Archive for the ‘War’ Category

ANZAC Day

Monday, April 25th, 2011

Today is the day that Australians and New Zealanders around the world recall and celebrate ANZAC Day.  ANZAC Day is always the 25th of April and is the day that soldiers from both nations landed at Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April 1915.  Tens of Thousands of lives were lost on this day and since 1916, people recall this bittersweet day as both a day to remember those who died not just on this day, but during all conflicts, and also to recall the courageous spirit of the soldiers and their families.  It is also remembered as the day that Australia and New Zealand joined the world stage in a significant world event.   Today, many cities around the world hold services at dawn, have ceremonies and events through the day,  and even ANZAC Day parades to remember the fallen soldiers.

If you meet an Aussie or Kiwi, please be sure to pay your respects to them on this special day.

D

Links:

Australian Government ANZAC Day Site:
http://www.dva.gov.au/commems_oawg/commemorations/commemorative_events/anzac_day/Pages/index.aspx

and

http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/

New Zealand Government ANZAC Day Site:
http://www.anzac.govt.nz/

Popularity: 8%

Posted in Australia, Historical, Internet, New Zealand, War | No Comments »

Happy 4th of July!

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

4thofjulyLegally, the United States declared independence from Britain on 2 July 1776.  But two days later, the event was announced in the Declaration of Independence.   We continue to celebrate this momentousoccasion with splendiferous fireworks and delicious BBQs!  We love the fourth of July as much as we love our country.   

But let us not forget that many give their lives so that we can continue to maintain our freedoms. For there is a cost to uphold what we believe is right, and that is the freedom we hold so dear.  As Fareed Zakaria states so clearly in his book “The Future of Freedom“, we don’t just want democracy, we want liberal democracy, “a political system marked not only by free and fair elections but also by the rule of law, a separation of powers, and the protection of basic liberties of speech, assembly, religion, and property.”

 So while we are enjoying our annual repaste, let us not forget the men and women who protect the freedoms we hold so dear. 

D

Popularity: 5%

Posted in Internet, Leadership, War | No Comments »

Blast in Pakistan Marriott

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

It is fortunate that the truck was unable to breach the security gate. The death toll would certainly have been higher.  If there are a few who are willing to go to extremes to kill many, then it is critcal that we do three things: learn how to defend against attacks and learn how to anticipate and then prevent them. The third thing is much harder and may be impossible; to eliminate these types of suicide attacks at their source.

Among the many killed were two active duty military members assigned to Pakistan.

You can see the location of the truck by the crater left in the center of this photo.

Popularity: 1%

Posted in Internet, War | No Comments »

Georgia

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008

H.D.S. Greenway writes an op-ed in the Boston Globe that says the U.S. led Georgia’s Mikheil Saakashvili to believe that he could walk in, pick up some disputed territory called South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and keep the change [pun intended].  Russia had other ideas.  Namely, they had no intention of allowing further encroachment.  “If you don’t like the status quo, then we’ll let you know how we really feel”, seems to be the Russian position. 

So now, the U.S. can’t jump in and claim righteous battle against the Russians, they can’t support their newfound friend in the Georgians, and after a lot of hand-wringing…the rest of the world may start rethinking how much the U.S. is really willing to back their ”strongly worded” friendships.  Or maybe…others will start thinking that it’s time to go grabbing all that disputed territory that has been sitting dormant under “status quo” of one kind or another. After all, the U.S. appears otherwise occupied right now and can’t come save the world.  

How many regions would the U.S. ignore before this becomes the spark that triggered a world-war unlike the previous wars…numerous small enclaves all out for their own flag planting sessions.  No single big, bad guy. Just a lot of noise.  No combined factions.  Just lots and lots of demons taking pot shots at innocents and others to redraw political boundaries, map lines, or ethnic enclaves. The U.S. would be powerless to say who was on the right, and who was wronged.  This could go on for decades. 

Oh wait…what was I thinking…it already is.

Popularity: 1%

Posted in Internet, Politics, War | No Comments »