The Seinfeld Post

 

 

A Post About Nothing

I've had some time on my hands during this recent stretch of hot smokey, weather and I got kinda cranky and bored. It's a very dangerous thing, me having time on my hands. It doesn't help that, along with a lot of other people, we recently had hail damage (new roof, car totaled.) We also found out - $2000 dollars later - that Dear Prudence has diabetes. Great. The pièce de résistance: just this week we discovered we have a cracked sewer pipe. Hey, no problem what's another 10 grand - ha, I laugh at adversity! With that said, let's get on with the hilarity.

I can also admit now that I'm a hoarder. I hoard tons newspaper and magazine articles, thoughts on various books I’ve read and even some doggerel that I wrote as an angst-ridden young man - angst that life has beaten out of me. Much of which is of very minimal value. (I didn’t say I was a good hoarder.) Basically, I collect ideas for things to write about but then lose track of them. I have done this for years so of course Mrs Dear Leader finally had me get rid of suit-case size boxes of papers and junk. Now I hoard the same stuff - plus YouTubes on various topics - on my computer (take that Mrs DL!) I took this opportunity to use up some stuff I had been collecting. (Lucky you.) 

So this post really is about nothing - in particular - and not nearly as bubbly as my last one was.

Edumacation ‘R Us 

Hope Carrasquilla, principal of the Tallahassee Classical School in Florida, was forced to resign - and it's all Michelangelo's fault.

Hey, you can see his weiner!

The David was completed by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504. 

From a BBC article in April of this year, apparently she allowed an art class of 11 and 12 year old kids to view this famous statue and according to some parents, other “pornographic” items like Michelangelo's painting "Creation of Adam" and Botticelli's "Birth ,of Venus." (Yup, more carn sarn nudes!) 

"There is nothing wrong with the human body in and of itself," she continued. "Michelangelo would have done him wrong to sculpt him in any other way. I think it's wonderful." Said Ms Carrasquilla, a self-described conservative, as she was visiting the Accademia Galleria in Florence where the statue resides.

Oh yeah? Well, if Michelangelo wanted young people to see his creation then maybe he should have covered Dave's private parts with a fig leaf or something. We all know that art is the devil's work and meant for godless liberals. Next thing you know they will be brainwashing our kids about evolution and letting them read about slavery, gays, drag queens and other dangerous types! 

(Besides, I wouldn't hire that guy to paint my kitchen ceiling let alone a so-called work of art!)

It does raise the question, though, of what the parents expected when they decided to send their kids to a place called a "classical school." 

Paging Ron DeSantis, Paging Ron DeSantis, clean up in Tallahassee!

My take? Since parents obviously know more about education than the so called experts, I think everyone should just home school their kids - paid, of course, by taxpayer vouchers. That will solve a LOT of problems. 

(I also think there is some fertile ground here for a future post.)

Of course, Education madness runs in all directions . . .  

The Los Angeles Times brings us this depressing headline:

“California approves math overhaul to help struggling students. But will it hurt whiz kids?”

Essentially, because so many kids, especially those from less advantaged homes, are struggling with math classes and grades the powers that be basically want to redefine what math is and also forbid kids (well, the smart kids) from taking advanced math courses even if they are ready and want to i.e. before high school. You know, so the less math-inclined kids won't feel bad. Kinda like the "everyone deserves a trophy" thing?

Speaking as someone who is good at arithmetic but unskilled at anything but basic algebra this has the distinct odor of dumbing something down for political – and other - very poor reasons. Shocking, I know.

Education in America has a lot of issues. It definitely needs to greatly improve or we are doomed (see current political turmoil caused mostly by general ignorance.) It won’t help if we hold some kids back rather than help all kids be smarter better educated.  

PS - Poor math and reading grades are not just a California problem.

PSS - Many of these folks worry more about kids reading "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Of Mice and Men." Oh, boy,

PSSS - Maybe there's something to this not trusting more the education big wigs (this does NOT include teachers!)

