HUH? IN AN OTHERWISE DECENT COMMENTARY on the increasing isolation of the military from the rest of our society, E.J. Dionne writes “Can we ever return to a time when we pay proper homage to the service of our warriors, living and dead? Closing the divide that exists between military life and the rest of our society is the first step on that path. Achieving that end is the single best reason for ending the ban on gays in the military.”
To argue that gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military is one thing, but to claim that doing so will close the divide ”that exists between military life and the rest of society” is, shall we say, a bit over the top.
Read the whole thing and see if the rest of Dionne’s commentary is consistent with his claim.
Monday, May 31, 2010
ROLLING THUNDER 2010 came to the National Mall yesterday, continuing today. Here the motorcycles begin the trip from the Pentagon over the Memorial Bridge to the Vietnam War Memorial. The Air Force sergeant remained at the bridge entrance for the duration of the veteran's ride across the bridge.
About an hour later, Rolling Thunder is still going strong.
Another half-hour passes, Rolling Thunder continues. Most of the riders are returning the sergeant's salute. I timed the cyclists' passage at about 1 motorcycle per second for nearly three hours. Between 9 and 12 thousand had passed when we finally left our perch on the bridge to go to the Mall for other ceremonies.
A look down the bridge to the Mall with the Washington Monument in the background.
One of the few non-motorcycles to make the trek from the Pentagon - a remembrance of soldiers lost from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
And finally, a concert for the Rolling Thunder veterans at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The band is the U.S. Army band "Downrange". They were excellent, and greeted enthusiatically by the vets.
About an hour later, Rolling Thunder is still going strong.
Another half-hour passes, Rolling Thunder continues. Most of the riders are returning the sergeant's salute. I timed the cyclists' passage at about 1 motorcycle per second for nearly three hours. Between 9 and 12 thousand had passed when we finally left our perch on the bridge to go to the Mall for other ceremonies.
A look down the bridge to the Mall with the Washington Monument in the background.
One of the few non-motorcycles to make the trek from the Pentagon - a remembrance of soldiers lost from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
And finally, a concert for the Rolling Thunder veterans at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The band is the U.S. Army band "Downrange". They were excellent, and greeted enthusiatically by the vets.
MEMORIAL DAY 2010 in Washington D.C.
Arlington National Cemetary
The 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles" Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary.
World War II Memorial on the National Mall. One of the few remaining WWII veterans was there having having his picture taken with his family.
A view of the Washington Monument from the WWII Memorial.
Korean War Memorial on the National Mall.
Vietnam War Memorial on the National Mall.
And a final remembrance.
Arlington National Cemetary
The 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles" Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary.
World War II Memorial on the National Mall. One of the few remaining WWII veterans was there having having his picture taken with his family.
A view of the Washington Monument from the WWII Memorial.
Korean War Memorial on the National Mall.
Vietnam War Memorial on the National Mall.
And a final remembrance.
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