My father went ashore on Omaha Beach. He survived physically, but, he was never the same again. Several years later our family of four was stationed in post war Japan. My father’s rage and drinking ended the marriage. My mother, brother and I were shipped home. My mother was heartbroken, my brother terrified of the water and safety drills; I was old enough to understand it all and frightened for both of them.
I only saw him twice after that long trip home, I grieve him still. Not all of the causalities lie buried in that sea swept cemetery. Today, my father’s grave overlooks San Diego harbor with a simple epitaph, “a good soldier”.
I just watched President Biden’s speech from the D-Day observance. To all those who believe that Biden is too old to serve a second term, I challenge them to watch this speech. What I witnessed was a strong man filled with resolve to protect our freedom. We are I. Good hands.
Many Boomers remember because most of our parents were affected by WW II in one way or another during our lives. I was born in the Netherlands and both my parents were in the war-my Dad was a pilot and Mom worked as volunteer in the hospital. They told us the occupation of the Nazi regime was very cruel, especially the SS and special Wolf squad, that terrorized women and children, along with brutally killing any they believed to be Jewish, proven or not.
The similarities between the Nazis and MAGA/Trump party is stark…Republicans have continued to stack the cards in their favor for the past 15 years, while we were busy governing, they were busy undermining US in courts, in institutions where they placed their own spies and rabble rousers to divide and cause chaos.
We can’t let the asshole Trump anywhere near the WH ever again…nor any who continue the Trump losing strategy; we need to impeach the MAGA R’s in congress and force Republican senators to retire. We certainly need to stop paying Trump a pension…bc Republicans if in power will take away our social security…it’s no joke that we are here, but let’s create a huge public outcry about every issue we disagree on which basically means everything, and everyone
Well said. The MAGA Candidate for Governor of North Carolina questions whether The Holocaust occurred. Hopefully we will send him packing in November. He should visit Buchenwald. Of which my uncle was part of the US Third Army that liberated that death camp.
It was devastating to Europeans but for American warriors, to finish the job in 1942, by then Europe had been occupied since 1939/40, occupied by the worst of the worst, criminals all…my Dutch relatives tell me that if Putin tries to occupy any of their countries they intend to go to war, therefore we can’t let Trump anywhere near the WH, because he will let Putin do whatever he wants without lifting a finger.
What Lincoln said at Gettysburg also pays tribute to D-Day: From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.
Come November, let us go to the voting booth and consign the MAGA Scourge to the ash heap of history.
I'm not surprised the WSJ went this low, but it's troubling nonetheless. Thank for your continued clarity of thought and for speaking out. Mental health experts warn Trump is in significant cognitive decline and incapable of coherent thought or expression. Why isn't the WSJ writing about that, something based on fact? Instead they're damaging the man who stands between us and fascism based on interviews with a political foe and proven liar. Where are the articles about MAGA as a fascist movement, which it is, and it's dear aged, decrepit leader as a true American fascist? Our press, even some of its top papers, is aiding and abetting America's descent into fascism, and that term is not one I use lightly. No wonder millions of Americans don't understand what's happening. Steve, your clarity and outspokeness is helping. Again, thank you and Scripps News.
I would ask: Why aren’t The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other mainstream media writing about Trump’s cognitive decline? It’s well established by hundreds of psychotherapists in a letter to Congress many months ago.
That, Ron, is a great question. One that I ask myself daily. In his video about voting, he was literally frothing at the mouth. Meidas Touch isn’t afraid to highlight his significant issues and the NYT and WAPO are letting us down by NOT showcasing them.
Yes! All we hear about are Biden's "gaffes," "frailty," etc. I don't get it. The MSM may be guilty of helping elect Trump, just as the NYT (and Comey) did in 2016. The other thing that's not mentioned is that Biden's *team* (cabinet secretaries, agency employees) take care of the details. He doesn't have to put on a lab coat and search for new viruses and vaccines, for example! He just has to provide experience and wisdom, which he has in droves but which Trump has none.
