I am from the last century. Maybe it’s not fair, but what it is now doesn’t seem to measure up to what it was, or what it is supposed to be.
A pretty close family connection for us was in place maybe fifteen years ago. Add in a couple divorces. Loved ones who have passed away. Kids who aren’t kids anymore. The family togetherness tends to break down, even outside of the traditional November/December weeks.
Speaking of last century, I like a good parade. Sometimes we tune in to see if the one in NYC is still the same. We watch for a few minutes and we’re not seeing much in the way of old cars, the US Marine Corps marching band, groups on horseback, and some of the best high school marching bands in the nation. Nope. It’s a made for TV lip sync fest. Some TV celebrity signed a contract and it says they must be here and be super enthusiastic again this year.
We do not have regular TV. The holiday ad blitz is weaker this way. We watch TV through the web and we still see some ads. A luxury automobile in the driveway with a giant bow on top. It’s a great time to surprise her with diamonds.
Don’t be the poor family that fails to purchase the right retail products this holiday season:
Not in the habit of doing any Christmas shopping. OK with the idea that people take joy in it.
Not connected with a church and have nothing against it. Do not care how people choose to express their greetings in public. Seems like people who are solid in their faith would be OK with whatever others do or don’t do Re: casual greetings. Ditto with the styling of disposable fast food packaging.
I look at 365 days a year as the time to do more or less in terms of what we think is meaningful in life. Things that are meaningful are on our mind all the time. They are not saved up for a special day on the calendar.
American culture seems less interesting and meaningful as time goes on. I saved all the voting materials that came in the mail this year, going all the way back to the Aug primary. I studied and made notes on the voter guides. Today, it all went into recycling. Do I feel better or different for voting? No.
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Love to see the press find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
We have had a tradition over the years, where we invite people over and cook a turkey a week or more before Thanksgiving. People may be more available this way, because they can visit with us, but still get to their own family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day. Picking an off day/week also allows for less crowded stores, roads, ferry and air terminals, etc.
We were on the road to visit family last week. Today, it’s just the two of us and a decent weather day in our area. A turkey on the weber is a family tradition. We are always happy with the finished product.
Reach for an honest understanding of US foreign policy.
Find out from elected officials how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
Look for TV newspeople to play along by not asking questions.
Claims about freedoms that cry out for questioning:
Two major political parties continue to promote the idea that The Troops are sent to distant lands to fight for American rights and freedoms.
School teachers and newspeople are OK with promoting this urban legend.
Local press:
Hometown pride running high. High enough to stop asking questions?
If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
We are told by TV newspeople and politicians that we wouldn’t have our freedoms without those who died in wars. This blanket statement is a one size fits all. Whichever war. They’re all the same. We were there for freedom.
The idea that freedom comes from wars doesn’t seem to stand up to any discussion or questioning.
School teachers, maybe six months from now, please provide lessons in the classroom to explain how the price of freedom is related to wars fought by the US.
Here are a few questions and ideas to include in your lessons:
The Troops are often sent to distant lands to fight people who:
If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
The free and well armed people who populate the North American continent could be forced by people in military uniforms to pledge allegiance to a flag not of their choosing?
Interesting that the focus is on children. Maybe this is because they see the speaker/writer as an authority figure and will not question the message. Our questions appear in bold type.
If a right to vote has always been protected by the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
If a right to vote is protected by the US Armed Forces, what becomes of that right when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Stop with the glorification of wars in distant lands.
Sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution?
What becomes of American rights and freedoms and the constitution when the US returns from distant lands without a victory?
Whatever happened to the formal congressional declaration of war?
This would be the time to hear from elected leaders and top generals Re: lessons learned on all the issues that have doomed the Department of Defense track record for winning wars since DOD was established in 1949.
A time to enjoy, even for people who are not religious.
Maybe it’s a day for family traditions. A day for generations to gather. A day for kids to have fun. A day to reflect on a new season.
Unlike Christmas, there seems to be little marketing pressure from retailers. Christmas merchandise begins to go up in stores in late August. Easter is more of a take it or leave it event. No scolding about what to say when exchanging Easter greetings. No obligation to make a gift list. Not a federal holiday. No need for a giant government to pretend to play a role here.
No unusually crowded stores, shipping outlets or ferry and air terminals because of Easter.
As the months go by, we can see that there is a list of things the government is not very good at. Is this list bigger than a list of the things government does well?
Alternative media is OK with asking these sorts of questions. Mainstream media seems to avoid reporting on various topics.
Newspeople play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl.
We are the very best at militarized pageantry for pro sports events.
Sorry, no time for newspeople to ask:
Did the advantage of US air power allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
US fighter jet aircraft have been able to strike targets in what wars won by the US?
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
The Dept. of Defense has a truly poor track record for winning undeclared wars since DOD was established way back in 1949.
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
A society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.
A society where voices of dissent are not authorized.
Some federal holidays have little meaning. Some are quite meaningful. People may have different feelings about each one. How you felt in the third grade may be different from how you feel now.
