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The Eleventh Hour
Author: BobR    Date: 11/11/2009 12:57:57

We've all heard the expression saying something was saved "in the 11th hour". It means that on the cusp of all hope being lost, something remarkable happened to save the day. What most of us don't realize is that the expression has direct ties to today - Veterans Day.

That's because the treaty to end WWI was signed in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month:
While most know that Veterans Day honors those who have served in the military, the meaning behind its exact date (November 11) may not be so familiar. Here's the backstory:

Back in 1918, in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a stop to hostilities was declared, ending World War I. An armistice to cease the fighting on the Western Front was signed by the Allied powers and Germany.

President Woodrow Wilson immediately proclaimed the day "Armistice Day," kicking off the annual commemoration on November 11. But over the years, with veterans returning from World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day — a day reserved to honor veterans returning from all wars. But 11/11 still represented the end of the Great War in the public's mind, and the date stuck.

In 1921, unidentified dead from the war were buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., Westminster Abbey in London, and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The tradition to honor those killed in the war but never identified continues every year in the U.S. The ceremony is held at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Of course 20 years later, the "war to end all wars" became WWI when WWII began to coalesce. Most people know (or knew) someone that fought in WWII. I have several uncles that are veterans of that war; one was given a military funeral about 10 years ago. There aren't that many WWII veterans left.

What's surprising is that there still a small handful of WWI veterans left. I read a few days ago that one recently died (cannot find the news article), but apparently there is still at least a couple left. I find it stunning that there are survivors of a war that ended 91 years ago today.

It's also interesting to note that the Marine Corps was created 234 years ago today. What a strang coincidence...

Sometimes it feels like we are in the 11th hour here in America, with economic calamity on the brink, the environment teetering on the edge, and political lunacy becoming more rampant. We should all keep in mind that our veterans fought to keep our country together and we should honor their service by committing ourselves to do the same from the non-military side.

But first - take a moment today to remember those who've put their lives on the line in service to our country.

Thank-you veterans, young and old


 

38 comments (Latest Comment: 11/11/2009 21:21:40 by livingonli)
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Comment by wickedpam on 11/11/2009 13:04:45
Morning



I never knew about the 11th hour thing, pretty interesting

Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 13:06:52
Good Morning.

Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 14:23:06
I agree with Chris on this one-- we cannot keep putting this off/1

Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 14:31:07
Wow-- Look at who is campaigning for the Tea Party candidate in Florida!

Comment by starling310 on 11/11/2009 14:31:59
Quote by Raine:

I agree with Chris on this one-- we cannot keep putting this off/1




While I agree with you, I am beyond sick of people saying X " never had a chance."

"Single Payer never had a chance." "Dennis Kucinich can't win." etc, etc, etc.

If we set out from the get go to lose, we will. And, the Dems do it every time.





Comment by TriSec on 11/11/2009 15:06:53
Morning folks!



Back from our ceremonies; pix posted over on Facebook.



And of course, since I drove the length of the Battle Road this morning, I'm having a cup of tea!





Comment by starling310 on 11/11/2009 15:12:28
Because that IS what Liberals do; we swallow. We don't spit.



Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 15:13:28
The Stupak amendment should have to be revoted every year -- Just like Hyde.

Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 15:14:32
Quote by starling310:

Because that IS what Liberals do; we swallow. We don't spit.

Oh dear. that was a provocative way to put it.



Comment by TriSec on 11/11/2009 15:32:45
In case you all missed my tweet yesterday...



"Somebody should ammend the bill and ban funding for Viagra."





Comment by starling310 on 11/11/2009 15:35:04
Quote by Raine:

The Stupak amendment should have to be revoted every year -- Just like Hyde.




And, as Thom Hartmann says "Men shouldn't be allowed to vote."



Comment by starling310 on 11/11/2009 15:36:18
Chris and Jim could defend it all they want, but the fact is MOST of the responsibility and consequences of an unwanted/unplanned pregnancy fall on the WOMAN!

Comment by starling310 on 11/11/2009 15:40:48
Chris Chris Chris. You can be a pragmatist and still be hopeful and go after what you truly believe in!