Yes, absolutely correct, Elizabeth and Ron, et al. Everyone needs to visit the Substack site here -- “The Newsletter of Dr. Bandy X. Lee” -- for acute psychological insights behind her original warning of the danger inherent in and consequent to Donald Trump’s severe and rapidly worsening, multiple mentally-disordered mind married to political power. Dr. Lee is an eminent forensic psychiatrist and violence expert for whom specialization in the psychology of violent criminal convicts has been central to her professional career. She and her colleagues published the seminal “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” and convened members of this group to brief a number of Congressional representatives on the exigency of confronting the psychological catastrophe of this madman as president soon after he took office.
WSJ is owned and control by Rupert Murdoch! Wouldn’t you expect what was printed this week? Unfortunately, Murdoch is an American citizen, and know that Australia does NOT want him back! Murdoch worms around with Musk and Trump act-a-likes. Expect no less than you have seen! But, be prepared for MORE!
My uncles who fought fascism are gone now. I miss them and their bravery. It’ll be a very sad time when the last of these heroes are no longer here to honor.
I came into this world one week to the day after D-Day. I have cherished that with a sense of honor and dignity. We were, in fact, fighting a war on two fronts: Atlantic and Pacific. Two of my dad's brothers, older and younger, fought during WW2. Our men and women were fighting the tyranny of imperialism and authoritarianism. Nearly 16 million Americans served during WW2. More than 400,000 gave of their lives.
As countries gather today in Normandy to honor and reflect upon this moment in human history, we now must face the fact that a new monster storm is brewing. Russia, once an ally, has become enemy #1 of the free and democratic world. Russia, under the curse of Putin, has invaded Ukraine with its clear objective to resurrect the Soviet. Here in the U.S. the Republican Party has become the enemy within. House Speaker Mike Johnson has appointed two election deniers to the House Intelligence Committee. Johnson, a Trump loyalist, has become Public Enemy #1. Eighty years ago, millions of men and women fought to stay the likes of a Mike Johnson. So! A new war begins; a war to save, preserve and bolster democracies across the globe. We no longer need look across the oceans, Atlantic and Pacific, to see the enemy. The enemy is found right here at home seated in the highest positions of power.
Hello, Lisa. Thank you and you are welcome! As we celebrate the freeing of our world from autocratic tyrrany eighty years ago, I reflect on a headline from a few years ago: "Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’" How ANYONE can support this piece of scum confounds me.
Canada was also there! We were at Juno Beach. Our PM, Prince William, surviving WWII vets and other dignitaries assembled there today to remember and mark this 80th Anniversary on the beaches of Normandy. Please remember our Canadian WWII heroes too! ❤️🇨🇦
As a Canadian I too remember and am so proud of our heroic Canadian soldiers, so many of whom sacrificed their lives so we all could be free from tyranny. 🇨🇦
But today I am ashamed of being a Canadian, because so many of us don’t remember and seem not even to care.
Let us all remember and let us all honour the wonderful war veterans who are still with us today.
I will never be ashamed to be a Canadian. Those of my generation do remember. I know my 50+ “kids” do too. Nov. 11 events every year mark the occasion - where Canadians turn out across the country in small towns and large cities.
We will never forget. It is our sacred duty. One that most Canadians take very seriously. We show that by the wearing of the poppy on the left side - over our heart - on November 11, each and every year.❤️🇨🇦
Both my parents served in WWII; and I am so proud of that fact! My dad, enlisted as soon as FDR declared war on Japan. Both were stationed at Bruins General Hospital, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Because my dad had terrible asthma, he could not fight overseas. My mom, was a social worker for the Red Cross; she contacted the families of the men who came home from Asia. Many had contacted TB, and other illnesses, along with their battle wounds.
Seventy miles away, in the mountains of New Mexico, they were building the A-bomb. My parents met and got married, in Santa Fe, not having a clue what was going on a few miles away from them. When my mom passed away, I wanted to make a booklet of her achievements. When I came across the announcement of their wedding, in the Santa Fe newspaper, I turned the paper over; there In huge letters was the caption: "US Drops A-bomb on Japan!" They were married on August 7, 1945, the day after the first A-bomb dropped; and they didn't have a clue! I wonder if that kind of news could have been kept secret in our times?
Both my parents are buried in the National Cemetery, in Santa Fe. May they rest in peace!
