book, yo).  Let’s just put it this way:  a lot of people died and the blue team won.  Oh, and it wasn’t technically a “civil” war.  Because, let’s face it, there’s nothing civil about getting your head blown off by a cannon ball.  Incidentally, if we have another one, it will be an actual civil war, though.  So we have that going for us.

"Which is nice."

    Decoration Day remained an observance of Civil War dead until after the First World War.  Following history’s most idiotic conflict (which didn’t end up being the “war to end all wars,” after all), 

"Eff."

it was decided that May 30th would be set aside to honor all American war dead.

    The name, however, stuck until it officially changed to Memorial Day in 1967.  No matter what it was called, though, Americans throughout the nation took time out to honor those who had fallen.

    What seemed to many to be a civic duty began to fade after Congress passed the Holiday Act of 1971.  An effort to consolidate some federal holidays into three-day weekends, it shifted Memorial Day to the last Monday in May.  The inexorable transformation from solemn tribute to summertime bacchanal had begun.

    I try my best not to be a crank about the avalanche of car commercials, barbecue tips shows, or “ABBA to ZZ Top-The Memorial Countdown of the 500 Most Popular Hits of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and Whatever the Frik We Call the 21st Century!”  It’s hard not to get caught up in the hoopla of a country poised at the brink of gloriously warm weather (sorry, Aussies) and summer reruns.  Hey, I like to walk around with my shirt off and scare wildlife like any other middle-aged guy.

"Middle-aged?  Planning on living to 136, are ya?"

    Still, I remember when Memorial Day used to be about the Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman, and whatever the frik the Space Force calls themselves. 

"Fabulous.  We call ourselves fabulous."

Parades, wreath-layings, air shows, flag-raisings:  those were what I remember.

    But, if I think back really hard, 

I also remember my father incinerating hot dogs on the grill while listening to Best of the Ventures on his 8-Track player.  All while we played fetch with our dog-using my little brother’s bathing suit.  

Or playing catch with the lawn darts Uncle Chris brought.

    Those are all happy memories.  Except for Uncle Chris, probably.

    So, when I get up Monday morning, I’m going to proudly fly my flag.

    It is then when I’ll remember.

    Hopefully, I’ll be able to cook a hot dog better than my dad.

    Now that I think of it, I guess the saying fits:

    Happy Memorial Day!       

Same As It Ever Was

 

  For those who may be dismayed over the crapfest known as American politics, be of relative good cheer.

  This kind of venom has always been with us.  It's just that the existence of television and the pervasive influence of the cesspool of hatred and despair (i.e., social media) make it seem like we're experiencing something new.

  In fact, one doesn't have to do a lot of digging to find similar examples.  The rise of partisan vitriol has been a part of politics since nearly the beginning of our nation.  Even though George Washington warned against the corrosive nature of parties,

And foreign entanglements. 
That also didn't turn out too well.

the rise of the Federalists and Republicans (different kind of Republicans) kicked off an animosity which continues nearly unabated to this day.

  The leader of the Federalists, Alexander Hamilton, butted heads quite frequently with the leader of the Republicans, Thomas Jefferson.  In fact, they may have hated each other. Violence, including riots, broke out quite often between their parties.

That said, at least Jefferson didn't plug him.

  John Adams, a noted curmudgeon ridiculed as "His Rotundity," was so butthurt over being replaced by Jefferson that he refused to attend his successor's inauguration.

"More than a little hurtful, to be honest."

  Friends during the Revolution, Adams and Jefferson became bitter opponents. In later life, they pretty much reconciled and became geriatric pen pals.

"I, too, hate it when Whigs get on my lawn."

  The angst didn't stop there...John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, Warren Harding, FDR, Bill Clinton, and so on.

  And, obviously, Abraham Lincoln. The schism created by his presidency resulted in hundreds of thousands killed.

  By the way, if anyone thinks Donald Trump was the first president to win the electoral college and lose the popular vote, you may want to pick up a history book.  Happened more than you think.

  Of course, in 2024, he won both.  Didn’t stop the hate, though.

  Don't get me wrong. None of what is going on in today's society is good.  Personally, I've been sick about it for years.  And I'm quite sure it will go on.

More than likely, in fact.

    My point is, it's not unprecedented. Maybe there is some comfort there. Perhaps not.

  Just imagine, though, if Richard Nixon had an X account.

"If I did, I would so dish on you pinkos."

Speak Softly

 And carry a big stick

I don't know, but I don't think Theodore Roosevelt meant it in quite this way

Biden Strikes Again

    You may have noticed (the two of you), that I haven't posted on this site for a few weeks.  That's because I have been working feverishly on the 2026 A-Z Challenge over at Penwasser Place.  Frankly, I've enjoyed it, even though it's quite tiring.  Being a goofy purveyor of goofiness is much better than dwelling on the serious.  Which there is obviously much of.  But, since I'm well over halfway complete with the challenge (and May looms), I thought I'd jump back over here real quick for a bit of somber.

