In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Obama Wins the Presidency

As I had expected, Barack Obama has won the 2008 Presidential contest. In electoral terms, it was a gigantic victory. By the popular vote, he took 51% of voters to McCain's 46%, so it seems he reached only a bit beyond the Democratic base. At any rate, congratulations to Mr Obama on his victory. He's about to enter a job that beats men into the ground while simultaneously elevating them to the ultimate reaches of power. The challenges facing him are tremendous. I wish him all success.