In Biden's speech today, in France, he mentioned NATO. It was the NATO countries that came to the US's aid, to watch over our skies, after 9-11! Under Biden's watch, two more countries have been added to NATO! AND Ukraine has not lost hope of winning their war against Russia! If "orange man" is reelected in November, NATO might be either dissolved, or the US will no longer be a member; either way, what a tragedy that would be! I'd like to ship MTG and all the MEGAs, who think Putin is so damn wonderful, over to live in Russia! VOTE blue in November!
Thank you! Yes, I was blessed to have loving, and dedicated parents! It was my dad who taught me what patriotism was all about! He taught me to respect our American flag! He taught me to respect our POTUS, even if we don't agree with their point of view. And I have, until "orange man" came along!
One word that the MAGAs have not used/abused for their own-like the flag and the word patriot-is the word sacrifice! Would the "orange man" sacrifice for anyone? Would the MAGAs in congress sacrifice for anyone, even the citizens they profess to "serve"? I think NOT!
Wake up America! The writing on the wall is written in BIG letters! Take the scales off of your eyes! Vote for democracy, and for our Constitution! VOTE-"blue"!
I watched the D-day ceremony, live on "Morning Joe", this morning. It was so moving. The survivors, all in wheelchairs, were helped up to receive a medal from the President of France. Although it was difficult to get out of their wheelchairs, those who were able too, stood up as straight as they could! They probably will never be able to travel to Omaha Beach again, as many are in their late 90's, some in their 100's! However, it was important for them to be there in person, not just to receive a medal, but to honor their "brothers in arms" who fell that day, eighty years ago!
I agree with Nancy Floyd, Biden gave a terrific, and powerful speech! Typical "Joe", he shook the hands of every veteran, and talked with them one-on-one! "Orange man" probably wouldn't have even attended the ceremony! After all, all those men who fell are "losers", according to him!
Oh God; please open the eyes of the American citizens who think that "orange man" is the answer to our troubles! Don't let the sacrifices that all veterans, who have served our country, to keep us free, be in vane! Lord; protect our country, our Constitution, and our Rights as American citizens.
To the men and women who served their country; God bless you, and may you rest in peace, when He calls you home!
On this day, June 6, my Dad would have been 100 years old. Before he met my mother, he served in the Navy stateside for four years during WWII. One of his emphatic requests was that there would be no military honors at his graveside service. He loved this country and he celebrated every Memorial Day by going to various cemeteries to remember those who gave the full measure of their lives. When I asked Dad why he did not want military honors, he said that his job in the Navy was to type out the orders given to soldiers, many of whom would not be coming back. It broke his heart even while doing his duty. Bless you, Dad, and I honor you and all those who served and are serving in our military, including their families and friends.
I re-read Steve’s Feb 19 essay which included FDR’s D-Day prayer. It is very moving and conveys the courage and sacrifice of that day. Unfortunately, in this day and age those words would serve to encourage MAGA. MAGA believe their cause is a righteous one.
They believe they are fighting a destructive, condescending force, that is plotting against regular working-class masses. But they have redefined their war against the “elite” to mean a war against liberals, not against rich, well-connected people. FDR’s reference to a “struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity” sounds to MAGA like exactly what they are fighting for. Their determination should not be underestimated. For many, it is grounded in their faith, no matter how misguided it may be.
You hit on an important point here. Time was, not that long ago, when we aspired to become elite or our parents urged us to do so. Now that word is in many ways considered a pejorative. The sleight-of-hand of the financial elite, in their efforts to destroy or undermine institutions that limited their power, has had a part in this transformation. But there is another important element as well. People who are better-educated and better-spoken than so many of the working-class masses, as you call them, who are better able to navigate the rough seas of our new economic order, all too frequently do condescend to them. This is elitism. In some ways it is a product of the concept of meritocracy, the thought that "we got to where we are because we made ourselves better than most through our own efforts, and we deserve to have what we have." There is no sense of "noblesse oblige" and little sense of the advantages so many of our elites enjoyed in order to become elite. What is needed, and what seems to be missing, is a sense of humility. Frank Bruni wrote a useful article on this subject a couple of months ago (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/opinion/students-humility-american-politics.html). I think we need to continue to strive to become elite in whatever endeavors we pursue, but shed the elitism that all too frequently accompanies that status.