NOTE:  How utterly narcissistic of me to post a link to my other blog.  It's almost...Trump-like.     

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Full Disclosure:  The following is not meant to ridicule Joe Biden.  Much.

    Former president Joe Biden was recently honored by Syracuse University.  The Orange presented him with, I must admit, an impressive portrait.

MUCH better than this childish nonsense

    However, during his acceptance speech

"Dear Lord, they're going to let him talk."

he called a gentleman up to the podium who he called "Barack."

"He looks like him, right?"

    Probably predictably, a lot of people are poking fun at Biden (it really is easy) for being so addled that he actually thought the man was his former boss.  Even my wife said, "Oh, my God, what's wrong with him?"

    I was able to convince her that Biden was just joking.  Even though there are many instances of dementia-riddled "brain" farts,

 

"If you're not for me, well, then, you ain't black!"

this wasn't one of them.

    HOWEVER, how frikkin' clueless do you have to be that you even make a joke like that in the first place?  At best, it's braindead.  At worst, it boosts your reputation as a doofus prone to gaffes.

"No.  Look.  I'm serious.  They all look alike."

      On the other hand....

"You really are an idiot, aren't you?"

     Okay, back to the A-Z Challenge.  See you next month.

Sound Familiar?

     Even though I'm smack dab in the middle of preparing for the A-Z Challenge, I thought I'd take a break and mosey on over here to vent.

    NO WAY am I going to use this blog for the A-Z Challenge.  Good grief, I'd lose my mind if I had to write thirty [mostly] serious posts.  As Bill Clinton would say, "Screw that."

    But, an occasional foray into the sober would be all right.

    Imagine, when growing up, you befriended one of the kids in the neighborhood.  He had a lot of cool toys and always seemed to have money for the candy store.  What's more, he protected you from other neighborhood kids who, to you at least, were the worst of bullies.

    NOTE;  Maybe they were or maybe they weren't bullies.  They just had a hard-on for you.  Or were told they did by your friend.

    Even though he dressed kind of funny and was from a rich family (they owned two cars, his mother didn't work, had cable TV, and he went to a private school), he was still your friend.  You did a lot of good things together as you made your neighborhood great again.

    It was a wonderful relationship, full of wonderful things.

    Well, eventually, he then started talking crazy.  He began to deride others with whom he disagreed.  And, even though you didn't know them, he expected you to consider them your enemies, as well.

    If you didn't, well...you could forget about those trips to the candy store.  After all, you shouldn't expect him to fit the bill all by himself, should you?  And protection from those public school kids?  You can forget about that, too. 

Let them hang you from a stop sign by your underwear.
  Loser.

    Once he didn't receive unquestioned loyalty (and, yes, worship as your "favorite friend") from you, well, you're no better than the scum of the Earth.  You're on your own.  And, if he still wanted to play in your backyard, well, it's too bad if you objected.

    This sounds familiar, although I can't quite put my finger on it.

Oh, sure I can. 
I wrote this thing, you know.

    

Of Steak and Lobsters

     The news cycle is dizzying.  There are so many topics on which to opine that it can be difficult choosing which one.  Most of my opinions can be refuted by others who, while wrong, at least demonstrate they possess some cognitive awareness.

"I don't recall that ever happening."

    Some viewpoints are so absurd, though, that they defy all logic.  To the point where I can't believe sentient humans hold them. 

For instance, some people actually
believe this belongs in women's locker rooms.

    However, I maintain that there are many sides to this question or that.  And I enjoy respectful debate.

Or otherwise.

    Then, there's the latest outrage.  Paul Begala, former advisor to Bill Clinton and traffic cone on CNN is, sadly, not alone in thinking  taxpayers' money is being wasted on frivolous luxuries. 

"That's my job!"

Paul Begala is weapons grade stupid.

     Too many people share this muppet's opinion.

    If you've never been in the military, you may think that the Secretary of War, Defense, Whatever, Pete Hegseth just decided to spend millions of dollars on things such as lobster tails and steak.  

    While I sincerely hope your delusion doesn't lead you to the conclusion that Hegseth is wolfing down on these luxury items himself, 

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

the brain dead among you would think this is a lavish, new way to bribe troops.

     For the ignorant (NOT NECESSARILY stupid) out there:

    In May, 1977, I was a crewmember aboard USS America (some of you may know this if not both of you).  During that time, it was not uncommon for the mess decks to offer lobster tails and/or steak on special occasions.  Some of these "special occasions" included announcements from the Captain that our time at sea would be extended.

Not saying the food was bad, but I got food poisoning
when we were overseas during Christmas, 1977. 
Where I was left horribly disfigured. 
Okay, that part's not true.

