Copyright Star Tribune
Like most seaside finds, the rock was not as pretty dry as it was in the surf. So I attempted to coat it with a rock-polishing liquid. “Attempted” is the operative word, as this rock defied every attempt I made to gloss it up. I learned: Yes — some of the rocks on Omaha Beach are actually remnants of concrete bunkers, fortifications and invasion obstacles from World War II. In addition, the beach itself contains unusual materials like shrapnel, iron beads and even glass formed by explosions, which mix with the natural sand and pebbles. As Copilot put it, “This means Omaha Beach is not just covered with cement fragments but also contains a microscopic record of the battle embedded in its sand.” This year, I will celebrate Veterans Day with a heavy heart. While I am profoundly grateful for the service and patriotism of our military veterans, both living and deceased, I am troubled by the efforts of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to politicize our armed forces. Just look at some of what he has done: I am appealing to all readers of the Minnesota Star Tribune to take action both nationally and locally in an effort to reclaim Armistice Day, the holiday now know as Veterans Day. Armistice Day was founded to promote peace after World War I, but the holiday’s meaning was changed and it now glorifies war. As we hurl toward potential wanton destruction, it is more important than ever to educate ourselves and others on the original meaning of Veterans Day. Kudos to John Rash and a recent letter writer for pushing back against resuming nuclear testing (“An ‘alarming,’ ‘incoherent’ stand on nuclear testing,” Strib Voices, Nov. 5, and “Testing paves the way for war,” Readers Write, Nov. 4). Such testing has already caused many premature deaths domestically and globally. Estimates vary from hundreds of thousands to millions. Cancers, especially thyroid cancer and leukemia, cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses caused by radioactive fallout develop years or decades after exposure. Clearly these medical issues cause much suffering and debt for families and communities even as improved cancer treatment delays deaths. I would support awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to any U.S. president who signs the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). A majority of the world’s nations have already signed. Since the U.S. was the first to build and bomb with nukes, it behooves us to be the first nuclear nation to sign. Signing the treaty starts the process toward ratification and does not require unilateral action. I’m so angry at the Democrats who folded. Seven million of us rallied for you. We gave to food shelves and attended town halls and were loud. We stood behind you. You were finally doing something to stop just one of the obscenities of this administration. People were waking up to the cause of the chaos. I wonder, what’s the difference between having no health care and not being able to afford the health care you are offered? You caved. It’s unforgivable. It is time to end the Senate filibuster rule, and the current U.S. government shutdown should motivate us more than ever in this direction. Currently, a budget has been put forth with majority approval in both the House and the Senate, but the old fly-in-the-ointment Senate filibuster rule gave the minority party the leverage it does not deserve in blocking passage of the budget and reopening of the U.S. government. I hold Congress responsible for smooth operation of our government, and a shutdown is shameful failure to do job one. The filibuster is responsible for the procedural temptation of Senate minority parties to avoid the will of the majority. The filibuster should be ended once and for all. Now is a good time to make this change when the damage it causes is so very evident.
