June 6, 1944. The largest air, land, and sea operation ever undertaken. Over 150,000 men, 5,000 ships, and 11,000 planes. It was the beginning of the end for Hitler.

After years of meticulous planning and seemingly endless training, for the Allied Forces, it all came down to this: The boat ramp goes down, then jump, swim, run, and crawl to the cliffs. Many of the first young men (most not yet 20 years old) entered the surf carrying eighty pounds of equipment. They faced over 200 yards of beach before reaching the first natural feature offering any protection. Blanketed by small-arms fire and bracketed by artillery, they found themselves in hell.

When it was over, the Allied Forces had suffered nearly 10,000 casualties; more than 4,000 were dead. Yet somehow, due to planning and preparation, and due to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Forces, Fortress Europe had been breached.

(source)

Google, on the other hand, has this logo up today:

honoring artist Diego Velazquez, whose baptismal day was this date in 1599. His actual birthdate is unknown, but presumed to be shortly before the baptismal date. The painting is Las Meninas (1656, English: The Maids of Honour).

Over at Althouse, she asks What exactly is Hillary Clinton going to say after the last primary is over?

I left a comment there at 3:24 pm CDT:

It will not be a concession speech of any kind whatsoever. It will be a victory speech. She will declare that she is the winner of the popular vote, she will declare that the Michigan and Florida delegates were misallocated, and she will declare that the super delegates all have a right to a change of mind, right up until the final vote at the convention.

It’s not over until the weight challenged refined and gentle woman sings…

That’s my prediction and I’m sticking with it.

Also Bill Clinton said this earlier today (via Hot Air):

“I want to say also, that this may be the last day I’m ever involved in a campaign of this kind,” the former president said at a town hall at the Milbank Visitor Center (emphasis mine).

Others seem to see the “campaign of this kind”as the presidential campaign.

My take is that it’s the Primary campaign he’s talking about.

Or is it Christmas in June? My Christmas cactus that didn’t bloom at Christmas, but did bloom at Easter, is blooming again in June…

I think it’s confused…

Alaska doesn’t have an income tax. Alaska can pay for everything with royalties from oil production. Some years, Alaska can even pay her residents a dividend.

California wants to pay for lots of things and has a budget deficit.

Florida has an aging population and would also like to pay for lots of things in addition to recovering from Hurricanes now and then.

There is oil offshore of both California and Florida. That oil could solve some money problems for both states. All they have to do is allow drilling.

That would also increase US production, which would, in turn, reduce our need for foreign sources. It may not be a lot, but it’s sure better than not increasing our own production.

Little white flowers

Happy little pansy face