Memorial Daze

Memorial day is upon us again, the newspaper is full of terrific sales if you don't already have enough stuff and you can afford to buy more. Traditionally, on this holiday weekend we lower the flag to half mast and honor of those killed in "service" to their country. The loss of these human beings and the ones caught in their cross hairs who also died reminds me of the senseless, waste of war. What are we fighting for? I can't remember. The continuation of this madness and the horrifying lack of services for returning Veterans, seems disrespectful to those bound to defend our nation. I mean, I'd understand if in fact, we were defending our nation from occupation, but...well. God Forbid we were attacked we'd be defenseless because our forces are far, far away in never come home land. We can use this sober anniversary to refresh the memory of those in charge. Let us remind Our President Barack Obama of the reasons why we elected him. Because his memory does not serve him well. I remember and you probably do too about the US out of Iraq promise, ah yes, I remember, How he didn't vote for the war and he didn't think it was a legitimate war and how we would withdraw by May of 2010. With only 7 days left in May he needs to, Act now! Yes, I remember. I recall how our mandate was to end war not escalate in Afghanistan where we have reached the grisly anniversary of over 1000 dead US troops and uncounted Afghanis in that treacherous region. Remember his campaign slogan for hope and change. We are here mired in not only two endless wars, foreclosure hell, unemployment nightmare, Big Bank bonanzas, and the largest environmental disaster in modern history. And Yes Oh and just a few days ago he said there would be a moratorium on all permits for off shore oil drilling and still 17 have permits have been granted complete with environmental waivers. Yesh, you would think that would be fresh in his memory, and if memory serves me right, the new bipartisan, climate legislation provides for more drilling, clean coal, and nuclear power. We must remind him that we voted for change that means, solar, wind, hydro. Let's call and remind him about his promise to reform Wall Street banks, yet after another historic bill bungles it's way through congress, according to the NYTs, CEo's are breathing a sigh of relief because far from a restructuring of the system they'll just have more regulation, akin to the Mineral Management services that regulate the issuing of permits to drill for oil. After All this pomp and circumstance passing voluminous legislation with teeny tiny slivers of reform, we are still in the same boat and it's surrounded by a monolithic oil slick, . It makes me sick, Which reminds me of all the amazing health care reform we were promised and while yes, now we cannot be denied coverage, the insurance companies are left to stick us with increases in premiums sharper than an IV needle. And the health care that we are provided is still a mysterious, often deadly toxic chemical soup from the pharmaceutical industry and other iatrogenic disasters. I remember my mother's surgeon apologizing because he opened a vein instead of an artery and would have to try again the next day. Ooops! Yes, I suppose we are progressing, but progress takes a long time and as far as I see it right now, this is crunch time and we're in a little bit of a hurry, Our dependence on war as foreign policy on fossil fuels for energy must end today. It's time for a peaceful sustainable revolution and it's within our grasp. Let me remind you that with the growing of industrial hemp, a mandate from George Washington, the father of our Country, we could replenish our depleted soil, provide fuel, food, and shelter. this ancient plant is deeply seeded in our collective memory. I'm here to remind you. Let's grow hemp. It's the antidote to many of our woes. because without that kind of radical change we'll all just be a memory.