In the popular imagination over the past 80 years, what’s been called “The Greatest Generation” has been held out as heroes of a special order, that we - their descendants - cannot hope to achieve.
Seems strange to thank someone for making me cry. We are HUGELY indebted to those who gave their all. They paid a price for our freedom and we are charged with protecting every last inch of it in their honor and for the good of all of us, not just some of us.
For sure. I shed a tear or two today myself, watching Biden speaking at the intro of the NATO 75th aniversary summit. He nailed it. Over the top and who the hell are these wimp ass mother fuckers dividing us to satisfy Putin?!?!! When most of the times the Parkinson MD specialist were at the White House, Biden was in Europe or Asia working his ass off to keep us safe and secure. Who is propagating this narrative?
Well, all the lying actors in this shitshow are doing this to benefit Trump--and themselves, of course. The media thinks it can fool most of the folks most of the time and thus save themselves; the oligarchs think they can keep more of their precious gelt and influence Trump in their favor.
The losers in this hot mess are all the "top waters" (we peons; the little fish) and the brainwashed MAGA cultists. They have been convinced that all their problems are the fault of the "libtards"...how surprised they will be (if Trump, by some scuzzy cheating ploy, does win) when they lose their insurance, food 'stamps' and monthly SS benefit check.
As the F 16's arrive in Ukraine there will be more brave young men wishing they were in a different place . Putin bombing childrens hospital a few days ago as the war crimes & atrocities continue unabated demand action. I am so proud of Biden meeting with NATO now especially with Zelensky. Angry tears flow as tfg allies with Orban - it's criminal. Great post TC.
Truth and humor can be a great mix, especially when the truth is harsh and the humor a sauce that makes it easier to swallow. I know my own mid-western father had a wonderful sense of humor that no doubt accompanied him through India and China. I suppose that by "heroes of a special order, that we - their descendants - cannot hope to achieve" you are mostly targeting the last bit. They were heroes - and the more so because they weren't or didn't remain starry eyed but knew their reality and their chances and still performed as demanded of them, and some went further.
One difference between us is that we aren't drafted and we don't have to stay in the battle or step up. Let's hope enough of us meet the needs of our nation right now to preserve our democracy for four more years, and let's hope that having done so, our leadership is clear eyed enough to do what's necessary to make the best use of those four and repair weaknesses in our structure (SCOTUS I'm looking at you).
Just read the honorable Hubbell column & he writes my sentiments exactly with much greater detail & eloquence. What a difference between Coretta Scot King & Clooney !
Tom, my friend, we can and will give our all, because that is ALL that we have, gladly given in small ways over the years, but now it is clear that more than we have ever had is needed. At my age, my pension goes to the serious GOTV groups that mobilize young and rural voters and up coming potential voters.
I can fantisize the AR-15s and bump stocks and 100round clips, but reality is the vote has much more power.
More voters, more chance we survive. If we make it through this next election, I can start saving my pension again for the new truck I have needed, but have needed life more. There is no "If" . It WILL be or we are dead meat.
A both sad and comical ditty. But, I'm sure more indicative of how most of the men felt, thrown into killing people they didn't even know to save and protect a Country that didn't seem interested in saving and protecting them. And how much worse it must have been for the troops in Vietnam and Iraq, many of whom knew they were there based on lies from their own Presidents
Sadly, too many are too busy griping about the price of this and that, and can’t see past their noses. Not all, but too many. Their children, if they lived to have any, are us oldsters, grandchildren are likely middle aged and being lured by promises of religious redemption by hucksters, and the great grands, well, I’d like to think, are woke enough to see their futures ebbing away with every passing day…
Yes, that was the best part. It was because those WWII men and woman didn't want to be there that they got the job done so they could go home and build the USA, enabled by a government that appreciated their sacrifices.
Thanks for this TC. I am always greatly moved by these young boys up there fighting, winning, dying. Whether they acknowledged their reluctance to fly or not, they did their duty and saved the world. Not quite the video game battles many of our youth are addicted to online today.
I am reminded that their collective protests took place on the ground while continuing the job of defeating the enemy. A warrior in battle, hates war. Good reminder here and by Biden in his pressing upon NATO yesterday the need and America's commitment to peace through it.
The only movie ending that is gauranteed to make me cry is "The Fighting Sullivans." There's something crucial to being together with your sibs, your mates, and your common causes, which is what I think and feel reading Tom's work and the comments of the wise and kind folks here. "Say not the struggle naught availeth," (A.H. Clough) and press onward.
Seems strange to thank someone for making me cry. We are HUGELY indebted to those who gave their all. They paid a price for our freedom and we are charged with protecting every last inch of it in their honor and for the good of all of us, not just some of us.
For sure. I shed a tear or two today myself, watching Biden speaking at the intro of the NATO 75th aniversary summit. He nailed it. Over the top and who the hell are these wimp ass mother fuckers dividing us to satisfy Putin?!?!! When most of the times the Parkinson MD specialist were at the White House, Biden was in Europe or Asia working his ass off to keep us safe and secure. Who is propagating this narrative?
