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May 30, 2005

what does it mean, really?

I worry sometimes that today has changed in meaning from when it was first created as a national holiday. How many people really take the time to go visit the graves of their family members that fell in battle? Or even tip the hat to those in other families who died for the safety of Americans they never met or even knew existed? What about the soldiers who vehemently disagree with my philosophy of life but still gave theirs for my right to believe what I want?

I worry that today is just another day people don't have to go to work so they can spend the weekend grilling burgers and watching parades that don't mean much any more. Or this is the weekend people take advantage of the sales.

Then I worry about the country being split over fundemental value systems, neither side seeing that we all really want the same thing, we just disagree on how best to accomplish that goal. I resent the silent implication that those who oppose GW's policies and the war also hate freedom and democracy and the troops and love the terrorists. I hate that everything has become black and white on both sides. This must be what some people felt like in the Civil war. How do we get back to being a nation united for just causes? How do I regain the feeling that my representatives actually speak for me and my best interests?

Aside from all that, I am thankful to all the veterans (and current troops) throughout the history of this country for helping create a place where I, as a female, can go to school, drive cars, work at a job I really enjoy with little fear of harassment and vote.

Happy Memorial Day

Holidays 11:35 AM | Permalink

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Comments

I'm commenting here for this and the last post. This country turning black and white scares me, but I have hope that the shades of gray will be rediscovered soon. Also, I've been re-reading a lot of what I used to write as well. Both here and from old files of my other blogs. I'm actually ashamed that all I am now is my day at work. So, this weekend I saw this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0004Z33FK/qid=1117545728/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-9288173-9084148?v=glance&s=dvd at the local Best Buy and picked it up. I think I've been blown back on the right track.

Posted by: David at May 31, 2005 8:24:31 AM

I love Bill Hicks. He is awesome. I have some of his DVDs but not this one.

Something I saw recently that made an impact on me, as silly as it is, is The Guru. Something about the simplicity of the message to follow your bliss got through the growing cynicism. It doesn't solve the country's ills, but it did help change my outlook a bit.

Posted by: Alicia at May 31, 2005 8:30:36 AM

Unfortunately, we are fighting an enemy that sees in black and white, and is trying to take advantage of our shades of grey and using it against us. However, I see what GW and crew is doing is also very shades of grey. To me, seeing in black and white would have meant nuking the middle east instead of trying to minimize civilian casualties. That is just my take on things.

As far as the feelings the silent implications are giving, you have to ignore them. Don't put yourselves into self imposed victimhood. As Alicia said in her post, people died to give you the right to speak your mind. Use it without a care as to what others think and brace yourself for the response. ;)

Posted by: *Name Hidden* at May 31, 2005 9:45:12 AM