Comments on: A Memorial Day Worth Remembering
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- I think like many people I find Andy''s commentary frequently tedious and whiney. But I remember when this commentary was first broadcast in 2005, and it''s a big reason why I still tune in to the last five minutes of the program every Sunday night.
It has to be one of Andy''s finest segments. And it doesn''t really matter if I agree with everything he says. It''s that it''s brilliantly written, and more pointedly and powerfully delivered than the typical Sunday column. The idea behind it and the thoughtful way it''s presented did more to make me consider the day than any other news story I saw or read this weekend. And that''s what it was designed to do.
That''s the Andy Rooney I want to see more of. I don''t really care what''s in your desk drawer, Andy. I want to know what you think. Now I have something to think about myself. Thank you for that. - Reply to this comment
- I read this article and I loved it. I thought it was so powerful and I never once felt like is was dishonnoring our nation''s hereos. My husband is in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is gone right now. When he called home tonight I read it to him...and he said "Wow, that''s powerful".
This article is not to put down our hereos but to help people see that taking a few moments out of one day to remember them and reflect is not too much to ask. And maybe that reflection will help people realize that these men and women out their fighting are fighting for something so precious, that so many take for granted, our freedom. - Reply to this comment
- Your commentary on Memorial Day dishonored our brave men and women who have voluntarily served America and preserved our most precious freedom.
This Memorial Day President Bush proclaimed, "I am humbled by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that allow a free civilization to endure and flourish. Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life.%u201D
"The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory in the devastation of war. %u201C
This is why we have set aside a day of remembrance. If some Americans feel that this is just another day off to barbecue with friends and family that''s their prerogative. They enjoy the freedom to do whatever they want. To eliminate this holiday because of apathy on the part of some would be foolish.
War is hell! We all want peace, but we live in a world where freedom is constantly under attack and where our security is challenged. Many Americans utilize the other 364 days of the year in ways to promote peace in the world, to help victims in need, and uphold human rights.
Wishing for a new religion that will take war out of lives is idealistic naivety. Actions taken everyday of the year promoting peace and eliminating hatred, teaching people to accept and respect others regardless of origin, race, religion or gender will eventually triumph. - Reply to this comment
- Andy''s Memorial Day commentary is his most brilliant and challenging rant I''ve ever heard. Thank you, andy, and I hope the world and our "leaders" heard and heed your message.
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- "All wars are bloody, immoral, and second guess. However, history has shown most of them necessary." Victor Lunsburg-Open Letter to my Teenage Son-circa 1967
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- "Saving the lives of the young people who are going to die in the future." This is exactly why we celebrate Memorial Day. Those heros that GAVE their lives so we can live free and HAVE saved millions of future lives because of their bravery! Think Andy Think! Don''t try and bring these heros down...because you can not.
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- First of all, Andy, you were one handsome guy in your day!!(You''re still cute!)I really enjoyed seeing your pictures from the 30s and 40s.
And more importantly, get set to celebrate the Memorial Day of all time! Were you serious when you said that it would be great to find some new way--some new religion maybe--that would take war out of our lives? By any chance are you studying with Jehovah''s Witnesses? As a few others have posted here, 6.8 million citizens of planet Earth have already taken war out of their lives because, like you, they decided it''s the right thing to do (based on God''s word). In 235 nations, the story is the same. Whether in Rwanda, Israel/Palestine, Nazi Germany during the 1930s and 1940s, or wherever...Jehovah''s Witnesses do not take up arms against anyone--ever. They are the only international religion that can truthfully claim this. The so-called greatest minds of our times cannot achieve world-wide peace, yet this humble group of Bible students ALREADY HAVE! (Obviously, God is behind them.) The Bible indicates that they would serve as a preview of what all the earth will be like one day soon. (Isaiah 2:2-4 is one of several places in the Bible that you can read this.) I was privileged to become one of Jehovah%u2019s Witnesses in 1986 after witnessing their exemplary conduct during the days of apartheid in South Africa. Truly beautiful, brave and like nothing I''d ever seen. I think I''ll write to you personally and invite you to get in touch with them. :-) - Reply to this comment
- When we celebrate "Love Day" EVERY day- then, we''ll have no more war.
Conditional/animal love is based on drama and change. True love originates from one''s soul is is not subject to change.
Our culture needs to recognize the true nature and value of forgiveness as a primary component of true love, and the strength and purpose it has in our lives (instead of how we hold it presently- as a sign of weakness of character and subservience).
Ritualized holidays merely keep the patterns in place, reinforce the "herd instnct" (unconscious conformism), and ultimately add to an overall feeling of meaninglessness in life.
One has to step outside "the box", think for one''s self, and make decisions based on that.
We''re all connected- until we reach a point of spiritual evolution where most, if not all, of us KNOW it "in our bones"- the drama will continue.
Things ARE getting better (in spite of the negativity that bombards us through the media).
So, a good place to start, is to stop participating/watching media that: glorifies violence (on any level), promotes fear of other people, focuses on people being perfect-looking, and their physical form being who they are, etc.
And then, devote your time to helping others.
Doing this will change the tone of our very lives- both for ourselves, those we love, and generations to come. - Reply to this comment
- I''ve listened to many Memorial Day speeches over the years, but this one was the best! Hat''s off to you Andy!!
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- "Obie Slingerland and I were best friends and co-captains of our high school football team. Obie was killed on the deck of the Saratoga when a bomb that hadn%u2019t dropped exploded as he landed."
Great story, Andy Rooney .. .except - what did you do to prevent this from happening to more kids? Did you fight the military establishment, that starts these wars for profit? Did you fight for new laws to make rich kids forced to serve alongside the cannon fodder, the worthless ones designated to die for profit? Did you expose the fact that WWII was caused 100% and absolutely not by Hitler, not by Hirohito, not by anything or anyone other than Woodrow Wilson and the war mongerers and profiteers that got us into WWI?
You did nothing. You gave some lip service that these foolish dead were "heroes" and then enjoyed your, life, creating George Bush and Vietnam and Korea and the rise of China and all the bloodbaths to come.
The only feeling you and your generation are entitles to is a great sorrow at your lost opportunity to learn from your mistakes. - Reply to this comment
