Too Tired to Twitch

I always get twitchy whenever another Praise The Military holiday comes around. I know lots of folks who served - heck, my starter husband did umpteen tours with the Navy - but I will never believe they should be treated like some godlike beings because some rich politicians offered them up as possible cannon fodder. War is not, and never will be, the answer. That's kind of the point of this particular holiday, to remember the futility of war and pray that it stops for good someday soon. Until we stop worshiping the military (above others who actually serve by feeding the hungry and housing the homeless and fighting fires and other environmental disasters) the warmongering attitude is never going to change. But I'm just too tired by recent events (both political and personal) to do anything more than stay away from the war movies and slobbering, slavering tributes, do my job, and get ready for Manhattan again tomorrow.

Silly Site o' the Day

Laying low from the internet today, as way too much of my Facebook feed is filled with tributes to warmongers and the expendable cannon fodder they send to do their dirty work. So many holidays devoted to warriors, none to peacemakers (which takes a lot more bravery). But onward, since talk like that seems to be about as verboten as toilet pianos. We had a lovely holiday feast to mark the start of unofficial summertime and not participating in Manhattanhenge (maybe in July), and I'd just as soon stay at home because I'm back in Manhattan tomorrow!

Silly Site o' the Day

The weather's warming up a bit, but I'm so sleepy I could hardly function. Fortunately I was able to get through work okay while Robin took care of the laundry (it was supposed to rain but held off during his up and down trips) so we don't have to worry about that with all the changeable weather coming up this week. I think it might be partly allergies and partly ennui based on my inability as an individual to affect world events. At least Dan Abramson has a nice idea, Yoga Joes...

Silly Site o' the Day

Events overseas continue to get sadder, and I teeter between heartbreak for others and gratitude that I'm doing so relatively well. I've contributed to GlobalGiving's campaign and that's made me feel better (my employer gave $250,000) and that will have to be enough for now. I hope these photoshopped cats give you a bit of a smile in these grim times.

Silly Site o' the Day

I must confess, I don't feel very silly now. I sincerely hope we're not seeing the start of another war in Europe, but my stomach keeps falling and my heart keeps going out to all the folks on both sides who do not want this. I mean, I love weird Russian flags (via BoingBoing), and am friendly with both Ukrainian and Russian coworkers, and I'm beside myself. The pandemic appears to be winding down but war is winding me up, and no matter what happens this will be costly in more ways than one.

We Will Remember Them...

So as is my wont on this day, I played Mark Knopfler's "Remembrance Day", followed by Renaissance's "Remember", on my iPhone this morning. Then Steeleye Span's "Where Are They Now" came on unbidden, and considering how I feel about war and the incessant glorification thereof in this country, it felt much more appropriate to the day. Peace will always be far more courageous to me than war. Here are the lyrics:

Man said Nature was his mother
Made a promise at his birth
But she's running like a hunted fox for cover
All across the Earth

The forest turned into the tall ships,
And though they fought for England well
The emptiness is ringing down the ages
Like a hollow bell

[Chorus:]
Where are they now?
Old mysteries
The high ideas of thousand years
All lost on the breeze
Where are they now?

Asking wonders of our children
Blind faith in all the rules
But the blind lead the blind from the cradle
Through the faith of fools

One son gone unto the merchant
Another to the bishop went
Another son to serve the king
And country in some regiment

[Chorus]

Every year in late December
Hark the Herald Angels sing
In the church words of Peace on Earth are spoken
It doesn't change a thing
[Chorus]

As far as I'm concerned, all this war-worship is the faith of fools.

On This Day

I shan't wish anyone a Happy Memorial Day 'cause that phrasing is kind of weird, and besides, in my mind this is supposed to be one of those days set aside to ponder and reaffirm the utter futility of war, not to celebrate the willingness of young vital men and women to become human cannon fodder.