New Year’s Day
May be a fun time based on your personal traditions. May be a good time to grasp a feeling of starting over or making plans for the new year.
Any meaning in connection with the US federal government or US history?
Martin Luther King Day
One of the very most meaningful to me, based on US history and his teachings of non-violent civil disobedience.
Presidents Day
Meaningful if you are in the third grade. Much less meaningful as time goes on. When I was in the third grade, this history had not been established:
Will there ever come a time when newspeople ask if there is any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to the movement of National Guard troops to an overseas location?
Memorial Day
Very meaningful. Could be more meaningful if the observance included an Armistice Day component. The idea that the troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms seems to be the primary theme.
A US President who never mentioned Juneteenth in any speech during 8 years in office:
4th of July or Independence Day
Historically meaningful. Today, it’s a big celebration staged by a country that is not free. The day may be used to give thanks to veterans for defending American rights and freedoms in distant lands.
The Presidents of Presidents Day sign off on stuff like this:
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can elected officials of any party or any member of the press help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here:
“…the signers of the Declaration of Independence, which we celebrate today, opposed everything the U.S. government represents today, including big government, standing armies, militarism, and empire.”
Meaningful for some, based on an understanding of the American labor movement. For many, just a day off, or a day for wondering why there is not a federal holiday for people who graduate from high school or one for people who get married.
Columbus Day
One of the very least meaningful. Columbus never set foot in what is today the 50 US states.
The spirit of adventure taught to small children on Columbus Day will be crushed by Halloween, when families will wait to be told by local authorities when trick or treating will begin & end.
“I don’t want to board the airplane first. I don’t want your first-class seat. I don’t want free admission to amusement parks. … It only allows Americans to assuage their guilt and feeds an outsized sense of entitlement among many veterans.” Talking to a New York Times reporter in 2015, another veteran ventured that when a nonveteran thanks him for his service, it is akin to saying, “I haven’t thought about any of this.”
My take:
This may all be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared wars.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms-The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
One of the very most meaningful. A time to give thanks for what is important in your life.
The elementary school lessons about friendly relations with Indians who were later slaughtered by the US government are questionable.
Christmas Day
A holiday of great religious significance.
Somehow linked to the US federal government or US history? Not too sure about that.
For me, I look at 365 days a year as the time to do more or less in terms of what we think is meaningful in life. Things that are meaningful are on our mind all the time. They are not saved up for a special day on the calendar.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.
Several news sources published this quote. View them here.
The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.
Mayor Day,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
Local authorities dictate a one hour window for trick-or-treat time 2019. For some reason, Halloween will be observed exactly one week in advance of October 31st.
Your family will start at 5:30 and be done for the year at 6:30 p.m.
“The Gallipolis Police Department recently announced times for Trick-or-Treat set for the Gallipolis.”
“The annual event will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. All drivers are reminded to be cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.”
Much of the article above includes detailed safety tips such as dressing the kids up in reflective gear so they look like a county road maintenance crew. It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now.
When I was a child in the 1970s, local authorities and elected officials played no role in telling families when trick or treating would begin or end.
Looks like Sound Publishing has removed all old comments and shut down the opportunity to post new comments on all of their newspaper web editions?
Local authorities dictate a one hour window for trick-or-treat time 2019. For some reason, Halloween will be observed exactly one week in advance of October 31st.
Your family will start at 5:30 and be done for the year at 6:30 p.m.
“The Gallipolis Police Department recently announced times for Trick-or-Treat set for the Gallipolis.”
“The annual event will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. All drivers are reminded to be cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.”
This is not an event held over at the mall, town square or dentist’s office:
Much of the article above includes detailed safety tips such as dressing the kids up in reflective gear so they look like a county road maintenance crew. It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now.
For more about safety, please visit our safety tips page:
“The city of Spokane Valley sent the organizer of a picnic a letter telling her not to have the picnic. The city cited King Inslee’s orders over his realm as the reason we can’t picnic. Come join us at Valley Mission Park in Spokane Valley 5/30/20 11-2.”
Freedom and Independence from a powerful, central government?
If wars are fought for democracy-how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
Congressman Kilmer,
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
1967
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
Spirits are on the rise. A season of expectation, overscheduling, emotion, obligation, memories, deadlines, marketing, advertising, programming, photo moments, and unusually crowded stores, shipping outlets, ferry and air terminals comes to a close.
Almost a cultural peer pressure that sets up many people to try to do the same thing at the same time, now becomes a time of doing more or less with life because it’s meaningful, not because the calendar says so.
Never here to take away from others what is meaningful to them, just an urge to duck out all year long and be somewhere near the slow lane.
Don’t miss our companion blog-found here: Old Man Blog
The government can’t tell us what to do! We Celebrate Revolution!
Columbus Day
We honor those who set sail to discover the new world.
We’re all about risk taking and a spirit of adventure that later brought us the first airplane flight and the first man on the moon in 1969.
Halloween
Stay in your homes and wait for further instructions.
