Capitol Hill Blue Forums Hot Topics & Breaking News The RoundTable Veteran's Day Round Table, November 11th, 2008

Thanks to everyone for sharing these beautiful, poignant thoughts today.
And to add to the litany:

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Martha, thank you for the video. Don't we all wish the human species could learn from our canine friends the act of practicing unconditional love?

AIG bailout.
GM bailout.
Ford bailout.
Wall Street bailout.

this is what our veterans fought and died for? taxpayers bailing out corporate execs who knowingly gambled with our money, simply to pad their bonuses and pockets?

Every energy expert warned GM and Ford about the energy problems this country faces. GM, in response, destroyed its very promising technology, crushing not only cars, but blueprints, dreams, and a clean, workable technology. Ford hasn't had a better idea in the Colonies since it decided to only sell superhigh mileage diesels in Europe. (80-150 miles a gallon is no pipe dream, but reality. There. not here.)

But, AIG takes the cake. Bizniz as usual means expensive junkets here and abroad. Aren't we taxpayers proud?

Loved that!

To those who don't "get" Veterans' Day. This is how we Americans celebrate this day. We remember those who fought, both living and dead. We know that even though certain leaders started wars for selfish reasons, the soldier did and does fight for freedom, and the ideals that we hold dear.

We are not criticizing how other countries celebrate-we try to remember with you, and thank all veterans from everywhere. It would be wonderful, and a step towards the peace and understanding so vaunted by the other countries if the same courtesy was returned.

Y'all seem to decry the nationalism of the United States, but proclaim your own as superior. A bit of the pot calling the kettle black.

When I was a school kid we celebrated Armistice day. It became Veterans day during the "Cold War" era as part of the patriotic fervor of the time. I always have felt that it became a victim of that era and that there was a special significance to armistice as opposed to a commemoration to all veterans.

I don't have any issue at all with honoring all who served and died in defense of the US, so that isn't why I bring this up. Just that there was so much crap going on back then that it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Well whatever you think, I want you to know right this minute that I value each and every one of you and am so glad that we have this little corner of the internet to share each other.

Thanks to all for just being "you."

Kathy

Just to flesh out what I said above, the feature of "Armistice Day" that I think is missing from "Veterans Day" is that the former had an emphasis on peace, not glorification of war. Too often the latter has been used in that way under the guise of honoring those who served.

The Armistice, after all, was an end to the "War to end all wars" and hence was a commitment to peace. To me that is a significant difference.

Thank you, Phil.
I wanted to say something without being 'controversial'. I DO appreciate the bravery.
I hate war though.
You've summed up my thoughts well.

I've liked all the links.

Shout out to F&N, thanks especially for your link too.
And thanks for your ps. I agree with much of that that you said.

My father fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He didn't talk much about it other than the guy in charge got killed and he had to take over.

"My" war was the Vietnam war.
To the memory of all them that died there as well as every person who continues to die each day now.

I hate war and am very close to being a pacifist if I'm not already.