The dead we honor: Remembering the fallen this Memorial Day through Shakespeare
St. Crispin's Day
By William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires:
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more, methinks, would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors,
And say 'Tomorrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then he will strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names
Familiar in his mouth as household words:
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd,
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
The English at Agincourt lost about 700 men; the French dead totaled at least 8,000, including seven princes of the blood and the flower of French chivalry.
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15 Phrases That Reveal You're Talking To Someone Who Will Never Take Responsibility
Do you ever find yourself in a conversation where you just know the other person won't own up to their actions? It's like talking to a wall that deflects everything you say. These folks have a knack for dodging accountability, and it can be super frustrating. If you've ever felt like you're going in circles during a discussion, chances are you've encountered someone who just won't take responsibility. Here are 15 phrases you'll hear from someone who's a pro at passing the buck. 1. "It's Not My Fault." Hearing "It's not my fault" is like a red flag waving in your face. You know you're dealing with someone who's more interested in sidestepping blame than finding a solution. These folks often have a slew of reasons why things went wrong, and none of them have to do with their own actions. They believe that the universe conspires against them, and they're just an innocent bystander. According to Dr. John Grohol, founder of Psych Central, this mentality is a classic sign of a deflective personality. When someone defaults to this phrase, it might seem like they genuinely believe they're not at fault. But dig a little deeper, and you'll often find they're just uncomfortable with self-reflection. Admitting fault can feel like a huge blow to their ego, so they avoid it altogether. Over time, this can create a pattern where they never grow or learn from their mistakes. Instead of improving, they stay stuck in a cycle of blaming the world around them. 2. "You Made Me Do It." Blame-shifters love this phrase because it takes the heat off them and puts it squarely on you. It's a clever way of saying they had no control over their actions, and you were the puppet master pulling the strings. The idea is to make you feel guilty for their poor choices, which is both unfair and manipulative. It's a classic technique for evading responsibility and shifting the spotlight away from their own behavior. If you've ever been on the receiving end of this, you know how it can leave you questioning your own actions. The reality is, no one can make someone else do something against their will. This phrase is just a smokescreen to avoid facing up to their own decisions. When you hear it, it's a sign that the person lacks the emotional maturity to admit their part in the situation. They're likely to repeat the same mistakes because they haven't taken the time to learn from them. Instead of accepting their role, they choose to play the victim, hoping you'll buy into their narrative. 3. "I Was Just Joking." This phrase often emerges when someone's been caught saying or doing something inappropriate. By brushing it off as a "joke," they're trying to downplay the seriousness of their actions. It's a way to deflect criticism and make you second-guess your reaction. According to psychologist Dr. Susan Heitler, humor can be used as a defense mechanism to avoid uncomfortable truths. This tactic can leave you questioning whether you're overreacting or being too sensitive. It's important to recognize that genuine jokes make people feel good, not uncomfortable. When someone tries to mask hurtful behavior as humor, it's a sign they're not willing to take responsibility for their words. This deflection can strain relationships and create a hostile environment. It's not about lacking a sense of humor; it's about understanding the impact of one's words. People who habitually resort to this phrase often struggle with accountability, preferring instead to hide behind laughter. 4. "I Didn't Mean To." "I didn't mean to" is a phrase that's thrown around casually, but it often serves a deeper purpose. It's an attempt to minimize the consequences of one's actions by suggesting they were unintentional. 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According to Dr. Brené Brown, an expert on vulnerability and empathy, dismissing someone's emotions can prevent meaningful connections. It's a way to sidestep accountability by making it seem like the problem lies with you, rather than their actions. This tactic can leave you feeling isolated and questioning your emotional responses. It's important to stand firm in your feelings and recognize when someone is using this phrase as a deflection. Your emotions are valid, and being sensitive isn't a flaw. When someone tells you otherwise, it's usually because they're uncomfortable with the consequences of their actions. They might not want to face the discomfort of having hurt someone, so they pin the blame on your sensitivity. Understanding this can help you see through the deflection and maintain your sense of self-worth. 8. "I Was Having A Bad Day." Everyone has bad days, but using them as an excuse to dodge responsibility is another story. 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It's a blanket statement meant to excuse behavior by implying it's an unchangeable part of their character. By saying "You know how I am," they place the onus on you to accept their behavior, rather than on themselves to improve. It's a tactic that discourages further discussion or criticism. The implication is that if you know them well enough, you should tolerate their actions without expecting change. However, knowing someone well doesn't mean you have to accept their poor behavior. Relationships thrive on mutual respect, and part of that is being willing to adapt and grow together. When someone uses this phrase, it's often a sign they're resisting accountability. They're signaling that they're not interested in taking steps toward bettering themselves. Realizing this can help you understand whether they're willing to work on themselves or are stuck in their ways. 10. "You're Overreacting." Being told "You're overreacting" can make you question the validity of your feelings. It's another way people deflect responsibility, making it seem like your response is exaggerated rather than addressing the issue at hand. This phrase can undermine your confidence and make you second-guess your perceptions. It's often used to dismiss genuine concerns without taking them seriously. Instead of addressing the root cause, it shifts the focus to your reaction. When you hear this phrase, it's vital to trust your instincts and recognize it for the deflection it is. Your feelings are your own, and they shouldn't be dismissed because someone else is uncomfortable with them. This tactic often stems from an unwillingness to look at how their actions contributed to the situation. By labeling your reactions as overblown, they avoid having to take responsibility. Understanding this dynamic can help you maintain your self-assurance and not get swayed by their words. 