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| The Stealth Bomber |
Just about every report I have seen is filled with thinly veiled criticism about the President making this celebration about himself - rather than about the day itself. Over the last couple of days, at least two of the major broadcast networks, (CBS, and PBS – both of which I watch regularly) were filled with interviews of past or present government officials of one sort or another saying - with scowls on their faces - that the President is hijacking the celebration. That his focus on the military is inappropriate. All presented by network anchors and reporters as unbiased opinions.
All the changes made by the President to this year’s celebration are described in negative terms. For example, the President has decided to address the public form the Lincoln Memorial. Independence Day celebrations do not generally feature a Presidential address. Critics are pointing to this as evidence that Trump is making it about himself. And that his speech will be highly partisan. Despite the President’s pledge that it won’t be.
Personally I see absolutely nothing wrong with the leader of this country addressing its people on that day. As long as it isn't partisan. I know the President lies. But If he stays on script, I believe his words will not be partisan at all.
Another thing the critics point to is his decision to feature the military on that day. As though by doing so, he is mimicking what dictators like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un do. You can almost see a look of disgust on their faces of those ‘unbiased’ reporters as they talk about it. The not so subtle suggestion is that Trump’s values are not all that different than those of the dictators he is mimicking. The only thing missing will be jack-booted soldiers.
I heard comments like, ‘What about the the hot-dogs; the hamburgers? The entertainers; the fireworks?’ ‘That should be what this celebration should feature.’ ‘Not tanks, planes, and guns.’ ‘Why feature the military at all?’
This is such nonsense! I for one would enjoy seeing what a stealth bomber looks like flying overhead. As as I enjoy seeing the spectacular flying Blue Angels who will also be flying overhead. What better way to celebrate our freedom than to show how we got it. We fought for it with military battles. And we will retain it as much by maintaining our military strength as we will by practicing our values.
What a unique opportunity for Americans – and the world - to see what kind of military we have – unmatched by any other country.
The military equipment on display there will be the state of the art. This is something we should be proud of. Not something we should hide. And certainly not criticize the President for.
What about the food; the fireworks? Is all that going to suffer? Fireworks have always been the climax at the end of the celebration.
None of that will suffer. To the contrary. I’m sure there will be plenty of the President’s favorite food; hot-dogs and hamburgers. And the fireworks will be bigger and better than ever. At no cost to the taxpayer since it is being funded by a private donor. If I were in or near Washington that day, I would love to attend this event in all of its glory.
What made the President decide to do it this way? It was not to mimic a dictatorship like North Korea. It was because of what he witnessed in the country of one of our allies. He was in France when they celebrated Bastille Day, the day that began the French revolution. The President was so impressed by their military on display that he vowed to outdo them. I think he will succeed.