Our perspective
I suppose the theist and the non-theist will always see the world differently. One sees a mind behind nature; the other does not. A recent letter ("Complexity and order," Aug. 1) suggested design in nature indicates an architect. Another ("Higgs boson and designers," Aug. 12) countered that if we delve deeper, we find bad, bottom-up designs. Therefore, no supernatural was involved.
But if we delve even deeper, we often discover the designs aren't really bad. We see we didn't fully understand the situation — the design requirements.
When the Curiosity rover landed on Mars, the descent engines unexpectedly scattered pebbles over the rover's top deck. In a news conference, someone asked whether longer sky-crane tethers could prevent that situation. The answer: Yes, but they had to strike a balance. The tethers needed to be long enough to avoid too much debris, but short enough to be manageable.
The Curiosity engineers know design often requires tradeoffs. The tradeoffs, while seemingly unfortunate, allow for optimal design overall. A design may seem bad, but further investigation reveals it's good design. That's been the trend.
Also, designs can "degrade" or change over time. Intelligent design does not preclude a certain amount of evolution.
It's not that all designs in nature are bottom-up. It's that our perspective is bottom-up. Like the journalist in the news conference, we don't see the big picture. That's why we ask questions. Gradually, we get answers.
Sometimes the answers point to the natural, sometimes to the supernatural.
Sometimes, to both.
DAVID SHUFORD
Winston-Salem
Exciting election
I'm mindful of the excitement looming as the presidential election draws near. It undoubtedly is going to be the most anticipated and scrutinized election ever. There have been millions of dollars spent on advertisements to objectively deceive the people and divert from the truths of the issues, depicting lies and deception. From a citizen's point of view, the variable of spending is shocking, especially with our economy direr and people struggling.
I also think the platforms of personal attacks from the candidates are offensive and needless. I recognize that expectations of our presidents are paramount. And it shouldn't be any different for Barack Obama.
However, what is troubling is the constant aggression of unseemly disrespect and contemptuous clamor toward him, obviously calculated and intentional. His political adversaries and staunch critics have left no stones unturned to assassinate his character, attempting to disprove his leadership.
The fray associated with the president's first term is undeniable, hoping to see him fail.
Remarkably, his resilience and endurance show great strength and dignity. Definitely the president has made mistakes. Nevertheless, his determination and compassion for the country and people remains steadfast.
This election is significant because it's essential that the president-elect has the ability to compromise and engage in earnest dialogue to heal the country's woes.
Make no mistake; this election is about people's lives. Ultimately, their votes will decide the candidate best qualified to lead and move the country forward and ensure an imminent solution for the people's suffering.
IMA LAWSON
Winston-Salem
Totally confused
With the vote at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte to reinstate "God" to the DNC platform, I truly believe President Obama has lost the election. I am certain that many Democrats are now totally confused about the stance of their party. You can't just turn God on and off based on polling data.
KEITH SPILLMAN
Yadkinville
A new principal
Help me to understand something.
A fine principal from Reynolds High School, Art Paschal, retires with the sincere thanks and best wishes of all the community. For his replacement, we reach across the country, to Richmond, Mich., for Patrick Olsen ("Reynolds High gets new principal," Aug. 29).
Are we to understand that, with all the assistant principals, teachers and administrative staff in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system, there is no one who is qualified for this position?
Especially in these economic times, with the layoffs and cutbacks?
What am I missing?
ROY A. FLEMING
Winston-Salem
Truth and belief
Regarding two Sept. 5 letters to the Journal ("Change of belief" and "Delving deeper"), I hope readers will consider that when truth is removed, belief is what is left.
LOUIS NEWTON
Winston-Salem
Totally confused. Their "God Problem" was quite a spectacle. Many Democrats are probably confused, but that party is no longer run by Democrats. You can indeed turn God on and off. If a large enough backlog of campaign checks demands it, anything can hide behind the curtain. Turn the proper direction and God will be out the door.
ReplyDeleteI think you're confusing southern Democrats, from the radical, liberal Democrats that control the party at this juncture in time.
DeleteTruth and belief. "When truth is removed, belief is what is left" That's probably true. Question is, how did you get to truth? Through reason? At the conclusion of "reason" there is truth. Ultimate truth may drive some people insane.
