A symbol of the propaganda that makes it all work.
What are your favorite Presidents Day traditions?
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.
A time to give thanks for what is important in our life.
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.
“Releasing the Epstein files is the easiest thing in the world. Just release it all. Let the American people sort through every bit of it, and, you know, support the victims. That’s just like the most common sense, easiest thing in the world. But to spend any effort trying to stop it makes – it just doesn’t make sense to me.”
Wrong.
We are here to suppress information. Get on board or suffer the consequences.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
The US federal government has been involved in decades of various events where records were sealed or redacted and files were kept secret.
Take an oath to the constitution, then head out to locations that have nothing to do with supporting and defending the constitution. Continue the process for decades on end.
The Department of Defense was established in 1949. What part of DOD history involved US troops sent to locations where the constitution was threatened?
Many veterans refer to their oath of enlistment Re: defending the constitution.
When & how do The Troops act on behalf of the executive branch of government to defend the constitution?
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
Look for newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions in this area:
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Love to see newspeople interview elected officials and let us know how sending US Troops to Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, etc., is somehow defending the constitution.
“Today, however, the Congress has relinquished its delegated powers, giving the President license to do whatever he and his office determine that they can get away with. Consequentially, the presidential and legislative oaths to the Constitution have just turned into a great photo op on inauguration day.”
“It is a sad and hard realization for a grunt who loves the Marine Corps to admit that the organization is not used in the preservation of liberty, and has not been used toward that end for a very long time.”
In the 60s & 70s I never attended a Veterans Day assembly at school.
There were none.
Probably enough veterans around to remove most of the mystique, or maybe those veterans thought it was all just an average thing and did not want to be seen as a separate part of American society, or get head of the line parking spots over at the grocery store. Maybe the concept of Armistice Day had not gone completely extinct.
Growing up in the 60s & 70s- veterans were all around- church, school, Boy Scout leaders, family, the neighborhood, etc. It was all just an average thing. These folks weren’t seen as a separate part of American society.
People weren’t stepping over to say “Thanks for your service” to my Dad- who did time in the Navy in the 50s- but looked just like anyone else out in public.
These guys weren’t lining up for free dinner promotions marketed by major restaurant chains.
One of the very most meaningful federal holidays for some. Stolen from Armistice Day in the 1950s. At that time, the US Dept. of Defense had started a decades long tradition of not being able to stay out of or win undeclared wars in distant lands.
How would American freedoms today be any different if US troops were never sent to Iraq?
Uncle Sam is having a hell of a time finding people to sign up for the US Armed Forces. Pretending that decades of undeclared/unwon wars are linked in any way with American freedoms is the kind of dishonesty that will snuff out the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.
Good luck with your US Armed Forces recruiting crisis.
The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards staying out of undeclared/unwon wars, maintaining the barracks or managing federal contracts related to TRICARE.
A giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
Those who never made it back from the war won’t be headed out with family and friends to be making any purchases. Because of this reality, we set up our Memorial Day marketing blitz.
More Is Better
Folks, bigger sales and more customers is better. This is why we are not limiting the good deals to those lost on foreign soil.
Unlike many local newspapers, alternative media is good about maintaining open and active comment sections. Several comments are posted with the video above.
In recent years, the press tends to support government agencies, departments and policies rather than question them.
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.
Governments at various levels are now in the habit of setting deadlines for new restrictions, bans and mandates.
If ethanol made a lot of sense we wouldn’t have to subsidize it or mandate its consumption:
We are hearing about a US Armed Forces Recruiting crisis. Maybe veterans, young people and their parents and grandparents are starting to wonder what The Troops are fighting for in undeclared/unwon wars. I am.
Why do elected officials and high level DOD civilians speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
The day I graduated from high school, all 50 states could set their own minimum drinking age.
As time goes on, the consumer choices we have are becoming more restricted by a combination of government and big business policies, not Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden or the next bad guy DOD will be going after in distant lands.
Recent visit to Lake Crescent – a deep body of water carved out by glaciers:
Alternative media provides an update on the banning of gas powered outdoor equipment:
Unlike many local newspapers, alternative media is good with maintaining an active comment section. More than 3,000 comments are posted with the video above.
During the Vietnam War, US troops were sent to Vietnam.
Uncle Sam is having a hell of a time finding people to sign up for the US Armed Forces. Pretending that decades of undeclared/unwon wars are linked in any way with American freedoms is the kind of dishonesty that will snuff out the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.
Good luck with your US Armed Forces recruiting crisis.
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.
American freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
School children are taught about a free enterprise system. They grow up to find out that the federal government will tell them what kind of shower head they must install in the bathroom, and what type of gas can they must buy for their lawn mower.
Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?
Image above: 48 star flag. This was the US flag version on Armistice Day. Image source/credit: Etsy
Here at Oak Bay Starfish, the Armistice Day blog category began on May 28, 2012. It is not specific to any US presidential administration, overseas military operation, or undeclared/unwon war since The US Dept. of Defense was established after WWII, in the late 1940s.
Page down here to view multiple posts in the Armistice Day category.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926:
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
Veterans Day was stolen from Armistice Day in the 1950s. At that time, the US Dept. of Defense had started a decades long tradition of not being able to stay out of or win undeclared wars in distant lands.
How would American freedoms today be any different if US troops were never sent to Iraq?
