Happy Cinco de Quatro!
Wait, was that yesterday? The Manolo finds these new federal holidays very confusing.
Let us go straight to the top for clarification, to the El Presidente himself!
“Cinco de Mayo marks a singular moment in Mexican history, nearly 150 years ago, a ragtag band of soldiers and citizens, badly outnumbered, and facing impossible odds, held their ground on a muddy hill to defend their nation, from what was at the time the most fearsome fighting force in the world.”
Ah, yes, Cinco de Quatro, when the “ragtag band” of Mexicans defeated the most “fearsome fighting force in the world”: 8,000 Frenchmen, against the “impossible odds” of 2 to 1.
Wait, the most fearsome fighting force in the world in May of 1862, was one regiment of the French Army?
The Manolo admits to not knowing much about the history of the world, but would not the 24,000 casualties at Shiloh Church, or the soldiers of the Union Army who were chasing Stonewall Jackson around the Shenandoah Valley, beg to differ?
But, what does the Manolo know about the history of these 57 states? Certain not as much as the brilliantly brilliant El Presidente Esperanza y Cambio.
President Obama forgot all about the heroic sinking of a ship full of mayonnaise on this date in history. It happened just before the ship was to have docked at the principal port in Mexico City, Puerto de Estupido, now known as Puerto de Mayo. That, as all scholars know, is the source of the phrase Cinco de Mayo. Each year on this date, police, military and social workers assemble to demonstrate solidarity with the gallant revolutionaries who accomplished the patriotic deed.
Well, from a Canadian perspective … what the heck is the US president celebrating a Mexican holiday? … anyway, he is yours … enjoy … (sorry)
It’s not a Mexican holiday. Celebrating May 5 was totally unheard of in Mexico until US Americans started using the day to sell more booze in nightclubs and bars.
Actually, it’s 58 states. Obama said he’d been to 57 states and had one more to go. That makes 58.
Obambecility.
The Manolo is putting the shoe in the mouth here.
1) 8,000 men was about 20 regiments, not one regiment.
2) In 1862, the French army was widely regarded as the best the in the world. Really. Other armies copied French military practices and fashions. Both the Union and Confederate armies had “Zouave” regiments, which wore uniforms modeled after the French troops in Algeria.
The First Battle of Puebla was indeed a remarkable victory for the Mexicans.
On the other hand, the Second Battle of Puebla, a year later (8 May 1863) was a crushing French victory.
The Manolo admits that his knowledge of the 19th century French T.O.E. is limited, however, he stands by his statements about the relative fearsomeness of the French forces vis-a-vis the Confederate forces of Stonewall Jackson, or the either army at Shiloh.
He also notes that his internet friend Rich had nothing to say about the ridiculousness of calling the two to one odds at the Battle of Puebla (especially when the Mexican force was defending the hilltop) “impossible odds.”
The point remains, that our President (or more likely his speechwriter) knows little about history, and much about silly puffery.
The Sarah wants the Manolo to adopt her, as he’s the man of awesome intellect and admirable qualities. (Also shoes.)