A Book Review:

Augie's Secrets: The Minneapolis Mob and the King of the Hennepin Strip By Neal Karlen

Recommended by a neighbor who has lived in our Minneapolis 'hood forever (we call him The Mayor), this was a very interesting, true - according to the author - inside account of the well known Jewish gangster history of the Twin Cities from the 1930's to the early 60's. (And yes, The Mayor is Jewish.)

It's the story about Augie Ratner, the author's great uncle, and his "associates."

The current Augie's Bourbon Street Cabaret (he he) still stands on Hennepin Ave right where Augie established it in 1943.Then as now it's a bar that features "exotic dancers" - although now including hip hop music. (I can only go by hearsay on this.)

Augie, while not a gangster himself, was very close to the local ones as well as a lot of celebrities of the time. I can't describe the book any better than this blurb:

"Karlen brings back the days when Peggy Lee walked into Augies straight off the bus from North Dakota, when mid-century celebrities like Frank Sinatra visited Hennepin Avenue, and when the most powerful crime lords in the land checked their guns at the door when they visited Augies."

The history of our city was replete with crime and corruption that would make Chicago blush, most of it run by Jewish gangsters. The more important takeaway for me, however, is the widespread bigotry of the residents of our fair city that Augie - and anyone who wasn't white Anglo-Saxon protestant - endured most of their lives. And I mean blatant amd intense bigotry. Blacks and Jews were treated horribly by their fellow citizens, and the government for that matter for decades.

Call me "woke" (a preposterous word for a pretty simple concept) but it seems to me that we nice, liberal Scandinavians apparently were neither for a very long time.

"Demographics are Destiny" August Comte

Several years ago, a group of my moronic friends and I lowered the overall IQ of FL - no small task - by congregating there for a few days in March to play golf and party til the wee hours (almost 10:00 some nights!) Anyway, we also went to a spring training baseball game which are the only baseball games that I can actually tolerate.

As we were sitting there in the warm sunshine, drinking beer, and admiring the, uh, beach wear of some of the fans (of course, myself and a few of the guys actually watched the game too) when it dawned on me as I looked around that all I saw was white skin and gray hair. Now I grant you, this was FL in winter so of course FL is packed with snowbirds who are almost exclusively old, white people. 

Heading to the game

My point here is that at that time my main thoughts were: 1) if this is the fan demographic of baseball then it is in deep kimchee and 2) is this what we have to look forward to in the whole country?

Fast forward to an article in 7/23 in Strib: “World of Change is Coming in a Hurry.” It was regarding the impact of the aging population on the economy, social security/pensions, and society in general. Apparently by 2050 in much of the developed world people aged 65 or more will make up about 40% of the population. The US is lucky, we’ll only be up to 22%. That may sound okay but it ain’t because it means the whole country will be the same percentage then as Florida is today -"Death's waiting room." (Hey, don't blame me, I didn't think that up!)

Every day we see articles about the difficulty in finding workers for jobs, from hotel maids to teachers, veterinarians to police and firemen to the military. (And as we will see shortly, pilots.)

Police. Firemen. The military. Think about that for a minute.

Anyway, they can offer all the money they want (which is going to come from you and me) but it doesn’t matter if there’s no one there to take it.

And this. In 1950 there were over 16 workers for every Social Security recipient. Today it’s 3-1, in 2050 it will be 2-1. Boy, what a treat it will be for our grandkids to give most of their pay to support our kids. Terrific. 

As an aside, 2050 will be an important year for another reason. By then non-Hispanic whites - you know, the Olsons, Kowalski's, Schmidt's and Pedersons - will no longer be a majority in the US. We - well, not me but the fruit of my loins - will just be a plurality, the largest minority group. Tres Interessant, non?

So, anyone still doubt that we babyboomers are the luckiest people in the history of the world? I am reminded of the great tune by the Steve Miller Band, "Take the Money and Run." That's us!

And in Other News, More Demographics - or Just a Changing Society?

Trust me, I've been a pilot for over 3 months!

