| Gardens of Stone |
 Blog For Free! Archives Home 2005 December 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May My Links Illusive Life Uncle Jack MarketingBytes Kent Nerburn's Weblog tBlog My Profile Send tMail My tFriends My Images Sponsored Blog Being an extremely non-linear account of my struggle to understand just what the hell is actually going on here! 
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posted by: juniperflux (reply) post date: 08.01.05 (9:53 am) I've been to Arlington many, many times. I suppose when you think about the number of graves there in comparison to the number of years since Arlington became a reality, the statistics support a number of frightening conclusions. As someone, however, who has trouble thinking in terms of quantity, the thing that always strikes me about Arlington is how beautiful it is. There's something about standing up on one of those hills, shaded by dogwoods and surrounded by a sea of gleaming white monuments -- overlooking the nations capital that is at once staggering and very, very troubling. To my way of thinking, there's no glory in being buried at Arlington... there's nothing beautiful about it. Each time I go there I reach the same conclusion. I just can't help but think that our nation might be better served if we attempted to create images at places like Arlington that more accurately reflect their purpose. j j posted by: JimBrodhead (reply) post date: 08.01.05 (10:10 am) Exactly. My first thought there was that it was a shitty way to say we are sorry for all those lives lost simply because mankind cannot solve problems without explosives. I've been there only a few times and it was always as an afterthought to some other Northern Virginia errand. I had some time Saturday and decided to make it the destination and the other event the afterthought. I live just 50 miles south of DC in Fredericksburg. posted by: juniperflux (reply) post date: 08.01.05 (10:44 am) Reply to: JimBrodhead DC is a city full of monuments to the dead... some of them are incredibly powerful and do justice to those they seek to represent while others send more mixed messages. Pretty hot up there this time of year, no? j posted by: JimBrodhead (reply) post date: 08.01.05 (10:59 am) The heat up here during the summer almost takes on a persona, a life of it's own. I won't do any humidity lines since I'm sure you know that drill. When the heat index is still in triple digits around midnight, to me that is not only excessive but downright annoying. The only heat I have ever found more oppressive was when I was in Guantanamo Bay in August. I think the reason Cuba continues to lease us space there is as a way to get even with us for any number of things. posted by: FinalyFree (reply) post date: 08.02.05 (5:49 am) I would agree we have gotten very good at the craft of war. I'm just not so sure it's something to be proud of or not? posted by: JimBrodhead (reply) post date: 08.02.05 (6:27 am) Reply to: FinalyFree If we were writing a resume for the country would we want to include our war prowess? My guess is that we would not. posted by: juniperflux (reply) post date: 08.02.05 (8:47 am) Reply to: JimBrodhead I moved here in July and let me tell you.. I can still recall vividly the way the heat slapped me in the face the moment I stepped off the plane. I can recall phoning my mother that evening and telling her that I felt as though I could cut the air with a knife and send her a chunk of it. I'm afraid I've never quite gotten used to it. That said... I've never been quite as far south as Cuba, but I think you may just be onto something there. *wink* j |
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