November 11, 1942. USS Enterprise, under repair at Noumea, gets underway with repair crews from the tender Vestal still on board. Assisting in repairs was a 75-man detachment of Seabees.
The commanding officer of Enterprise, Captain Osborne Bennett "Ozzie B" "Oby" Hardison, USN (USNA- Class 1916, North Carolina) reported to the Navy Department that "The
emergency repairs accomplished by this skillful, well-trained, and
enthusiastically energetic force have placed this vessel in condition
for further action against the enemy." That was a matter of opinion, though her crew had no doubts.
Enterprise, damaged though she was, was the only remaining operational carrier in the Pacific. As she headed for more combat, a fuel tank was leaking, her watertight integrity was compromised, and one aircraft elevator was still jammed from bomb damage from October 26. The flight deck crew posted a sign: "Enterprise vs. Japan."
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Why We Should Still Observe Armistice Day
June 18, 1914, a 19-year old Serbian (or Yugoslav) nationalist named Gavrilo Princip assassinated the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne during a state visit to Sarajevo.
During the Austrian investigation and trial, police learned that Princip had been recruited, equipped and trained for the mission by the intelligence service of the Kingdom of Serbia. When Serbia refused to turn over those responsible to Austria, Austria declared war on Serbia. Russia came to Serbia's defense and declared war on Austria. Germany came to Austria's defense. France came to the defense of Russia. England joined with France in defense of Belgium.
All of these mobilizations were governed by prewar treaties.
Over the ensuing four years, 65 million European soldiers and sailors were mobilized. In 1917, they were joined by nearly five million Americans. Eight and a half million died in battle, 21 million were wounded and nearly eight million captured.
The forces of Austria-Hungary suffered 90 percent casualties (dead, wounded, captured). Germany had 65% casualties; Russia 76%; British Empire 36%; France 73%; Italy 39%; United States 7%. That doesn't include civilian deaths in Belgium and Poland from a brutal occupation, 20 million from the ensuing Russian civil war or countless other internal and international conflicts after the Armistice.
By the time of the Armistice, Europe was exhausted by war. The Russian, Austro-Hungarian, German and Turkish empires were falling apart. The British and French empires were badly wounded.
We are still picking up the pieces in the Balkans, the Middle East, the Aegean, Central Asia and the remnants of European colonies in South and Southeast Asia.
If we still observed Armistice Day, it would provide us with an annual "teachable moment" to recall the profound connections between that time and our own.
During the Austrian investigation and trial, police learned that Princip had been recruited, equipped and trained for the mission by the intelligence service of the Kingdom of Serbia. When Serbia refused to turn over those responsible to Austria, Austria declared war on Serbia. Russia came to Serbia's defense and declared war on Austria. Germany came to Austria's defense. France came to the defense of Russia. England joined with France in defense of Belgium.
All of these mobilizations were governed by prewar treaties.
Over the ensuing four years, 65 million European soldiers and sailors were mobilized. In 1917, they were joined by nearly five million Americans. Eight and a half million died in battle, 21 million were wounded and nearly eight million captured.
The forces of Austria-Hungary suffered 90 percent casualties (dead, wounded, captured). Germany had 65% casualties; Russia 76%; British Empire 36%; France 73%; Italy 39%; United States 7%. That doesn't include civilian deaths in Belgium and Poland from a brutal occupation, 20 million from the ensuing Russian civil war or countless other internal and international conflicts after the Armistice.
By the time of the Armistice, Europe was exhausted by war. The Russian, Austro-Hungarian, German and Turkish empires were falling apart. The British and French empires were badly wounded.
We are still picking up the pieces in the Balkans, the Middle East, the Aegean, Central Asia and the remnants of European colonies in South and Southeast Asia.
If we still observed Armistice Day, it would provide us with an annual "teachable moment" to recall the profound connections between that time and our own.
Armistice Day
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns fell silent along the vast earthen fortifications known as the trenches. The earthen forts stretched from the North Sea coast of Belgium along a winding frontier between warring forces to the French frontier with Switzerland.