In a interesting item from Axios in July, in addition to facing a shrinking worker population, the airlines are finding that some pilots are turning down the opportunity to upgrade to captain. Now anyone that knows airline pilots knows that this is among the most important of goal$ for airline pilots - right up there with hoping to have only one marriage. I assure you that this is not the financial equivalent of declining to be the office manager, we are talking BIG bucks. (Of course, as an airline pilot and neighbor pointed out, it’s not as if the guys in the right seat - First Officer - are currently starving so there is that.) This means, of course, that we are seeing pilots with many fewer flying hours and experience as captains and we are also seeing the results of that with increasing pilot-induced incidents: 

More Incidents Due to Inexperienced Pilots (link)

While this is an older article it is even more applicable today with several recent incidents in the news.

In any event, I guess it isn’t just those so-called lazy millennials and silly Gen Z'ers that we older generation types like to bitch about. You know, those young'un's who want to work less and settle for less money in order to have a better quality of life. 

What all this means for the economy, on the other hand, is for someone who is not me to figure out. Good luck.

And Finally, (great sigh of relief by readers) Travel Ain't All it's Cracked Up to Be

I've got a great idea, let's drop off 5000 people in Venice and Amsterdam!

I am a big believer in travel, especially outside the comfortable confines of the US of A. Not only or even mostly because of the sights but to learn how other people live, how they do some things better than us and some things worse. You know, broaden one's horizon. To do that you need a passport and while 55% of Americans have one, a large majority are held by those with incomes over $100,000. (Duh!) That's unfortunate because of lot of people of less fortunate means might get the most benefit from it. (There is, of course, the little matter of affording to travel.)

Anyway. Mrs DL and I have been fortunate to make several trips to Europe over the past several years and generally had great experiences. It didn't take long, however, for good old, eagle-eyed DL to note the huge throngs of people everywhere we went. Yes, we visited mostly the same places everybody else was visiting - and the crowds sucked. In fact, our experience at the Vatican and the Louvre were so horrendous that I swore I was never leaving my house again. (Spoken like a proud old curmudgeon.) This also seemed to confirm one of Ped's Postulates: "Anywhere you might want to go will have too many people making it not worth going." 

That's true from an Eagles concert to the Eiffel Tower.

Well, it turns out that many Europeans finally agree (as have some Asian countries.) Yup, many of those cities and sites that live by tourism are trying to restrict the flow of tourists to a simple flood from a total deluge (and, of course, make some money on the entrance fees.) Who can blame them? You know, actual people live there too. 

Tourist Overcrowding  (link)

So, it's another great paradox of life or perhaps even a Corollary to Ped's Postulate: too much of good thing . . . is bad for someone somewhere. A cynic's alternative might be: there is nothing so good that we humans can't screw it up. 

My advice, if you want to enjoy the sights go in January (or go where they ain't.)

On a positive note, I don't think we have to worry about being the Ugly Americans anymore. (Well, I mean we still are the worst dressed but not worst behaved.) In my opinion, certain Asian travelers have stolen our crown and good riddance to it.

Say Good Night, DL

Well, I warned you, don't let Dear Leader get bored! Luckily, I am astute enough to know that I have overstayed my welcome so goodbye. No, please, don't thank me, really, it was nothing. (Besides I have to go look for a part time job. )

See you in the fall.

Can't leave without some appropriate tunes . . .

Take the Money and Run   Steve Miller

Another Brick in the Wall    Pink Floyd

See You in Sept    The Happenings

A Minnesota Midsummer’s Dream

Okay, the worst is over, at least for me. The traumatic Summer Solstice that I dread so much has come and gone, its damage is done. It’s time now to relish the short time left until the first flakes of winter arrive.

"Up North"

You know, I'll bet you get this a lot too: "How can you  live in Minnesota with those winters?!" I know I've heard that from people in other states and countries ad nauseam and I'd like to say, "you know you can always put on clothes to stay warm but you can only take off so much to keep cool until the neighbors call the cops." Instead I now have a rote response: "I have literally been around the world and visited all but two continents and I have never been anywhere better than Minnesota between the months of May and October. (okay, mid-October.) Yup, that leaves six months that are, uh, less great - hey, no place is perfect! - but's it's these magnificent hazy, lazy days of summer that keep me here. In my opinion, if you will forgive some projecting, I think that's why a lot of us live in Minnesota. In my particular case, and despite any issues we may have here today, also living in the Twin Cities. There are many reasons why but let me share just three.

