Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for November 11, 2011
November 10, 2011
November 12, 2011
Transcript:
Janis: Well, it's here!
Arlo: What's here?
Janis: The date! 11/11/11.
Arlo: Oh, yeah.
Arlo: These things were a bigger deal back when everyone still wrote checks.
I’ve never been sure whether to count myself as a veteran. Compared to people who got shot at or blown up, my military service was easy. But I spent three years during the height of the Cold War wondering if I would be evaporated in the first wave of nuclear exchange or if I would have to kill myself rather than face a post-apocalyptic world.
The fun thing was to take a picture of the closk reading 11:11:11:11:11:11 Eleven seconds after eleven minutes at 11 O’Clock on November 11th 2011, again 11-11-11-11-11-11
I was a military brat, and Veteran’s Day always makes me sad.
This web site is international, and this planet is full of soldiers, a great many of them young, bright and full of dreams.
Wherever we are, the best thing we can do for all of them is to work on world peace and an end to wars.
Let them live to fulfill their promise, without fear, or killing, or being burdened by memories of either.
Meanwhile, Schearer, of course you are a vet.
You don’t have to be at at the site of close-up bloodshed to play a part, or to suffer from living with tension and horror, even if you don’t realise it.
That stress probably has informed your consciousness for 50 years, and crept into who you are.
Whether you feel proud, conflicted, or regretful, or all three, this day is for you too.
Do you really think we should neither take care of veterans, nor wish we could stop wars?
BTW some of us dare to dream that the world CAN and MUST some day be free and at peace.
Some think the peace will come from weapons being eliminated; others believe that armed guardians of liberty will always be needed — but most rational people think that not having wars would be the desired result.
If we never reach that goal, the unsupervised proliferation of ever more dangerous weapons will ensure that at some point civilization will be destroyed.
randayn over 12 years ago
Have a good Veteran’s Day, everyone!
Doctor11 over 12 years ago
Enjoy Veteran’s Day and remember both those who served our country and those who continue to serve today.
Varnes over 12 years ago
Hey, I write checks every month, I find it soothing…
toppop52 over 12 years ago
Thank you veterans! Without your sacrifice we would not be doing this. ;)
NowWhat? over 12 years ago
Good point!
ledaleda over 12 years ago
I’m with Arlo on this one.
lightenup Premium Member over 12 years ago
Thank you to those who serve and have served! Your bravery, selflessness and incredible work will forever be remembered and appreciated.
BrianCrook over 12 years ago
Celebrate Armistice Day and honor all those who work for peace. NO MORE WARS!!
pschearer Premium Member over 12 years ago
I haven’t written a check in over three years.
I’ve never been sure whether to count myself as a veteran. Compared to people who got shot at or blown up, my military service was easy. But I spent three years during the height of the Cold War wondering if I would be evaporated in the first wave of nuclear exchange or if I would have to kill myself rather than face a post-apocalyptic world.
BillWa over 12 years ago
The fun thing was to take a picture of the closk reading 11:11:11:11:11:11 Eleven seconds after eleven minutes at 11 O’Clock on November 11th 2011, again 11-11-11-11-11-11
hippogriff over 12 years ago
A good thank you to veterans would be to give disabled vets everything they need – and stop disabling more. The were disabled in our name.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 12 years ago
I was a military brat, and Veteran’s Day always makes me sad.
This web site is international, and this planet is full of soldiers, a great many of them young, bright and full of dreams.
Wherever we are, the best thing we can do for all of them is to work on world peace and an end to wars.
Let them live to fulfill their promise, without fear, or killing, or being burdened by memories of either.
Meanwhile, Schearer, of course you are a vet.
You don’t have to be at at the site of close-up bloodshed to play a part, or to suffer from living with tension and horror, even if you don’t realise it.
That stress probably has informed your consciousness for 50 years, and crept into who you are.
Whether you feel proud, conflicted, or regretful, or all three, this day is for you too.
Ermine Notyours over 12 years ago
See also 9 Chickweed Lane.
The Life I Draw Upon over 12 years ago
Hey Hippie, give Peace [Day] a chance.Happy Armistice Day.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 12 years ago
PsychoDad — no one called YOU any names.
Do you really think we should neither take care of veterans, nor wish we could stop wars?
BTW some of us dare to dream that the world CAN and MUST some day be free and at peace.
Some think the peace will come from weapons being eliminated; others believe that armed guardians of liberty will always be needed — but most rational people think that not having wars would be the desired result.
If we never reach that goal, the unsupervised proliferation of ever more dangerous weapons will ensure that at some point civilization will be destroyed.