today is the fourth anniversary of when bush stood under that banner declaring major combat operations over in iraq.
it's funny to read over the fawning coverage it got back then. it's remarkable that the stage managed event was actually once seen as a plus for the president. it's completely the opposite now--it's no accident that congress is delivering its war spending bill to the president today. mission accomplished indeed.
may first seems to be the day for evolving meanings in this country. in almost every other country today is the worker's holiday. it once was here too. but then during the red scare it seemed too communist. so it was rebranded as americanization day, then law day, then loyalty day. none of those other names really ever caught on (though president bush has tried to revive "loyalty day"). but it did manage to kill most american's awareness that today is the original labor day. i think if said "may day" to the average american, they would think of crashing planes ("m'aidez") not worker's rights.
