Memorial Day 2012

It's Memorial Day in the United States, where we remember those soldiers who have fallen protecting our country.                                                              

Things have changed since Vietnam. Soldiers still fall, but the reasons why have become murkier.

                                   

As Muhammad Ali once said, "I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong ..." Years later, it's hard to imagine poor people, however well-intentioned, enlisting in the Armed Forces in order to protect us from some Iraqi invaders. Maybe terrorism poses a sort of threat, but really, most are signing on just to get a job.

Memorial Day also lets the Indianapolis 500 provide an opportunity for Honda, Izod, Cottonelle, Champion, Sherwin Williams, Gillette, Brita, TomTom, Energizer, GE, Vaseline, Oreo, AirWick, Bosch, Reese's, and other important patriots to emblazon their logos on a fast driver dressed like a 6 foot tall Target shopping bag.

Last night, PBS was supposed to broadcast a concert from Washington D.C. which featured dignitaries temporarily united in their superficial support for the country, but it was cancelled because President Obama was unable to prevent thunderstorms from occurring. 

Throughout the country, good loyal Americans were awakened to a serenade of string trimmers played by mariachis with lawnmowers who do not get the day off. 

After the noise dies down, many of us will reconvene at the Home Depot for hot dogs and Cokes as we all remember the fallen victims who sacrificed themselves for our freedom.