ReplyDeleteThe antepenultimate has done a job on me.
DeleteBut are you still sane?
DeleteWell, I don't know. As Groucho once said: "I'm not too fond of reality, but it's still the only place to get a good meal."
DeletePaul Simon had a lyric line "still crazy after all these years".
DeleteI love some Simon and Garfunkel, timeless. I always plant parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme in my gardens.
DeleteI did substitute catnip for parsley in Susan and Stab's garden.
DeleteWell, I bet the cats liked it. Wonder if Stab will do some "Grazing in the grass" too right along with the cats?
DeleteCatnip, Oregano, Marjoram are all members of the mint family so they are perennial and they spread.
DeleteIt's going to be interesting how Obama reacts after his kindred people have killed Americans.
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll find out if he's 'really' Muslim or not.
Wow! Romney is already out front on the issue. And he's looking very presidential I might add.
Delete"It's never too early to condemn attacks on Americans"
Very powerful.
I posted the President's condemnation early this am on the LTE's. And Clinton already condemned it too.
Delete"I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens," President Obama said in a written statement released Wednesday morning. In a statement, Obama said he had ordered "all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe."
DeleteRomney's positions on Libya:
DeletePosition 1: Obama was weak in not doing this sooner
Position 2:
On April 2, Romney traveled to Las Vegas to speak to the Republican Jewish Coalition, where he attacked the president’s foreign policy in the Middle East. As was noted at the time by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, ”Romney was silent on Libya, the newest and stickiest military and U.S. policy problem as the United States and its NATO allies enforce a no-fly zone to help rebels oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. After his speech, Romney refused to take questions from reporters about his position on Libya.
Position 3: Obama is being too aggressive
Position 4, after Gadhafi fell: Hooray! Now release the Lockerbie bomber
Position 5 – (Somewhat similar to position 1): It’s about time! The world is a better place without him!
With all the positions Romney takes, he should teach Kama Sutra.
I'm hearing the Obama Administration has already apologized through a spokesperson at one of the Embassies.
DeleteHave you got any information on the 'apology' Bob?
Something to do with a video?
The video depicts Muhammad as a fraud, showing him having sex and calling for massacres. Why even go there? Jesus too has been portrayed in some rather disgusting ways. Honestly, I love Jesus, I just don't believe in deities. And if Pope Gregory IX or Innocent IV were still in charge, I'd be keeping my mouth shut. A 1493 papal Bull justfied declaring war on all non-Christian natives in the Americas. What was that all about?
DeleteAnyone with half a brain knows when you start playing around with Muhammad, you're messing with fire. They take their religion seriously. There are a lot of extreme Muslims that hate America and Americans, there are a lot of extreme Americans that hate Muslims, some don't even know the difference between a Muslim and a Sikh. Looks like both extremes are ready to start a war to determine which religion is most peaceful.
DeleteSecretary of State Clinton said in a statement Tuesday night that she condemned the attack in the strongest terms and has called the Libyan president to co-ordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya. She says that some are trying to justify "this vicious behaviour" as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. She says the U.S. deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.
DeleteBut she says there is never any justification for violent acts like this.
Obama doesn't look too upset. I'd be pissed. What's up with that?!
DeleteWeak statement from a weak president in my view.
DeleteIt's the extremes in all 3 Abrahamic religions that cause all the trouble.
DeleteWhat would you have said, Bucky?
DeleteWas Obama awake when he gave that statement? Pathetic!
DeleteAsk Osama bin Laden if he is better off today than he was 4 years ago, or Mubarek, or Ghaddafi.
DeleteAn attack on an American anywhere is an attack on America itself. We WILL take appropriate action against the perpetrators of these vile acts.
DeleteAND, I would have hit the damn desk a few times.
Come on, Bucky, what would you have said.
DeleteWeeeeeeeeeeak! Jimmy Carter like.
DeleteThe President will be addressing the nation soon, let's see what he says. You would have hit a national treasure?
DeleteThere's a time to be calm, and a time to be nasty. Obama missed his chance.
DeleteMaybe, this would have been better.
'The people who killed our brother Americans, will hear from ALL OF US soon'!
U.S.A.! U.S.A!
Those Bush years went really well didn't they?
DeleteAre you on a time delay up there Bob? He's alreadky spoken.
