memorial day u.s.a.

It's a good excuse to get an extra paid day off work. But it IS Memorial Day.

I was going to list everyone I thought of today, who are now all gone. And then I realized it doesn't matter; because many of us Americans ARE thinking of the dead. And it would take up all of LiveJournal for us to list out who we remember. And it's not just for the servicepeople, though that's always my primary remembrance; but also for those close to us who, depending on what you believe, you may hope to see again sometime.

Pippin (LOTR: The Return of the King): I didn't think it would end this way.

Gandalf: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path; one that we all must take.

Well, there's a nice end ...

... to a peaceful holiday weekend. Honestly, we don't need a war over this; we just don't. And attacking non-Palestinian citizens will sure as hell do it.

I wish Israel would quit trying to force some sort of conflict that will ultimately end up requiring American military involvement. (Because it would; I don't have faith in our leadership that we would be kept out of it, as we ought to be. I think it was Marshall who advised Truman to NOT get involved with Israeli-Palestinian relations over 60 years ago. Didn't work, but it was a good try.) I mean, I know why they're trying to get us to pledge to their aid - in a fair unaided fight, I think the Palestinians could take 'em. Just IMHO as an admittedly non-military strategist. But I don't WANT us in the middle of this conflict.

Yeah, I'm selfish about my nation's resources and wary of some of its political affiliations. Sue me.