Tossing Pebbles in the Stream

This blog is my place to sit and toss pebbles into the stream. The stream of Life relentlessly passing before us. We can affect it little. For the most part I just watch it passing and follow the flow. Occasionally, I need to comment on its passing, tossing a pebble at it to enjoy the ripple affect upon Life's surface.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

A Day for All

Today is May Day, a day of celebration with many and varied meanings.

It's orgins are probably in the European pagan past. In Northern Europe St Walpurgis Day seems to have been the inspiration for much of the coming of Spring celebrations. (In the North real Spring does not normally correspond with the Spring Equinox.) Walpurgis Night - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia So Happy Walpurgisnacht!

For the Czechs, this is the Day of the Witches. It has elements of love and romance for young people. For example, a young girl if kissed under a cherry tree in blossom will always be beautiful. Lonely Planet Theme Guides Festivals Day of the Witches, Czech Republic

I tend to think of this being a day to celebrate the better weather. A picnic in the park and a frolic around a Maypole, (an English tradition is a wonderful use of the day.} Maypole dance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this traditon, I wish all a Happy May Day. I trust the sun is shining on you.

I still like to remember this as the International Labour Day. A day to remember the sacrifices of workers around the World. So many of them are still exploited, even to the point of slavery. The Soviet Union used this day as a political excuse to parade its military might and uphold their vision of Socialist domination of the World. So far Capitalism has not such special day. Perhaps, in the future we might have World Globalization Day.

In the US this is Loyalty Day. Loyalty Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia It really did not catch on as a major holiday. It seems the Americans have so may patriotic days another one is not really needed. It was meant to counteract the Soviet Union's May Day. Unofficially, May Day in thr US has been used by various groups from labour, to civil rights, to antiwar, to (this year) the plight of Immigrants. Immigrant Rights :: Immigrant Solidarity Network for Immigrant Rights:: NO CLE

Perhaps, Loyalty Day should be we shaped as a day to reflect upon how citizens' loyalty and love if country is manipulated by the ruling class to fulfill their economic agenda. George Bush certainly was in full propaganda mode four years ago. "Mission Accomplished" Now we know the truth. "Mission a lie, Nothing Good Accomplished" I suspect in his quiet moment, he is saying to himself (assuming he is a sane person) "Ooops, I misspoke myself!"