No one cares this is the anniversary?

With the little I know;I'm of the opinion we shouldn't be envading a country to choose its politics for it. You can't invade a country and un- brain wash its people.Altho history says most of the world powers try,or have tried.
When the slaughter was going on in Rowanda,were we there??? NO. I think the reason was "they had no valuable ressources",is the reason.
Man is just the worst of the animals.---Go back as far as you like; it's always been the strong dominating the weak.
I'm sure just because I've watched a few documentaries, doesn't mean I don't have much to learn.
Most of our news is spoon-fed from the big business owned media.---We can't get the correct story on what goes on here.(Waco/Ruby Ridge);let alone World News.
Re; Mr.Regan---to me his highlights---"We didn't trade arms for hostages" (Nixon esque) and we didn't let the hostages stay in captivity an extra period of time---so as to time their release to the upcoming elections.??

"Man is the worst of the animals"? As a 33 year vegatarian (and one who believes that if any human has a soul, then animals do, too) I find that more than a bit odd and dripping with self loathing. We live surrounded by 15 acres of treed ravine with a stream. We have deer, possums, raccoons, groundhogs, foxes, rabbits, three species of squirrel, owls, hawks, crows, woodpeckers, and even a coyote, although we've never seen him. Neighbor got 'em on video in their backyard 1/2 block from us. We throw all our old food out the back door and watch everyone jockey for position.

We've seen mother groundhogs knock their own cubs down trying to get to a piece of bread. Have seen crows tormenting one of their own into terrified submission. Have seen hawks and owls rip baby rabbits apart and leave only the tails and feet. Have seen various birds attack squirrels (who are vegetarian!?!)and small red squirrels viciously attack the bigger gray and black ones. All in the pursuit of resources.

A baby raccoon got separated from his family and stuck in the middle of busy road not far from us about a month ago. He was crying pitifully and you know who came to his rescue? Not a rabbit...not a deer...not a hawk. It was two men and one woman from two different cars. They stopped traffic which was about 25-30 cars in both directions of the two lane road. Finally they had the baby safely to the side and the stopped drivers could go. My wife and I heard two passersby yell, "God bless you!"

My aunt, age 80, took in an abondoned kitten (abandoned by the mother cat who had three and then 2 weeks later left one behind). She nursed the kitten and found it a good home. About that time the mother came back with two 2 month old kits. My aunt found homes for both and the mother now lives indoors - safe, sound, and well fed, with Auntie Chris.

Once human needs are easily taken care of (like us rich Americans) we do pretty good. Poor people in this country suffer most from over eating and almost all have TVs, VCRs, and cars.

Oh, and Avguy, we "un-brainwashed" the Nazis and imperialist Japanese, didn't we? It would be hard today to enjoy fine Japanese cuisine and audio arts if they were still in China, the Philipines, etc, butchering millions.

Tomryan, you seem to be a decent, kind and upstanding guy. Your assessment of mankind is chillingly correct. The story about your friend is a perfect slice of reality as to how different other cultures view what is right and wrong.

That being said, I'm glad NOT to have been either Bill Clinton or George W. Bush, making decisions every day that will be judged inappropriate by at least half the people, no matter what they do.

Amen, Albertporter. I used to think (back in my hippie days) that we were bad creatures, now know we are just creatures. Actually, I think I would die of a heart attack if waking up to find myself president. What an unimaginable responsibility.

By the way, love your photos!

Albert,

Thank you for starting this thread. My heart has been warmed thinking that so many members are grateful for the ultimate sacrifice so many gave. While the US was late entering the war, once we did we were determined to finish it as vitorious with our allies. American society sacrificed not only for the boys over there but also for the European, African and Pacific nations affected by war on their own soil. D-Day was an allied offensive and the American people were, and still are, grateful for the level of cooperation amongst nations to acheive a noble goal.

Little is spoken of the dissent within each participating allied country during this time in history. It was then, much as things are now, a huge controversy. In tough times leaders must make tough decisions and thankfully the free world had very good leadership.

While the thread head is about D-Day not much has been mentioned about our 40th president, Ronald Wilson Reagan, who died on the 60th anniversary of this assult on the German forces. I've noticed one cynical criticism about this great president and a couple of other equally cynical comments about this country. So, not much has changed except our list of friends, enemies and adversaries.

I remember well how cruel the mocking of the actor president was and how he was going to lead the world into nuclear annihilation while in office. Labeled a senile old man long before he developed Alzheimers and vicious attacks against his wife were the nightly norm of network televsion news. This week, even his most vocal critics at the time praised his accomplishments and honored him by telling of his decency and love for his fellow man. He believed that every life had a worthy purpose.

As I watched the various ceremonies commemorating his life I was struck by the mix of those that endured what must have been horrible traffic, long walks and endless lines just to be there. They came to honor the man; men, women, blacks, whites, young and old, Republicans and Democrats. They came from every corner of our country and many came from other nations. Nations sent their finest to display the respect due one of hisory's greatest leaders with the exception of France. I understand how differences can cause tension between friends and even family. However, when recent events preclude the proper display of respect as generally recognized, things have changed. France may no longer be our friend and I don't consider her an enemy but it's obvious she is our adversary.

Ronald Reagan left office with the highest approval rating in US history at just shy of 65%. He bowed out of the public spotlight with a touching message of love for his fellow man, hope for the world and acceptance of his fate with the courage only a believer can have.

I will never forget D-Day as is my custom. From here forth it's rememberance will be intertwined with the death of a great man and the intentional insult by a former friend.