It was not a surrender, but an armistice.
Thus ended, at least on the Western Front, the "War to end wars."
Until 1954, we celebrated November 11th as Armistice Day and commemorated the event by wearing artificial poppies in the lapel.
In 1954 the day of observance was renamed "Veteran's Day" in the US.
I prefer "Armistice Day." It commemorates an actual event, rather than a bland, undifferentiated recognition of veterans.
It also conveys the transitory nature of the termination of that conflict.
The war didn't end all wars.
It was not a surrender, but an armistice.
Thus ended, at least on the Western Front, the "War to end wars."
Until 1954, we celebrated November 11th as Armistice Day and commemorated the event by wearing artificial poppies in the lapel.
In 1954 the day of observance was renamed "Veteran's Day" in the US.
I prefer "Armistice Day." It commemorates an actual event, rather than a bland, undifferentiated recognition of veterans.
It also conveys the transitory nature of the termination of that conflict.
The war didn't end all wars.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Democrats Win Vote For House Of Representatives!
That's an accurate headline. Across the nation, Democratic candidates for Congress received 54,301,095 votes while Republicans got 53,822,442.Pretty close, but a majority voted for Democrats.
However, Republicans won more seats in the House of Representatives and hold a 234-194 majority, with 7 seats undecided.
So they lost the popular vote but won the election? Even with all the voter suppression measures in Republican-dominated states? How did they do that?
Gerrymandering. Details here.
In North Carolina, the result of Republican redistricting was that while President Obama received 49% of the votes, only 31% of the seats in the Congressional delegation went to Democrats. The ratio was even worse in other states.
Why did this happen? The short answer is, the Republican blitzkrieg of 2010. They brought national funds and nationwide organization techniques to local elections.
We saw it right here in Pamlico County.
The result of the Republican takeover of the NC General Assembly was the redrawing of districts to favor Republican candidates.
This sort of thing has been going on since the dawn of the Republic, but never before has so much money and such sophisticated tools been placed in the hands of political operatives.
Who benefits?
Who pays?
However, Republicans won more seats in the House of Representatives and hold a 234-194 majority, with 7 seats undecided.
So they lost the popular vote but won the election? Even with all the voter suppression measures in Republican-dominated states? How did they do that?
Gerrymandering. Details here.
In North Carolina, the result of Republican redistricting was that while President Obama received 49% of the votes, only 31% of the seats in the Congressional delegation went to Democrats. The ratio was even worse in other states.
Why did this happen? The short answer is, the Republican blitzkrieg of 2010. They brought national funds and nationwide organization techniques to local elections.
We saw it right here in Pamlico County.
The result of the Republican takeover of the NC General Assembly was the redrawing of districts to favor Republican candidates.
This sort of thing has been going on since the dawn of the Republic, but never before has so much money and such sophisticated tools been placed in the hands of political operatives.
Who benefits?
Who pays?
Friday, November 9, 2012
Public Employees And Public Service
New York's subway system is mostly back in operation. New Jersey's not so much.
Half of the system's underwater tunnels (seven out of fourteen) were partially or completely submerged by Hurricane Sandy. The story has all the drama of a disaster movie with the added bonus that it is true. Today's New York Times tells some of the story.
I get a bit annoyed at confident assertions by Republican candidates, millionaires all, who have never done a dangerous days' work in their lives, that the "private sector" can do it better. Do what better? Why, anything, of course. Balderdash!
A Times reader from Massachusetts put the accomplishment in perspective:
"Going into a wet, dark, possibly electrified tunnel is beyond my abilities. I am not that brave nor am I smart enough to know how to fix it. So I would like to take a moment to celebrate the intelligence of what we typically call blue collar workers. Without these smart people who build and repair homes, cars, trains, roads, and all the devices we take for granted, the rest of us would be helpless. Intelligence comes in many forms; let's celebrate the hands-on form -- mixed with superior problem-solving skils -- that fixed the transit system of one of the world's most important cities. I hope that they get paid well for this! In fact, give anyone who worked on these repairs a jacket or something (after the extra pay, of course) so others can identify and thank them."
