Showing posts with label MEMORIAL DAY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MEMORIAL DAY. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." THANK YOU KATIE PHANG! MUST READ!

                                                                                                                                                                      

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When I go to visit my father’s grave, there is a consistent ritual I follow: I buy flowers from the woman who is always there on the side of the road with her little stand/van outside of the cemetery. I drive down the same road in the cemetery and follow it looking for the familiar landmarks that lead me to where my father is buried. I make the walk, always careful where I step, out of respect and perhaps fear, lest I disturb the dead. When I get to my father’s headstone, I immediately tidy up the surroundings because that’s what he would expect. I arrange the fresh flowers around his grave, and then at last I sit and talk with my father. I tell him the latest about our family and the exploits of his fierce granddaughter, the little dog that has taken over our lives, and about me and my struggles and successes. After some tears and laughs, I walk back to my car, usually feeling better that I got to spend some time with him.

The story I’m telling isn’t unique to me; I’m certain many of you do and experience exactly the same thing. But there is something else I do: I read the headstones near my father’s grave. A cemetery, after all, is a history lesson written in stone. In the aggregate, the headstones tell the story of a birth of a nation and its communities; the waves of immigrants from places that rejected them, but came here and built something better. Individually, the headstones tell the story of family, suffering, and accomplishment. The headstones also sometimes tell the story of war.

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A year ago, I did a video about my experience walking the beaches of Normandy and visiting the Normandy American Cemetery. Grief, gratitude, and history collapse together in that small corner of the world. But today, I discuss someone and something else.

Near my father’s grave is a headstone dedicated to a young man that died in World War II. The story told on his headstone is one of a man cut down in his youth. He was an aviator in a bomber shot down over Europe. His body was never recovered, but his family decided to consecrate a small piece of ground thousands of miles from where he died to honor his sacrifice almost eighty years ago. I am engrossed by this young man who I never knew. I want to know his story. What motivated him to join the fight like so many others back then? Why did he volunteer to take on such a dangerous role?[i] Did he love? How did his family and friends cope after his tragic death at such a young age? I also think about what he could have accomplished if only he had survived those terrible years.

His headstone also reduces war to a basic question: Did our country have a good enough reason to ask him to sacrifice his life for something bigger? As Americans, we all know the social contract between our government and the men and women who serve. If the government decides to put them in harm’s way, it is (supposed to be) done reluctantly and only when necessary.

With World War II, I have no doubt this contract was kept. No matter all of the lies and attempts at revisionist history, Tucker Carlson and his Nazi apologist “historian” friends can’t talk themselves out of the reality that humanity was well-served by the courage and willingness of the free world to fight and die in a war against evil. To borrow from Sir Winston Churchill – who Carlson and other similar fools hold in particular contempt because, gosh forbid, he stood up to Hitler – this was one of the free world’s finest hours.

I have come to believe that over the past two decades the contract has been breached. Regardless of intention, our leaders have all too often been willing to risk the lives of our service-members without clear intention, purpose, or necessity. The justifications – and trillions of dollars expended in the process – are usually couched in abstract terminology such as “regional stability” or “national interests,” but for the most part, they don’t withstand strict scrutiny. More worrisome, the costs of these forever wars are being borne by a small number of Americans who put their lives on hold and volunteer for the fight.

And this continues to the present. On this Memorial Day, our men and women in uniform are still in danger. But this time, it is at the hands of a lawless administration.

One thing any intellectually honest person can admit is that Convicted Felon Donald Trump honors no contract. He is a “head’s I win, tails I win” kind of guy. For Trump supporters, the lies they tell themselves to justify his dishonesty is that “he’s a fighter” or “he is a smart businessman,” even though they remain lies. But importantly, if you think that when it comes to our military, Cadet “Bone Spurs” Trump acts and feels differently, you’d be mistaken. This is the guy who reportedly called our dead soldiers and prisoners of war “losers” and “suckers” and questioned why they ever volunteered to fight in the first place. At bottom, Felon Trump couldn’t care less about putting our men and women in uniform in harm’s way. Rather, the United States military is just another toy for him.