DeleteYes, better than the Obama years for the most part, when you think about it.
DeleteNo, I'm out in the shop. I spend most of the day here. I have a little office set up and 3 open garage doors, so it's like being outside all day. Sometimes the chickens, ducks,and even the goats drop by to visit.
DeleteI watch VERY little TV now.
DeleteIn the event of crisis or emergency, any first responder will tell you it's best to remain calm and focused. As an amateur sociologist, you should know that, Bucky.
DeleteSadly, you and Rush take the bait easily. I'm really disappointed in you Bob. Rush not so much. He's a fool, you're not.
DeleteDisappointment, as nice fatherly term of condescension. Sorry, that dog don't hunt with me.
DeleteNotre Dame is joining the ACC, except for football, but will play 5 games annually against ACC football teams.
ReplyDeleteI know the ACC has been pursuing ND, but unless there is some sort of understanding that ND FB will eventually be joining as well, I don't understand how this makes sense. The major conferences are trying to increase their enrollment to the magical 16 member number for the purposes of FB, so why add a school that doesn't count? If ND remains independent in FB, the ACC will have to expand to 17 schools for a 16 member FB which will create some havoc with the BBall schedule.
DeleteAgree...cannot see the sense in this move.
DeleteMy spies in Atlanta tell me that the SEC wants to add two more teams, and that the two most discussed are Virginia Tech and UNC.
The TCU AD recently mentioned that Miami, Florida State and Clemson have all expressed an interest in joining the Big 12 (or whatever it is). And Georgia Tech has been talking to somebody.
So there might not be an ACC left for Notre Dame to join.
Those are currently just big "ifs", but if it all rolls out, we might see an ACC/Big East merger, which would leave Notre Dame right where they are now.
Paul Ryan is continuing to campaign for his congressional seat. A real show of confidence.
ReplyDeleteWe need him to fight off the forces of evil, if Romney doesn't win.
DeleteI think you've been watching Time Bandits a bit too much.
DeleteLooks like I have been told that I am "confused" by the forum's "yawning chasm". Ain't gonna be my day.
ReplyDeleteTop of the Hill Farms Egg Custard:
ReplyDelete3 cups milk
4 smallish eggs or 3 medium
1/3 cup honey
dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg (or more to taste)
Preheat oven to 325
whip eggs, milk, and honey together and pour into 4 custard cups, dash with spices
put cups in casserole dish, spaced so as not to touch, add water to halfway up the casserole and place in oven, bake 45-1 hour, remove and cool.
The English-language film, portions of which have been online since July, attracted attention in Egypt only over the past few days when someone posted a segment of the movie that had been dubbed into Arabic, according to the New York Times. Some Egyptian TV hosts began airing clips of the film over and over, portraying it as a Coptic Christian and American plot to denigrate the prophet. (Morris Sadek, a Coptic Christian from Egypt and critic of Islam who now lives in the United States, told AP he recently began promoting the two-hour film, which might also explain its rise out of obscurity.) The amateur-seeming "Innocence of Muslims" film shows the Prophet Muhammad as a homosexual who endorses extramarital sex and pedophilia, along with other slurs against Islam. (Many Muslims consider physical or visual representations of Muhammad to be blasphemous.)
ReplyDeleteI told you this whole homosexual thing was not as simple as people want to make it out to be.
DeleteClinton issued statement condemning violence at 10pm EST Tues night. Yet Romney camp still went ahead w/ claim O "sympathizes" w/ attackers.
ReplyDeleteThe Romney campaign drew fire on Wednesday morning for issuing a blistering statement condemning the American embassy in Egypt for speaking against an incendiary anti-Muslim film, even though the embassy made the statement before any attacks had taken place.
Romney needs to shut up. He has a big family but he will soon run out of feet.
DeleteNational Journal's Ron Fournier called Romney's actions "ham-handed" and "inaccurate."
DeleteConservative pundit Erick Ericson, while disagreeing with Todd's response, also warned Romney to be "cautious."
Despite that criticism, Romney continued this line of attack in an appearance on Wednesday morning, saying that the White House had made a "severe miscalculation."
Boy, Hillary, during her statement, looked like she'd gotta a bag on the night before......
DeleteI guess just the 'thought' of having to stand beside of Obama made her take a few drinks.