In the news:
Gallipolis, Ohio
Still six weeks out and local authorities dictate a one hour window for trick-or-treat time 2019. For some reason, Halloween will be observed exactly one week in advance of October 31st.
Your family will start at 5:30 and be done for the year at 6:30 p.m.
“The Gallipolis Police Department recently announced times for Trick-or-Treat set for the Gallipolis.”
“The annual event will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. All drivers are reminded to be cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.”
Much of the article above includes detailed safety tips such as dressing the kids up in reflective gear so they look like a county road maintenance crew. It’s clear that most of the WWII generation is gone now.
Fore more about safety, please visit our safety tips page:
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include a mission to protect American rights and freedoms?
Does someone make sure the mission is to defend the constitution?
Is there anyone who verifies that the mission is to protect our physical security?
May 26, 2019, The Associated Press
Mike Pence: West Point grads should expect to see combat
“Vice President Mike Pence told the most diverse graduating class in the history of the U.S. Military Academy on Saturday that the world is “a dangerous place” and they should expect to see combat.”
Do the folks who reach out to help military members and their families also advocate for phasing out undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
The Department of Defense track record for winning undeclared wars goes back to 1949.
“This Memorial Day, spare us the flyover jets, flag-wielding honor guards, and other patriotic mush of 21st-century popular culture. Instead, I’d submit that now—after 18 years of endless, ineffective war—it’s a time for nuance, for a collective national self-assessment.”
Danny Sjursen – A retired U.S. Army Major
“At professional sports events, the once-modest singing of the national anthem has been overshadowed by flyovers from fighter jets, field-sized flags and uniformed troops on parade. Airport loudspeakers blare expressions of gratitude for the troops, and flight attendants call attention to uniformed military members aboard planes.”
Tax money- which some people intend to be used to help others via public assistance programs– also goes for bombing Iraq and Afghanistan. US bombing of Iraq goes back to 1991.
Helping others by donating to churches or private charities, food banks, etc. can avoid these conflicts.
Donors are free to opt out if a charity misbehaves.
People could keep more of their own money to donate to causes of their choosing if the federal government was not taking it to pay for failed wars that never end. The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.
Are federal public assistance programs working?
Summer feeding programs have been set up to provide meals when school is out.
Love to see newspeople ask: If a family qualifies for free and reduced price school breakfast and lunch- wouldn’t they also qualify for year-round public assistance to provide meals at home? Would this reduce the need for summer feeding programs?
USDA Federal School Lunch Program- Virgin Islands:
Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz has said of the upcoming Concert for Valor:
“The post-9/11 years have brought us the longest period of sustained warfare in our nation’s history. The less than one percent of Americans who volunteered to serve during this time have afforded the rest of us remarkable freedoms—but that freedom comes with a responsibility to understand their sacrifice, to honor them and to appreciate the skills and experience they offer when they return home.”
Since 911- US military operations have afforded the rest of us remarkable freedoms?
Because freedom comes from decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas, a 3rd try in Iraq, a no-show on 911, etc.
Almost Veteran’s Day again-
Look for folks claiming that Americans wouldn’t have the freedom to post comments on newspaper websites if people had not given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect that freedom.
Hey school teachers- where did this idea come from? Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
Reaching for an honest understanding of US foreign policy makes more sense than “Thanks for your service.”
Don’t look for much in the way of explaining the meaning of Armistice Day & why that was thrown out for the purpose of honoring veterans.
Click here to view authoritarian comments from people who are all about federal law even though they probably were up for celebrating independence on July 4th.
Maybe American culture would be easier to understand if all of the US was one giant military base.
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal war on drugs, drug czar, prohibition of marijuana, etc.
Same country where half time sports announcers remind us that The Troops are fighting undeclared/unwon wars overseas in order to defend your rights and freedoms.
These are the folks who watch the TV networks that host presidential debates & ask scripted questions of candidates.
These are the folks who listen to TV messages from halftime sports announcers who tell us that overseas military operations are somehow linked to American rights and freedoms.
By waiting until the TV isn’t talking about federal holidays, overseas military operations and football halftime ceremonies– then asking yourself if you live in a free and honest society.
By waiting a few months- then asking questions at public schools about those who claim that Americans wouldn’t have the freedom to post comments on newspaper websites if people had not given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect that freedom.
Hey school teachers- where did this idea come from? Were US troops sent to Vietnam so that Americans could be free to send letters to the editor?
Is there any case in which the US Armed Forces have been sent to distant lands on a mission to protect freedom of speech?
Is protecting freedom of speech even part of training scenarios?
Talks about legalizing marijuana while including restrictions that leave prohibition and the drug war in place for adults age 18-20, those who want to grow a plant at home, possess more than an ounce, or possess marijuana from non-state sanctioned outlets.
Talks about placing high taxes on legal marijuana.
Dealers, traffickers and cartels are good with this idea.
I am from the last century. Maybe it’s not fair, but what it is now doesn’t seem to measure up to what it was, or what it is supposed to be.
