It's Memorial Day, so I'm going to honor the troops (of whom I have many as friends and former students) by sticking it to the man! I'm a strong believer in a strong defense. But I am not much for spreading Democracy around the world. I think we ought to practice what we preach, and allow nations to self-actualize as much as possible. We butt our heads (and arms) into other nation's biz a wee bit much over the years. And too many of our men and women in uniform have paid the ultimate price. I have no problem flipping the bird to the politicians who put our sons and daughters into harms way for the prize of land, labor, markets and other resources. I have yet to hear of one war we have been involved in that, at the heart of it, was about caring for human suffering. If we can't reap some reward, we aren't going in. Remember Rwanda?

I believe to the depth of my being, if our nation cared so much about our vets, they wouldn't make up 50% of the nation's homeless population. Let's put as much effort as we do preparing them for battle, into preparing them for coming home.

So here ya go. Two hours of stickin' it to the man.

Enjoy and thank a veteran today.

jh

The Ballad of the Green Berets: Sgt. Barry Sidler
Rich Man's War: Steve Earle
Butcher's Tale: The Zombies

1916: Motorhead
Lay Your Weapons Down: Rich Kids on LSD
War Pigs (Live 1970 Montreux): Black Sabbath

Masters of War: Bob Dylan
Wooden Ships: Jefferson Airplane
An Open Letter To My Teenage Son: Victor Lundberg
The Unknown Soldiers: The Doors

I Can't Write Left-Handed Anymore: Bill Withers
War/No More Trouble: Bob Marley and the Wailers
X-Men Doctrine And Declaration/General P. Counterintelligence: General Patton vs The X-Ecutioners
Holiday in Cambodia: Dead Kennedys

Run to the Hills: Iron Maiden
The Fiddle and the Drum: Joni Mitchell
Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore: John Prine

Machine Gun (live 12-31-1969): Jimi Hendrix (Band of Gypsies)
The "Fish" Cheer/I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag: Country Joe and the Fish

Universal Soldier: Donovan
Some Mother's Son: The Kinks
I Don't Want To Be A Soldier, Mama: John Lennon
Fortunate Son: Creedence Clearwater Revival

(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding: Elvis Costello