She was probably up all night staying focused on the unfolding events.
DeleteOutside of POTUS, SoS has got to be the most stressful, roughest job out there.
DeleteOther reporters were similarly baffled. "The Romney campaign's politicization of the embassy attacks is even worse than I expected," Foreign Policy writer Blake Hounshell tweeted.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking on Fox News, Peggy Noonan was also blunt. "I don't feel that Mr. Romney has been doing himself any favors in the past few hours," she said.
Romney looked VERY presidential and strong. Unlike Carter...I mean Obama.
Deletehehe, Romney looks more like a Viagra add.
DeleteMitt Romney may actually want to release his tax returns to improve his current news cycle.
DeleteRemember when Bush visited a mosque after 9/11 to show that American Muslims weren't a threat? Well, don't expect the same of Mitt.
DeleteRomney needs to visit OH. If he doesn't carry that state, he loses, period. I am not sure that visits will help, though. At the moment, a poll shows that a majority of respondents think that Obama will better handle the economy, so OH appears to be an uphill battle for Romney.
DeleteWow, why do conservative dislike Romney so much. Limbaugh said he might as well be Elmer Fudd.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we've got Romney around. Otherwise, Obama would be handing out cookies to these terrorists.
DeleteBecause so many conservatives are ideologues who treat their ideology as a religion. This is not limited to the right side of the spectrum, however. Let a Dem stray from leftward orthodoxy and you will hear accusations of apostasy as well. As for Limbaugh, his mission is to pander to his audience, to maintain as high a listenership as he can, to maintain high ad rates. He is cut from the same cloth as the leftward panderers whom I criticize. He is just more adroit on turning a buck on his pandering.
DeleteAs for Romney's response to the attacks, he has handled it poorly to the point of shamefully. An assault on Americans and American territory on the anniversary of the 09/11 calls for encouragement of unity, politicization of the tragedies.
Romney did fine. If he'd said nothing, the liberal press would have been all over him.
DeleteHe looked much more presidential in his statement than Obama.
Dragging that hag, I mean the Sec. of State out with him didn't do Obama any favors either.
Last line should read, ". . . NOT politicization of tragedies."
DeleteBucky, you remain predictable as the tides. Sometimes, campaigning must stop. And, as much as I dislike the Clintons, SoS Clinton was doing the job she is supposed to do by being "dragged out" to issue a statement.
DeleteWe keep getting reminded that we forgot the lessons of unity taught by 09/11. Yesterday's events and responses like yours and Romney's are a refusal to unify when it is appropriate and vital.
Republicans always look more professional and organized when they speak. Democrats, on the other hand, look like they just got through pulling their pants up just off camera.
DeleteAnd, sadly, that's probably realty.
That's the old polite days, Stab. The Democrats have ushered in a new form of campaigning. It's not how you win, but that you win.
DeleteKilling a U.S. Ambassador is big stuff. Obama better get on top of this one, or we're going to have some MAJOR problems.
DeleteKilling an ambassador is indeed big stuff, as are the deaths of the other 3 people. But, a reaction to this must be measured and careful. The governments in the two countries didn't authorize these attacks. They were made by extremists who turned manipulated demonstrations. In Cairo, the police and Army stopped the assault on our embassy, and presumably the Libyans also acted (I haven't had time to read reports, have listened to NPR).
DeleteSo, we cannot go off half-cocked and launch air strikes in kneejerk response. We need to see what the governments do to respond to their citizens' actions. Our government has expressed anger at the crimes, so there will be no misunderstanding by other governments. Romney's response undermines our government's response. Very poorly done.
What's incredible is that our Embassies should have been on 'HIGH' alert on 9/11. It's no secret terrorists strike on anniversaries of attacks.
DeleteHow did they 'get' a U.S. Ambassador? Poor leadership at the top (H. Clinton), probably.
All of our Embassies in Muslim countries should have been on lock-down.
We condemn the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims—
DeleteUS Embassy Cairo (@USEmbassyCairo) September 11, 2012
________
Thanks Obama. We sure needed that!
I agree that was a bad response. A better response would have been to tweet nothing, and deal with Egyptian authorities.
DeleteActually, that wording needs to be a part of our public response.