Comment by wickedpam on 11/11/2009 15:40:59
Quote by starling310:

Chris and Jim could defend it all they want, but the fact is MOST of the responsibility and consequences of an unwanted/unplanned pregnancy fall on the WOMAN!






true that - then if a woman choose to have the baby but she's alone they try and cut off funding for things like food stamps and welfare



women always seem to get the short end of most things - AND we've put up with it! That's what kills me. We always put everyone in front of us because of the whole "greater good" thing

Comment by starling310 on 11/11/2009 15:41:01
:: wipes up muse ::

Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 15:41:40
Wow -- momma smacking down

Comment by starling310 on 11/11/2009 15:43:11
"Where would Tina Turner be now if she rolled over and said 'Hit me again Ike and PUT SOME STANK ON IT!' "

Comment by wickedpam on 11/11/2009 15:44:10
Europe = Adults



US = spoiled teenagers

Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 15:44:40
Quote by starling310:

Chris Chris Chris. You can be a pragmatist and still be hopeful and go after what you truly believe in!

agreed!!!





(nice muse btw-- sorry I keep missing you been so busy over here.)



Comment by starling310 on 11/11/2009 15:46:46
Quote by Raine:

Quote by starling310:

Chris Chris Chris. You can be a pragmatist and still be hopeful and go after what you truly believe in!

agreed!!!





(nice muse btw-- sorry I keep missing you been so busy over here.)





I'm not here much either. Busy on my end too! Blah.

But every now and then Momma and the Mooks set off an opinion in me! LOL.







Comment by livingonli on 11/11/2009 16:14:55
Good morning everyone.



I missed the smackdown. What did Momma beat producerchris on. And it looks like my housemate is dogsitting for a couple of days so kittie has retreated into my room. She's laying on the bed beside me while I type this.

Comment by livingonli on 11/11/2009 16:50:10
Bloggie sure got quiet.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/11/2009 16:55:37


Comment by wickedpam on 11/11/2009 17:23:59
no THom - I don't share the same world view as the Tea Party movement

Comment by livingonli on 11/11/2009 17:33:42
I would like to put the tea party into giant tea bags and toss them into the ocean or at least Boston Harbor (or maybe the East River).

Comment by BobR on 11/11/2009 17:43:39
Quote by starling310:

Because that IS what Liberals do; we swallow. We don't spit.



You say that like it's a bad thing...

Comment by TriSec on 11/11/2009 18:31:50
Quote by livingonli:

I would like to put the tea party into giant tea bags and toss them into the ocean or at least Boston Harbor (or maybe the East River).




Please - it just took us 20 years to clean up the freakin' harbor. Let's not re-pollute the damn thing.



Comment by Mondobubba on 11/11/2009 18:45:57
Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 18:53:59
Quote by BobR:

Quote by starling310:

Because that IS what Liberals do; we swallow. We don't spit.



You say that like it's a bad thing...




Comment by Scoopster on 11/11/2009 18:54:36
Afternoon all! No, I'm at work today, just supa busy with stuff ya know?



Anyways.. It seems Sen. Demint has proposed congressional term limits.. Termlimits are good on many ways and not so good in others (i.e. no one would be able to follow through on legislation they propose that takes years to craft).



What I don't like about his particular bill is that it would give a huge advantage to Senators. Sure they'd be limited to three terms just like a Representative, but that's still 18 years as compared to 6 years in the House. It should be equaled out by time instead - 2 terms for Senators and 6 terms for Reps, or 12 years.



Oh and it seems hard times have hit the Washington Times.. that's right the Moonie paper is going bust, but not just because of the bad economy!

Comment by Scoopster on 11/11/2009 19:15:32
Caption time!



http://thefortuno.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Mantis_vs_dog_2.jpg


Comment by Mondobubba on 11/11/2009 19:58:25
Quote by Scoopster:

Caption time!



http://thefortuno.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Mantis_vs_dog_2.jpg




I wish to master the mantis style, sensi!

Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 20:08:33
Quote by Scoopster:

Caption time!



http://thefortuno.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Mantis_vs_dog_2.jpg
Puppy: Hey your not the Geicco Gekko...



Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 20:09:22
Quote by Scoopster:

Caption time!



http://thefortuno.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Mantis_vs_dog_2.jpg
No really, lt IS this big!!!



Comment by Raine on 11/11/2009 20:15:03
Quote by Scoopster:

Afternoon all! No, I'm at work today, just supa busy with stuff ya know?



Anyways.. It seems Sen. Demint has proposed congressional term limits.. Termlimits are good on many ways and not so good in others (i.e. no one would be able to follow through on legislation they propose that takes years to craft).



