Safely Through Another Week

The year 2007 is now 3 weeks old and certain themes are beginning to become apparent. 

 

Lake Ontario has cooled sufficiently and the Arctic Jet Stream switched direction enough to bring winter finally to Southern Ontario.  It arrived Sunday Night as a massive ice storm and the deep freeze that followed ensured that those who sell rock salt and provide auto-body repair services are well compensated.  Letter Carriers on the other hand are learning to creep around on pull-on cleats.  In the Vancouver Area a driver who was not so accustomed fell on the ice hitting the back of his head to his death.  I now have the right weather to defrost my deep freeze; what I lack is the enthusiasm for the task. 

 

What can anyone say about the Vietnam War that hasn't already been written over and over?  The passage of time, the objectivity of distance and non-involvement, and the act of watching 11 of the 14 DVD's that constitute the series, Tour of Duty, almost back to back leads me to make certain conclusions about the objectives of the creators of this series.  In the first place Sony Pictures have a nerve to call this "The Complete Series" when it is now obvious that they failed to negotiate a deal with the Rolling Stones for the use the series' theme music, "Paint It Black" in any of the episodes.  We've all heard about the demoralization factor in being drafted unwillingly to fight a war in a country that's been at war for generations while the people back home are protesting the fact that it's still ongoing.  It becomes obvious that the enemy here is war itself.  It can be argued that the pursuit of war is good for business but the costs in human terms on both sides are horrendous.  How can you win a war when it is impossible to tell your allies from your enemies and even your allies wish you'd go home?  The oxymoron status of the term "military intelligence" is reinforced repeatedly.  Rear-echelon Generals would rather trust information gained from surveillance aircraft 5 miles up than the instincts of the men on the ground.  What is most pointedly driven home is the slow descent into madness visited upon the men who fight what seems a pointless battle day after day.  I have now witnessed the series' representation of the My Lai Massacre and the first suicide by a monk by soaking in gasoline and lighting a match.  The pointlessness of attempting to rescue a people who don't want to be rescued, on their own turf which they have known intimately for centuries and are willing to die defending was never more plain.  The sad truth is that we've learned so little from history—the Americans and British in Iraq and the Canadian Army in Afghanistan.  Does anyone actually think we're ever going to find Osama bin Laden?  Does the term "pyrrhic victory" come to mind?  Has anyone seen the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

 

http://thewall-usa.com/index.asp

 

On a personal level I lost interest in cooking this week especially after the events of last; so I ate out three times.  First at Bronte Chinese Cuisine at Hopedale Mall on the recommendation of friends—it's been over a decade since I went out for Chinese Food.  Then at the Niblick Pub in Upper Oakville Plaza on chicken curry in pita packets with salad. And finally at Swiss Chalet opposite the Go Station where for once they actually got my order correct—the food is good otherwise.  Speaking of eating, on Monday I actually got a compliment on the care I give my mouth from my dentist's hygienist. 

 

I should go grocery shopping now but somehow I lack the enthusiasm for that task as well.  Should I take in the Golden Griddles Buffet Brunch?  Before I do either I still need to shave.