Cats and Chaos, War and Children

 I had three cats,  Sake, Haiku, and Taki.  I can't say that they were friends, the best I can say is that they tolerated each other.  They could not all 3 sit on the sofa at the same time; two at most, and at best.  The one place all 3 could share, besides the kitchen at meal time,  with separate dishes, was the bed.  They could not sit together, but they could share the bed.

And, they shared something else.  I don't know if they learned this from each other, or it is just something they had in common, but they would become anxious when I stripped the bed to wash the linens, and did not make the bed quickly enough to suit them.  They did not like to sit on the mattress. I think that was a hold over from when I had a waterbed.  But when I stripped the bed, I would make the comforter available to them, on the mattress, or elsewhere in the bedroom. And sometimes, when I did start to make the bed, they liked to play with the linens and hide under the sheets and comforter.  For a short while.

The only cat left is Taki. She is learning disabled, but functional for the most part.  She forgets how to pull a door open some days, but never forgets how to push a door open. She forgets that playing with claws extended, and biting are not allowed, or just cannot control her impulses. She also is not much of a snuggler, but will sit adjacent, and even likes to hold my hand in her front paws!  She likes to eat where I eat:  in the kitchen when I am in the dining area, in the computer room, when I am there.   If her dishes start in one area, and we move to another, she seems to forget where her dishes are.  But she knows the words "kitchen, breakfast and dinner."  She has not learned the word "commercial" but she knows that when there is a  break in the action, or a change in tempo, I will get up and try to tend to her requests (if I can figure them out)

So, all the to say I washed linens today, which set Taki off a bit, because that is usually a Sunday chore.  I was slow at getting the laundry dried and remaking the bed.  Meanwhile, Taki took up residence on the comforter that was piled at the end of the bed.  She was not resting peacefully, but keeping a careful watch on the bed. And that is when it struck me:  This is a common weekly occurrence in our house, which is calm and quiet for the most part, (except during sporting events.) History in her life indicates the bed will be made and we will have a bed again!  Although I can try to explain this to her, and I do, her vocabulary is not as good as Sake:s and Haiku's, so I do not think she really gets even the general idea of what I am saying.

And this brought me to what I am seeing on the news about the events in Ukraine, and how it is effecting the civilians. Especially, the impact on children, who may not really be able to grasp what is going on, or are too young to have any idea about what is going on.  I do not wish to demean the children of the Ukraine in anyway.   I have never had children, only fur babies.  But if an unmade bed can create an anxiety reaction in my cats, can you imagine how the noise, explosions, fires, destruction impact the children of war.  How being bundled up, leaving home behind with only what you have on your back, with crowds of strangers, usually only one parent, and minimal provisions on a trip in an uncomfortable, crowded truck, bus or train.  Not knowing how long the trip will be. Not knowing what will be waiting at the destination, which probably is only an interim destination, before repeating the processing to yet another unknown destination.  

And, this is just the beginning of the trauma.   There may or may not be a safe haven at the end of the journey:  relatives who are lovingly eager to take you in, or shelters that are waystations until some other plan can be made for you, by someone you do not know, who may or may not be able to accommodate your preferences..  In a different country, with different customs, languages, and expectations.  With discrimination possible and even likely, once the novelty wears off. 

As one individual, there is only so much I can do to help:  I can pray.  I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, and the more united the prayer, the more powerful.  I can attend vigils, solidarity demonstrations, and educational presentations about the events of the world. I can donate goods, funds or perhaps even services.  I can advocate with my legislators regarding my concerns and viewpoint for these world issues. 

And, so can you!

  

 

Invasion of Ukraine, and support for the Ukrainian people -Vigil in Lubbock

 On Friday evening March 4, 2022, at 7:15 there will be a candlelight vigil at the Monument of Courage, 84^th and Nashville, Lubbock, Texas.   VFW Post 2466, the Purple Heart Chapter 0900, American Legion Post 575, Friends of the Monument of Courage and others will gather there.

Anyone in the community who is concerned about the Ukrainian invasion by Russia is encouraged to attend.  I have it on good authority that KCBD is investigating appropriate agencies who can help the Ukrainian refugees. I have explored several sights on the internet, but I am not sure I am savvy enough to know which ones are able to provide the needed services using donations in a responsible and appropriate way.,

If you can open your heart, please consider what you can do to help the Ukrainian citizens, either seeking refuge in other countries, or resisting being overtaken by the Russians.