Delete"These protests are a bad image for Egypt," said a Cairo street vendor named Ahmed. "Of course I'm against insulting Islam, but it's the undereducated, poor people who are out here causing problems."
"All I want for Egypt is security and stability," he said. "And as you can see this isn't it."
And the same can be said from this side of the Atlantic...the same ignorant class is causing the problem and the world needs to know that it is condemned by the educated majority.
We are sending a 50-person Marine antiterror unit to Libya.
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon folks! Bee-a-utiful weather today
ReplyDeleteLTE 1, 5: Another attempt to reconcile philosophy and science. As Mr. Newton notes, when you strip away truth or refuse to acknowledge truth, then you are stuck with your particular beliefs which means you are left behind as the rest of the world moves on. Our graduate science and engineering classes are predominately filled with Asian students who are learning how nature actually works and how to apply the workings of nature into generating new technologies that will benefit our health and productivity. Meanwhile, most of Americans have decided that the Designer's creation is too complex to figure out, so it's no use in trying. At this rate, the US will be looking to Asia to purchase the latest and greatest instead of having the rest of the world look here. It's the 21st freaking century, not the 14th. Science and philosphy parted ways many, many years ago. The supernatural has no place in science because it cannot be proven or disproven, therefore it belongs strictly within the realm of philosophical belief as opposed to scientific truth.
LTE 2: I think Phargo has the right idea about no tv with all of the political crap being spewed at every f'ing commercial break for the last 3-4 months(thanks a lot, SCOTUS :p )Another big difference this time around is that vitually all of the political crap being seen is the presidential race. There's been a couple McCrory ads, but that's been it. Granted, there is no senatorial race this year in NC. "...it's essential that the president-elect has the ability to compromise and engage in earnest dialogue" - I agree, but unless there is a Congress that's also willing to compromise, whoever is elected POTUS will be essentially irrelevant because any "imminent solution" requires the backing of Congress.
LTE 3: The country's founders considered religious faith to be a private affair and none of the govt's business. It should remain that way.
LTE 4: I found the hiring of a principal from MI to be a bit odd myself. Usually, there is an internal hiring from within the school system. Has the cutbacks limited the availability of internal potential candidates? Perhaps Stab, via Susan, might have some insight?
I will ask Susan if there is any chatter about the MI principal. Perhaps the motivation is based on a "new broom sweeps clean," but I have heard of no problems there.
DeleteWhy oh why do we have idiots in this country who are so eager to stoke the flames of Muslim fanatical passion knowing the outcome that has always followed when that fuse has been lit?
ReplyDeleteTwo reasons:
Delete1. Gets them a lot of attention, so makes them feel important.
2. Many of them would like to provoke "armageddon", because they believe that that will get them to the mythical land of "heaven" sooner.
A curse on all monotheistic religions.
Truth is a problem for some religions. While I do agree that we'd be better off without nutters who make stupid short subjects or burn Korans, the fact is that Mohammed was an unsavory cutthroat.
DeleteGuess that depends on point of view. I seem to recall that the OT god was pretty much an unsavory cutthroat as well.
DeleteWars, massacres, murders, plagues, trickery, the flood...even human sacrifice.
Of course, it's OK when our guys are doing it.
I expected a response re the Old Testament. JC came along and implied that a lot of the earlier mayhem was wrong and that we needed to apply the Golden Rule. Unfortunately, that lesson has gone unheeded more often than not.
DeleteBut, here in the 21st century, it appears that the Religion of Peace appears to be more associated with violence and intolerance than the other 2 Abrahamic religions.
Sunrise was so beautiful this am. There was a waning crescent with a Bright Venus only degrees away and Jupiter shining brightly near Aldebaran.
ReplyDeleteI hope you remembered to thank the rooster who brought all of this beauty about.
DeleteThey are right on time, every morning at 6 am.
DeleteA British rooster would crow more eloquently, look good doing it and be right on time.
DeleteYes, but do Brit roosters have that cocky strut that ours have?
DeleteNo. They stand still and look fashionable. Never know if a few hens might be watching.
DeleteAldebaran? I thought that it was destroyed by order of Grand Moff Tarkin.
DeleteDammit...I always get those star systems mixed up.
6AM? Does he do that on weekends? I'd find a pot for that rooster.
DeleteRoosters, like our own beloved Dunce, are not too good at calendar stuff.
