So what did you do to celebrate “Mission Accomplished” Day?
Rock singer Neil Young, in a song referencing the event, sings, “History is a cruel judge of overconfidence.”
When Bush spoke, the U.S. had 150,000 troops in Iraq; the number now stands at 160,000 or more. American casualties at the time were 139 killed and 542 wounded. A year ago they stood at 2,400 killed and now it’s 3,350 dead.
With that in mind, here are excerpts revealing how one newspaper, The New York Times, covered the event and aftermath four years ago. They include this nugget: “The Bush administration is planning to withdraw most United States combat forces from Iraq over the next several months and wants to shrink the American military presence to less than two divisions by the fall, senior allied officials said today.”
– Editor & Publisher (I love this paper, just like I love On The Media on public radio)
Sweetheart, you’ll find mediocre people do exceptional things all
the time.
Oh, the ruin will do in your talented mind…
Could’ve been a genius if you’d had an axe to grind.
What to do?”
“Respect for the truth comes close to being the basis for all morality.” – Frank Herbert
Loyalty Day is observed on May 1 in the United States. It is a day set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.
The holiday was first observed in 1921 as “Americanization Day,” and was intended to counterbalance the celebration of the Labour Day on May Day — May 1, which was perceived as communist. – wiki
I’m sorry if it seems un-PC, but the idea of a day of fealty to the U.S., particularly called for right now, particularly by this President, makes me shudder.
I will choose my loyalties of my own free will, thank you, and express them as I see fit. If that includes thoughts and ideas contrary to the zeitgeist (or, specifically, the opinions of our leaders), so be it.
I’m offended by the bullshit that amounts to retroactive damage control stemming from an office we’re taught in this country to see as sacred, even through our cynicism. Honestly, this self-preservation above all other goals is something I find more offensive than any direct crime you might attribute to our government, because it is, in my opinion, the very seed of failure. dishonor, and disgrace.
I mock because it keeps me from falling into a useless disgust. I would rather have honest, honorable people in office who completely disagree with my personal ‘agenda’ than people so unworthy of the power they wield.
“And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed—if all records told the same tale—then the lie passed into history and became truth. ‘Who controls the past’ ran the Party slogan, ‘controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.'”
We prefer to call it “Beltane” ’round these parts. Much friendlier.
Heh, I saw Neil Young at the hockey game on Wednesday :)