Following yesterday's euphoria, two events need mention.
Today the death of Ray Bradbury was announced; Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 is a magnificent warning of the dangers of an authoritarian government that utilizes technology to "control" its citizens.
With the advent of the drones and the revelation that Obama keeps a kill list that he personally approves, we see the book becoming reality. It is rumored that he actually enjoys watching the video from the kills over and over.
Bradbury became a conservative later in life, as he watched the bumblings of Jimmy Carter and the malfeasance of Michael Moore. A short bio is here at NRO.
In fact, Fahrenheit 451 is probably a more prescient novel than Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, although perhaps the two books should be read in tandem as we watch the evolution of society into a more authoritarian, controlling state which starts as the nanny state but evolves into a darker more malevolent entity whose tentacles reach into every corner of our lives.
Bradbury allowed this book to be published in electronic form to be freely downloaded by any library client, forgoing royalties on those downloads. This is Simon and Shuster's only book to be so easily accessed.
Today is also the 68th anniversary of D-Day, an event our president didn't see fit to commemorate in any way.
The men who fought those battles are passing. Soon they will be gone. Their heroism is matched by today's volunteer force, who fight not to die in such numerous numbers but many of whom are horribly wounded because of rigorous rules of engagement.
We fight to keep our republic with the memory of these men fresh in our minds.
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