Well, all the lying actors in this shitshow are doing this to benefit Trump--and themselves, of course. The media thinks it can fool most of the folks most of the time and thus save themselves; the oligarchs think they can keep more of their precious gelt and influence Trump in their favor.
The losers in this hot mess are all the "top waters" (we peons; the little fish) and the brainwashed MAGA cultists. They have been convinced that all their problems are the fault of the "libtards"...how surprised they will be (if Trump, by some scuzzy cheating ploy, does win) when they lose their insurance, food 'stamps' and monthly SS benefit check.
As the F 16's arrive in Ukraine there will be more brave young men wishing they were in a different place . Putin bombing childrens hospital a few days ago as the war crimes & atrocities continue unabated demand action. I am so proud of Biden meeting with NATO now especially with Zelensky. Angry tears flow as tfg allies with Orban - it's criminal. Great post TC.
Truth and humor can be a great mix, especially when the truth is harsh and the humor a sauce that makes it easier to swallow. I know my own mid-western father had a wonderful sense of humor that no doubt accompanied him through India and China. I suppose that by "heroes of a special order, that we - their descendants - cannot hope to achieve" you are mostly targeting the last bit. They were heroes - and the more so because they weren't or didn't remain starry eyed but knew their reality and their chances and still performed as demanded of them, and some went further.
One difference between us is that we aren't drafted and we don't have to stay in the battle or step up. Let's hope enough of us meet the needs of our nation right now to preserve our democracy for four more years, and let's hope that having done so, our leadership is clear eyed enough to do what's necessary to make the best use of those four and repair weaknesses in our structure (SCOTUS I'm looking at you).
Good, clear-eyed stuff right there, Yehawes.
I don't believe the polls take the resistance into account.
Just read the honorable Hubbell column & he writes my sentiments exactly with much greater detail & eloquence. What a difference between Coretta Scot King & Clooney !
I don't think they take women into account. Which may be the same thing.
Tom, my friend, we can and will give our all, because that is ALL that we have, gladly given in small ways over the years, but now it is clear that more than we have ever had is needed. At my age, my pension goes to the serious GOTV groups that mobilize young and rural voters and up coming potential voters.
I can fantisize the AR-15s and bump stocks and 100round clips, but reality is the vote has much more power.
More voters, more chance we survive. If we make it through this next election, I can start saving my pension again for the new truck I have needed, but have needed life more. There is no "If" . It WILL be or we are dead meat.
A both sad and comical ditty. But, I'm sure more indicative of how most of the men felt, thrown into killing people they didn't even know to save and protect a Country that didn't seem interested in saving and protecting them. And how much worse it must have been for the troops in Vietnam and Iraq, many of whom knew they were there based on lies from their own Presidents
Thanks for that one, TC. John Lennon said it beautifully too: “We all shine on…”
Sadly, too many are too busy griping about the price of this and that, and can’t see past their noses. Not all, but too many. Their children, if they lived to have any, are us oldsters, grandchildren are likely middle aged and being lured by promises of religious redemption by hucksters, and the great grands, well, I’d like to think, are woke enough to see their futures ebbing away with every passing day…
WOKE is a great thing to be.
Thank you Tom. Wonderful closing.
Yes, that was the best part. It was because those WWII men and woman didn't want to be there that they got the job done so they could go home and build the USA, enabled by a government that appreciated their sacrifices.
And all WE have to do is vote for Democrats.
We can do no less - no dithering, as Robert Hubbell opined. Work and action will conquer our anxiety.
It may be redundant to share or “re-stack” but when something packs a punch, it merits the cyclical repeat of the chorus punctuating each verse!
(Herein:
I wanted wings 'till I got the God-damned things,
Now I don't want them anymore!)
The re-stack:
And yet, they sang songs like this, acknowledging their fears, and went out and manned their planes and liberated the planet, 80 years ago.
The punch:
We are their heirs. Their children and grandchildren. Their blood flows in our veins.
Most of them are not here now to give personal guidance. But their memory, their example, is here.
Can we do less in the face of a crisis more existential than what they faced?
Thank you, Tom.
Fired up? Let’s go!
Oops- “Fired up! Ready to go!” - Obama
Thanks for this TC. I am always greatly moved by these young boys up there fighting, winning, dying. Whether they acknowledged their reluctance to fly or not, they did their duty and saved the world. Not quite the video game battles many of our youth are addicted to online today.
Wonderful. Heartbreaking and fearsome, but wonderful.
I am reminded that their collective protests took place on the ground while continuing the job of defeating the enemy. A warrior in battle, hates war. Good reminder here and by Biden in his pressing upon NATO yesterday the need and America's commitment to peace through it.
The only movie ending that is gauranteed to make me cry is "The Fighting Sullivans." There's something crucial to being together with your sibs, your mates, and your common causes, which is what I think and feel reading Tom's work and the comments of the wise and kind folks here. "Say not the struggle naught availeth," (A.H. Clough) and press onward.