I agree. Great article. It is complicated. The people who believe they got where they are by their own merit and hard work sometimes fail to notice they are standing on the shoulders of others, and not everyone has the same opportunities afforded to them. The condescension toward people who have different values and needs has been very destructive. Add to that the fact that politicians in Washington often really are out of touch with their constituents needs/wants and/or are unable to make government work to improve things, and we wind up with a large segment of the population that feels they have no agency. And they are mad! Trump taps into that anger very easily. Humility is the answer to a great many things. But we also need to fight like hell.
So…. here’s the unpalatable truth. The average American is monumentally ignorant about this nations history and its constitutional system. As for the rest of the world no comment is required.
The result is that stupidity and ignorance breed the rise of brainless fools who are wide open to the lies of the MAGA cult. Welcome to the decline and fall of the American Republic.
I just listened to Walter Cronkite with General Eisenhower as they talked about D-Day. How stirring to see the remnants of that day on Omaha Beach. Remembering all the valiant soldiers who died and those who came back. And then to hear President Reagan’s speech on D-Day and how proud and humble he was in honoring our military. Thank you, Steve, for directing me to these videos.
America is poised on the precipice of apocalyptic catastrophe, assaulted psychologically and inevitably physically by a pincer movement comprised of an external, foreign aggressor in Putin’s Russia and an internal, domestic subverter of democracy and law in Donald Trump and his shard psychotic delusional cult spearheaded by white Christian nationalists hellbent on replacing the nation’s secular republic with a theocratic imperium.
To stanch this dual existential threat, genuinely sane, compassionate, morally sensate and objective reality-respecting American patriots must stand up to battle both external and internal fascist enemies, just as sure-footedly and determinedly as those young Americans gave their lives to preserve the flame of freedom against a dark cloud of Nazi dominion hanging over the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago.
My father went ashore on Omaha Beach. He survived physically, but, he was never the same again. Several years later our family of four was stationed in post war Japan. My father’s rage and drinking ended the marriage. My mother, brother and I were shipped home. My mother was heartbroken, my brother terrified of the water and safety drills; I was old enough to understand it all and frightened for both of them.
I only saw him twice after that long trip home, I grieve him still. Not all of the causalities lie buried in that sea swept cemetery. Today, my father’s grave overlooks San Diego harbor with a simple epitaph, “a good soldier”.
So sorry for what your family went through. So many families have stories of loss. Those of us who experienced this cannot give up.
Thank you Carol. I’ve come to realize we all have powerful stories to tell.
Thank you for writing about your father. I cried.
I just watched President Biden’s speech from the D-Day observance. To all those who believe that Biden is too old to serve a second term, I challenge them to watch this speech. What I witnessed was a strong man filled with resolve to protect our freedom. We are I. Good hands.
Many Boomers remember because most of our parents were affected by WW II in one way or another during our lives. I was born in the Netherlands and both my parents were in the war-my Dad was a pilot and Mom worked as volunteer in the hospital. They told us the occupation of the Nazi regime was very cruel, especially the SS and special Wolf squad, that terrorized women and children, along with brutally killing any they believed to be Jewish, proven or not.
The similarities between the Nazis and MAGA/Trump party is stark…Republicans have continued to stack the cards in their favor for the past 15 years, while we were busy governing, they were busy undermining US in courts, in institutions where they placed their own spies and rabble rousers to divide and cause chaos.
We can’t let the asshole Trump anywhere near the WH ever again…nor any who continue the Trump losing strategy; we need to impeach the MAGA R’s in congress and force Republican senators to retire. We certainly need to stop paying Trump a pension…bc Republicans if in power will take away our social security…it’s no joke that we are here, but let’s create a huge public outcry about every issue we disagree on which basically means everything, and everyone
Well said. The MAGA Candidate for Governor of North Carolina questions whether The Holocaust occurred. Hopefully we will send him packing in November. He should visit Buchenwald. Of which my uncle was part of the US Third Army that liberated that death camp.
It was devastating to Europeans but for American warriors, to finish the job in 1942, by then Europe had been occupied since 1939/40, occupied by the worst of the worst, criminals all…my Dutch relatives tell me that if Putin tries to occupy any of their countries they intend to go to war, therefore we can’t let Trump anywhere near the WH, because he will let Putin do whatever he wants without lifting a finger.
