A Tale of Two Generations

They were called the Greatest Generation, those who lived through World War II. Their lives were torn apart by war, by sacrifice. Rationing of critical materials necessary to fight the war was the norm. Women took up the slack in the factories so the men could go fight for our freedom, our way of life. 

It was a war where most everyone contributed something.

The United States entered World War II in 1941 and fought until the end in 1945. In that four year time period the US lost over 400,000 people. That generation got the job done, fighting until the war was won.

Fast forward to 2020 and the United States, along with the rest of the world, is involved in a fight that is no less world spanning. We are all affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. To date the United States alone has lost 127,000 people. That is in the span of around 4 months. That is a rate higher than during World War II. Wouldn't you think that this crisis deserves everyone's attention and, well, effort? Yet something as simple as wearing a mask has become a bone of contention.

Is the real reason Donald Trump got elected because we have become at heart a self-serving, narcissistic, selfish society who can't even put on a mask to help our own fellow Americans?

You can spout all the slogans you want, like “Make America Great Again”, but  you have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. 

Update:
Perhaps if you won't listen to me you will listen to those who are so desperately fighting for us.

On the front lines

George Floyd

In my state of Minnesota a black man died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. There was no reason for his death. He had done nothing to deserve that. Since then our streets and many others around the country have erupted in a paroxysm of rage and grief. Many, either in the streets or in the halls of government, have tried to make this about themselves, inciting a violence that only further hurts the Floyd family and the community where they live. Those people only disrespect the memory of a man who died so tragically.

I would like to honor Mr. Floyd's memory with one of the most beautiful renditions of this song that I have heard.

For all of the peaceful demonstrators who have come out to honor Mr. Floyd and to seek a justice that has been so scarce in the past.