NOTE: I know there are a lot of people who enjoy mukluks, parkas, slippery sidewalks and sliding down hill on boards. I hope you will bear with me.

Ha, I’ll bet you thought I was going to mention golf first. Well, guess again!

On my daily walk, Cedar Lk, 1/2 mile from my house

One of the best things about summer here in general is the fact that it never disappoints. (Well, almost never - thanks a lot Oh Canada!)) We freeze our butts off - up to which we are in snow - during the very loooonnnnngggg winter months. Begging, pleading, praying to make it to the point where we only need an overcoat and gloves and soon thereafter to turn on the air conditioner - at which time we start whining about the heat (but that’s for a different post.) Still, we may not always know when it will come but it always does - the Carly Simon song "Anticipation" comes to mind.

Of course, some are better than others but they are always great. Most northern states might try to make this claim but other states aren’t Minnesota or the Twin Cities. Want to go sit by a lake? Drive half an hour in any direction. Like world class summer entertainment or food? A nearby big city has it. Want to fly non-stop to some great vacation spot? Ditto above. Want to visit the greatest of the Great Lakes? Hop in the car, head two hours north to Hwy 61 and you’re on one of the most beautiful drives in the entire world. Is all this worth the pain of our winters? You'll have to judge for yourself but I believe that if one has to live where there is a real winter then this is the place to be in summer.

Next, yes golf is another reason that I love summer here.

 

  No escaping it, all of these guys have
really gotten old on me

I have bored you enough with past stories about golf so I will restrain myself. We fools, er, golfers are blessed with a ton of great courses here in Minnesota - and they do not require selling your first born child to play them like so many other places. I will only say that very little can beat standing on the first tee of any of a plethora of beautiful Minnesota courses, surrounded by your (mocking) buddies with the soft morning sunshine and a light breeze on your face. Ahhh. 

(Then, of course, you knock one into the woods!)

Golf in Minnesota, like summer here itself,  has a short shelf life making it that much sweeter when we play. 

(Yeah, since we have been going south in the winter I can play pretty much all year round but nothing compares to playing here with friends.)

Now for my number one reason. (You better sit down and prepare yourself, this might shock you.)

But first a back story.

When we moved to our humble little abode in the Bryn Mawr area of Mpls some 13 years ago the place needed a little love, inside and out. Okay, a lotta love. Outside, Mrs Dear Leader took over the job of giving our weed-infested garden new life and did so with great success. I, of course, took over managerial duties.

Garden when we moved in

Garden today. I can't take all the credit. (Okay, I just water it.)

Now to further digress, we also decided we wanted a patio. First, we put up a wooden privacy fence. When we started our neighbors weren’t too thrilled but I assured them once they got to know us they would be very happy. (I might have also suggested that sometimes I liked to sunbathe naked.) They were great neighbors after that. “Were” because the creeps recently moved away - although replaced by a great younger version of them.

Hang in there this is actually going somewhere . . .

Keep in mind I like to think of myself as thrifty - although Mrs. DL might use a different word with a kinda mean adjective attached. 

So another neighbor had a bunch of flagstone left over from some project just sitting there. Light bulb goes off above thrifty Dear Leader's head. They have a young son who, unbeknownst to him, looked like he could use piano lessons. Mrs DL teaches piano. Eureka, trade lessons for flagstone! It worked out great; we got a crash course on how to lay a patio and the kid turned into concert pianist.  Okay, not really but he's great on "Chop Sticks." Anyway, it's a little uneven (the patio, not the kid) but it has character. (Both do.)

Untapped potential patio

Potential Tapped

In conclusion, despite my reputation as a very cosmopolitan metrosexual (a term I hope I understand correctly) I am a simple man; my favorite thing in summer (and don't laugh) is simply sitting on our little patio. 

Who you looking at?!

