ENTERTAINMENT - Poem for Memorial Day

http://m.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/05/a-memorial-day-poem-by-longfellow-from-the-atlantic-june-1882/239636/

CULTURE/SOCIETY: No Thanks for Thanksgiving

Instead, we should atone for the genocide that was incited -- and condoned -- by the very men we idolize as our 'heroic' founding fathers.

One indication of moral progress in the United States would be the replacement of Thanksgiving Day and its self-indulgent family feasting with a National Day of Atonement accompanied by a self-reflective collective fasting.

http://www.alternet.org/culture/no-thanks-thanksgiving

CULTURE/SOCIETY: Transgender Day of Remembrance: More Than a List of Names

Each observance is different, representing the uniqueness of the local transgender communities that organize them. Some are very formal, others more folksy; some feel like a church service, while others are more like a civil rights rally. However, almost all share one element in common: a reading of the names of people murdered over the last 12 months simply because they were transgender or someone believed them to be. This year's list has 256 names on it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/allyson-d-robinson/transgender-day-of-remembrance-more-than-a-list-of-names_b_2159093.html

ENTERTAINMENT: Donald Duck and his days in The Army

It’s Veterans Day today in the United States. It’s a day where we honor any veteran who have served in the military in our country. My dad, Charles Smith, and his father Charles Smith senior are both vets. My dad served in the Coast Guard for 25 years and my grandfather served and fought in the Korean War. Second to them, obviously, my favorite vet is Donald Duck; and in his honor and everyone else who has served here are some Disney animations featuring Donald Duck and his time served in the Army.

http://theanimationarchive.com/post/35503399755/fall-out-fall-in-1943-directed-by-jack-king

CULTURE/SOCIETY: Veterans Day 101: How Did it Start and What It Means

Veterans Day is a solemn and thoughtful time where we give thanks to all of those that have served in America's military forces. A day where we can hopefully take a brief respite from our partisan bickering to pay homage to those that made it all possible.

Because while the war in Iraq is essentially over, Afghanistan begins to wind down, and we start using drones for everything from surveillance to attacking nothing can replace the efforts of our veterans past and present. And let's hope we can make the right decisions as a country for the sake of the veterans of the future. Here are four things to know about Veterans Day.

http://www.policymic.com/mobile/articles/18928/veterans-day-101-how-did-it-start-and-what-it-means

CULTURE/SOCIETY: Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day!

Well, apparently Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day. It's just the day one part of Mexico kicked butt on France. It somehow it grew into a big celebration mostly in the U.S.!

But, hey, a chance for Latino pride and a chance to party, so who cares? Cinco de Mayo isn't just for Mexicans any more!

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo#_