The illegal war against Iran – regardless of whatever foolish name DUI-hire Pete Kegsbreath asked ChatGPT to call it – has never been authorized in compliance with the Constitution or the War Powers Act. But in the face of this outright disregard for our laws, where is the GOP that possesses a power trifecta in DC? Nowhere to be found. That the Republican-controlled Congress let this happen in direct disregard of the actual will of the American people is alarming and more proof of their total abdication to Trump. Poll after poll shows deep exhaustion with endless war. Americans across ideological lines have watched twenty years of blood and trillions of dollars produce instability, trauma, and cemeteries filled with young people who never got to grow old. Yet somehow, once again, a small minority of political actors who never seem personally at risk when the bill comes due are pulling us down into quicksand.

That alone should enrage us. But what is even more maddening is what is now coming into focus: The likely end game for all this Trump-branded stupidity is the very agreement Trump abandoned during his first administration. The Obama-era Iran nuclear deal went into effect in 2016. The agreement was imperfect and oversold in many respects. But viewed narrowly, the agreement imposed constraints on Iran’s nuclear program and created mechanisms for international monitoring. Trump rejected the agreement when he first came to office – not because he had a superior replacement – but simply because it bore Obama’s name. Now, after years of instability and performative toughness, Trump has circled back to the same basic framework that Obama put in place a decade ago. This is not just madness, this is tragedy when you consider the lives lost – both American and others – over the past ten years.

So, on this Memorial Day, our feckless friends on the Right are confronted by an uncomfortable reality: If the end result was always going to be what was achieved in 2016, then why were the lives of our service-members put at risk - AND LOST - with untold billions of dollars burned? You will never get a truthful answer from these losers. So I return to the young man at the beginning of my story. His headstone, aside from leaving me with unanswered questions, also serves as a blunt warning: Do not waste us or let our lives be lost in vain.


[i] During World War II, bomber crews suffered some of the highest casualty rates of any Allied service members. In the European theater, the U.S. Eighth Air Force lost more than 26,000 airmen, while RAF Bomber Command suffered approximately 55,000 deaths, representing roughly 44% of its aircrew. During the height of the bombing campaign in 1943, American bomber crews often faced casualty rates so severe that completing a 25-mission tour was nearly impossible.

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Monday, May 25, 2026

Monday Afternoon News Updates: Trump's Iran Deal Poison Pill — May 25, 2026

                                                                                                                                                          

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    COMMENTS: 

   Donald Trump is a disgrace ! He has no business being in the White House. He disrespects our             fallen servicemen and woman every day.


    Trump disrespects ANYONE who is not a trump loyalist! This brain dead so called leader, unchecked, as he is, will completely destroy the world. Daily trumps chipping away at everything that made this country great!

Remember, he considers them "Losers" and "Suckers". This from a man who avoided the draft 5 times. His daddy paid to get him out of Vietnam. Since trump stands for absolutely nothing but himself, how could he ever understand a person(s) who fight and die for their beliefs.

It makes me fucking puke to see him salute our fallen soldiers and he does not respect them or their families. Pisses me off. 🤬

Using the word HAPPY for a day of solemn remembrance says it all. And he insults by PARTY still. A fuckin moron. He should resign in shame.

What do you expect from a "Low IQ" dumb fuck? He won't resign because his fat ass will go straight to the slammer.

Here's another trumpian atrocity for you (us)...Women have been delisted from Arlington Cemetery: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/5/22/800043010/community/missing-in-action-women-service-members-delisted-from-arlington-national-cemetery-website/#google_vignette

Sorry if this is redundant. We are all aware of how women are treated by this regime. I am outraged.


what in the actual fuck are they doing disrespecting anyone, ANYONE who selflessly served and protected this country?!


This makes me absolutely sick. Dictator Demerol Dingbat Disgusting Moron and his regime (and his republiCRAP lovers) are all definitely MCP's.


This makes me absolutely sick. Dictator Demerol Dingbat Disgusting Moron and his regime (and his republiCRAP lovers) are all definitely MCP's.


