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Straight Talk ***************************************************** A Memorable Memorial Day I don't know how it was in your neck of the woods, but I'm delighted to report that in our area, this Memorial Day was truly memorable. There were lots of flags flying on our street; the cemeteries (especially those containing the remains of veterans) were filled with flags and flowers; many of the stores and supermarkets — and even the local baseball game — observed a few moments of silence at 3:00 pm, as our country paused to pay tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. And while I have been very critical of our new president for many of his policies and proposals — and expect to be again — I have to say, I was very pleased by Barack Obama's actions this past Monday. His day began with a breakfast in the White House for several "Gold Star" families. These are the relatives of service men and women who were killed in action on behalf of their country. Later that afternoon, President Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery. This annual ceremony dates back 141 years and I'm glad the current occupant of the White House continued to observe it. In his remarks, the President said that the men and women buried at Arlington "waged war so that we may know peace." Then he continued, "They were willing to give up everything for the defense of our freedom [and] were willing to sacrifice all for their country." And he concluded, "They are the best of America." President Obama also sent wreaths to two other memorials — the Confederate Memorial at Arlington and the African American Civil War Memorial in Washington. A week ago, a group of 60 professors urged the President to break with tradition and not honor veterans who fought for the Confederacy. I'm happy to report that the White House ignored the request. Other Memorial Day events in our nation's capitol included a separate Memorial Day observance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a National Memorial Day Parade in front of the Capitol, and a concert of patriotic music on the west lawn of the Capitol building that evening. Memorial Day was first celebrated on May 30, 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War. Earlier that month, the Grand Army of the Republic urged that the day be celebrated as follows: "The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit." At the end of World War I, Memorial Day — or Decoration Day, as it was then called — was expanded to commemorate American casualties of any war or military action. For many years, the holiday was celebrated on May 30th, no matter what day of the week that happened to be. But in 1968, Congress in its infinite wisdom decided that we needed more three-day weekends. So it decreed that the event would henceforth be celebrated on the fourth Monday of May. It's easy to understand why, for many people, Memorial Day has come to represent the unofficial beginning of summer. It's a time for picnics and parties and lounging at the beach. But I'm happy to see that the day still means so much more to so many people. What a Day Jack Had I don't know what I'll do with my Monday evenings any more, now that Day 7 has finally come to an end for poor beleaguered Jack Bauer. And what a day it was. Season 7 of "24" started with Jack being interrogated by a hostile Senate committee. His Counter-Terrorism Unit had been disbanded and Jack was under investigation for all of those harsh measures he took to protect his country. No sooner had the hearings begun, however, when a new threat was discovered. This time, terrorists planned to invade the White House and take the President hostage. Jack, of course, would be essential to stopping them. So he was whisked away from the hearing room to FBI headquarters, where he was placed under the supervision of a by-the-book female agent, Rene Walker. I'll spare you all the bloodshed and mayhem that follow over the course of the next 23 hours. Much of it stretched credulity to the breaking point. (A renegade general from West Africa infiltrates the White House with his men, thanks to a traitor who tells him about some secret tunnels? Sure thing, that's something we need to worry about.) The second-to-last night of the series, we had an overnight guest staying at our home. He hadn't watched "24" since Season 2, but said he clearly hadn't missed much. Instead of Jack yelling "WHERE'S THE BOMB?," this time he was shouting "WHERE'S THE CANISTER?" For some reason, our guest didn't think much had changed over the past five years. But in fact, a lot was different. While it often wasn't clear who were the good guys and who weren't — Tony Almeda, Jack's former friend and colleague at CTU, went from bad guy to good guy to bad guy again in the course of a few hours — one thing was very clear: Jack's no-holds-barred, anything-goes methods would no longer be tolerated. Even Jack was no longer certain that everything he had done was right. Our hero was plagued with doubts and regrets. It didn't help, of course, that almost everyone around him condemned him for going too far. (All but the ever-steadfast and loyal Chloe, of course. That sour-faced computer whiz was ready to back him up 1,000%.) At the end of the series, Jack is in a coma and near death. He had ingested too much of the toxic gas a crazed businessman planned to unleash against some American cities. (Our greatest threat isn't from Islamic jihadists, you understand, but greedy industrialists. Did I mention that "24" strained to be politically correct this But in the final few moments, a possible miracle appears. Kim, his long-estranged daughter, enters his hospital room. She has volunteered for a dangerous surgical procedure that just might save his life. The last words spoken are hers. "Daddy, I'm not ready to let you go," she says. Well, Mr. Bauer, neither are we. I look forward to seeing you next year, when I know you'll endure another day from Hell — and emerge triumphant once again. This Week in History America's greatest orator was born on May 29, 1736. I'm referring to Patrick Henry, who's "give me liberty or give me death" speech to the Virginia House of Burgess marked an important turning point in our battle for independence. Here's how Paul Johnson, one of America's greatest historians, describes the moment in his book, A History of the American People. Patrick began his remarks by asking, "Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have?" Then Henry got down on his knees, in the posture of a manacled slave, intoning in a low but rising voice: "Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!" He then bent to the earth with his hands still crossed, for a few seconds, and suddenly sprang to his feet shouting, "Give me liberty!" and flung wide his arms, paused, lowered his arms, clenched his right hand as if holding a dagger at his breast, and said in sepulchral tones: "Or give me death!" He then beat his breast with his hand holding the imaginary dagger. There was silence, broken by a man listening at the open window, who shouted: "Let me buried on this spot!" Henry had made his point. Until next time, keep some powder dry. ************************************************* Straight Talk is a weekly commentary written by Chip Wood. For many years Chip was the host of an award-winning radio talk show in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the founder of Soundview Publications and serves as an MC at several investment conferences. His weekly rants and raves are free for the asking at www.straighttalkletter.com. Copyright 2009 Soundview Communications, Inc. To ask a question or to comment on something you've read in Straight Talk, please write to Chip@StraightTalkLetter.com We have a strict anti-spam policy. We know how important your privacy is to you. That's
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