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Category Archives: War
Opinion | Why Afghan Forces So Quickly Laid Down Their Arms
Ed note: Having lived in Afghanistan for two years in a time of peace, I learned several lessons: westerners are considered Kafirs (non-believers) and generally not trusted; Afghans are severely independent; they bargain differently and use different logic; they are … Continue reading
Posted in War
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Retreating from Afghanistan – a lesson from 1842
Ed note: Afghans remain fiercely independent, resenting control by any foreign power. Just ask the British, Russians and now the Americans. What’s historically been called “The Great Game” is entering a new, sad and treacherous chapter. Negotiations with the Taliban … Continue reading
A hero remembered
May 30, 2021 (Sunday) Heather Cox Richardson May 31 I wrote the following last year for a dear friend who had recently passed. She was the middle sister in this story, and as we grew up, she told us … Continue reading
Posted in Remembrances, War
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At the Khyber Pass
A lesson about how departing conquerors were treated by Afghans: “On January 13, 1842, a British army doctor reached the British sentry post at Jalalabad, the lone survivor of a 16,000-strong Anglo-Indian expeditionary force that was massacred in its retreat … Continue reading
The Candy Bomber at age 98 reminds us of the importance of NATO
Posted in Government, History, War
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The Candy Bomber story with Tom Brokaw
Thanks to Sybil-Ann for this dramatized but true story
Posted in Holidays, War
2 Comments
Trump Sent a Warning. Let’s Take It Seriously.
By Thomas L. Friedman in the New York Times President Trump has made it unmistakably clear in recent weeks — and even more crystal clear at the Tuesday debate —that there are only two choices before voters on Nov. 3 — … Continue reading
Posted in Government, Politics, Race, Safety, Scams, Social justice, War
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Theater of War: Battling PTSD with Sophocles
“Theater of War Productions works with leading film, theater, and television actors to present dramatic readings of seminal plays—from classical Greek tragedies to modern and contemporary works—followed by town hall-style discussions designed to confront social issues by drawing out raw … Continue reading
Posted in War
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The American War
Thanks Barb W for letting us know about this event Thursday, February 6, 2020, 5-7 p.m. ARTS at King Street Station 303 S. Jackson St, Top Floor, Seattle, WA 98104 Please join us for the opening reception for The American War, an … Continue reading
Lovers in Auschwitz, Reunited 72 Years Later. He Had One Question.
From the NYT: The first time he spoke to her, in 1943, by the Auschwitz crematory, David Wisnia realized that Helen Spitzer was no regular inmate. Zippi, as she was known, was clean, always neat. She wore a jacket and … Continue reading
Posted in end of life, History, Social justice, War
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One Year of Mandatory National Service For Every American?
By Lauren Katzenberg in the New York Times. Thanks to Pamela P for this. What are your thoughts on national service? Should it be two years? Seventy-three years ago, The Times reported that the United States Army demobilized its seven millionth soldier after the end of World War II. When I unearthed this … Continue reading
Posted in Social justice, Volunteering, War
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As Afghanistan peace talks progress, WA continues to suffer losses in America’s longest war
For 18 years Joint Base Lewis-McChord has played an essential role in a war that has been forgotten by many Americans. by Kevin Knodell from Crosscut / May 27, 2019 Last week President Donald Trump’s envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, briefed U.S. senators in a classified meeting. Khalilzad, … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Remembrances, Social justice, War
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Why Did Soviets Invade Afghanistan? Documents Offer History Lesson for Trump
Ed Note: The article below explains how little President Trump understands about Afghanistan. Or perhaps he does understand Russia’s aspirations there and is effectively turning the “great game” back their favor. The book, The Great Game, documents the long history … Continue reading
Operation InfeKtion: How Russia Perfected the Art of War
Ed Note: This is a superb piece of investigative journalism by the NYT: “Russia’s meddling in the United States’ elections is not a hoax. It’s the culmination of Moscow’s decades-long campaign to tear the West apart. “Operation InfeKtion” reveals the ways … Continue reading
Blond hair and the Norden bombsights -a fascinating WWII story
Thanks to Tom G for sending this along. Mary Babnick Brown was an American woman who donated her long blond hair to be used as crosshairs in Norden bombsights in WW II. Brown was a Coloradan; the children of Slovenian … Continue reading
Veteran’s Day – honoring those who served
Posted in Remembrances, War
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“Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism” – Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron denounced nationalism Sunday at a ceremony commemorating the end of World War I, in a pointed rebuke at some world leaders, including President Donald Trump, sitting just feet away. “Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Remembrances, War
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They came in the night – the all-female bomber regiment of the Soviet Air Force
From Aeon: “During the Second World War, the Soviet Air Force initially barred women from serving in combat. That was until October 1941 when the pilot Marina Raskova personally convinced Joseph Stalin to deploy the world’s first all-female air force … Continue reading
Posted in Military, Remembrances, War
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Safeguarding Health and Preventing Nuclear Catastrophe
Ed Note: The Washington State Physicians for Social Responsibility *WPSR) is sponsoring the presentation. The concerns have become even more relevant as nuclear rhetoric heats up: “The US national security adviser, John Bolton, has confirmed that the US will withdrawal from the … Continue reading
Posted in Community Engagement Group, environment, Health, Politics, Safety, Science and Technology, Uncategorized, War
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Meghan McCain tribute to John McCain
Posted in Grief, History, Obituaries, Politics, Remembrances, War
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Vietnam commemorates 50th anniversary of My Lai massacre
Ed note: We all remember the tragedy of My Lai and the horrible images of violence against women and children. But if it happened to us, could we forgive and look for peace and reconciliation? There’s much to be learned … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Remembrances, Social justice, War
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Why Afghanistan remains unconquerable
The Soviets were happy to leave Afghanistan in 1979 after a miserable 10 years of war there. They left a ruined country with more landmines than anywhere else in the world. The United States helped defeat the Russians but basically … Continue reading
Posted in History, Politics, War
2 Comments