Well said, Mary -thank you!
What a beautiful comment. And so true. Thank you. Thank you.
What Lincoln said at Gettysburg also pays tribute to D-Day: From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.
Come November, let us go to the voting booth and consign the MAGA Scourge to the ash heap of history.
I'm not surprised the WSJ went this low, but it's troubling nonetheless. Thank for your continued clarity of thought and for speaking out. Mental health experts warn Trump is in significant cognitive decline and incapable of coherent thought or expression. Why isn't the WSJ writing about that, something based on fact? Instead they're damaging the man who stands between us and fascism based on interviews with a political foe and proven liar. Where are the articles about MAGA as a fascist movement, which it is, and it's dear aged, decrepit leader as a true American fascist? Our press, even some of its top papers, is aiding and abetting America's descent into fascism, and that term is not one I use lightly. No wonder millions of Americans don't understand what's happening. Steve, your clarity and outspokeness is helping. Again, thank you and Scripps News.
I would ask: Why aren’t The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other mainstream media writing about Trump’s cognitive decline? It’s well established by hundreds of psychotherapists in a letter to Congress many months ago.
That, Ron, is a great question. One that I ask myself daily. In his video about voting, he was literally frothing at the mouth. Meidas Touch isn’t afraid to highlight his significant issues and the NYT and WAPO are letting us down by NOT showcasing them.
Yes! All we hear about are Biden's "gaffes," "frailty," etc. I don't get it. The MSM may be guilty of helping elect Trump, just as the NYT (and Comey) did in 2016. The other thing that's not mentioned is that Biden's *team* (cabinet secretaries, agency employees) take care of the details. He doesn't have to put on a lab coat and search for new viruses and vaccines, for example! He just has to provide experience and wisdom, which he has in droves but which Trump has none.
Yes, absolutely correct, Elizabeth and Ron, et al. Everyone needs to visit the Substack site here -- “The Newsletter of Dr. Bandy X. Lee” -- for acute psychological insights behind her original warning of the danger inherent in and consequent to Donald Trump’s severe and rapidly worsening, multiple mentally-disordered mind married to political power. Dr. Lee is an eminent forensic psychiatrist and violence expert for whom specialization in the psychology of violent criminal convicts has been central to her professional career. She and her colleagues published the seminal “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” and convened members of this group to brief a number of Congressional representatives on the exigency of confronting the psychological catastrophe of this madman as president soon after he took office.
WSJ is owned and control by Rupert Murdoch! Wouldn’t you expect what was printed this week? Unfortunately, Murdoch is an American citizen, and know that Australia does NOT want him back! Murdoch worms around with Musk and Trump act-a-likes. Expect no less than you have seen! But, be prepared for MORE!
My uncles who fought fascism are gone now. I miss them and their bravery. It’ll be a very sad time when the last of these heroes are no longer here to honor.
I came into this world one week to the day after D-Day. I have cherished that with a sense of honor and dignity. We were, in fact, fighting a war on two fronts: Atlantic and Pacific. Two of my dad's brothers, older and younger, fought during WW2. Our men and women were fighting the tyranny of imperialism and authoritarianism. Nearly 16 million Americans served during WW2. More than 400,000 gave of their lives.
As countries gather today in Normandy to honor and reflect upon this moment in human history, we now must face the fact that a new monster storm is brewing. Russia, once an ally, has become enemy #1 of the free and democratic world. Russia, under the curse of Putin, has invaded Ukraine with its clear objective to resurrect the Soviet. Here in the U.S. the Republican Party has become the enemy within. House Speaker Mike Johnson has appointed two election deniers to the House Intelligence Committee. Johnson, a Trump loyalist, has become Public Enemy #1. Eighty years ago, millions of men and women fought to stay the likes of a Mike Johnson. So! A new war begins; a war to save, preserve and bolster democracies across the globe. We no longer need look across the oceans, Atlantic and Pacific, to see the enemy. The enemy is found right here at home seated in the highest positions of power.
You hit the nail on the head, Vince. Thank you!
Hello, Lisa. Thank you and you are welcome! As we celebrate the freeing of our world from autocratic tyrrany eighty years ago, I reflect on a headline from a few years ago: "Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’" How ANYONE can support this piece of scum confounds me.