"The Darkest Hour" the Movie

I went to see this movie today.  I knew it was about Winston Churchill during World War II, but not much else. I suspected it was about the early war days, because those are the days Churchill referred to as "our darkest hour."  And, that is just what it was.  It was about the change of the prime minister from Neville Chamberlain to Winston Churchill, and his decision not to negotiate for peace but to fight for England.

I don't know why, but this movie moved me to tears.  It was a good story.

Dunkirk

I went to see the movie Dunkirk http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5013056/ today. This is a part of World War II history, that I only know a little about.  It is time for me to read more about it. The movie was good, lots of action and violence, which is to be expected in a war movie.  I wish they had explained more about the history.  It touched on what was done, and used captions, but I think a few more captions would have helped people who nothing about the story to have a better understanding of what was happening.   

Movie Day

I went to see the movie, "The Free State of Jones" http://stxmovies.com/freestateofjones/ today. It was a good story, but it was a sad story, because in the end, Newt Knight could only help a few people to freedom.  And he did not really impact racism in a big way. But he did impact it.  But it was a noble story, because he was  a man that had principles and stuck to them.

As I was driving, after having seen the movie, I heard the NPR interview with the writer and director Gary Ross http://www.npr.org/2016/06/25/483537325/telling-the-story-of-a-confederate-deserter-in-free-state-of-jones.  I thought it interesting that he said he could have ended the story when they raised the American flag, but the story of conditions and Newt Knight's fight after the war were not so "feel good."  But noble.


This link will lead you to the "true story." An interesting story.  Based on fact.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-free-state-jones-180958111/?no-ist

War Movies

I think I am weird.  Well, I actually know that I am weird.  And one of the weird things about me is that I like war movies.  I do not like war, and my mantra for war is "Support our troops, Pray for peace."  But I like war movies.  I do not like the blood and gut and gore of war movies.  I like the heroism, the bravery, the devotion and commitment to a cause of war heroes.

So, on weekends (or even weekdays) that commemorate veterans and war days, I usually look to one or more television channel to play a lot of war movies.  Memorial Day, D-Day, Independence Day, Veteran's Day, Pearl Harbor Day are times when this typically happens.  This year, Turner Classic Movies http://www.tcm.com/ played war movies. But I was not particularly impressed.  Hmmm. Some of the movies early on in the week were okay, but this weekend they played war comedies. And, in my mind, not even good war comedies.  Maybe I am just not in the mood for comedies.  Maybe I am seeing Memorial Day as a serious day to commemorate our veterans and their families and friends who sacrifice so much so the military members can serve. 

Well, I should not complain too loudly. No other TV channel even recognized Memorial Day except PBS, with its National Memorial Day Concert!

Honoring War Veterans

On May 22, the Remember our Heroes group hosted a memorial service for Veterans who commit suicide. It was at the Lubbock War Memorial http://www.americanlegionpost575.org/lubbock-area-veterans-war-memorial.  It was well attended and it was a moving ceremony.

One of the few statistics they mentioned was that most Veterans who commit suicide are in their 50's or older. They related this to some Veterans who were in Vietnam, but not exclusively. And they acknowledged that there are many others who also commit suicide.

One of my maternal uncles committed suicide: Edward Crochier was my godfather http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/edward-crochier_27468357. He died when I was 18, and away at college. I remember calling home in the middle of the week (usually my calls home were on weekends, because the rates were cheaper during the weekend day.  But sometimes, I called home late on a week night, or even during the times when the rates were more expensive in the early evenings on a week night.) My mother was guarded when she asked why I called, and said she was going to wait until we talked on the weekend, to tell my about my uncle's death.  I could not get home in time for the funeral.

The blessing was that we had a pastor who was immensely ingrained with the ecumenism and liberalism of Vatican II https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Vatican_Council. He told my family about the "assumption of remorse," the sense that someone who attempts suicide, and is successful actually is remorseful for their act before they die, but too late to save themselves.  My uncle was buried in a consecrated cemetery and his military service was acknowledged.

This is all vague to me.  I remember that my mother's brothers were in the military, but I thought they were all just in the Korean War.  Apparently, my Uncle Eddie, and maybe his brothers, were in World War II. I know my paternal Uncle Voss was in World War II.  If we asked him about the war, he said "I went to San Diego" or "I was in England."  He would not talk about the war. After he died, we found a letter of commendation to him from Admiral Nimitz for his service during D-Day!

