Reposted from previous years because some things never go out of style:

The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America

( When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. )

And over in Afghanistan, the reaction to Team USA's TJ Oshie's shootout winner over the Russians:


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* Today is Veteran's Day, so a hearty thank you to everyone who has served or is currently serving. If you'd like to say thanks with your wallet, I recommend the USO, which does a lot more than just entertain the troops. (US forces and their allies.) They provide support for military personnel and their families at home and abroad, a safe place in ( Read more... )

Memorial Day is when we honor our war dead, so please take a moment amidst all of the other traditions of the day -- sales, barbecues, fireworks, fun -- to remember those who are no longer here to share in those pleasures.


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A late-in-the-day thank you to all who serve and have served in our armed forces.

And this year, an extra-special shout out to the vets, reservists, guardsmen, and active duty peeps helping out with the support and clean-up efforts from Hurricane Sandy here in NYC.

If you'd like to put a dollar sign on your gratitude:

Team Rubicon, veterans ( Read more... )

The weather today in NYC is almost identical to what it was back in 2001. Clear, a little crisp for the season, beautiful.

(what I posted in previous years, since it's still as applicable)

11 September, 2001It's harder than it should be to find photographs and footage of the attacks and aftermath; it has been deemed too upsetting and too ( Read more... )

( Dear George Hanover... )

It's easy to confuse the purpose of Memorial Day with Veterans Day, especially here in New York where it's Fleet Week and the city is crawling with marines and sailors swanning about in their liberty finest. The stores have their best sales and there's barbecue everywhere and it's apparently our patriotic duty to eat and spend. But this day really ( Read more... )

Wanna donate someone else's money to a worthy cause? Click this link, which will bring you to a page at CVS's website informing military personnel that they now accept Tricare (the military's health plan). That's it. No sign-ups, no giving your personal details or email, no wallet-opening on your part. All CVS cares about is the page views -- each ( Read more... )

Yesterday, 10 November, the US Marine Corps celebrated their 236th birthday in the usual fashion: running marathons (in DC and in places hotter and dustier), dressing up and using improper cutlery on cakes, and watching the Commandant's annual message before heading off to their Birthday Balls ( Read more... )