The Hound Of Ulster

I don’t think I really want to say much about today’s anniversary. In some ways, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to feel that it actually happened. It’s hard to imagine a better use of the phrased “like a bad dream.” I can still remember my wife and I sitting on the floor of our first little apartment, listening to NPR on the radio. My first son was sleeping in our bedroom, all of 5 months old. And I remember thinking that his life would be different than mine, because September 11th is the sort of event that changes everything.

But it still feels like a bad dream.

THIS is from Peggy Noonan, in the Journal. It is (quite literally) impossible to read dry-eyed, which is a good thing. Out of all the things to remember today, I think that the heroism and love displayed by these victims is the place to start. (HT: PRO ECCLESIA)

People are often stronger than they know, bigger, more gallant than they’d guess. And this: We’re all lucky to be here today and able to say what deserves saying, and if you say it a lot, it won’t make it common and so unheard, but known and absorbed.

TERRIFYING.

Three quarters of Americans can correctly identify two of Snow White’s seven dwarfs while only a quarter can name two Supreme Court Justices, according to a poll on pop culture released on Monday.

What if I can name all the SCOTUS justices, but I can’t name all the dwarves?  What does that make me?  Probably just as terrifying.

Just over 60 percent of respondents were able to name Bart as Homer’s son on the television show “The Simpsons,” while only 20.5 percent were able to name one of the ancient Greek poet Homer’s epic poems, “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey.”

We’re doomed.

Little-know fact:

Because of the soaring price of zinc, it now costs nearly a penny-and-a-half to produce a penny.

That’s the opening of Robert Whaples’ recent USAToday EDITORIAL. In it, he calls for the abolition of Good Ol’ Zinc Abe. Actually, aside from a few “historical” reasons, I really can’t find much to object to here. I’m more than willing to donate 2 cents for the privilege of not having little metal discs rattling around in my pocket. I can’t stand it when that happens. I’m tempted to just donate them to the “customer service rep” any time they give them to me, anyway. So rounding to the nearest nickel won’t effect my state of mind.

And I’m pretty sure I can vote the penny off without being forced to turn in my conservative credentials, right? Because I’m really not sure we should be “conserving” things that make no practical sense.

My only real question is: what will happen to witty sayings like the one above? We won’t have to discard them, will we? I’m not sure I could take that - auld language is precious to me. Though at the rate we’re going, who would sell their thoughts for a penny anyway? Inflation pretty much requires you to ask for at least a dime. And a quarter is well within reason, given the current economic environment.  If the thoughts are actually any good, that is.

(HT: Rich LOWRY, who has some reader REACTIONS.)

This past Sunday, Mr. Ferrier announced that we would be singing all four verses for America the Beautiful for our recessional. He prefaced the hymn itself with a brief historical description of the verses, giving each one a bit of context. Then he began the song.

I cried.

Now, it wasn’t full-on blubbering, or anything. And it definitely was not audible. (I do have some pride, after all. Can’t afford to be too sensitive. I have a public image to maintain, let’s not forget.) But I was really and truly misty-eyed. Even had to take my glasses off for a bit.

May I never reach a point in my life where America the Beautiful leaves me dry-eyed. God Bless the United States of America!

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

Oh beautiful, for pilgrims’ feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw;
Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!

Oh beautiful, for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
‘Til all success be nobleness, and ev’ry gain divine!

Oh beautiful, for patriot’s dream
That sees beyond the years!
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!