A lot of folks yesterday had the "Remember Pearl Harbor" theme. And, while I respect that, I confess I don't really get it, either.
I've never been quite clear on what people want to "remember" about it. Nor have I ever understood why anyone was all that shocked that it happened. The world was at war, after all. And while we were not yet part of it, we were certainly an obstacle in the plans of those out to dominate. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor made perfect sense, from that perspective. Did it suck? Of course it sucked. Everything about war sucks. But in my more cynical moments, I sometimes think we should look at Dec. 7 as a great day in history, because it got us off our asses to get involved in stopping Hitler.
Ah, whatever. I don't want to go down that road. It's far too complex to try to sum up in this kind of forum. Or any, really.
But one thing I do remember, every Dec. 8, is the murder (or assassination, if you prefer) of John Lennon. At least when someone says, "Remember John Lennon," I have a clearer sense of something, rather than Pearl Harbor.
My cynical friends will say that Lennon wasn't really as much a revolutionary as he's been made out to be. Or that all his peace talk was just blather.
Whatever.
John's message of peace and love is clearly one that's too idealistic for today's generation. But keeping in mind his optimism, even in the face of all the crap our government put him through, is something I damn well think deserves to be remembered.
Today's another anniversary for me, too. Three years ago today, I started this job. It's now officially my second-longest job. My longest was about four years. Yeah, I know that's not much. My employment has been spotty, to say the least.
In some ways, the time has flown; in others, dragged. The last year or so, especially, has been pretty wonky, as anyone who's read this blog regularly will know.
Dunno if this anniversary is worth remembering or not. I have my doubts.
pat robertson
