Kim Phuc                        Barbara Bush
Today – While our role in the Middle East may break America’s bank, our years in Vietnam broke out nation’s heart – with psyche-scarring images like the Pulitzer Prize winning photo of the naked napalm-seared nine year old Phan Thi Kim Phuc taken by AP cameraman Nick Ut 39 years ago today. Now 48 and a naturalized Canadian living in Ontario, the napalm survivor has created a foundation to aid today’s child victims of war. A world away, Ut is a paparazzi  hustling images of Hollywood celebs far different than Kim Phuc.  Looking back, Ut says, “Even though it has become one of the most memorable images of the 20^th century, President Nixon once doubted the authenticity of my photograph … The photo was as authentic as the war in Vietnam itself.”

Birthday Girl – Time and a world away from the napalm-scarred Kim Phuc, Barbara Pierce Bush was born into a life of privilege and wealth 88 years ago today.  At 20,  Bush married the dashing scion of Old Money who would one day become the 41^st  US president (George H). As a mother,  Bush birthed six children – including our nation’s 43^rd President (George W) as well as Florida’s 43^rd Governor (Jeb).  As a snarky post script, the the Grande Dame of the palatial Bush Compound in Kennebunk Port woman has never had to support herself.