Sunlight Glistens Off Soaring New Towers...

From Afghanistan, President Barack Obama ended his speech delivered on Beltane to Americans with some intriguing imagery. In the context of all that happened on the day, it made complete symbolic obelisk sense. (Italics below are my emphasis.)

As we emerge from a decade of conflict abroad and economic crisis at home, it is time to renew America. An America where our children live free from fear, and have the skills to claim their dreams. A united America of grit and resilience, where sunlight glistens off soaring new towers in downtown Manhattan, and we build our future as one people, as one nation.
Here, in Afghanistan, Americans answered the call to defend their fellow citizens and uphold human dignity. Today, we recall the fallen, and those who suffer wounds seen and unseen. But through dark days we have drawn strength from their example, and the ideals that have guided our nation and lit the world: a belief that all people are created equal, and deserve the freedom to determine their destiny.
That is the light that guides us still. This time of war began in Afghanistan, and this is where it will end. With faith in each other and our eyes fixed on the future, let us finish the work at hand, and forge a just and lasting peace. May God bless our troops. And may God bless the United States of America.

Occupy Beltane: Where's Obama?

Don't tell me that the powers that be aren't aware, moment to moment, of the significance of dates and places.

Rumors circulated all morning that President Barack Obama was in Afghanistan, was missing, and/or was in locations unknown.

The official White House schedule for May 1, 2012, was as follows:

Finally, in the afternoon, the White House Press Office released the correct news: President Barack Obama made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, the first anniversary of the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan. Obama's plane left Andrews Air Force Base just after midnight Monday and arrived at Bagram Tuesday evening Afghanistan time.

The countries have been negotiating a strategic agreement that would outline the basis for U.S.-Afghan cooperation after most U.S. and allied troops withdraw in 2014. Obama and Afghanistan President Karzai signed the agreement on Tuesday, according to the senior administration officials who briefed reporters on the flight. The Strategic Partnership Agreement provides a framework for the U.S.-Afghanistan partnership for the decade following the U.S. and allied troop withdrawal.

Obama is scheduled to make a televised address to the USA at 7:30 p.m. ET.