Happy Birthday! May it be a fun one!
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. 80 is right around the corner.
Canada was also there! We were at Juno Beach. Our PM, Prince William, surviving WWII vets and other dignitaries assembled there today to remember and mark this 80th Anniversary on the beaches of Normandy. Please remember our Canadian WWII heroes too! ❤️🇨🇦
As a Canadian I too remember and am so proud of our heroic Canadian soldiers, so many of whom sacrificed their lives so we all could be free from tyranny. 🇨🇦
But today I am ashamed of being a Canadian, because so many of us don’t remember and seem not even to care.
Let us all remember and let us all honour the wonderful war veterans who are still with us today.
I will never be ashamed to be a Canadian. Those of my generation do remember. I know my 50+ “kids” do too. Nov. 11 events every year mark the occasion - where Canadians turn out across the country in small towns and large cities.
We will never forget. It is our sacred duty. One that most Canadians take very seriously. We show that by the wearing of the poppy on the left side - over our heart - on November 11, each and every year.❤️🇨🇦
Both my parents served in WWII; and I am so proud of that fact! My dad, enlisted as soon as FDR declared war on Japan. Both were stationed at Bruins General Hospital, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Because my dad had terrible asthma, he could not fight overseas. My mom, was a social worker for the Red Cross; she contacted the families of the men who came home from Asia. Many had contacted TB, and other illnesses, along with their battle wounds.
Seventy miles away, in the mountains of New Mexico, they were building the A-bomb. My parents met and got married, in Santa Fe, not having a clue what was going on a few miles away from them. When my mom passed away, I wanted to make a booklet of her achievements. When I came across the announcement of their wedding, in the Santa Fe newspaper, I turned the paper over; there In huge letters was the caption: "US Drops A-bomb on Japan!" They were married on August 7, 1945, the day after the first A-bomb dropped; and they didn't have a clue! I wonder if that kind of news could have been kept secret in our times?
Both my parents are buried in the National Cemetery, in Santa Fe. May they rest in peace!
In Biden's speech today, in France, he mentioned NATO. It was the NATO countries that came to the US's aid, to watch over our skies, after 9-11! Under Biden's watch, two more countries have been added to NATO! AND Ukraine has not lost hope of winning their war against Russia! If "orange man" is reelected in November, NATO might be either dissolved, or the US will no longer be a member; either way, what a tragedy that would be! I'd like to ship MTG and all the MEGAs, who think Putin is so damn wonderful, over to live in Russia! VOTE blue in November!
Good news! Wonderful parents!
Thank you! Yes, I was blessed to have loving, and dedicated parents! It was my dad who taught me what patriotism was all about! He taught me to respect our American flag! He taught me to respect our POTUS, even if we don't agree with their point of view. And I have, until "orange man" came along!
One word that the MAGAs have not used/abused for their own-like the flag and the word patriot-is the word sacrifice! Would the "orange man" sacrifice for anyone? Would the MAGAs in congress sacrifice for anyone, even the citizens they profess to "serve"? I think NOT!
Wake up America! The writing on the wall is written in BIG letters! Take the scales off of your eyes! Vote for democracy, and for our Constitution! VOTE-"blue"!
I watched the D-day ceremony, live on "Morning Joe", this morning. It was so moving. The survivors, all in wheelchairs, were helped up to receive a medal from the President of France. Although it was difficult to get out of their wheelchairs, those who were able too, stood up as straight as they could! They probably will never be able to travel to Omaha Beach again, as many are in their late 90's, some in their 100's! However, it was important for them to be there in person, not just to receive a medal, but to honor their "brothers in arms" who fell that day, eighty years ago!
I agree with Nancy Floyd, Biden gave a terrific, and powerful speech! Typical "Joe", he shook the hands of every veteran, and talked with them one-on-one! "Orange man" probably wouldn't have even attended the ceremony! After all, all those men who fell are "losers", according to him!
Oh God; please open the eyes of the American citizens who think that "orange man" is the answer to our troubles! Don't let the sacrifices that all veterans, who have served our country, to keep us free, be in vane! Lord; protect our country, our Constitution, and our Rights as American citizens.
To the men and women who served their country; God bless you, and may you rest in peace, when He calls you home!