On every decent day after my evening bath (like the ones my mom had to fight with me once a week to take but which is now a daily ritual I can't miss) with my faithful dog Prudie,  I head out to the patio. Then, with cocktail in hand and playing tunes from my wasted youth just loud enough not to disturb (I hope) my neighbors, we sit in the shade of a couple majestic oaks, a soft evening breeze and clouds drifting by like young men without a care in the world. All to ponder the wonder of Minnesota summers. Well, I ponder summer, not sure what Prudie is pondering. (Perhaps her metrosexual human dad?)


                                       

It simply doesn't get better than this

Then after we've pondered a while, Mrs DL usually joins us or maybe a neighbor wanders over. I can honestly say this is why I live in Minnesota.

Besides the relative brevity of summer, my time on the patio on these lovely summer evenings is getting more precious for other reasons too. Prudie and I are both in the "late autumn" of our lives so who knows when our patio days will be . . .   Nevermind, all the more reason to enjoy them now! (As Mrs Dear Leader says, there's no need to borrow trouble.) 

Anyway, I apologize for this long-winded way to say that I think our summers more than make up for our winter and is the reason that I live here (most of the year.) And it will almost certainly be from whence I head to the Big Golf Course in the sky. 

I hope you enjoy the rest of your beautiful Minnesota summer doing all the things that keep you here.  Remember, the days aren't getting any longer, you know!

Summer Tunes - I couldn't decide on one . . . 

Summertime and the Living is Easy   Ella Fitzgerald Louis Armstrong

Hot Fun in the Summertime   Sly and the Family Stone

And you cannot talk about summer without this . . .

Summer Breeze    Seals and Croft

It's Father's Day! (Who Cares?!)

 

I’m here to help celebrate one of the greatest days of the year, a day that many dads wait for all year long. It’s a day of excitement, recognition and reward. I’m talking, of course, about the US Open Golf Championship!

Wait, what did you think I was talking about? Oh, Father’s Day? Well, yes that’s nice too. In fact, there must be a reason that they positioned it on the same day as Open's final round. After all, Fathers Day is the 2^nd most important holiday after Mother’s Day. Ooops, okay maybe third after Christmas. No wait, the fourth after July 4^th? Hold it, where is National Hot Dog Day ranked? Well, we dad’s are right behind that so it’s still a pretty important day, damn it!

I am relieved this year because Father’s Day does NOT coincide with the worst day of the year as it so frequently does - the dreaded Summer Solstice. Seriously, how would you like to have YOUR special day be associated with the day that signals the beginning of our descent into the madness that is Minnesota in winter? (June 21st this year) Didn’t think so. Now, I’m not a conspiracy nut (although I’m sure there’s something to this fake moon landing thing) but US Open or not, is it just a coincidence that they chose to plop Father’s Day down here on the calendar? A lesser man might be offended.

Usually just a few weeks after the Summer Solstice - and Father's Day 

On a historical note, Father’s Day was unofficially celebrated for the first time in Washington state in 1910 by a loving daughter who wanted to recognize her dad, a Civil War vet and a widower raising six kids. (And yes, I'm imagining my kids in their situation. Oh boy.) Mother's Day was officially made a holiday in 1914 then,  just 58 years later, Pres. Nixon made Fathers Day an official Hallmark card holiday too. (Ironically, that turns out to be one of his most popular acts that year, even more so than the Watergate breakin.) 58 years. Hmm, Okaaay. 

You know, it wasn't until I did the deep research on this post (Googled it) that I realized that since there was no actual Father's Day until 1972 - long after all the Pederson kids had fallen out of the nest - that it's probably why it wasn't as big a deal for us. I'd like to think we celebrated it for dad anyway but that would be a stretch given what knotheads we boys are. (On the other hand, my lone, goody two shoes sister - who was always "daddy's" pet - probably did.) This is a long winded way to explain my odd and somewhat ambivalent attitude toward FD.

