Ruby Tuesday: Reflections On My Country.

I’m an old fart.

I was reared as a God-fearing American, a uniform-wearing Boy Scout, an “A” student.

But that was then, and this is now, and over the intervening decades I’ve come to understand things differently, to view history with a skeptical eye.  I’m no longer willing to give a “pass” to the actions of my government when such actions are in contravention to the tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, nor to defend it when it acts outside of international law.

On a recent trip through New Hampshire, I snapped this photo in the little town of Wentworth:

…with obvious Ruby relevance.

But the relative geometry of the shot raised questions in my mind.  What was the moral hierarchy in this scene, a public expression of purpose and passions in the quiet hills where people “Live Free or Die?” Was it the dominance of our military might?  Was it the iconography of our religious institutions?

Or was it the half-mast manifestation of the hell and havoc wrought by our hegemony, and the loss of life which is the inevitable outcome of our actions?

This scene inspired me to ask that question.

Sorry to not be the usual Ruby Tuesday fare, but it’s  the reddest thing I have.

For lighter renditions of a Ruby Tuesday (and there are many,) visit Mary over at Work of the Poet.

And have a good night.

Ralph

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