Thank you for this link. This is so despicable, I have no words.


What is happening in Ukraine is an unspeakable war crime. And Trump and his minions are complicit.


Ukraine should say if Kyiv is targeted for destruction, then Moscow will be also and target number one will be Putin himself.


Putin, just like Trump is too busy being a Coward and in hiding, using multiple 'safer places'.

These 2 and Netanyahu, should not allowed to breathe.

Trump himself has no idea of what he's doing and he's probably got open communications with the other 2 asking for advice. Anyway you slice it, ALL 3 need to pay for the atrocities they have ordered to be carried out.

Death Squad is the only answer for these Evil Bastards.


Ukraine has the ability, as they have shown, to bomb deeply into Russian territory. They have kept their bombing to oil refineries etc. I say let it go and level the Kremlin and anything else. Since Russia in engaged in a campaign to terrorize civilians, take the gloves off. Slava Ukraine.


This evil regime is a disgrace to our country and the world. Thanks Ben for update and the tremendous job you do in bringing the truth to us and the world.


He is the worst human being I've ever seen and I've seen plenty of them but never on this level. I'm happy to see President Obama do his usual caring. He is truly what a President should be. Time to get the trash out of the WH along with the rest of the sewer people surrounding him.


Is he even human? I wonder about that. 🤔 Obama is a true gentleman and a true president. I miss him so much!


He is a snake . No offense to real snakes. A reptilian slime ball. The dog shit under the shoe of America.


“Trump launched a war, lost control of the Strait of Hormuz, and is now reportedly willing to release billions back to Iran while getting far less in return. Yet, when Trump fails, he continues to blame Obama.”

WHAT MORE COULD ANYONE SAY


Our local PBS/NPR station has broadcast interviews with former specialists who ALWAYS considered the impact of IRAN closing the STRAIT OF HORMUZ if attacked. 

You don't need to be an 'expert' to figure it out, but maybe you need a BRAIN that seems lacking with these DIM WITS. 

They bombed desalination plants, an LNG facility, oil refineries, power plants and who bombed the nuclear power plants? 

It's also important to review the history of IRAN and what both the Allies and the US did to undermine the nation, including removing the democratically elected leader, MOSSDAGH, to protect the British CASH COW, BP, then installed the brutal SHAH. 

MUSLIMS put great emphasis on EDUCATION and understand what was done to them. 

Poppy Bush provided WMD to both IRAQ and IRAN to fight each other - different WMD to each nation (SADDAM never made WMD). WMD was smuggled to IRAN through ISRAEL. 

Not being reported is the massive US draw down of the STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVES with no explanation - likely to prevent gas lines or shortages other nations have experienced. 

Don't forget, the billions are our tax dollars. Like he did with Argentina and like he was going to do if Orban had won the election.


I can't wait until we get our HUNGARIAN DAY!


DonOLD is going to Walter Reid Hospital tomorrow for his tune-up to make sure that whatever they're pumping him with keeps him upright momentarily to serve their fascist, white Christian Nationalist's purpose.


Let's hope he doesn't make it to his 80th birthday in a few weeks. 🤞


He's so demented that he may not even realize/know that it IS his birthday........


Oh he does!! He's planning on having a UFC fight on the White House lawn on his birthday. It is well and truly "White Trash House" now 😒

So gross and weird. The love of violence makes me sick.


Can't wait to see what lies they will spin after that visit. I'm still choking on laughter with the "he is 6'3" and 215 pounds and in great health."


Trump is the worst president ever.


Thank you Ben, for your diligence each day to keep us informed. djt will forever remain a disgrace to this country. His regime cannot end too soon.


The fact that this madman has once again posted abhorrent statements on this day of honoring our fallen hero’s is not a surprise. Remember he also posted annihilation and death on Easter Sunday! Thanksgiving he was withholding snap & Christmas he posted similar nasty posts.

The people who support this man … still, will continue to betray actual Americans.


