It’s Memorial Day here in the US which is a national holiday to remember the American soldiers who died in uniform. Virtually everyone has the day off. There are no caregivers for our boys other than my wife and me so we work as always. Walgreens is also open every day of the year, but I fortunately did not draw a short straw and have to go in for a shift there. Still my friends are working too.
Two thoughts are competing for dominance in my mind as I remember the dead. The first is mourning the loss of life in my lifetime that has been largely so the US government could achieve or maintain hegemony in world politics. I don’t have very much confidence that any of our recent wars were both necessary and just. It’s said that fighting to achieve peace is like fucking to achieve virginity. I think that is largely true. But I am convinced that the world is a more peaceful place of late and continues to trend in that direction. I have very little anxiety about the possibility of a third world war. I just don’t think it’s likely. But it does make me sad that my government sends troops and guns around the world in the name of defense.
The other thought is a more savory one. A good soldier is willing to die for his country, but a great soldier is willing to make the other guy die for his. I don’t want the US to lose wars. As I said I would prefer my country not get into them in the first place but once in I want our military to succeed. The tension between those two desires is closer to the surface of my thoughts on Memorial Day. I hope you can take a day off from your labors today or at least a day off from American wars.
Latter Day Sinner 