for Two Days of Heroes9/6/2004 c1 
10BasketweaverJesser
*pulls out hanky and blows nose loudly*
Every time "Ronald Reagan" and "D-Day" are mentioned I get teary-eyed. This is a lovely American tribute. I especially loved the part about Reagan fooling the Ruskies.
10BasketweaverJesser*pulls out hanky and blows nose loudly*
Every time "Ronald Reagan" and "D-Day" are mentioned I get teary-eyed. This is a lovely American tribute. I especially loved the part about Reagan fooling the Ruskies.
7/17/2004 c1 7C Shot
Smarty: Never heard of him and horse racing to the average Minnesotan is as entertaining as watching an Baathist party debate.
Regan: I was born during the end of his second term. Can't say much, although what I've read about him tells me he was the greatest president ever. FDR is overated... no one cares about the Japanese.. err, Im getting off the point, Im sorry.
WWII: Nothing to argue here. God bless America and protect her against socialism.
-Curtis the Raging Minnesotan
7C ShotSmarty: Never heard of him and horse racing to the average Minnesotan is as entertaining as watching an Baathist party debate.
Regan: I was born during the end of his second term. Can't say much, although what I've read about him tells me he was the greatest president ever. FDR is overated... no one cares about the Japanese.. err, Im getting off the point, Im sorry.
WWII: Nothing to argue here. God bless America and protect her against socialism.
-Curtis the Raging Minnesotan
7/9/2004 c1 Takeo
Good essay, and a nice tribute to some great American figures. Except for the horse; kill it, cook it, and drench it in barbecue sauce. I DETEST horse racing.
PS: You could at least IM me once in a while. I miss having someone to bounce my ideas off of. Just a thought!
Good essay, and a nice tribute to some great American figures. Except for the horse; kill it, cook it, and drench it in barbecue sauce. I DETEST horse racing.
PS: You could at least IM me once in a while. I miss having someone to bounce my ideas off of. Just a thought!
6/30/2004 c1 7JaffaCake
I was a young child for all of Reagan's presidency, so I personally did not see Reagan's leadership on T.V. Yet, when I read about him, I was instantly charmed by his give-em-hell attitude. Say what you will about the effectiveness of Reaganomics, or wave Iran-Contra at me all you want... Reagan did the impossible and brought down an evil empire. For that act alone, he ranks up there among the great presidents.
Smarty Jones loss was disappointing, but you made an interesting note there, Steve, about how in this time of political strife, everyone can agree on one thing. Here's to this country finding another Smarty Jones.
Finally, what can I say about D-Day that hasn't been said already? Right now, I'm wondering whether sixty years down the line, the veterans of this current war are given the same amount of respect and gratitude we currently give to "the Greatest Generation."
7JaffaCakeI was a young child for all of Reagan's presidency, so I personally did not see Reagan's leadership on T.V. Yet, when I read about him, I was instantly charmed by his give-em-hell attitude. Say what you will about the effectiveness of Reaganomics, or wave Iran-Contra at me all you want... Reagan did the impossible and brought down an evil empire. For that act alone, he ranks up there among the great presidents.
Smarty Jones loss was disappointing, but you made an interesting note there, Steve, about how in this time of political strife, everyone can agree on one thing. Here's to this country finding another Smarty Jones.
Finally, what can I say about D-Day that hasn't been said already? Right now, I'm wondering whether sixty years down the line, the veterans of this current war are given the same amount of respect and gratitude we currently give to "the Greatest Generation."
6/29/2004 c1 Strawberri Shake
Ok, time to voice my opinion on this. You actually gave me little to argue about on this one. Losing your touch are you?
Oh and RCS-what's wrong with being a teen-aged contrarian smart-ass? Many great orators and debaters were teen-aged smartasses once.
On to my comments on the heroes you mentioned. First: Smarty. Great tribute. I don't follow horse racing that much but my sister's a fanatic and she made me watch the Belmont with her. I was pulling for Smarty to win just as I was pulling for Funny Cide last year. I'm sorry he didn't and it was a fitting tribute to a great horse.
Second: Reagan. I like and respect him as an actor. And the SALT treaties were the work of a political genius. He opened up to China and the Soviets. So, he was a good president. Not as good as Carter or Roosevelt (both FDR and Teddy) but still very good. Definately better than Nixon or Bush or Bush jr. Not as good as you glorified him out to be though.
Third: the soldiers who died for us on D-Day. I can't contest any of your points there. They are heroes always to be remembered.
well written btw
~Strawberri Shake
Ok, time to voice my opinion on this. You actually gave me little to argue about on this one. Losing your touch are you?
Oh and RCS-what's wrong with being a teen-aged contrarian smart-ass? Many great orators and debaters were teen-aged smartasses once.
On to my comments on the heroes you mentioned. First: Smarty. Great tribute. I don't follow horse racing that much but my sister's a fanatic and she made me watch the Belmont with her. I was pulling for Smarty to win just as I was pulling for Funny Cide last year. I'm sorry he didn't and it was a fitting tribute to a great horse.
