I’ve been struggling all week to put this sentiment into words, so thank you! I’ve taken great joy in watching the World Cup visitors realize we’re not all lunatics, foaming at the mouth at accumulated grievances. And I truly believe that American optimism and determination will get us through this.
Jen: I think they realize that our citizens are not all like our leaders.
And despite all our current problems (subtle racism, inequality, the balkination of our media, etc), the United States is Heaven compared to most other countries. There's a reason people will pay any price and risk their lives over thousands of miles to get here. Because here they have a chance to do better for themselves and their children.....
Mom's second husband was retired Army (Vietnam), her third was retired Navy (Vietnam), and her fourth was retired Air Force (WWII). I suppose if she'd married again, she would have married a Marine.
"Everything is purposeful, it's like a Will Leatch paragraph!" Hot dog eating commentary doesn’t get any better than that! And: amen on America @ 250! As of today, I've gone 13 columns without referencing that man's name too.....feels right.
Sorry to be that one guy that has to have things explained to him, but the opening two sentences are confusing and seemingly contradictory: "Both of my grandfathers were infantrymen in World War II. My mom’s dad, Grandpa Dooley, was a turret gunner."
So one Grandpa - Dooley - was BOTH an Infantryman AND a Turret Gunner?
I just finished the second in the WWII trilogy by Rick Atkinson, which will break your heart when you read about all the young men like your grandfathers and your uncle Lotsi who were plucked from their lives and dropped into war, which eats men like a monster. I can see why they wouldn't want to talk about it, but I think in the not talking about it we are shielded from how truly terrible it was. I have felt real grief after reading it, I think in part because I am having a hard time seeing the America they fought for in the country we're now living in. But, I think there are more of us than there are of them, those of us who still believe there's something worth fighting for in here. And that's something.
Will, I signed up for the soccer newsletter but gosh it wasn't intuitive at all. No wonder The Post is struggling. I finally pressed the word "newsletter" and there it was. The word "newsletter" (part of "newsletters & email") had no indication that it was a link. Luckily, as a Ludditte, I've learned to just keep stabbing at the screen until something happens.....
I’ve been struggling all week to put this sentiment into words, so thank you! I’ve taken great joy in watching the World Cup visitors realize we’re not all lunatics, foaming at the mouth at accumulated grievances. And I truly believe that American optimism and determination will get us through this.
Jen: I think they realize that our citizens are not all like our leaders.
And despite all our current problems (subtle racism, inequality, the balkination of our media, etc), the United States is Heaven compared to most other countries. There's a reason people will pay any price and risk their lives over thousands of miles to get here. Because here they have a chance to do better for themselves and their children.....
Mom's second husband was retired Army (Vietnam), her third was retired Navy (Vietnam), and her fourth was retired Air Force (WWII). I suppose if she'd married again, she would have married a Marine.
"Everything is purposeful, it's like a Will Leatch paragraph!" Hot dog eating commentary doesn’t get any better than that! And: amen on America @ 250! As of today, I've gone 13 columns without referencing that man's name too.....feels right.
Down with automatic red card suspensions.
As usual, great stuff! And I’m a Canadian in the States living in Wisconsin (basically Ontario with better sausages)
High praise indeed, from ESPN! Happy 4th.
Hear Hear!!! Kudos.
Sorry to be that one guy that has to have things explained to him, but the opening two sentences are confusing and seemingly contradictory: "Both of my grandfathers were infantrymen in World War II. My mom’s dad, Grandpa Dooley, was a turret gunner."
So one Grandpa - Dooley - was BOTH an Infantryman AND a Turret Gunner?
I just finished the second in the WWII trilogy by Rick Atkinson, which will break your heart when you read about all the young men like your grandfathers and your uncle Lotsi who were plucked from their lives and dropped into war, which eats men like a monster. I can see why they wouldn't want to talk about it, but I think in the not talking about it we are shielded from how truly terrible it was. I have felt real grief after reading it, I think in part because I am having a hard time seeing the America they fought for in the country we're now living in. But, I think there are more of us than there are of them, those of us who still believe there's something worth fighting for in here. And that's something.
Thank you for that!
It made my week-end.
I was a Vietnam era veteran, Air Force, but I was North Dakota for 3 years.
Will, I signed up for the soccer newsletter but gosh it wasn't intuitive at all. No wonder The Post is struggling. I finally pressed the word "newsletter" and there it was. The word "newsletter" (part of "newsletters & email") had no indication that it was a link. Luckily, as a Ludditte, I've learned to just keep stabbing at the screen until something happens.....
Happy Birthday America!