Posted by Touching, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on Aug 26, 2007 at 6:36 am

Simply a joy to see such pictures. They were very touching..

However that said I have 3 comments:

1. This looks like a typical middle-America - did you see any African-Americans or Asians in these pictures.

2. Most of middle America chose Bush.

3. Like Bush would say: Welcome back home, now go back.

Posted by James, a resident of the Green Acres neighborhood, on Aug 26, 2007 at 2:32 pm

I cannot imagine it, because Palo Alto is full of people who, like Bill Clinton, "loathe the military". It has something to do with anti-authority attidtudes, but a committee of psychiatrists would need to debate the issue for ten years to figure it out.

I would tie it in with Frank Benest's and Emily Harrison's refusal to fly the flag at half staff during the recent fire department's request to honor fallen comrades in another town. It is more than a 'tin ear'...it is a real attitude issue. Now, apprently, they are writing up a policy, so that they are forced to do the right thing, next time. Well, at least that is progress...(Palo Alto style!). Frank and Emily represent PA attitudes, thus they should not be blamed for doing what they thought was the right thing.

I would also tie it in with the PAUSD's refusal to comply with the state education code, and require that homeroom teachers say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. It is just a prevalent attitude....

Sad.

I know many minority people who are very patriotic, more so than I. It is a slap in their face to suggest that only Middle America white people would wave the flag for returning troops.

Posted by Danny, a resident of the Professorville neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2007 at 6:06 am

We're lucky to have people like those in the link: it gives us a chance to sneer at the boobs in "Middle America", make allusion to their obvious racist attitudes, and feel smug and superior about ourselves because live here in IQ land where we would never stoop to such garish displays of jingoism. And of course we get to throw in yet another gratuitous supercilious comment about Bush - as yet more grandstanding act of moral superiority.

Posted by chris, a resident of the University South neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2007 at 2:29 pm

Apparently this is in Kearney, Nebraska, which is why we see so few minorities.

We are happy that they have returned safely, but as Native Girl points out, when someone comes home, current policy is to replace them.

Rather than just hearing background music, I would like to hear them talk about their experience, and where they were successful and where they had problems. How can we evaluate Bush's win at any cost strategy?

Posted by Resident, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2007 at 4:44 pm

No, current strategy is for volunteers to vote with their feet..as they continue to do.

BTW...many soldiers DO talk about their experiences, but if you want to hear them speak, you have to look for them.

Posted by chris, a resident of the University South neighborhood, on Aug 29, 2007 at 11:48 am

The Kearney area had a large contingent go to Iraq. Does anybody keep track of the Palo Altans who have served in Iraq?

Maybe our city council should set up a parade to honor them.

Posted by Jc Kearns, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Aug 29, 2007 at 6:29 pm

Amazing... Amazing...

It is a blessing to see a whole city welcoming home the troops who Iraq.

Posted by I wish I had thought of that!, a resident of Los Altos Hills, on Aug 30, 2007 at 2:07 pm

Hey Chris!! Great idea!! I am not a Palo Alto resident..can you suggest that to your Council? I will ask mine. ( Each town honoring those "homepeople" returning)

Posted by Carly, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on Aug 30, 2007 at 4:29 pm

Here in PA we don't honor the running dog lackys of the Bush Dictatorship Military Machine. We have a May Day Parade instead, and the only people we honor are the homeless who are victims of the Heartless Republicans in Washington.