Memorial Day
This being the last Monday in May, it qualifies as 2009’s Memorial Day celebration; a day in which to remember and think highly of those veterans who have given their lives so that we can have a country in which to celebrate freedom of thought, religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, right to bear arms, whatever; all freedoms inclusive. It was originally known as Decoration Day, first enacted in May of 1858, to honor Union soldiers of the Civil War; then expanded after WWI to include casualties of any military action. We have each been touched personally by the death of a military member, and today focuses on that memory. Our town has a huge (1000+) American flag display on one of the main streets. It’s awesome. If you haven’t yet done so, take a moment to be thankful and proud to be an American. To read the text of the original enactment, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day_(United_States)
Today, the Jerusalem Post reports that Iran deployed six warships into international waters, including the Gulf of Aden. Iran’s naval commander said the deployment was to display its ability to confront any foreign threats. Iran is somewhere between one and three years before perfecting their nuke, and earlier this month fired a medium range rocket capable of reaching some 1200 miles or so. Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already said that we and others are cowering as weaklings in the face of their shows of strength. This headline from Haaratz: “Iran rejects Western proposal for freezing Nuclear program”. For more, go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadinajad
Today, N. Korea detonated a 20kt nuclear bomb underground, after testing a long-range missile last month. The muckety-mucks in Pyongyang just don’t give a flyin’ flip about anybody; even the five nation task force has failed to elicit a meaningful dialogue.
At this point, all that the UN and the US of A are willing to do in each instance is “increase sanctions” and “have dialogue”. We best be ready to use extreme force soon; these fanatics will listen to nothing but strength. Force … and only force … will make fanatics listen.
On a positive note: The space shuttle Atlantis comes safely to rest today after 13 days in orbit repairing the Hubble telescope. Hooray! The landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California was an alternative, due to poor weather conditions which delayed a Florida return for three days.
Blessings.