Lest we forget (part 2)

First, see “Lest we forget” (my post of August 6th).

Today was Nagasaki.

And now, even as Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush are photographed together in Beijing, China, at the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics, Russia has invaded the Republic of Georgia.

George Santayana was right: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905.) Santayana also said, “There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.” (Soliloquies in England, “War Shrines”, 1922.)

Perhaps Mr. Putin just has a different way of enjoying the interval. And a short memory. I choose not to speculate about Mr. Bush because his time remaining is short.

God help us all.