    My point is that appearance of these delicacies (which were sometimes, frankly, horrendous) quickly became a joke among the crew.

If you think this is luxurious, let me show you a submarine.

    "Hey, we'll be back in Norfolk in only a week!  Isn't that great?  I can't wait to see my wife and kids after nine months at sea."

    "Uh, didn't you hear?"

    "Hear what?"

    "They're serving lobster and steak on the mess decks."  

    In the twenty-seven years that I served, this was common practice.  From what I understand, food such as this was given to troops just before they went into combat (so, you could say, with some validity, that crews on aircraft carriers were living large).  At no time did it completely erase the suck, but it did boost morale somewhat.

    I've got more news for the anti-Trump crowd.  On Christmas Day, 1997, I was underway on USS George Washington in the Persian Gulf.

As opposed to the New Rochelle Gulf

    A holiday feast was served on the mess decks in a vain effort to distract us from the fact WE WERE IN THE PERSIAN GULF AT CHRISTMAS.

    You know what we had?  Prime rib.  And lobster tails and steak.

    I get that you hate Trump and Hegseth*, but, seriously?  Shut up. 

Epilogue:  Bonehead Begala also took issue with 225 million being spent on furniture.  While I could understand his problem with this (if he was equally vexed by millions spent on illegal aliens), there is an explanation.  The fiscal year ends on September 30th.  If any money is left in a command's budget, they are told to spend it by then.  If it is not spent, they will lose that money for the following year.  I have no doubt that was the case here.  Not saying it's good or something I agree with, but it's true.

*Despite being accused of being a "Trumplidite" (I kind of like that term), in no way am I pro-Trump.  However, I am a thinker.  Who has walked the walk.

I Don't Like War

     But, sometimes you have to fight one.  And I hate that the United States has to fight this one.  However, by not taking this on now, things could be much worse in the future.

    NOTE:  In the previous paragraph, I started each sentence with “But,” “And,” and “However.”  Sloppy, sloppy writing.  I would be embarrassed if more than a couple people were to read this.  Or I was getting paid.  Anyway...

    In 1979, I was a 21 year-old serving aboard the aircraft carrier, USS America. 

Not a good look, I admit

    On November 4^th of that year, 66 Americans were taken hostage by batshit crazy Islamic fundamentalists in Tehran.  I thought for sure there would be a robust American response, even though we had a worthless peanut farmer for president.

    Sadly, I realized that my ship would more than likely not be a part of it since it was sitting without screws (i.e., propellers) in a drydock at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Nope.  We weren't going anywhere.

    Fun Fact:  The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, instead of being in New Hampshire, is in Kittery, Maine.  Keep ‘em guessing (and confused), I guess.

    Nothing happened, except for stern words, protests, 

and Ted Koppel nailing a great gig.

Nope, the Ayatollah Khomeini and his minions

Wrong minions

 thumbed their nose at the “Great Satan.”

Fun Fact #2:  The Iranians originally wanted to go with "Yankees Suck!"  but the Red Sox owned the copyright.

    In fact, they probably laughed their turbans off following the disastrous rescue attempt in April 1980.

    The hostages were released after the inauguration of Ronald Reagan.  Guess they figured he’d be worse than the boob from Plains, Georgia.

    However, that didn’t stop the Iranians from being deadly pains in the ass in the region and throughout the world.  Whether directly by them, or by their proxies (e.g., Hamas), thousands of people have been murdered for forty-seven years.

    And, in all that time, they chanted “Death To America!”

    Now (although not actually now; it’s been going on for quite some time), they threaten to develop a nuclear weapon.  Does anyone with a functioning brain cell think they won’t use it, once they get one?

    As despotic and murderous as the regimes in Russia and China are, they are not crazy.  I firmly believe they wouldn’t use their nukes unless they were pushed to the brink.

    Iran, on the other hand, could very well use one to hasten their version of the end times by taking us with them.

    When someone has been wishing you death for almost fifty years, you may want to call their bluff.

    Therefore, to prevent them from developing the military infrastructure to ward off any attempt to thwart their nuclear weapons program, President Trump, in conjunction with Israel, ordered that every bit of their military be rendered kaput.

    Case in point:  North Korea.  That country was allowed to shield itself to the point that taking out its nuclear program was a non-starter.  Even though they’re lead by a pudgy little bastard with a bad haircut, they would be nuts enough to use them unless they were at death’s door.

"Tell him I'm on Ozempic."

    So, I reluctantly support the military strikes in Iran.  I reserve the right to change my mind in the future, of course (incidentally, I initially supported the Iraq War.  Until I didn’t).

    My caveat is that my support will completely evaporate if American ground troops are brought into this thing.

    I pray they are not.

    God bless the United States military.  

By the way:  All the Democrats castigating Trump for waging an illegal war, where were they during Obama's misadventures in Libya?  Thaaaaatttttt's right.  Fucking hypocrites.