In any event, I understand and accept my place in the family pecking order as a dad and this year I vow to enjoy my brief moment in the sun. For example, I look forward to opening the humorous cards from the kids making fun of my bird legs and bald spot. Sadly, like most adult children, mine are now scattered about or not available so the obligatory brunch will be a pretty modest affair i.e. Mrs Dear Leader and moi. Of course, that makes the decision of where to go that much easier; no worries about managing gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, vegan, keto, organic or other unique dietary considerations. Mrs DL is in charge and understands (although does not necessarily approve of) my very plebian tastes - eggs Bennie and hashbrowns, baby! Of course the day ends perfectly as I settle in to watch the final round of the US Open in peace. (Which, admittedly, I would be doing anyway.) In fact, I will have total control of the tv remote – the ultimate dream of most men. Hey, maybe I’ll finally see one of the players turn to the camera, wave and say “Hi dad!" instead of, well, you know. . .

Despite my (vaguely) humorous tone, mothers deserve all the attention they get – which is almost never enough at that. They are the super glue holding the whole family together whereas dad’s role is more like that of duct tape; good to have around to take care of odd familial chores. Moms know what’s going on in everyone’s life; dads often don’t have a clue but are always usually willing to learn. Moms make sure the kids don’t eat with their hands or wear hats at the table; dads teach them how to drive and change flat tires. 

Some moms (and dads) do all these things and more - alone.

Of course I'm an excellent driver - my dad taught me!

Sadly, you don’t realize how much you learn from your dad until you become one – and especially after yours is gone. 30 years ago this Sept my pop decided to leave this mortal coil. I say “decided” because the stubborn old Norwegian refused to follow some pretty simple instructions from the doctor that would have extended his life after his heart attack. You know, quit smoking, start walking - stop eating bacon grease and Karo syrup sandwiches?  – and just take better care of himself. But noooooo! So at 79 we laid his earthly remains to rest. 79. Geez, that’s only four years older than I am now.

Nonetheless, to this day I envy his laissez-faire attitude in all things kid-related - and did it without turning us all into self-centered A-holes. (Well, most of us.) I marvel at how he could relate to his five kids with an easy but totally different style for each of us, including a unique nickname (mine was Babe) while not aspiring to be our best friend. I am still in awe that a guy so slight in physical stature never needed shouting or physical discipline to straighten us out. He just needed to mention how ashamed mom would be of us. Which also tells you how much respect we had for her (due in no small part to him.) Finally, I'm still amazed at how a man with an 8^th grade education and little material wealth remains the smartest, richest person in every sense that matters that I have ever known. 

I just wish I had told him before he left us.

Marvelous Marv pondering where he went wrong raising young Dear Leader

I often (sorta) kid that the slogan for Father’s Day should be “Who cares?!” Well, prove me wrong and if your dad is still among us let him know that you do right now! (Or, you know, right after the US Open is over.) 

And if you're the dad then enjoy the day, pal, because it's back to anonymity tomorrow!

Father's Day music from two perspectives . . .

Cats in the Cradle    Harry Chapin

You Carried Me    Brandi Carlile

Memorial Day 2023

 Remembering the Unsung Heroes

Long Sad Line of the Fallen

Another Memorial Day has arrived and with it our annual visit to a cemetery. It is a small but important rite as we honor those who died while in service to their country. As a retired veteran myself – and pleased to still be on this side of the grass - I naturally have a certain affinity for honoring all my fellow vets who have, as the old song said of a soldier’s passing, 'just faded away' before me.

While this day is dedicated to vets who sacrificed their lives in combat, and properly so, of the millions of military personnel who have served over the years this is a relatively small (thankfully) but sacred cohort. Something that most civilians aren't aware of though is the large number of vet’s who never make it to combat before dying. I’m not talking about the tragic losses due to suicide, murder or car accidents that all societies endure. I am referring to those who died in training for war.

Familiar to most of my pilot friends, the reliable T37 trainer

 

The noble T-29, Navigator training workhorse circa 1970

When most people think of training they probably think of sports or technical college or on the job training. While there certainly is some risk to some types of training, how often do they cost lives? In WWII fully 1/3 of all the deaths for just my military branch, the air force (then the Army Air Corp) occurred during training. Over 52,000 airmen died in combat WWII which is staggering enough but in addition, nearly 26,000 in total died in training. Very dangerous training indeed.

