Comments on: Memorial Day 2008 (Observed): ‘Things Are Really Bad Here In the States, Aren’t They?’

By: memorial day 2009 | Hottags

memorial day 2009 | Hottags — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:00:42 +0000

[...] Memorial Day 2008 (Observed): ‘Things Are Really Bad Here In the …It was a day of remembrance for Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include soldiers who died in any war. Nowadays it is called No Money Down and No Payments Until 2009 Day, at least down at …The Moderate Voice – http://themoderatevoice.com [...]

By: Pseudo-Polymath » Blog Archive » Tuesday Highlights

Pseudo-Polymath » Blog Archive » Tuesday Highlights — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:51:24 +0000

[...] a Memorial day post, a liberal/progressive observes “things are really bad here”. I suppose that’s true things are really bad here … if by “bad” you mean [...]

By: Manchester2

Manchester2 — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:20:12 +0000

For the record, Zimbabwe isn't in West Africa, but is usually considered part of the southern part of the continent. That being said, my intention was not to denigrate Memorial Day as “just another day.” It is, however, another occasion – besides July 4, Thanksgiving, etc. – when I'm thankful to be an American citizen. I lived in West Africa for 9 years, and couldn't help but be grateful for the opportunities that I've been given when compared to people equally hard working and bright, but truly underprivileged. Go visit Lagos, Nigeria, and you'll see that even the toughest situation here economically pales in comparison, and they have no social service agencies to fall back on, no food stamps, etc. That doesn't mean that we should be insensitive to needs here; we shouldn't be. But we all know the political motivation for painting things darker than they are, so that those challenging incumbents can increase their chances of getting elected. And Shaun, to provide some balance, how about doing some investigation on the impact of President Bush's PEPFAR initiative in confronting the AIDS crisis in Africa. Credit where credit is due, don't you think?

By: StockBoySF

StockBoySF — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:04:12 +0000

America is the world's sole super power yet our living standard is falling further and further behind some other countries. Our troops are terrific and I am thankful they have (and continue to do so) defend this country. But when we have a president who can't even honor our troops or recognize the sacrifice of our troops by providing them with good health care and opportunities to further themselves after they leave service, it is a shame. And it's even more shameful when the commander in chief's priority is to put policies in place, whether environmental, or energy or other areas, which reward his big business, big bucks supporters at the expense of the rest of the country.

So thank you all soldiers for defending the US! We may have problems at home but it's our country and its worth defending to the day we die.

By: Davebo

Davebo — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:14:29 +0000

Memorial Day is just another time when we count our blessings, and work to help those living in less fortunate circumstances have a better future.

Just another day? For you perhaps. But for those of us who served and who have lost friends and loved ones in war it's a bit more important than that.

By: shocktalk

shocktalk — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:34:28 +0000

I think we can all appreciate that the threshold for things being “bad” in the US is a little higher than current conditions in Zimbabwe. If West Africa is the benchmark by which Americans judge themselves as well off or not, then we have really lost sight of something here.

I suspect Manchester2 is unaware of the large populations of Americans now living under bridges and viaducts, or sleeping in their cars. Of course, this isn't something the corporate media want to report much, because it does not reflect well on our vaunted free market. Nonetheless, I suspect that the people now afflicted by the current economic downturn are not too impressed by how much better they have it than those poor souls who are being hacked and beaten in Africa.

By: Manchester2

Manchester2 — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:45:47 +0000

Shaun, do you get out much? Travel to any West African country. You will kiss the ground when you get home. Yes, even with gas at record highs, even during a cynical election season, even with grocery prices spiking, the fact is: We are SO much better off in this country. Memorial Day is just another time when we count our blessings, and work to help those living in less fortunate circumstances have a better future.

By: things to do on memorial day

things to do on memorial day — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:03:25 +0000

[...] This one originally was called Decoration Day. It was a day of remembrance for Union soldihttp://themoderatevoice.com/society/holidays/19916/memorial-day-observed-things-are-really-bad-here-…10 Things to Do on Memorial Day Richmond Times-DispatchGot a holiday on your hands and don’t know [...]