I have no real idea why my Uncle Eddie committed suicide. I know he had physical pain, that my mother related to his work as a painter: he hurt his back and was in ongoing pain. I wonder how much of his pain was also emotional from the war. I will never know. I know he had problems with alcohol. All this happened in an era when the emotional and psychological impact of war was not recognized.

I am only grateful that due to the mercy of our pastor, my uncle can be honored as a war hero. 

World War II Movies

I like World War II movies. I do not know why I like World War II movies, but I do. I do not know why I am thinking about this tonight, or this morning, but I am . My favorite World War II movies are The Longest Day http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056197/,  In Harms Way http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059309/ and Pattton http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066206/.

There are many other World War II movies I like: The Battle of the Bulge http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058947/,  Midway http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074899/,  Saving Private Ryan http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/, The Monuments Men http://www.monumentsmen.com/,  The Red Ball Express  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045072/,  Stalag 17 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046359/, The Miracle of the White Stallions  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057312/, Run Silent Run Deep http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052151/.

These are just a few of the many World War II movies I like to watch.  Call me weird, but it is what it is. 

Killing Patton

I am reading Killing Patton by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard   https://www.billoreilly.com/killing-patton.  Some of the reviews of this book are not favorable.  I have just started it today, and it reads like non-fiction, although it is historical.

Gen. Patton is a figure in history I find fascinating.  I guess in part because his ego was larger than life.  In part he was a paradox of a man:  he was a horseman, and helped to save the Lipizzan Stallions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipizzan but was noted for the poor treatment of the concentration camp survivors, especially the Jewish people https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2014/10/06/bill-oreillys-lame-excuse-for-his-awful-killing-patton-blunder/.  He had a superego, but in large part, his soldiers admired him because he was often seen at or near the front.  He infamously slapped soldiers whom he branded as cowards https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton_slapping_incidents.  And he comes across as mixed regarding the use of Black soldiers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/761st_Tank_Battalion_(United_States), mostly accepting them out of dire necessity, but once preventing a lynching in El Paso. 

I think Gen. Patton is a complex man, and like many figures in history, is not all good or all bad.  It will be interesting to finish the book.

Reach Out to France - Updated

We are saddened and shocked at the killings in Paris by ISIS http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/16/us-france-shooting-idUSKCN0T22IU20151116#aUdSsHG2hFY7YAcr.97.  The violence in the world is needless and insane.  That the world can be held at bay, as fear hostages, by ISIS is a little insane.  There have been so many terrorist attacks and to what end? The radicalized Muslims give the real religion of Islam a black eye.  Like "Christian radicals" who belong(ed) to the Klu Klux Klan, these radicals do not represent religion.  They represent bigotry, hate mongering, greed, lust for power, lust for domination over people who are unable to protect themselves.

That the world has not been able to eradicate ISIS demonstrates the weakness of the political position of failure to commit.  I do not believe in violence and war, but I am not sure how else ISIS can be fought.  My wish would be that Western and Middle Eastern Countries alike would unite for their own safety and security, demonstrate a united front and destroy ISIS.

Meanwhile, we must reach out to France. We must let the French people know that we stand with them, support them in their adversity, and support their efforts to take back their lives.  We do this with prayers, vigils, and support of their efforts to help the Syrian refugees and fight ISIS.

We must let the French people know that we will not forget their suffering on 11/13/15, that we will not forget the fatalities, the other victims, the survivors of the acts of terror on this date. Because the French people truly are survivors.

November 20, 2015 on the news, we learned that Parisians were in the streets en masse and at the exact time of the first shots of the disaster, a large noise was made, and lights came on, and the French people told ISIS that they will be STRONG!

Hurrah for the people of Paris!  Hurrah for the people of France!

The History of the United States

I am so sad tonight.  I know about all of the discriminatory and duplicity in history of the United States of America: the poor treatment of the First Americans, including the failure to abide by treaties made with these peoples and the other abysmal treatments of these peoples.  Slavery.  Jim Crow Laws. The incarceration of Japanese in camps during World War II. I had not heard about this one: The Deportation of Mexicans and Mexcian-Americans who were US citizens during the Great Depression http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2015/09/08/437579834/mass-deportation-may-sound-unlikely-but-its-happened-before.  Segregation, which was separate and not equal. The violation of rights in the Patriot Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act. The incarcerations at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp.

I believe I am missing some other grievous human rights violations. I am not touching on the violations by private industry over the years. 