Second: Reagan. I like and respect him as an actor. And the SALT treaties were the work of a political genius. He opened up to China and the Soviets. So, he was a good president. Not as good as Carter or Roosevelt (both FDR and Teddy) but still very good. Definately better than Nixon or Bush or Bush jr. Not as good as you glorified him out to be though.
Third: the soldiers who died for us on D-Day. I can't contest any of your points there. They are heroes always to be remembered.
well written btw
~Strawberri Shake
6/18/2004 c1 2RCS
"I disagree with most of this..." Nemomen, what the hell is there to disagree with here? I think you're disagreeing just to be a contrarian teen-aged smart-ass. Get back to us when you actually graduate high school and start living in the real world.
Anyway, Steve, this was a well-written piece. Kudos.
2RCS"I disagree with most of this..." Nemomen, what the hell is there to disagree with here? I think you're disagreeing just to be a contrarian teen-aged smart-ass. Get back to us when you actually graduate high school and start living in the real world.
Anyway, Steve, this was a well-written piece. Kudos.
6/8/2004 c1 24Nemen
I disagree with most of this, but I won't refute it...you obviously care too much about this to take kindly to my corrections, and I don't care enough to read it again and pick out the places where you were mistaken. I'll just point out a few things.
Until reading this essay, I had no idea who Smarty Jones was, wasn't aware that Reagan had died, and wasn't aware that it was Memorial day (although in hindsight, I should've at least known THAT one)...just goes to show that some things that are very important to some of us (like you) don't affect others (like me) at all.
This reminds me of the kind of stuff that I'd see in the newspaper, or in the Daily Digest. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult, but that's what this reminds me of.
You go on living your life, and I'll go on living mine.
24NemenI disagree with most of this, but I won't refute it...you obviously care too much about this to take kindly to my corrections, and I don't care enough to read it again and pick out the places where you were mistaken. I'll just point out a few things.
Until reading this essay, I had no idea who Smarty Jones was, wasn't aware that Reagan had died, and wasn't aware that it was Memorial day (although in hindsight, I should've at least known THAT one)...just goes to show that some things that are very important to some of us (like you) don't affect others (like me) at all.
This reminds me of the kind of stuff that I'd see in the newspaper, or in the Daily Digest. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult, but that's what this reminds me of.
You go on living your life, and I'll go on living mine.
6/6/2004 c1 Jave Harron
A powerful and fitting tribute, Steve. Old Ronnie, no matter where you are on the political spectrum, is someone to look up admire for his strong support of his beliefs. I'm not a big horse race fan, but I can understand your message. As for D-Day, I actually know a D-Day vet. "Big Jim" was a 15 year old boy that faked his age to join the army. He gave me an eyewitness account of D-Day, and those men indeed were brave. Thanks for the tribute, Steve, and thanks Ronnie and thanks to all of the brave men on D-Day.
A powerful and fitting tribute, Steve. Old Ronnie, no matter where you are on the political spectrum, is someone to look up admire for his strong support of his beliefs. I'm not a big horse race fan, but I can understand your message. As for D-Day, I actually know a D-Day vet. "Big Jim" was a 15 year old boy that faked his age to join the army. He gave me an eyewitness account of D-Day, and those men indeed were brave. Thanks for the tribute, Steve, and thanks Ronnie and thanks to all of the brave men on D-Day.
6/6/2004 c1 8DPTRM
God Bless America. Simple words that bring an entire nation together. This weekend will indeed go down in history.
8DPTRMGod Bless America. Simple words that bring an entire nation together. This weekend will indeed go down in history.
6/6/2004 c1 Mbwun
Excellent tribute to a great statesmen, a great horse, and the greatest generation. Probably your best-written piece.
~He Who Walks On All Fours
Excellent tribute to a great statesmen, a great horse, and the greatest generation. Probably your best-written piece.
~He Who Walks On All Fours
6/6/2004 c1 1Spiletta42
Hi,
I really enjoyed this timely piece. I'd like to link it, if you wouldn't mind, to the Unofficial Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.
http:/sky.prohosting.com/spiletta/UTHOF
I don't often link outside material, so this would be an exception. Let me know.
1Spiletta42Hi,
I really enjoyed this timely piece. I'd like to link it, if you wouldn't mind, to the Unofficial Thoroughbred Hall of Fame.
http:/sky.prohosting.com/spiletta/UTHOF
I don't often link outside material, so this would be an exception. Let me know.
6/6/2004 c1 Retlor
An extremely well-thought out essay. This weekend has been one of the most important for a while and your coverage of these three events (although the first was previously unknown to me) was excellent. I have only one gripe and it is a small one:
'There, the largest invasion force ever assembled (made up of Americans, British, and Canadians)'
There was also a significant French presence in that force, they were the survivors of the Dunkirk evacuation three years earlier.
An extremely well-thought out essay. This weekend has been one of the most important for a while and your coverage of these three events (although the first was previously unknown to me) was excellent. I have only one gripe and it is a small one:
'There, the largest invasion force ever assembled (made up of Americans, British, and Canadians)'
There was also a significant French presence in that force, they were the survivors of the Dunkirk evacuation three years earlier.