There was no Memorial Day?
Wouldn’t it be cool if at some point we in the States, or any other country for that matter, no longer had to set aside a day to honor the war dead?Yeah, that would be cool. Idealistic? Of course, it is. But, few things in life worth having, are rarely not idealistic.
And big minded…and out of the realm of possibility. Sure it is. I know….blah, blah, blah, Mr. Liberal.
But really? Is it a Liberal idea or one that every crying child in Tel Aviv, every anxious parent in Islamabad, every mournful mother and father in Belfast has had…or once had?
I think it's an idea all of those folks have had. And that, ironically, is what makes this world a sometime sad and lonely place.
I believe that be you Muslim, Jew, or Christian…Westerner, Asian, or African…Gay, Straight, Black, or White…we believe in much the same things.
We for the most part, want to get drunk on the champagne laughter of kids playing ball in the street.
We want to go to the grocery, or to the market, or to the bazaar, and pick out something good to feed our family for dinner.
We want to lay our heads down at night and sleep…A deep, sound sleep that doesn’t include thoughts of suicide bombers, Wall Street vagabonds, or third rate dictators.
“That would be nice”, you say, “but it’s so idealistic.”… Only to the small minded.
Those of us, of all creeds, color, political bents, and nationalities who want peace, far outnumber those of us on this planet who do not.
And yet, many cower from their desire for a peaceful life by taking shelter within the shadows of their fear…and their hate.
From the Alpine campaigns of Hannibal, to the Battle of Crecy, to the thousands who died at Shiloh, war has done nothing but left the common man and woman and their families, the very dead exclamation on someone else's point.
I would like to see that within a generation or two, Memorial Day is no longer a day in which we honor the war dead…
But rather, a day to honor the sacrifice of those who gave of themselves in a practice in which we as human beings, no longer engage.
I don’t think that is a Liberal thought. I don’t think it’s a Conservative thought. I think it’s a Human thought.(On top of that, if this idea came to fruition, I won’t have to read “In Flanders Field” on every damn blog come this Memorial Day. But I digress…)
Amen, and Amen…
Have a great day…I am working all day, but I have a request...
In addition to praying for World Peace and eating hamburgers, pray that Matt-Man gets to see some boobies (much like those in the picture) while he’s doling out the beer.
Cheers!!
23 comments:
Spot on Chap! Cheers!
May the boobie Gods rein down on you!
Micky: Ha!! Thanks my good man. And same to ya. Cheers!!
You said it, brudda.
Boobies to you.
Songbird: Why thanks...I'll have my candid camera at the ready while working. Cheers!!
Well ... chalk me up to the small minded.
World peace would require everyone respect the priorities of everyone else. That everyone would be happy with what they have. That everyone would think like everyone else. That's not idealistic, that's unrealistic.
Do I believe that - generally - all people want peace? Yes! But I also believe that those same people are not willing to make the personal sacrifices required to achieve that.
We do have an idealistic view of peace here in the U.S. For the most part, we are "safe," well fed, have our basic needs met. The majority of the world doesn't have that and are willing to fight - to die - to achieve that status.
*This comment lovingly left by your small minded friend*
Dana: I don't think that the majority of pre-requisites that you are laying out in order to have peace, are correct.
Certainly, there woud have to be mutual respect among people but...
I am by no means saying that everyone should be happy with what they have. There are many people in this world who deserve better but are held back and oppressed due to political, religious, and economic demagoguery.
I am not advocating, nor would I ever expect or want people to think like everyone else. Furthermore, if like thought was a requirement for peace, this country would be in a perpetual state of chaos.
As for people making personal sacrifice to make peace happen? That is somewhat to the point I am making.
It would only take the 95% of people in this world who have little or no power to force the 5% of people who do, to make that sacrifice.
In order to have peace, it is that, Thin Green Line of people of who need to make the sacrifice, not the majority of people who live on this Earth. Cheers!!
Geez Matt, you made me cry!
I'm that silly idealist (unrealistic) that whenever I throw a coin in the fountain or blow out candles on the birthday cake wishes for world peace.
Today I'll make a realistic wish for you though, that you get to see all the boobies you possibly can!!
(Hehe, I said blow and can(s) all in one comment!)
"the very dead exclamation on someone else's point." - that's brilliant Matty
Peace
and good boobies to you ;)
world peace - lovely thought but wars are far too profitable to the merchants of the military-industrial complex...whatever that is.
And that still leaves Dick Cheney needing someone to waterboard for his weekend fun outings.
Cheers and I hope it is hot enough there for the boobies to be on ready display for you.
Beautiful ideology. Wouldn't it be wonderful? Truly?
May the Boobie Goddess smile upon you, m'dear!
It's worse than I thought. You've gone into full hippie mode. ;-)
Mystery: Sorry 'bout that, sexy one. As far as being idealistic? what the hell...If one is going to dream, dream big. Thanks for the boob wishes. Cheers Chick!!
Dianne: Thanks Di...I thought it was pretty wording myself. Cheers Sexy!!
David: I understand and that is what I was referring to in my comment to Dana, as the, Thin Green Line. There were a few good pair that came thorugh. Cheers David!!
Desert: Indeed it would. And the Boobie Genies were fair to me. Cheers Rat!!
Jay: Well what do you expect? I spent last night listening to Donovan, Procol Harum, and Suzanne Vega. Cheers Jay!!
christ, are you posting pics of me again?
Vodka Mom: Ha...I can get you out of my mind or keep your pics off of my blog. Cheers VM!!
You've been listening to Lennon again. That is way too cool. I'm with you on this one.
Michele: Thanks...And I dig Lennon. Cheers Michele!!
Well, yes, the purpose of it is to remind us of those we have lost in wars and in the line of service. But the deeper (and sometimes overlooked) thing we should be looking at is how to create a more peaceful world. There is much attached to this, and sometimes it's simpler to opt to just honor them without any strings attached.
But I think if there are those who do, and act upon their thoughts to address issues of equity and equality, then Memorial Day in the fullest sense can be very fulfilling.
Kanani: Oh Memorial Day is a solemn day of necessity, and in your last paragraph, you touch upon my intention and the impetus of my post. Memorial Day can and would be as you imply, to change they dynamic of the observance and build upon it. Cheers!!
Wow, I could so use a Gin and Tonic right now.
Kanani: Ha...Cheers!!
I get it. My idealism tells me to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to do everything I can to honor that sacrifice buy working so that no one else has to make it.
Most often, I find that the biggest part of the work is convincing so many of my fellow 95%-ers that cynicism only gives power to the 5%.
"The majority of the world doesn't have that and are willing to fight - to die - to achieve that status."
This is true. Much like the Colonist here in America felt back in 1776. Just sayin.
That said, you know my take on this. I think it all comes down to our individual choice. I do what I need to do to feel like I am working to bring peace equality to the world. It starts with ourselves. How we behave in our communities, how we raise our children, what values we have.
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