Trump's 4th of July Weapons Display is Pretty Lame, really.

[MineralMan]

Tanks? Old Tanks? Do we even still use tanks? Now, some planes are going to fly over, for sure. That's power, of course. But, Trump thinks he's going to put on a military display like they do in Russia or North Korea. That ain't happening. Those countries go all out, and bring everything into town. ICBMs, whole companies of goose-stepping troops. Trucks, carrying massive weapons of destruction. There are marching bands and uniforms and, wow!, whole bunches of mighty stuff. All the while, the national leader stands on a high, raised platform, emblazoned with flags and patriotic symbols and waves at his mighty military.

Not Trump. If you want to see a tank, you'll have to walk a little ways to see one that's parked there. ICBMs? Nope. Battalions of troops marching past? Nope. They aren't coming. Bombs? Nah. But, maybe the Blue Angels will do a formation and spew red, white and blue smoke overhead. And Air Force 1 is going to do a flyby. It's like a big airliner, see, that Trump flies around on.

And Trump? He won't be up on a high platform, reviewing the military. No. He's going to be giving a campaign speech telling people how great he is, perhaps with his daughter standing prettily beside him and playing with her hair or something. "The President's Own" Marine band will be there, playing "Hail to the Chief" and some old Sousa marches, of course. They might even have a military chorus to sing "America the Beautiful."

But, a fearsome military parade. That ain't happening, folks. Fireworks, though. Lots of fireworks.

Enjoy!

[RKP5637]

1. And if it rains ... tRump will run for cover, all that makeup and hair might fall!

[TruckFump]

2. Maybe he will rust like the tanks and get stuck in place?

Hmmmmmmm...probably too much to hope for!!!!!

[RKP5637]

3. Hmmmm .... his face looks sort of rusted with whatever he smears on it. Let's hope for rain!!! n/t

[TruckFump]

4. Oh, yeah, that would totally ruin his parade!!!

Man tan, running down his face, make up all blotchy, and his hair blowing in the wind???

[link:|

[smirkymonkey]

5. If there are thunderstorms or even heavy rain, the fireworks will be postponed or

cancelled. I really hope this is an enormous flop tomorrow. It's important that everyone starts to see him as the weak, insecure, pathetic loser that he really is.

[Blue_true]

23. It would be great if Mother Nature shuts down the shitshow for

climate change deniers.

[JaneQPublic]

6. We have a better show here from nearby NAS Patuxent River any day of the week.

And it's mostly aircraft in use for RDT&E or training purposes, not some lame vanity parade.

In fact, as I was walking to my truck to go to lunch today, I looked up to see a V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft fly over.

Even our local Naval Air Museum --- to say nothing of the Smithsonian's Air & Space Musuem --- would easily put Trumpalooza to shame.

[MineralMan]

7. My late ex-father-in-law was a Naval officer

stationed there at one time. Living there was the high point of his life, for sure. There were many many stories.

[JaneQPublic]

12. I can believe it, definitely! (nt)

[PJMcK]

21. Memorial Day weekend on Long Island

Nearly every year, there's a terrific air show at NY's Jones Beach. It features the Blue Angels and many other aircraft performing fly-bys and other aerial stunts.

For several years in a row, my golf buddy and I would play on the Bethpage Black Course, (where this year's PGA Championship was held), on the Friday afternoon before the holiday weekend. We were treated to the rehearsal for the show as the planes practiced over the state park. It was thrilling fun!

Trump's re-election campaign rally masquerading as a Fourth of July patriotic event will be typical Trump: boring and over-blown. I hope it rains.

[JaneQPublic]

22. rain, lightning AND hail (fingers crossed!) (nt)

[Blue_true]

24. When I was a boy the Blue Angels practiced over a golf course that kids

played on for free during the summer. They were in the area for a big Fourth celebration. I guess they practice over open terrain instead of over more populated places.

[FakeNoose]

8. Just hook up the applause machine, Chump won't even notice

[MineralMan]

9. Hilarious!

[EleanorR]

10. wish they'd add this to the parade

[Wounded Bear]

11. No, we haven't actually used "tanks" since Desert Storm IIRC...

at least not the real MBTs like the Abrams. They are basically too expensive to operate and move to be useful in small operations like anti-insurgency and anti-terrorist patrolling. They can only be shipped on the very largest of planes, and can't even be moved by rail except on special equipment. On roads, they would collapse most bridges and over passes unless maybe they cross one at a time, if that.

Most of the work is being done with various types of AFVs like the Bradleys that can be flown and moved more easily, and are pretty usable in most environments. They are proof against most small arms, and are faster and more maneuverable than they big tanks.

Yeah, Trump's big "show" will probably be a fizzle, not that I intend to watch.

[Aristus]

14. We used tanks in the Iraq blitzkrieg in 2003.

Once we settled down into an occupation of Baghdad, tanks became a liability due to their unsuitability in urban insurgency warfare.

I heard reports that trained tankers were being used as infantry instead, which makes me all the more glad that I got out when I did. Tankers ride; grunts walk; that's the way it is.

It's such complete bullshit that we're having a military parade on the 4th. That's not what our troops are for.

I don't know about North Korea or present-day Russia, but the Soviet Union had a special military unit to do those parades. The parades were their only duty, and they rehearsed all year long for them. Also keeping their tanks, APC's, missile launchers, trucks, and anti-aircraft vehicles in constant spit-and-polish.

We don't have anything like that; nor should we. Not even the Third Infantry Regiment, or "Old Guard". They do conduct ceremonial duties, including and especially guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. But they are also a fully combat-trained unit that remains eligible for deployment at any time. They're not tin soldiers.

[Wounded Bear]

15. My nephew was in Striker brigade, don't remember the exact unit designation...

Still getting over the PTSD, although some of that was due to his upbringing. My brother was no walk in the park to be around.

He also spent some time in basic infantry units. Did two tours, at least.

[matt819]

13. Another observation

Display of military power.

A couple of tanks, some APCs, and a flyover or two?

Folks, there are more than 800 US military bases around the world.

There are 41 aircraft carriers around the world. The US has about 25% of those, and they are the largest.

The US military has 13,000 aircraft. Russia and China have less than 3,000 each.

There is no need to display US military power, except for the MAGAs who are convinced that the rest of the world is going to rise up against us, as a backdrop for a fascist president, and as a talking point and endless tweets about us liberals being unpatriotic.

[MineralMan]

16. Very good points!

[hunter]

17. Trump is the lamest president in U.S. history.

For that he will be remembered.

[MineralMan]

18. Indeed!

[Red Mountain]

19. 2 M-1s, a recovery vehicle and 2 Bradleys that appear

to be missing their main guns?

Somebody has a sense of humor.

[MineralMan]

20. Well, I doubt those main guns will be needed tomorrow,

so maybe they took them off for safety reasons like...

Trump won't notice. He doesn't know anything about tanks. Or much of anything else, for that matter.

[ck4829]

25. Kick