Posted on 02/07/2018 9:30:35 PM PST by Helicondelta
As with many of his Republican predecessors, Trump has effectively tapped into the sense among millions of Americans that pride in the United States is diminishing, not only abroad but at home. Many of his supporters share a sentiment that D.C., N.Y. and L.A. “elites” are embarrassed about our country and our achievements.
This is why, as a candidate for the White House, Trump frequently lambasted President Barack Obama for his alleged global “apology tour.” It’s why he’s waded into the protection of confederate monuments and claimed that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln might be the next to go. This is why he literally embraced the American flag.
It’s why he made such a big deal about NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem, so much so that he’s almost achieving the unthinkable—turning some red-blooded Republican men against football.
The president’s State of the Union was pockmarked with so many tributes to American symbols—our flag, our motto, our anthem—that you almost expected him to bring out a freshly-baked apple pie and start eating it mid-speech. So much of what Trump does seem random, but all of this has a clear purpose. Trump understands, perhaps instinctively, that an appeal to national pride like calling for a gleaming, glorious military spectacle touches a nerve with many Americans.
At the same time, the president is overtly tying his administration to the most popular institution in our nation—perhaps the only popular institution left—the United States military. More to the point, he’s daring the Democrats, and their allies in the media, to stand apart and oppose it. By doing so, Democratic leaders appear either as killjoys complaining about excessive costs (as if frugality were a Democratic Party hallmark) or as diminishing the achievements of the military or the need to publicly extol them.
All in all, it’s a pretty clever trap.
We had Decoration Day parades in our little town when I was growing up. Can’t recall if on July 4th, too. Maybe, though.
That was kind of funny pulling out an apple pie
Well it is time for that kind of pride in our country
What is a good apple pie recipe I will find one
That’s my Trumpy!!!
Thanks Helicondelta. The anti-American partisan media shills at Pollutico don't like President Trump, nor do they like his supporters.
Trump frequently lambasted President Barack Obama for his alleged global “apology tour.” It’s why he’s waded into the protection of confederate monuments and claimed that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln might be the next to go. This is why he literally embraced the American flag. It’s why he made such a big deal about NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem
I repeat - not a good ides.
The cultural counter is the “protest movement” with their marches.
Conservatives do not mount “marches”, we vote.
Neither should we be promoting parades for the sake of having a parade.
We did have honorable military parades, after WWI and WWII.
When all American troops return from the Middle East and Afghanistan, THEN we should have a parade. Not before that.
AB, you are right. July in DC is a steam bath. Not something we should want to force on our troops. If I remember correctly, PA Av. is black tar which would add 20 degrees to the likely 90 degrees July temperature. There is also a huge crowd gathering on the Mall for the big fireworks. In all a logistics nightmare. While I mentioned Veterans Day, which would honor all who have served and will become veterans, Memorial Day (Decoration Day) in late May is also a less steamy proposition with an honorable history. Personal note, I have a son with 20 year in Special Forces. I will ask him how he would feel if required to participate in July heat.
If there IS a parade, it just...it has to be different and send a message other than “look at how great we are. Look at our nukes...” Hopefully no tanks, no weapons...
Because military might ISN’T what makes us great, it’s what our military protects and stands for: our values, our freedoms, which make us great...
But: if it’s respectful marches of our soldiers on the part of different regiments and departments...If it’s musical renditions of “Mine Eyes Have Seen the GlorY” hymns like “Amazing Grace” and songs like “America the Beautiful”...If it’s acknowledgment of deceased veterans —all things done in a tasteful way...it COULD be good? Wonder what Generals Mattis and McMaster think...
For some reason I feel like the more subdued and somber a display like that is, would be more powerful rather than fireworks and ramparts (even though that’s what our National Anthem alludes to...the rockets red glare and all that...)
Interesting criticism coming from both sides of political aisle over the idea:
https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/07/trump-military-parade-defense-328962
We have one every year in my town. Torrance, Ca. Armed Forces Day Parade. Some time in late May.
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