a couple of notes this veteran's day

first of all, to all the vets out there, active duty and retired, thank you for your service to our country. you are the reason i can sit in front of my computer and rant and rave about any and all. you have insured the freedoms that we americans hold so dear. you new guys are now involved in a different kind of war. one every bit as important as any that fought before you. you are fighting a new kind of enemy, stateless, united in a toxic belief system that holds no life dear, intent on returning the world to a time where the strides civilization has made over the last 7 centuries were only vague possibilities. you have taken the fight to them, and for that, we owe you a debt of gratitude.
john, over at arrgghhh says it better than i. check it out.


oh, by the way, let the dancing begin. that freaking toad from the middle east has finally croaked his last. good riddence. perhaps there is now a glimmer of hope for the palistinians and isrealis to reach some sort of agreement to let each other live in relative peace. here is a powerful and emotional piece about the monster, written by an isreali.

and now, for something totally shocking. Iris Chang, the author of several books including The Rape of Nanking and The Chinese in America, found dead this week of an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. what an incredible waste. she was quite famous for her well researched and insightful books. i guess being famous and rich doesn't insulate you from life's travails. depression can strike anyone, and suicide is all too often the end result. i hope she has found peace.