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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Cheap, Shrill Patriotism of Trump's Fourth of July
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/trumps-fourth-of-july-is-a-cheap-version-of-patriotism/593248/The Cheap, Shrill Patriotism of Trumps Fourth of July
A show of military might to gratify the presidents egoon Independence Day, no lessis yet another blow to republican virtue.
10:49 AM ET
Tom Nichols
Unless, of course, our Sherman tanks (after their arduous trip through the Time Tunnel) plunge through the Arlington Memorial Bridge and we have to fish them out of the Potomac. In which case, it will clearly be the result of sabotage by wreckers determined to ruin yet another celebration of the Most Abused President in All of Human History.
If only this were more of a parody. In fact, President Trumps plan to turn the Fourth of July into a gigantic ritual of reassurance for his spun-glass ego has now fully matured from a crackpot idea into an expensive, authoritarian, and truly weird hijacking of our most important national holiday. Armored vehicles have already been moved through the streets of the District, and we can only be relieved that there arent any Minuteman III nuclear-armed ICBMs near Washington or Trump would probably be ordering the Air Force to cart one of those down Constitution Avenue as well.
Instead of observing the Fourth like a normal president and engaging in some quiet ritual of civic virtueswearing in new citizens, or visiting our troops, or perhaps just watching the fireworks and leaving his fellow citizens alone for a dayTrump has decided to order up a spectacle. Rather than honoring the day on which the Founders risked being hanged as traitors in order to proclaim a new republic, Trump will preside over a show of might meant to quiet the constant thunderclaps of insecurity that fill his every waking moment.
His choice of a military parade, replete with all kinds of weapons he does not understand, makes perfect sense. After being exiled by his own family to military school, Trump has repeatedly compensated for his subsequent evasion of military service by imagining himself as the reincarnation of George Patton. Other national leaders who ducked military service during Vietnam, from Dick Cheney to Bill Clinton, have usually had the good sense to be quiet about it. Even George W. Bush, who undertook the hazardous training of a fighter pilot, rarely drew attention to his careful choice to join the National Guard. When he showed up on an aircraft carrier swaggering around in a flight suit, more than a few of his admirers winced.
But only Trump, who continues to pontificate on his own courage and martial skill despite his obvious lack of both, is going to force the entire country to engage in a national exercise of play-pretend, with a pageant better suited for the leader of some tiny nations junta rather than the president of the United States. Trump will wear a suit and tie, but he will be acting out a role that calls for five-oclock shadow, meaningless fruit salad on his chest, golden-fringed epaulettes the size of mops, and a peaked cap with a comically high crown throwing a shadow over his aviator sunglasses.
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This year, let us spare a thought for the men and women of the armed forces who must obey the order to march about in the oppressive heat of a Washington summer, and thank them for their service. And then, as better stewards of our republic than the current chief executive, let us say nothing further about Trumps parade and consign any notice or memory of this embarrassing mess to the oblivion it deserves. It is the only proper response to the presidents insistence on this unpatrioticand yes, un-Americanritual of personal self-glorification.
cilla4progress
(24,777 posts)I have a cold, dank in the pit of my stomach.
world wide wally
(21,755 posts)bdamomma
(63,923 posts)he may do it.
superpatriotman
(6,252 posts)Nationalism.
Over-compensation.
AllaN01Bear
(18,443 posts)for most of my young and adult life . many havnt served. nor will , but many have their guns and wannabe , and i find that pathetic.
Corgigal
(9,291 posts)If Trump loses his next election it will because of this. He's too often in our faces and he can't help himself because he thinks in winning the 24 hour TV cycle. The more we see him, or worst have to hear him, the more we hate him.
Poor active duty military, who just wanted a beer and a hamburger on the grill tomorrow. Trump won't consider them at all.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)There aren't words in the English language to express the depths of my loathing for this man.
And how many deplorables are going to be able to afford to travel to and from DC and pay those ridiculous hotel prices? Not very many, I would think.
Hekate
(90,829 posts)...as the lady of negotiable affection commented.