11. "It's Not That Big Of A Deal." 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"I Was Just Following Orders." Claiming "I was just following orders" is a classic way to dodge responsibility by shifting it to a higher authority. It's a phrase that absolves personal accountability by suggesting they were merely a cog in a larger machine. This tactic is often used to justify actions without taking ownership of them. By putting the blame on someone else's directive, they avoid examining their own role. It's a way to deflect criticism and shirking responsibility for the outcome. While following directives is often necessary, it doesn't absolve someone of the consequences of their actions. Everyone has a personal responsibility to consider the impact of what they're doing. Using this phrase frequently can indicate a lack of critical thinking and an unwillingness to stand up for what's right. It's an avoidance tactic that prevents growth and perpetuates a lack of accountability. 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This mindset can lead to repeated mistakes and a cycle of deflection instead of learning. Recognizing this phrase for what it is can help you understand when someone is trying to skirt responsibility. It's about encouraging reflection and the willingness to acknowledge the broader effects of one's actions. Solve the daily Crossword
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Restaurant Staff Share Strangest Customer Requests
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'I know what I ordered, but I don't want no damn blood in it!' He wanted it well done. But in his mind, that was medium rare. I had it recooked to well done, and he loved it. I still wonder what he thought well done was. Burnt?" —TheKaptinKirk "She only ate food that was white." "I had a lady ask to make her eggs 'shipwrecked.' When I questioned what that meant, she didn't really have an answer. She settled on something else, but I still have no idea what she actually wanted. I can only imagine the cussing I would have gotten from the cooks for putting that order through. I'm Canadian, maybe it's just not a Canadian thing? Or not part of my neck of the woods, anyway." "When I was a little kid, I ordered popcorn chicken and cried when I didn't, in fact, get popcorn." "I once worked at a stand that sold burgers and hot dogs. This one guy wanted peanut butter and jelly on his hot dog, in addition to slaw, chili, onions, mustard, and ketchup. 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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Pastor: Homeland Security's use of Bible verse in video is blasphemy
My social media channels were flooded with the words of the prophet Isaiah last week. That's hardly unusual. I am a pastor and the algorithms feed me a steady stream of sermons, articles and even memes based on scripture. The verse I kept seeing, Isaiah 6:8, also happens to be one of my favorites. The prophet is telling the story of his commissioning or call to ministry. He has an ecstatic vision of God seated on the heavenly throne, surrounded by flying seraphim singing 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.' Isaiah is filled with dread and confesses, 'Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips.' The Lord cleanses the prophet's mouth with a live coal and then he hears God say, 'Whom shall I send, who will go for us?' and Isaiah replies, 'Here I am, Lord. Send me.' Like a lot of Christians, this passage resonates deeply with me. I've never had a vision like Isaiah's, but I have heard the Lord 'calling in the night,' as the old hymn goes. I have, with fear and trembling, prayed those words, 'Here I am, Lord. Send me.' Whenever I hear them, I remember my decision to follow Jesus, who quoted Isaiah at the beginning of his public ministry, saying, 'He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, he has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the prisoners free and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' Usually I love to hear Isaiah 6:8. It speaks to what is most sacred in my life. But I was disgusted when I heard those words last week in the Department of Homeland Security's new recruitment video. The ad opens with marine helicopters traveling down a runway at dusk, preparing for take off on a mission. A genial male voice with a slight southern accent says, 'There's a Bible verse I think about sometimes, many times.' Now the camera cuts to the inside of a helicopter, the light grows dimmer but we can make out DHS secretary Kristy Noam surrounded by agents in body armor. The narrator intones Isaiah 6:8, 'Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Who shall I send? And who will go for us?' Ominous music swells up, but the voices aren't singing 'Holy, holy, holy,' they chant again and again, 'You can run on for a long time, sooner or later God's gonna cut you down.' Then a rapid montage of shots: agents chasing people in boats, a Customs and Border Patrol patch on a uniform, armored vehicles, rugged terrain surveilled through night vision goggles and the brightest light–the gleam of plastic zip tie handcuffs in an agent's belt. In choosing to use Isaiah 6:8, the video suggests that the Trump administration's mission to capture a daily quota of undocumented immigrants, deny them due process and imprison them in 'Gator Gulags' is God's mission. God didn't send the prophet Isaiah to hunt down the poor and vulnerable. In fact, in chapter 16, God puts these words in the mouth of the prophet; 'Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees, let the fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer.' God sends the prophet Isaiah on a dangerous mission to speak judgement against the powerful, announcing 'Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field til there is no space left and you live alone in the land. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.' Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol agents are sent by the federal government, not the sovereign Lord. To suggest otherwise is the textbook definition of blasphemy. Kate Murphy is pastor at The Grove Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.