"Home of the Free, because of the Brave!"
On this day, June 6, my Dad would have been 100 years old. Before he met my mother, he served in the Navy stateside for four years during WWII. One of his emphatic requests was that there would be no military honors at his graveside service. He loved this country and he celebrated every Memorial Day by going to various cemeteries to remember those who gave the full measure of their lives. When I asked Dad why he did not want military honors, he said that his job in the Navy was to type out the orders given to soldiers, many of whom would not be coming back. It broke his heart even while doing his duty. Bless you, Dad, and I honor you and all those who served and are serving in our military, including their families and friends.
Freedom. Honor. Respect. Truth. Peace. Democracy.
WE the People have it all! Let’s keep it! Our choice in voting in November!
We will get what we deserve!
I re-read Steve’s Feb 19 essay which included FDR’s D-Day prayer. It is very moving and conveys the courage and sacrifice of that day. Unfortunately, in this day and age those words would serve to encourage MAGA. MAGA believe their cause is a righteous one.
They believe they are fighting a destructive, condescending force, that is plotting against regular working-class masses. But they have redefined their war against the “elite” to mean a war against liberals, not against rich, well-connected people. FDR’s reference to a “struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity” sounds to MAGA like exactly what they are fighting for. Their determination should not be underestimated. For many, it is grounded in their faith, no matter how misguided it may be.
You hit on an important point here. Time was, not that long ago, when we aspired to become elite or our parents urged us to do so. Now that word is in many ways considered a pejorative. The sleight-of-hand of the financial elite, in their efforts to destroy or undermine institutions that limited their power, has had a part in this transformation. But there is another important element as well. People who are better-educated and better-spoken than so many of the working-class masses, as you call them, who are better able to navigate the rough seas of our new economic order, all too frequently do condescend to them. This is elitism. In some ways it is a product of the concept of meritocracy, the thought that "we got to where we are because we made ourselves better than most through our own efforts, and we deserve to have what we have." There is no sense of "noblesse oblige" and little sense of the advantages so many of our elites enjoyed in order to become elite. What is needed, and what seems to be missing, is a sense of humility. Frank Bruni wrote a useful article on this subject a couple of months ago (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/opinion/students-humility-american-politics.html). I think we need to continue to strive to become elite in whatever endeavors we pursue, but shed the elitism that all too frequently accompanies that status.
I agree. Great article. It is complicated. The people who believe they got where they are by their own merit and hard work sometimes fail to notice they are standing on the shoulders of others, and not everyone has the same opportunities afforded to them. The condescension toward people who have different values and needs has been very destructive. Add to that the fact that politicians in Washington often really are out of touch with their constituents needs/wants and/or are unable to make government work to improve things, and we wind up with a large segment of the population that feels they have no agency. And they are mad! Trump taps into that anger very easily. Humility is the answer to a great many things. But we also need to fight like hell.
Well said, Christa, and more clearly written than my wordy posr
So…. here’s the unpalatable truth. The average American is monumentally ignorant about this nations history and its constitutional system. As for the rest of the world no comment is required.
The result is that stupidity and ignorance breed the rise of brainless fools who are wide open to the lies of the MAGA cult. Welcome to the decline and fall of the American Republic.
I just listened to Walter Cronkite with General Eisenhower as they talked about D-Day. How stirring to see the remnants of that day on Omaha Beach. Remembering all the valiant soldiers who died and those who came back. And then to hear President Reagan’s speech on D-Day and how proud and humble he was in honoring our military. Thank you, Steve, for directing me to these videos.
America is poised on the precipice of apocalyptic catastrophe, assaulted psychologically and inevitably physically by a pincer movement comprised of an external, foreign aggressor in Putin’s Russia and an internal, domestic subverter of democracy and law in Donald Trump and his shard psychotic delusional cult spearheaded by white Christian nationalists hellbent on replacing the nation’s secular republic with a theocratic imperium.
To stanch this dual existential threat, genuinely sane, compassionate, morally sensate and objective reality-respecting American patriots must stand up to battle both external and internal fascist enemies, just as sure-footedly and determinedly as those young Americans gave their lives to preserve the flame of freedom against a dark cloud of Nazi dominion hanging over the beaches of Normandy 80 years ago.