May 1st is many things. Today (and yesterday) there were many marches and rallies for worker and immigrant rights. The day already represents the worker or labour in many countries, including Germany, Italy, Finland, Poland, Norway, Sweden and socialist (Communist) countries. On May 1, 1886 in the USA and Canada, the 8-hour day became law (the concept being 8 hours of work, 8 hours of recreation, 8 hours of sleep) (yes, I know, it doesn't exist for me either). The earliest celebration of May 1st is that of Beltane, the first day of summer (and I hold it to be the first day of summer too. To me, the summer solstice is MIDsummer, not the beginning of it), so enjoy your rituals if you are so inclined. Summer is here, for sure. It will be 90 this weekend for Cinco de Mayo.May 1st in the USA is Loyalty Day, established in 2003 by Dubya on the same day that the war in Iraq ended. Remember that day? How wonderful that the conflict came to an end and we have now had 4 years of peace and freedom there. Here's an excerpt of the speech he made when the Mission Was Accomplished:
[Full transcript here]
President Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended
Remarks by the President from the USS Abraham Lincoln
At Sea Off the Coast of San Diego, California
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my fellow Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.
In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment -- yet, it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage, your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other, made this day possible. Because of you, our nation is more secure. Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.
I'm glad they preserved that speech. Otherwise, nobody would have believed it.
Happy May Day, everyone.
4 comments:
"Loyalty Day?"
What a strange notion. It is so 1984ish to me.
One of those "holidays" that gets no more attention than Garlic Day. That's not Dubya's worst. When he was governor, he declared June 10 to be "Jesus Day" in Texas. I'm trying to decide whether that is worse than our current gov. who seems to be Ted Nugent's bitch and now wants everybody to be able to pack their concealed guns *everywhere* with no restrictions... and of course, he's packin' Jesus too when it's convenient.
Many pack Jesus when it's convenient but they leave Jesus home when they troll for teens,lie under oath, accept bribes, and buy meth from the masseuse.
Thanks for the best laff of the day. I should be crying, but your perfect delivery made that just impossible. Happy May Day to you, too!
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