June 14 Is Flag Day

OK - I realize Flag Day is an American thing, but I had all these pictures of guys with flags so I decided to run with it. And one of the guys IS Canadian ... which is close enough, right?!?

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Mission Accomplished

"Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda."

... President Barack Obama, 5/1/11

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United States of Awesome

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A follow up to yesterday's United States of Shame (via Joe.My.God).

I can vouch for PA's "Most Hunters" (although I'm not so sure why it's "awesome") - schools in my hometown are still closed on the first day of deer hunting season.

And Kentucky is "Best Armed", which in my opinion is definitely NOT awesome.

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United States of Shame

Click to Embiggen

First we had U.S. States by MOVIE, then TV SHOW, followed by U.S. States by FOOD - and now we have U.S. States by what each state is the worst at. And YES, they are officially scraping the bottom of the barrel for "U.S. States By" categories.

New York? We are supposed to be ashamed by our daily commute (unless you live in the city and take mass transit and then it's a breeze, but who am I to argue with a colorful MAP?!?). And my native state, Pennsylvania? Arson. Hide yo kids, hide yo matches - they burning up 'errbody in the Keystone State!

What should YOUR state be ashamed of?? Froggy, I'm looking at you ...

Source

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I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman

Ricardo

Daniel

Peter

Christopher

I HEAR America singing, the varied carols I hear;

Those of mechanics--

each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong;

The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam,

The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work;

The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat--

the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck;

The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench--

the hatter singing as he stands;

The wood-cutter's song--

the ploughboy's, on his way in the morning,

or at the noon intermission, or at sundown;

The delicious singing of the mother--

or of the young wife at work--

or of the girl sewing or washing--

Each singing what belongs to her, and to none else;

The day what belongs to the day--

At night, the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,

Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs.

... Walt Whitman

The Great American Pastime

In the great department store of life, baseball is the toy department.

... Source Unknown

Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the rules and realities of the game. 

... Jacques Barzun