Over the past 60 years I have always been a big Rolling Stones fan. My play list has included up to 45 “Stones” songs. With the death of Charlie Watts, Sirrius/XM radio is dedicating one of their stations to the Rolling Stones through the weekend in memory of Watts. Naturally, my car radio is tuned to the station. As I listen, I am truly amazed at the number of songs they have recorded over the years. Many of the songs are “Stones” originals, but many are “cover” songs of other artists. The 45 songs on my playlist are nothing more than a drop in the bucket. With Mick, Keith and Charlie being the heart and soul of the group since the beginning, the quality of their work over such a long period of time is the reason I believe they are the greatest rock band of all time. I know others may not agree with me, but I am confident in by belief.
As I read reactions to yesterday’s suicide bombings at the Kabul airport which killed 13 U.S. Servicemen, and countless other Afghanistan citizens, I am reminded how much our country has changed in the last 20 years. I can remember a time when something like this would happen and it would unite all citizens in a wave of patriotism. However, recently, whenever something like this happens, rather than uniting us by honoring our fallen servicemen, we immediately go to the blame game. We blame the Republicans or the Democrats or the conservatives or the liberals. It doesn’t matter what the facts are, liberals are going to blame conservatives and conservatives are going to blame liberals. Yesterday’s bombings were the fault of the ISIS-K backed suicide bombers. It was not Trump’s fault, nor was it Biden’s fault. It was not Bush’s fault nor was it Obama’s fault. I think back to the bombings at the Boston Marathon or even 9/11. Instead of blaming, we united ourselves in support of those that were killed by the terrorist bombings. We investigated the bombings, we went after those who did it, and then we studied what we can do differently in the future to prevent another occurrence. Not everything is political. Unfortunately there are a great number of people who want to make every political in order to advance their parties interest.s
This just in from the NY Times, This just in from the NY Times. U.S. launches a retaliatory airstrike. The counterterrorism operation targeted the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan, which has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s deadly attack at the airport. The U.S. military said that it had killed its target.
Stay safe. Social distance. Wear your mask. Wash your hands regularly. Get your vaccine
Orchid of the Day: My grandson, Nolan, who is 6 years old for getting a par on the 100-yard par 3 second hole at Crooked Tree Golf course. The green on this hole is so difficult that the locals treat it as a par 4.
Onion of the Day: To all those people who want to make everything political, regardless of the facts.
Quote of the Day: “ ….I want to thank you for the comments you made regarding the bombing in Afghanistan. As an… “Army brat”, I feel the deaths more personally than others because being raised on various Army posts gives me a personal perspective of what the families endure. Meaningless platitudes, political outrage and other useless banter does not help the families. It only exacerbates their sense of loss….” Excerpts of a message from a friend and colleague that I received following my post yesterday.