What I don't like about his particular bill is that it would give a huge advantage to Senators. Sure they'd be limited to three terms just like a Representative, but that's still 18 years as compared to 6 years in the House. It should be equaled out by time instead - 2 terms for Senators and 6 terms for Reps, or 12 years.



Oh and it seems hard times have hit the Washington Times.. that's right the Moonie paper is going bust, but not just because of the bad economy!
If they wanna do term limits -- let it be 12 years across the board.



I have to admit I am not a big fan of term limits, on a principal basis -- but we can't get enough people to get out and vote, nor can we get people interested -- so from a pragmatic POV, I would support a FAIR term limits law.



Demint's is not fair. It will only further the power of the senate- I would like to see both the senate and the HOP having equal power.



The other problem (if it even is one) is that it takes away Seniority for both houses -- making a possible teaparty takeover much easier. I don't know if this will work, at all-- it smells of political opportunism.



Comment by BobR on 11/11/2009 20:31:02
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Scoopster:

Afternoon all! No, I'm at work today, just supa busy with stuff ya know?



Anyways.. It seems Sen. Demint has proposed congressional term limits.. Termlimits are good on many ways and not so good in others (i.e. no one would be able to follow through on legislation they propose that takes years to craft).



What I don't like about his particular bill is that it would give a huge advantage to Senators. Sure they'd be limited to three terms just like a Representative, but that's still 18 years as compared to 6 years in the House. It should be equaled out by time instead - 2 terms for Senators and 6 terms for Reps, or 12 years.



Oh and it seems hard times have hit the Washington Times.. that's right the Moonie paper is going bust, but not just because of the bad economy!
If they wanna do term limits -- let it be 12 years across the board.



I have to admit I am not a big fan of term limits, on a principal basis -- but we can't get enough people to get out and vote, nor can we get people interested -- so from a pragmatic POV, I would support a FAIR term limits law.



Demint's is not fair. It will only further the power of the senate- I would like to see both the senate and the HOP having equal power.



The other problem (if it even is one) is that it takes away Seniority for both houses -- making a possible teaparty takeover much easier. I don't know if this will work, at all-- it smells of political opportunism.



It reeks of "throw the bums out" desperation. Since the elections don't seem to be throwing them out, then they want to force them out.



A better solution to the problem would be to limit campaign spending so that newcomers have a better chance of unseating an incumbant. If the majority of the voters want to keep their Senator there for 40 years, they should be allowed to.



Imagine if Teddy Kennedy had been forced out after 12 years!



Comment by Mondobubba on 11/11/2009 20:36:17
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

Quote by Scoopster:

Afternoon all! No, I'm at work today, just supa busy with stuff ya know?



Anyways.. It seems Sen. Demint has proposed congressional term limits.. Termlimits are good on many ways and not so good in others (i.e. no one would be able to follow through on legislation they propose that takes years to craft).



What I don't like about his particular bill is that it would give a huge advantage to Senators. Sure they'd be limited to three terms just like a Representative, but that's still 18 years as compared to 6 years in the House. It should be equaled out by time instead - 2 terms for Senators and 6 terms for Reps, or 12 years.



Oh and it seems hard times have hit the Washington Times.. that's right the Moonie paper is going bust, but not just because of the bad economy!
If they wanna do term limits -- let it be 12 years across the board.



I have to admit I am not a big fan of term limits, on a principal basis -- but we can't get enough people to get out and vote, nor can we get people interested -- so from a pragmatic POV, I would support a FAIR term limits law.



Demint's is not fair. It will only further the power of the senate- I would like to see both the senate and the HOP having equal power.



The other problem (if it even is one) is that it takes away Seniority for both houses -- making a possible teaparty takeover much easier. I don't know if this will work, at all-- it smells of political opportunism.



It reeks of "throw the bums out" desperation. Since the elections don't seem to be throwing them out, then they want to force them out.



A better solution to the problem would be to limit campaign spending so that newcomers have a better chance of unseating an incumbant. If the majority of the voters want to keep their Senator there for 40 years, they should be allowed to.



Imagine if Teddy Kennedy had been forced out after 12 years!





The problem with term limits of any kind is they make an institution loose memory. All the office holders are rookies with no idea how things run, so they become more reliant on staff or lobbyists.

Comment by livingonli on 11/11/2009 21:21:40
I think with term limits the system will be even more corrupted by money because with less experience, the lobbyists and business interests will "lobby" (translation pay off) whoever they can get into their cause and they don't care who else suffers.

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