Memorial Day is a time to reflect upon those who've died in the service of their country. These men gave their lives protecting what they believed to be their way of life. We should honor their memory and remember that men are still dying in wars this country started halfway around the world. We should also remember and honor those who have sustained serious injuries in these wars. Soldiers whose names you never hear, pictures you never see. Many without limbs, without eyes, without a hope of ever living a "normal" life again. Young men shell-shocked, maimed, violently traumatized by war. Psychologically trashed, addicted to drugs and soon to return to society, empty shells of what they once were. Soon to be abandoned and ignored by their government, just like the vets from Vietnam and the first Gulf War. But should we not also reflect upon those innocent people our soldiers have killed in those far off lands? Women, children, old men, brave young men defending their homes and land. Do they not deserve a few moments of our time? Are they any less human than our soldiers who've fallen on the battlefield? Iraqi and Afghani blood stains the soil of their homelands, none of it responsible for 9/11 and deserving of such revenge. As has happened in wars past, our soldiers sometimes kill in COLD BLOOD, these innocent women and children and try to cover up their deadly deeds with lies. http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,1784307,00.html Let's remember these who die for no reason. Who die leaving their innocent blood on America's hands. Let's not forget those who send our soldiers to these wars. Men, who avoided serving in the military themselves, yet have no qualms ordering these men to serve year after year away from their families, in active hostile duty. These corrupt and deceitful leaders make war and lie about why. They break international treaties, disrespect international opinion and go to war for profit. In our names tens of thousands of innocent people die, while our leaders have no plans to end the wars. And still they plot MORE, bigger wars. Soon they will force young people to fight for them, because once again, youth are aware of how they've been lied to and manipulated. And finally let's not forget those who PROFIT from all this war and destruction. The various companies that go by the name of Halliburton and Carlyle and Raytheon and Lockheed and Exxon. These faceless entities that tell our government what they want, and get it. Corporate executives and stock holders so far removed from scene "on the ground" so no blood splashes across their desks to remind them of the horrors their profits entail. We should remember ALL these people on Memorial Day, not just those who died IN VAIN. Does anybody care about the rest? Or do Americans have to wait for their children to be drafted and die so some shareholder can make a few bucks more this quarter, before they give a shit? It's a very sad day and America should be ashamed it still makes war for profit. This should be the day every American finally says: "I've had enough and I'm not gonna take it anymore! OUT WITH THE WARMONGERS, IN WITH THE PEACEMAKERS!" and mean it!
If people understood the real reasons behind war, EVERYONE would be against it. Most wars aren't about random squabbles between nations. They are orchesteted and planned years ahead of time by people behind the scenes. It is a proven fact that the first two World Wars were created and funded by the same group of international elitists that controlled BOTH sides of each conflict. If you look at who built up the Nazi war machine, it was all western financers and elitists working through IG Farben and Brown Brothers Harriman bank. Wars are all about the centralization of wealth and power into the hands of fewer and fewer people. What the masses accept as the reasons for war is little more than carefully scripted propaganda, which is eaten up by most without question. When people sign up for the military, they are not signing up to serve their country. They are signing up to serve the goals of the New World Order. War criminal and Elite goafer, Henry Kissinger, can be quoted as saying: "Military men are nothing but dumb, stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy." This is pretty much the mentality they all have about the military. The pawns in uniforms who sign up to "serve this country" have no idea how they're being used by a bunch of ruthless, soulless men who couldn't care less about them or their families who suffer the grief of losing a father, son or husband.
Somebody remind me why a government is something to live and die for. (Comparison to other governments doesnt count)
Pressed Rat, I will be at the Old Toad on Thursday and probably Friday night. I'm arriving in Rochester on Tuesday and will be there through Saturday or Sunday. This is your chance to have that fabled beer! If you don't show up, of course, I'll be perfectly happy to spend $8 a glass on something from Beligium or wherever without you. Skip, I think it's important, when we remember those who have died in wars be they just or unjust, the innocent civilians who have lost their lives, and the vile people and corporations who profit from destruction, that it also just as important if not more so to remember those who gave their lives for peace. From people like Rachel Cory, Allison Krause, jeffery Glen Miller, Sandra Lee Scheuer, and William Knox Schroeder to Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon, and Gandhi. Let us not forget their sacrifices, and the greater cause they died for.
Hey I know lets join the memorial that the government will have after the war. That way we get to remember the dead and we dont have to fight the people who made this memorial so possible. Do not go to the memorial service with the intention of sloganising - go there to pray it never happens again. god will listen to your prayers even if government doesnt. When we are in the church - try not to remember this church is their church. Do not shout "And so dear friends let us remember your son died so that others may exploit" do not shout "Its us and them and we always get killed - they never do"
It seems "God" has humanity on hold, or our prayers go straight to the spam box anymore. Or haven't you noticed? Good point about those who died for peace, Kitty!
I think the irony was the point or did you not read that far true about the prayers but not so much the spam box as a bounceback saying "No such user at this address" My point being that rather than have a memorial perhaps it would be wise to have a riot and make your disatisfaction felt We're never going to do it in permanent chinwag over a coffee and computer - best tool up and go down the front line