So, this is so sad that the United States has such a checkered past, yet sets itself out in the international community as a "holier than thou" nation.  It is not wrong that we are, as a nation, helping other peoples and other nations to improve their human rights records. But shouldn't we be doing it from a "learn from us" stance in learn from our mistakes? vs. This is how good a nation we are.  Because, frankly, we are not. 

The current unrest and animosity between citizens and  police is a perfect example of that:  People are being killed when in the custody or in contention with law enforcement professionals under questionable circumstances. Law enforcement officials are being ambushed simply because they are law enforcement officials.  I think this country is embroiled in a war of right vs. might. No clearly defined lines. No us against them, because the lines change depending upon the circumstances.  Who is right? Who has the might?  Who is Us? Who is Them?

Enhanced Interrogation vs. Torture?

Okay, so I do not usually address really serious issues in this blog, but this is something I have to say.  When the United States agents were doing "enhanced interrogation" I felt like this activity did not represent the moral character of the United States I want to love.  Today, a report about these activities has been widely discussed http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/enhanced-interrogation-techniques-ineffective/. 

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA in case you did not know) https://www.cia.gov supports the value of enhanced interrogation because it provided intelligence that helped to keep the United States safe.  Do I believe this?  No.  These are the same people who provided intelligence that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction that allowed us to justify war with Iraq. The American public bought it, and it was a lie!  President Bush's government needed to find a reason to retaliate against Irag for 9/11.  As if the attack on this country was not reason enough.

Instead of saying "We are attacking you because you sanctioned, supported, aided and abetted the factions that attacked the United States" we hid behind the "weapons of mass destruction" façade which was a total lie.

And, when we went to war, we abandoned the moral character of this country and supported "enhanced interrogation" and generally inappropriate behavior by the United States Military ala Abu Ghraib http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Ghraib_torture_and_prisoner_abuse.

I do not like war.  But the character of the war in Iraq was very different from the character of the war in Desert Storm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War.  I believe that had to do with several things, but most importantly, our leaders at the time.

In my mind, although he is a Republican, President George Herbert Walker Bush was a man of honor.  He surrounded himself with military men of honor: General Colin Powell http://www.biography.com/people/colin-powell-9445708  and Commander-in-Chief General Normal Schwarzkopt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Schwarzkopf,_Jr.  to name a few.  Desert Storm was conducted in such a way as I was proud of this country although I do not support war. 

Not so the U.S.- Iraq War. Not so the "intelligence gathering" techniques of the CIA that included methods of torture.  I am sorry that my country engaged in these acts.  They are not reflective of the values of the United States. They are not reflective of the moral character of the United States.  I am grateful the President Obama has made that clear.

I am concerned that we may have a future president who does not have such a strong moral compass.  I want to love my country. I cannot love abuse of human rights.

The Monuments Men

I am reading the book, The Monuments Men http://www.monumentsmen.com/books-movies/the-monuments-men by  Robert Edsel  with Brett Witter. This is the book upon which the movie was based. 

Earlier this year, I saw the movie, The Monuments Men http://www.monumentsmen.com/. It was a good story, but a little disjointed.  But, you got the message.

As is usually true, the book is better than the movie. But this book is dryer and even more disjointed than the movie.  In the movie, you got the sense that the efforts of the Monuments Men were disorganized and disjointed, and they really were not sure what they were doing. Well, in the book, this is so obvious.  It is a wonder that they accomplished anything. That they did is a tribute to the character of the men charged with the task of saving the art and cultural treasures of Europe.

It is so sad that the German Nazis tried to confiscate and destroy the culture of Europe.  It was understandable:  They wanted the best for themselves and they wanted to obliterate the rest that was not the best, and not German, or Aryan. It was their way of disrespecting the rest of Europe, denigrating Europe, and demeaning the identity of the peoples they "conquered."

There are important lessons in the book and movie. Lessons about respecting our history, our culture, and past histories and culture. Lessons about respecting the right of nations to have museums that safeguard and exhibit this history and culture. Lessons about the fact that private individuals have the right to amass treasures of art and culture that also pay tribute to our history and culture. Lessons about what can go amok when a government, or a faction puts itself above the law of civil rights and respect for human rights.

The book came out in 2009.  I am not really good about keeping up with what new books are coming out.  I happened to be at the movie theater and saw a trailer for the movie. If I had not seen the trailer, I am not sure I would have heard about the movie or the book. That is a lesson to me, I need to do better informed about what books are being written.