How many of the financial "geniuses" of Wall Street who brought our economy to its knees four years ago could make the slightest contribution to keeping our real systems going? Rhetorical question. We all know the answer. The "Masters of the Universe" don't know how to design or manufacture anything or indeed to make anything but deals. Why should they be so handsomely rewarded for what they do?
Better we reward people who actually produce useful goods and perform useful services. People who work hard and do challenging, often dangerous work on behalf of all of us.
Half of the system's underwater tunnels (seven out of fourteen) were partially or completely submerged by Hurricane Sandy. The story has all the drama of a disaster movie with the added bonus that it is true. Today's New York Times tells some of the story.
I get a bit annoyed at confident assertions by Republican candidates, millionaires all, who have never done a dangerous days' work in their lives, that the "private sector" can do it better. Do what better? Why, anything, of course. Balderdash!
A Times reader from Massachusetts put the accomplishment in perspective:
"Going into a wet, dark, possibly electrified tunnel is beyond my abilities. I am not that brave nor am I smart enough to know how to fix it. So I would like to take a moment to celebrate the intelligence of what we typically call blue collar workers. Without these smart people who build and repair homes, cars, trains, roads, and all the devices we take for granted, the rest of us would be helpless. Intelligence comes in many forms; let's celebrate the hands-on form -- mixed with superior problem-solving skils -- that fixed the transit system of one of the world's most important cities. I hope that they get paid well for this! In fact, give anyone who worked on these repairs a jacket or something (after the extra pay, of course) so others can identify and thank them."
How many of the financial "geniuses" of Wall Street who brought our economy to its knees four years ago could make the slightest contribution to keeping our real systems going? Rhetorical question. We all know the answer. The "Masters of the Universe" don't know how to design or manufacture anything or indeed to make anything but deals. Why should they be so handsomely rewarded for what they do?
Better we reward people who actually produce useful goods and perform useful services. People who work hard and do challenging, often dangerous work on behalf of all of us.
The Past Isn't Dead- It Isn't Even Past: Faulkner
Is history destiny? I found this map today in a comment on a blog entry by Noah Smith. Noah's entire post on "makers and takers" is worth reading.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
If This Be Socialism, Let Us Make The Most Of It
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more
perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the
Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Preamble, Constitution of The United States
"Article I
Section 8.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;"
Article I, Section 8, Constitution of The United States
I have noticed lately that conservatives, especially of the Tea Party variety, insist that any cooperative activity to our mutual benefit is "collectivist," and BAD, even "Socialism!" Paul Krugman has some thoughts on that here.
Preamble, Constitution of The United States
"Article I
Section 8.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;"
Article I, Section 8, Constitution of The United States
I have noticed lately that conservatives, especially of the Tea Party variety, insist that any cooperative activity to our mutual benefit is "collectivist," and BAD, even "Socialism!" Paul Krugman has some thoughts on that here.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Election's Over!
No more speeches. No more debates. No more annoying ads. No more robocalls.
No more ballots.
As a member of Pamlico County's Board of Elections, I am prohibited from publicly advocating or opposing any candidate appearing on my county's ballot. I have chosen to interpret that as prohibiting the display of yard signs or bumper stickers.
But the election is over and there is no more ballot that I am responsible for.
Today I put up a yard sign for Obama/Biden.
I can now celebrate my country.
We can be truly exceptional.
No more ballots.
As a member of Pamlico County's Board of Elections, I am prohibited from publicly advocating or opposing any candidate appearing on my county's ballot. I have chosen to interpret that as prohibiting the display of yard signs or bumper stickers.
But the election is over and there is no more ballot that I am responsible for.
Today I put up a yard sign for Obama/Biden.
I can now celebrate my country.
We can be truly exceptional.
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