My dad fought in WW2, and I was born a couple of years after he returned (from the Philippines w two Purple Hearts). I don’t recall him taking political sides but he “liked Ike.” “Honor,” is the word that draws the contrast we need Americans to consider today. Excellent! Great perspectives-- and a cogent closer.
Brilliant and uplifting. One of your many "bests" (I had to share on Twitter). I especially appreciate the connection made with where true power lies - not in whining, terrorizing, and claiming victimhood - but in the power of authenticity. Good reminder that evil inherently possesses the roots of its own destruction (thank you, MacBeth!)
Spot on Greg!! And yes, I agree. Biden has compassion, integrity & honor and no slouch..He can be depended upon to do his best for the nation. Admirable traits in a president or a human being..especially after dealing with the orange f'kup/traitor/grifter/molester for 4 years.
Thanks, Bonnie. It astounds me that it isn't glaringly obvious re Biden, but I suppose that's the price we pay for the media being shit for the last decade.
There really is no comparison between a stain on history like 45 and President Eisenhower.
My grandma tap danced in front of Gen. Eisenhower at a postwar event (she was pretty proud of this) and her husband (my grandpa) was in the Navy, there in the waters waiting outside Normandy, on D-day.
Eisenhower is a special figure and I grew up cherishing his importance in world history.
Thank you, Greg. WWII history should all be written as you write it. There has been no better description I have read of the Oh Shit! day Rommel had on June 6.
As for the timing of the invasion, there was more to factor in than just weather: it was also according to the full moon so that there would be a tide that was low enough to storm the beach under enough light to see where they were going, but before actual light so they could do so under cover of darkness...plus they needed to time it so the tide was rising so their ships could move in close without getting stranded...but the tide had to be low enough that they could find the mines and detonate them without tripping them.
I love that about D-Day. When you work with instead of against Nature, you can get serious shit done.
"It is so much fun to speak with a smart person who has a keen sense of humor." Agree, 1000%, Whitney. For me, Greg Olear is also that rare combination of a street-smart brainiac.
...which in the podcast we did together, we boil down to being in part due to his status as a New Jerseyan. He tells a funny story about bar in Hoboken that just rings so true...
Just read the « NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 36 » that you mentioned (audio also available). That was truly fascinating! I feel that more history should be taught in school. Articles such as this would make history come alive, make it relatable & the opposite of boring, not requiring students to learn by rote presidents & kings & dates & wars, with no context.
There was a lot more involved in the decision than rain, which as a non-military person I was unaware of. To coordinate the phase of the moon & the tide & the weather before this age of computers must have involved quite a team of trained professionals.
Exactly Jean, factors other than rainfall are well verified. The Ike/Desert Fox D-day story is magnificently revisited by you Greg, as is your parallel to the man Biden has become!
Three of my mother’s brothers were either in the water, on the beach, or parachuted into the fray that day, all of whom survived and were fabulous uncle’s, tough and stoic, as many of the veterans I’ve met through the years.
I’ve had the good fortune to spend many summers in France and one of the French channels airs the movie ‘The Longest Day’ every June 6 to remember and show gratitude.
It’s really a great movie. Older, without the nuance of newer war movies. But stirring and with a clear, strong message that we still need to hear - fascists suck
Thank you to all the brave European resistance fighters, like my young Dad, his family, buddies, and Americans who saved most of Europe from being colonized by a German or Russian Empire. The greatest generation! ✌🏻 Now, it’s our turn to #ProtectDemocracy! 🇺🇸
Thanks, Greg, for this. Another illustration of how in the long line of Republican presidents, Eisenhower was the last great one. No one had a hand in "making America great[er]" than he did. The line of succession below him pales in comparison and sullies the whole party, until it reached its nadir with TFG.
Thanks, Steve. Eisenhower was a sneaky great president. He's now routinely ranked in the second tier, below the Holy Trinity of George, Abe, and FDR, along with Teddy. That's the tier where Biden will wind up, when all is said and done.
I was three years old in 1944. But growing up in a household that included parents and maternal grandparents, all with obviously German names, made me vaguely aware early on of the political ramifications of the war going on. My grandfather, a conscientious objector, was a Republican because he thought the Democrats got us into the war. I clearly remember the “I Like Ike” buttons. I don’t specifically remember my family’s political support of Ike, but his role in ending the war must have been a positive factor, and so must have been his honorable character. Alas, the GOP of 2023 is clearly not my (or your) grandfather’s Republican Party, and they are essentially the fascists we were fighting against back then. But Harry “The Buck Stops Here” Truman must have had that character trait of taking responsibility for decisions that you rightly call honor. And so does Biden. I’m glad you used the word Prevail in acknowledging that, as I believe with all my being, good/right/light ultimately wins.
My dad fought in WW2, and I was born a couple of years after he returned (from the Philippines w two Purple Hearts). I don’t recall him taking political sides but he “liked Ike.” “Honor,” is the word that draws the contrast we need Americans to consider today. Excellent! Great perspectives-- and a cogent closer.
Thanks for sharing. Big props to your father.
Always good to be reading you.
Thanks, SIlvia!
Brilliant and uplifting. One of your many "bests" (I had to share on Twitter). I especially appreciate the connection made with where true power lies - not in whining, terrorizing, and claiming victimhood - but in the power of authenticity. Good reminder that evil inherently possesses the roots of its own destruction (thank you, MacBeth!)
Ooo, I like the way you phrased that. Yes!
Thank you!
Spot on Greg!! And yes, I agree. Biden has compassion, integrity & honor and no slouch..He can be depended upon to do his best for the nation. Admirable traits in a president or a human being..especially after dealing with the orange f'kup/traitor/grifter/molester for 4 years.