Uncle Sam is having a hell of a time finding people to sign up for the US Armed Forces. Pretending that decades of undeclared/unwon wars are linked in any way with American freedoms is the kind of dishonesty that will snuff out the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.
Memorial Day
Honor the fallen:
Remember that Memorial Day and Veterans Day are different holidays with different meanings. Do not confuse marketing campaigns for one with the other.
Many comments are posted with the video above.
Free admission to our giant sales lot:
Don’t miss out:
Get on down to the dealership to pay your respects to those we have lost:
Get Ready To Celebrate
Those who never made it back from the war won’t be headed out with family and friends to be making any purchases. Because of this reality, here’s how it was set up last year:
“For a small business owner and businesses in general, Memorial Day presents an excellent opportunity to promote your products and services while also showing respect to fallen soldiers.”
“Honor Military Personnel with Freebies and Discounts
One way to show respect for our military personnel is by offering them freebies or discounts on your products or services.
You can run a Memorial Day promotion that offers a percentage off for active military personnel, veterans, or their families.
You can also offer free items like a meal, a drink, or a dessert to military personnel as a token of appreciation.”
“Every year, 36 PepsiCo military veteran drivers transport the American flag across the country and pass it to each other at various relay points.
Pepsi doesn’t market specific products anywhere in this campaign.
But it proves helpful in building up its brand image and portrays its awareness and appreciation towards the heroes and the country.”
“Brands get that many of their audience look forward to the long weekend.
Reese’s, for example, shared a recipe for the perfect treat you can easily whip up to make your Memorial Day sweeter.
Get on down to the dealership to pay your respects to those we have lost:
Get Ready To Celebrate
Those who never made it back from the war won’t be headed out with family and friends to be making any purchases. Because of this reality, here’s how it was set up last year:
How would American freedoms today be any different if US troops were never sent to Iraq?
Uncle Sam is having a hell of a time finding people to sign up for the US Armed Forces. Pretending that decades of undeclared/unwon wars are linked in any way with American freedoms is the kind of dishonesty that will snuff out the energy American families once had for encouraging young people to enlist.
Good luck with your US Armed Forces recruiting crisis.
Americans live in 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.
Both major parties have had a hand in reducing American freedoms as the decades roll on.
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?
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?
American freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
School children are taught about a free enterprise system. They grow up to find out that the federal government will tell them what kind of shower head they must install in the bathroom, and what type of gas can they must buy for their lawn mower.
Did hostile forces in distant lands attempt to replace US consumer demand with government demand and end the free enterprise system?
Did foreign terrorists set up a land of the free holding pattern where alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults?
Did hostile forces from distant lands set up transgender messaging at theme parks? Seems more like adult content for Mardi Gras in New Orleans than something for family/child friendly events?
Did foreign terrorists mandate what sort of toilet you must install in your home?
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?
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.
Why do we pretend that the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization?
American freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
Did foreign invaders get members of the press to play the role of federal public affairs staff as authorities prepare for the Super Bowl?
TV newspeople perform like paid actors reading a script:
The US Dept. of Defense is the very best at militarized pageantry for pro sports events.
“As a former child I can state 100% that a camera wouldn’t have scared me but a masked blue line flag man throwing things and yelling would have terrified me!”
Much of what we get today is sort of a press release style of news reporting where a statement is prepared by whatever agency was involved in the latest policy update, drug bust/federal grant money award, etc.
American freedoms come and go. None of the above are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
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.
The Dept. of Defense was nowhere to be found on 911. We haven’t won a war since.
It feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.
Any college or pro football coach would have been fired a dozen times over for what DOD has done with the US Armed Forces during the fake GWOT era.
Homeland Security Is A Scam
Huge US Dept. of Homeland Security budgets after 911 and more cartel drugs than ever arriving in Hometown, USA?
18-20 Year Old Adults Are Seen As Second Class Citizens
A society where, in addition to freedoms possibly enjoyed by all adults, those who are 18-20 years old are placed in a land of the free holding pattern.
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?
Doesn’t seem to fit with 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.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Symbol of a society that phased out Armistice day in the 1950s. A society where decades after the lessons of Vietnam, it feels like the people who run the Pentagon specialize in undeclared/unwon wars. A society in 2023, that can’t stay out of or win undeclared wars, but has come to offer up a big Memorial Day freebies for veterans marketing campaign. Way to go guys.
This may be some sort of post-Vietnam guilt at work. The guilt doesn’t seem to work towards ending decades of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
Do the companies that offer free Memorial Day chow advocate for phasing out undeclared wars?
A society where a giant flag ritual at the next ball game will make it all good.
In my small town, leaving the neighborhood often means driving past the fire station. It seems like several times a month, for different reasons, the US flag may be at half mast. When I was a child in the 60s and 70s, the flag would go to half mast on what seemed to be rare occasions. Now it seems routine.
KXLY in Spokane tells us at 1:08
“…behind every half-staff flag is a man or woman who laid down their life for our country.”
“…the tradition began centuries ago.”
KXLY,
Was the flag flown at half staff more than 58,000 times for individuals who lost their lives during the Vietnam War?
In reality, the flag is lowered for various occasions:
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?
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?
Consider the idea that lowering the flag on a routine basis may take away from the significance of the protocol. Over time, the flag may be seen as a political symbol, something like a Presidential Medal of Freedom that may have nothing to do with freedom.
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.
Above: Approved Flag Images
