Two New York Times editorials

I don't intend to spoil anything if you're going to read tomorrow's (Memorial Day, 26 May 2008) The New York Times, but I found a couple of editorials that are definitely merit reading.

The first editorial is "Mr. Bush and the G.I. Bill". As is common knowledge, President Bush (as well as presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain) does not support a new G.I. Bill that truly supports the troops who are back home after extended tours of duty. So much for the party that has indicated that opposition to the Iraq war is opposition to the troops. On this Memorial Day, let it be known that I have always supported and will continue to support the troops and their missions. But I do not support the war. It can be two separate things. If we're going to support the troops, then let's give them better armor, decent equipment, and a decent education at a public university. It is the absolute least any nation can do.

The second editorial shows that the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just doesn't know from what it should protect us. In "States Chafing at U.S. Focus on Terrorism", the DHS thinks that the improvised explosive devices, IEDs, will be a threat to American streets and so future funding received by the DHS is contingent upon a plan to address a non-existent threat.

Fortunately, there are only 239 days to go before the end of the most interesting eight (8) years in American history. History will judge who was right, as it usually does, but in the interim, I present you with a countdown to Inauguration Day 2009.

Cheers and much patience – Edward Jensen