DeleteSomebody must make the sun come up every morning...and any day is a good day to lay a hen...
And roosters lack the plump breasts and thighs of the gals, no good for anything except maybe a chicken stew...the season of which is coming fast.
Chicken stews . . . years ago, one of my mechanics attended a chicken stew in some rustic out-of-the-way field, and had mishap. When I came to work the following Monday, I saw his automobile in our lot in a state of distress. I asked him what happened to his car.
Delete"I hit a damn stob!" he exclaimed. Apparently, he was referring to a low post hammered into the ground from which to tether cattle. He had been enjoying the chicken stew occasion, which for him included drinking beer from a pitcher he used as an outsized mug.
After he had had a mug or two, he boarded his car and tore off thru the broomsedge. The stob stood waiting, hidden in the vegetation. He hit it and cleaned out the underside of his car. He had to deal with horse laughs for quite a while after that.
Stob...haven't heard that word in some time.
DeleteIf you hit a stob it will stop you!
Chicken stew, beer, a little bluegrass down at the tobacco barn...it's almost time.
Al Zawahri personally ordered Al Qaeda to murder US Ambassador Stevens
ReplyDeleteDEBKAfile Exclusive Report September 12, 2012, 10:04 PM (GMT+02:00)
The US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three staff members at the US consulate in Benghazi were deliberately murdered Tuesday night Sept 11. DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources report exclusively that far from being a spontaneous raid by angry Islamists, it was a professionally executed terrorist operation by a professional Al Qaeda team, whose 20 members acted under the orders of their leader Ayman al Zawahri in revenge for the liquidation of top al Qaeda operative Abu Yahya al-Libi last June.
Perhaps SEAL Team 6 can pay him the same way they paid OBL, and damn the sovereignty of the nation that harbors him.
DeleteThe hard part is finding him.
DeleteFrom the time that the President ordered the CIA to find Bin Laden in June, 2009, until Bin Laden was actually located in August, 2010, almost 14 months had elapsed. It took another 8 months to make a positive confirmation and develop the plans of attack, so we might be looking at 2 years.
If Debka is right, the President should announce right away to Zawahri that we are coming for him. Give him a little something extra to think about.
Good idea, and make sure there are no authors on the Team.
DeleteFrom the military buzz I'm getting, the current author is going to get more than a spanking.
DeleteCorrecting a bit of today's more nefarious misinformation:
ReplyDeleteWhat's incredible is that our Embassies should have been on 'HIGH' alert on 9/11. It's no secret terrorists strike on anniversaries of attacks.
What is no secret in Dunce World is a secret everywhere else. Al Qaeda has never before launched an attack on the anniversary of any of their other attacks. Sounds like one of Rush Limbaugh’s fairy tales.
Oh, and the embassies were on alert. What is really no secret is that Dunce lives in Limbaugh’s fairyland, in more ways than one.
How did they 'get' a U.S. Ambassador? Poor leadership at the top (H. Clinton), probably.
After the disaster in Iran in 1979, security was beefed up at all US embassies and consulates. Each one is individually responsible for its own defense and has its own security officer, who is responsible for observing, gathering intelligence and working with his staff to protect the employees and property of the US government.
In this case, the SO was operating in a new area and did not yet have a well developed local intelligence network. The attack was a very carefully planned trap and it worked to perfection.
Al Qaeda is currently watching all of the local Chik-fil-A outlets. The next time Dunce comes in to gorge himself on chemical chicken, they will strike.
All of our Embassies in Muslim countries should have been on lock-down.
You don’t “lock down” an embassy or consulate unless it is under attack. It is there to serve US citizens and foreign nationals needing visas, etc. and to represent the power and glory of the USA. We don’t want it to become symbolic of a bunch of quivering cowards. Locking down an embassy or consulate just because it happens to be some anniversary would be like surrendering to the terrorists.
I’m sure that, like most cowards, Little Chicken Dunce probably sticks to his basement on significant anniversaries like July 4 (the Brits are still pissed), 9/11 and December 7, But the rest of us have to “stand tall”* out in the open…otherwise the terrorists have won.
* Dunce himself gave this advice to Phargo and even explained to us poor illiterates its idiomatic meaning, for which we bow down and crown him King of Dunces..