May 3, 2026
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Michael's Daily Notes
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Yesterday was the 15th anniversary of Operation Neptune Spear, the successful raid on Osama bin Laden's compound at Abbottabad, Pakistan. I'll bet you remember where you were that night — I do. I was thrilled to have Admiral William McRaven as my guest on CNN yesterday. McRaven is, of course, the retired four-star Admiral who commanded that mission. He spent 37 years as a Navy SEAL and rose to commander of all U.S. Special Operations Forces. You'll also remember Admiral McRaven for his famous "Make Your Bed" speech at the University of Texas — that now has over 150 million views online.
Well, he's just written a new book, "Duty, Honor, Country & Life: A Tribute to the American Spirit." The book is a collection of thoughts, speeches and… poems. Yes, the man in full is also a poet.
When reading the book, I was touched by one particular poem he wrote while preparing to speak to Gold Star families, titled "I Remember." In the book, Admiral McRaven says it was a "tough poem to write." I thought the poem was heartfelt and beautifully written. So, in our interview, I asked Admiral McRaven to please pull out the book and turn to page 90 and read the final 1/3 of the poem. He did, but midway through, the battle-hardened American hero grew emotional and needed to pause as he read these words:
I remember the sorrow.
The sound of taps on a hillside
covered with the graves of heroes.
The tearful widow, a weeping child,
a folded flag.
I remember the sorrow,
so clearly.
Post-show, he told me: “I didn't expect the poem to hit me that hard. Some feelings never fade and maybe they shouldn't.” Indeed.
Here is how the poem ends:
They gave everything.
The least I can do is remember.
I remember, I must remember.
I must always remember.
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DAILY POLL
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Should the federal government have bailed out Spirit Airlines?
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TOP STORY
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Kentucky Derby history was made as trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to win the race, with Golden Tempo storming from last place to edge out the favorite in a dramatic finish at Churchill Downs.
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TODAY'S YOUTUBE
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Manufacturers of Mifepristone, the drug used in about 60% of abortions nationwise, have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a lower court ruling reinstating in-person dispensing requirements, warning it would disrupt access and reignite legal battles over abortion pill regulations.
London’s police chief warned that British Jews face an unprecedented threat amid an “epidemic” of antisemitism following a recent stabbing attack, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer considers banning some anti-Israel protests over concerns about incitement and public safety.
CNN’s video and audio analysis shows the suspected gunman raising and leveling a shotgun at officers as he breached security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, while leaving unresolved whether he fired the first shot amid conflicting official accounts.
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CARTOONS
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MORE NEWS
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Fifteen years after Osama bin Laden was killed, former Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill recounts the high-risk raid on his Abbottabad compound, describing the team’s meticulous preparation, 9/11-driven motivation, and the intense nine-minute mission that ended with bin Laden’s death.
The U.S. Air Force says a refurbished Qatari-donated Boeing 747 could serve as a temporary Air Force One as soon as this summer, despite ongoing ethical concerns from lawmakers over accepting the luxury jet.
Veteran journalist Maureen Orth argues that Michael Jackson’s enduring fame and artistry – and now the recently-released biopic movie – have obscured serious allegations of abuse, drawing on over a decade of firsthand reporting into his alleged behavior and personal struggles.
For the Left
Senator John Fetterman sounded the alarm Friday about the leftward drift of his own party, warning that a "small Communist takeover" is underway in Maine as Graham Platner closes in on the Democratic Senate nomination.
For the Right
Graham Platner emerged as Maine Democrats’ presumptive Senate nominee after Governor Janet Mills withdrew, rallying strong grassroots support despite lingering concerns over past controversies as he prepares to challenge incumbent Susan Collins.
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