Gyroscopic Investing

Xan wrote: Armed Forces Day is for people currently in the armed forces.
Veterans' Day is for people who used to be in the armed forces.
Memorial Day is for those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

You can argue that we don't need all of them, but that doesn't mean they're all the same.

Yes, there's plenty of BS, and I'm sure today is super weird for many veterans and families, particularly those who have lost somebody close.  But is it so bad to get a reminder every once in a while to be thankful that there are rough mean ready to risk their lives in order for us to sleep peacefully in our beds?

Pointedstick wrote:

Xan wrote: Armed Forces Day is for people currently in the armed forces.
Veterans' Day is for people who used to be in the armed forces.
Memorial Day is for those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

You can argue that we don't need all of them, but that doesn't mean they're all the same.

Yes, there's plenty of BS, and I'm sure today is super weird for many veterans and families, particularly those who have lost somebody close.  But is it so bad to get a reminder every once in a while to be thankful that there are rough mean ready to risk their lives in order for us to sleep peacefully in our beds?

No, but I would feel a whole lot better if those rough men were indeed directed to act so that I can sleep peacefully rather than to destroy the peaceful sleep of others, for the most part. We haven't fought a legitimate war of defense in a loooooooong time.

MachineGhost wrote: Why do we need two of these holidays, Memorial and Veteran's? 

Oh, I forgot.  This is a Communist holiday.  Isn't that an insult to the dead and veterans?

I think we ought to eliminate one or the other; after all, there hasn't been any true wars since WWII and those veterans will all be dead soon.

These holidays always make me ill in the way that reading Orwell's 1984 did.  Most people are just too stupid or ignorant to know what they're participating in.

There's more than plenty of service member's who see through all the bullshit.  No amount of emotional glorification by civilians is going to make up for what they lost.

moda0306 wrote:

MachineGhost wrote: Why do we need two of these holidays, Memorial and Veteran's? 

Oh, I forgot.  This is a Communist holiday.  Isn't that an insult to the dead and veterans?

I think we ought to eliminate one or the other; after all, there hasn't been any true wars since WWII and those veterans will all be dead soon.

These holidays always make me ill in the way that reading Orwell's 1984 did.  Most people are just too stupid or ignorant to know what they're participating in.

There's more than plenty of service member's who see through all the bullshit.  No amount of emotional glorification by civilians is going to make up for what they lost.

I don't think adherence to the statist motivations for purpetuating a holiday need to be adhered to to take the best ideas from a holiday and taking time to use those ideas to perhaps drive a different narrative than the statist one.

For instance, I love the 4th of July.  Why?  Brats, beer, boats and fireworks... and maybe a few pinches of tribalist patriotism thrown in.

As far as memorial day & veterans day go... I think you can take them to a healthy place.  My cousin is an Army Ranger, and while I would probably disagree with some of the missions he's sent on, and while he hates certain aspects of the way the Army works, you wouldn't be able to find a better more dedicated, fair-minded dude.  He exudes class and humility but also excellence and confidence.

When I think of all the fervor around Veteran's Day, now, I simply think "how can I be more like this guy."  Or "how can our country best use the sacrifice soldiers are willing to make."  That latter one probably sounds bad, but I mean it more-so as a mid-set to avoid war than to use them as pawns.

I fully realize that holidays are a propagandistic fustercluck.  However, in a world where we aren't going to get rid of them, and would sort of look like a$$holes to most folks if we tried, perhaps we can use them against the war-mongers' nefarious intentions.

Ad Orientem wrote:
Americans gave their lives to defeat the Nazis. The Dutch have never forgotten.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/ame ... story.html

madbean2 wrote: I'm a Vietnam Vet.

I didn't sacrifice anything. I joined because I was probably going to be drafted into the Army and end up in Vietnam if I didn't. I ended up there any way.

Upon further reflection throughout the rest of my life I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that helped to keep you any freer than you are now so don't even go there with me. You owe me nothing.