Thanks, Bonnie. It astounds me that it isn't glaringly obvious re Biden, but I suppose that's the price we pay for the media being shit for the last decade.
Wonderful piece (as all your writing is!).
There really is no comparison between a stain on history like 45 and President Eisenhower.
My grandma tap danced in front of Gen. Eisenhower at a postwar event (she was pretty proud of this) and her husband (my grandpa) was in the Navy, there in the waters waiting outside Normandy, on D-day.
Eisenhower is a special figure and I grew up cherishing his importance in world history.
"My grandma tap danced in front of Gen Eisenhower..." might be the best thing I read all day.
Thank you. Oh wow! Tap dancing AND at D-Day! That is some incredible history! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Greg. WWII history should all be written as you write it. There has been no better description I have read of the Oh Shit! day Rommel had on June 6.
As for the timing of the invasion, there was more to factor in than just weather: it was also according to the full moon so that there would be a tide that was low enough to storm the beach under enough light to see where they were going, but before actual light so they could do so under cover of darkness...plus they needed to time it so the tide was rising so their ships could move in close without getting stranded...but the tide had to be low enough that they could find the mines and detonate them without tripping them.
I love that about D-Day. When you work with instead of against Nature, you can get serious shit done.
Here's a bit more about it: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast/june20/nop36-dday-tides.html
And thank you for being a guest on my podcast. You are welcome any time. It is so much fun to speak with a smart person who has a keen sense of humor.
xWhitney
"It is so much fun to speak with a smart person who has a keen sense of humor." Agree, 1000%, Whitney. For me, Greg Olear is also that rare combination of a street-smart brainiac.
...which in the podcast we did together, we boil down to being in part due to his status as a New Jerseyan. He tells a funny story about bar in Hoboken that just rings so true...
I saved this video from many years ago. It's a tribute to the power of an Italian president from New Jersey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kyiFNy5D-s
OMG that's fantastic.
Thank you!
Just read the « NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 36 » that you mentioned (audio also available). That was truly fascinating! I feel that more history should be taught in school. Articles such as this would make history come alive, make it relatable & the opposite of boring, not requiring students to learn by rote presidents & kings & dates & wars, with no context.
Yes, good point. Such storytelling does make weather far more compelling than just referring to it as a "rain event".
There was a lot more involved in the decision than rain, which as a non-military person I was unaware of. To coordinate the phase of the moon & the tide & the weather before this age of computers must have involved quite a team of trained professionals.
Indeed. It was moving to read how much thought and expertise went into the mission.
You beat me to that, with your reply, cheers!
I mean, it's funny! You clearly have an ear for the delightful.
Exactly Jean, factors other than rainfall are well verified. The Ike/Desert Fox D-day story is magnificently revisited by you Greg, as is your parallel to the man Biden has become!
Three of my mother’s brothers were either in the water, on the beach, or parachuted into the fray that day, all of whom survived and were fabulous uncle’s, tough and stoic, as many of the veterans I’ve met through the years.
Exceptionally crafted piece Greg!
Three! Good lord. Kudos to your uncles!
The more history we learn, the better I say.
Whitney I listened to you and Greg today. It was fantastic!
Hi, Christine: Thank you for letting me know, and for taking the time to listen!
Thanks for having me!
Yeah, D-Day is one of those sliding doors moments, where things could very easily have done south. Like with the Spanish Armada in the 16th century.
I’ve had the good fortune to spend many summers in France and one of the French channels airs the movie ‘The Longest Day’ every June 6 to remember and show gratitude.
Jealous. I should queue that one up!
It’s really a great movie. Older, without the nuance of newer war movies. But stirring and with a clear, strong message that we still need to hear - fascists suck
Thank you to all the brave European resistance fighters, like my young Dad, his family, buddies, and Americans who saved most of Europe from being colonized by a German or Russian Empire. The greatest generation! ✌🏻 Now, it’s our turn to #ProtectDemocracy! 🇺🇸
Yes and yes!
Thanks, Greg, for this. Another illustration of how in the long line of Republican presidents, Eisenhower was the last great one. No one had a hand in "making America great[er]" than he did. The line of succession below him pales in comparison and sullies the whole party, until it reached its nadir with TFG.
Thanks, Steve. Eisenhower was a sneaky great president. He's now routinely ranked in the second tier, below the Holy Trinity of George, Abe, and FDR, along with Teddy. That's the tier where Biden will wind up, when all is said and done.
I was three years old in 1944. But growing up in a household that included parents and maternal grandparents, all with obviously German names, made me vaguely aware early on of the political ramifications of the war going on. My grandfather, a conscientious objector, was a Republican because he thought the Democrats got us into the war. I clearly remember the “I Like Ike” buttons. I don’t specifically remember my family’s political support of Ike, but his role in ending the war must have been a positive factor, and so must have been his honorable character. Alas, the GOP of 2023 is clearly not my (or your) grandfather’s Republican Party, and they are essentially the fascists we were fighting against back then. But Harry “The Buck Stops Here” Truman must have had that character trait of taking responsibility for decisions that you rightly call honor. And so does Biden. I’m glad you used the word Prevail in acknowledging that, as I believe with all my being, good/right/light ultimately wins.
Thanks for sharing this, Earl. I have enormous respect for conscientious objectors. That takes enormous courage.
King Guards Pay Tribute To Tina Turner
Simply the best 💃
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmMDYFePBbA
I think that is a link to where the video lives on your hard drive; it isn't accessible. Sorry. :(
One of your best pieces