Donald Trump is the worst president in American history twice. He is responsible for more American deaths due to his mishandling of covid and now his Iran ego war. He's less than half the man Biden or Obama are. He's a liar a cheat and a thief and a convicted felon and sexual abuser who has no integrity or morals or honor. He is a disgrace to human beings everywhere.


Don’t forget… a DRAFT DODGER!


Dear Ben.. Thank you for honoring the 13 Americans that we have sadly lost during this awful war. They served our country with dignity and grace, which is something that DT is incapable of. I think of their families experiencing their first Memorial Day without them. A draft dodger that has no comprehension of what it is like to train, serve, witness horrors and in way too many cases die for America. This is a day of remembrance and you are right - it should bring us together. The Commander and Chief should not be ranting on social media.

Thank God for Barack Obama. Thank you for this community.


Here’s another way to honor our troops; don’t send them into unnecessary wars! (Iran is one of them)


Israel can go to hell and fight their own war. We need to get back to helping Ukraine after over 4 years of destruction. They need to be free once and for all!

The GUARDIAN published this article - well worth reading: 

Nobody better represents Israeli politics today than Itamar Ben-Gvir

Ben Reiff

He may be the most brazen of the nation’s leaders, but his ideological spirit is found throughout its government, and beyond

excerpt: 

No, you’re not hallucinating: western governments really are condemning Israel, one-by-one, without equivocation. Not because of the ongoing genocide in Gaza that has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, of course, but because of a PR stunt in which Israel’s national security minister filmed himself taunting foreign activists.


On Wednesday morning, Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at the port where Israel had detained hundreds of participants in an international aid flotilla that was attempting to breach the naval blockade of Gaza. In a video he posted to social media, the minister can be seen mocking the activists as they are forced to kneel in rows with their heads on the ground and hands bound with zip ties. Israel’s national anthem can be heard blasting over loudspeakers, before we see Ben-Gvir waving an Israeli flag and shouting: “Welcome to Israel. We are the landlords here.”


https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/22/israel-politics-itamar-ben-gvir?cdmc=3EArUP9YiGtc8igoJAtkwXAr83D&refcode2=3EArUP9YiGtc8igoJAtkwXAr83D&refcodecdmc=3EArUP9YiGtc8igoJAtkwXAr83D


What a shame for our country that DJT can’t even be decent on Memorial Day as I honor my beloved departed husband, buried in a National Cemetery, who as an 18 year old was riding on a tank , cleaning up after the Battle of the Bulge. Plus the fact, you disrespectful , horrible model

to our young people, I deeply resent being called dumb just because I totally disagree with every single thing you stand for. I can only hope that I live long enough to see you totally humiliated more than even now., in both our country and the rest of the world. And if we’re all lucky, we will see you charged with at least some of the crimes that you have committed.


Americans are feeling the effects of trump's Tariffs along with the double whammy of a closed Strait Of Hormuz every time they buy groceries, or fill up their gas tank. No one is better off economically or security wise under this Regime. I fear for my children/grandsons,; innocent civilians in Cuba, ( who are suffering due to USA naval blockage. How long can hospital generators last? How many babies die?); GAZA, ( Does Israel really think every Palestinian person is a terrorist? Probably, have more reasons to be nowadays?); how about the blood shed of those innocent Iranian girls in their school?); those 13 Service people killed in Kuwait didn't need to die. Our Country attacked Iran first!!! Wake up, people.

God save this Nation.

Today is a day to REMEMBER and HONOR!

Tomorrow is a day to turn our anger into PRODUCTIVE ACTION!

Is there a candidate running for office in your state that needs help? Phone calls? Knocking on doors? Can you send post cards?

Are there candidates being targeted by ANTI-DEMOCRACY AIPAC (that's disguising its name)

that you can help?

Is there an organization near you that's working to register voters?

One person can't do it, but many doing a small part can!

THE DOWN BALLOT posts polling numbers to provide insight.

DARK MONEY, anonymous DONORS are flooding elections, but contacts can overcome the $$$.

Also review OPEN SECRETS that's uncovering the DARK MONEY.





Top News | 'He’s Not Going to Run Unopposed': Sanders Rejects Schumer for Majority Leader

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