WWII B-24 bomber nicknamed "flying coffin." More trainees killed in this one aircraft then in any other - mostly in the US

At the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, 2006, about a third of all military deaths (which were primarily ground forces) were caused by training accidents. Even in the mostly post-war year 2021 this rate held true. Of the 1000+ military deaths that year over 300 were due to accidents.

Of course, training is much safer today but it still takes the lives of a significant number of our troops in all branches of service. Between 2013 and 2020, 224 aircrew members died during training, (all branches) and186 aircraft were destroyed at a cost of $11.6 Billion. Not counted here are the numerous deaths by non-aviation naval and ground forces killed in training every year. For example, just in the last few months, in addition to the 3 army helicopter training accidents which killed 14 soldiers, two army troops were killed and four marines were severely injured in separate training accidents 

There this is also this ironic fact: when not in actual combat, troops spend much of the rest of their time in training for combat; never-ending training, never-ending risk. We can expect many more accidents in the coming years. In order to save the lives of military members, training must be realistic - and sometimes dangerous.

Army Blackhawk helicopter

Separate, but related, it is easy to forget that at one time a large percentage of adults, especially male, served in the military. As recently as 1970 (slightly before the draft ended) about 14% of the US population were veterans. Today it is half as much, about 7%. This reduced participation in the military is also reflected in our government representatives - who are responsible for sending our troops into harm’s way. Logically, and unfortunately, there is much less familiarity with the military and military life.

I write not to impugn military training – I was a beneficiary of it in three different conflicts. Nor to criticize the civilian population or our government representatives; they just reflect America as it is today. I simply offer this as a reminder that there is much more to the sacrifice of military service than we see on television – or on Memorial Day. Even in times of “peace,” a rare occurrence for our country, going into the military - no matter when, which branch of service or type of duty - is not the same as a civilian job. Not in pay, not in lifestyle and not in risk. Hopefully you will consider that during your Memorial Day celebrations.

     "The best form of welfare for the troops is first-rate training."

         Erwin Rommel, Famous German General

It would be a wonderful thing if we didn't have wars, if we didn't need people trained for war and we didn't need to worry about losing our children to war. (That's apparently what we have schools for now.)

  "I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who                 has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity."

     Dwight D. Eisenhower, General of the Army and last good RINO President                                 (and almost every combat vet who lived to tell their story)

In closing, thoughts on "Taps." I have posted this on several past Memorial Days because I have never  been able to find a better expression of my feelings for this important day. To those of you who have read it before and grow weary, I apologize. To others, perhaps it will strike a chord.

        

   " War is young men dying and old men talking."

         Franklin Roosevelt

I can’t listen to taps and not tear up. Sometimes I’m not sure why I’m crying. Is it because of the magnificent mournful sound that so perfectly matches the feeling of saying farewell to a warrior? Or am I crying for all the loved ones left behind — the millions over many years? Sometimes I think I’m crying for something else; maybe I’m crying for myself.

Ultimately, I think I’m crying because taps reminds me that the world never seems to change for the better. No matter how many heroes pay the ultimate price, war always demands more. And it is always our young whom it craves.

Maybe I’m sad that someone somewhere will always be able to make complete strangers kill each other for the same reasons over and over, like an eternal World War I trench battle that rages over the same, small piece of ground in perpetuity. Each generation, like some militant Sisyphus, pushes the rock of war up the hill only to have it roll back on the next. No matter how just, proud, or righteous that rock appears, it remains a monument to belligerent humanity’s worst instincts.

I spent 28 years in the military, and my son has also served honorably. Someday taps will sound for each of us. And for that I am proud.

But knowing that melancholy song will need to be played for endless future generations will always make me cry. And for that I am not ashamed.

Although that time when there will no longer be wars is apparently still far in the future, perhaps celebrating Memorial Day can provide us with some hope that it will come to pass. 

I wish you a thoughtful and hopeful day.

Some appropriate music . . .

Arlington   Trace Atkins

If You're Reading This   Tim McGraw

Unknown Soldier   The Doors