November 11, 2010 - Remembrance Day

1. Solemn Day - today is a very solemn day in Canada - Remembrance Day - where we observe and remember the sacrifices of the Canadian military. This ceremony is especially poignant in Halifax, which has always been a "military town". While Canada's military has never been the size of that of the US, the UK and other larger countries - its military has played vital roles in numerous important and famous battles - Vimy Ridge in World War I, the disastrous Dieppe Raid, the Juno Beach landings on D-Day, the Battle of the Atlantic and Ortona (Italy) in World War II. The Canadian military commitment continues to this day - Korea, the Balkans, Somalia and Afghanistan.

And while the Canadian military regularly achieved important and dramatic results - they were paid for in blood. 65,000 dead and 150,000 wounded in World War I. 42,000 dead and 54,000 wounded in World War II - a lower set of numbers that probably reflects the different nature of the war. 518 killed in Korea, and another 1,000 wounded.


The casualties continue to this day with service in Afghanistan.

Take time today to remember our Canadian veterans. Do not underestimate the depth of the sacrifices nor the results they achieved. In particular, note their vital role in the fight against the evil of Nazism. Remember that their sacrifices preserved the democratic ideals we are privileged to enjoy in Canada - and which we often take for granted.


Also, as hopefully the last word on the "white poppy controversy" - the indomitable Rex Murphy - Rex Murphy: Poppies show our regret at war’s horrors, not our love for it | Full Comment | National Post

We Remember Them

At the rising of the sun and at its going down,
We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and the chill of the winter,
We remember them.
At the opening of the Buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of Autumn,
We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live,
For they are now part of us as we remember them.

When lost and sick at heart,
We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share,
We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make,
We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs,
We remember them.
As long as we live they too will live,
For they are now a part of us as we remember them.

We Remember was written by Rabbi Sylvan Kamens in the 1960's and published in 1970 in "New Prayers For The High Holy Days".



(Disaster at Dieppe - August 19, 1942)

(Canadian Casualties at Juno Beach)

(Ortona, Italy, 1943)





Also - check this out:




4. The Beat Goes On - and no one says a word or sees anything unusual (Saudi Arabia on the UN Women's Rights Agency - please!!!)......and this is just this week
5. Truth In Media - Iconic Palestinian image a hoax, says critic - World - Canoe.ca - reminds me of the quote attributed to Winston Churchill to the effect that a lie is halfway around the world before the truth has the chance to get its pants on. And, as is pointed out - this is not just a Jewish-Palestinian issue - it's much larger than that.


5A. Speaking of Truth - An open letter to Tutu




8. Can't Stop That Loving Feeling... - oops, I meant "killing" feeling - Pajamas Media » Still Killing: IRA Linked to FARC, Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Taliban


9. Israel Is Not For Sale - We are not for sale

10. Yitzchak Rabin a'h - assassinated November 4, 1995 by a Jewish extremist - Why I Still Miss Yitzhak Rabin - By David Makovsky | Foreign Policy



12. Uh-oh - The Duke Of Wellington is said to have remarked that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing-fields of Eton. If so - we'd better be concerned about our future - Pajamas Media » It’s How You Play the Game: The Fate of Western Civilization and Grade-School Soccer


13. This Defies Belief - and shows we have a long way to go on issues of racism and tolerance - No excuses for racist costumes at the Legion Joe Warmington Columnists News Toronto Sun

14. From Last Month - Security officials vet speeches of Iranians in Canada for peace conference - to the Iranians who complained - too bad - and I'd hazard a guess that it's a lot less than if the shoe was on the other foot.

15. Can't Wait - Durban III Set for New York City in September 2011 | The Weekly Standard - not to prejudge unfairly, but does anyone have any realistic expectations of fairness for this event? If so, I have some prime Florida swamp to sell you (the Brooklyn Bridge is extra).



17. Benny Morris - continues his reevaluation of the 1948 War - Benny Morris: "The 1948 War Was an Islamic Holy War"

18. A Final Tribute To Our Veterans - it's been around before, but that does not diminish its message.






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