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Miles Archer

(18,837 posts) Wed Jul 3, 2019, 06:47 AM Jul 2019

NYT: Let Trump's 4th of July buckle under the weight of its own absurdities & contradictions

Opinion

Let Trump Have His Birthday Party for America
And let us all ignore it.

By Alex Kingsbury

President Trump’s Fourth of July extravaganza has already achieved what was surely one of its central aims: irritating his opponents.

That helps explain the mainlining of partisan politics into a traditionally apolitical celebration of the nation’s founding. And why taxpayers are footing the bill for a military review inspired by a French parade that caught the president’s fancy. And why the military, one of the nation’s most trusted nonpartisan institutions, has been cast as the Greek chorus for Mr. Trump’s performance.

Yet for all the norm-shattering brazenness, there’s a good argument for checking the outrage and letting the show, complete with flyovers and armored vehicles, buckle under the weight of its own absurdities and contradictions.

Consider the incongruity of a president surrounding himself with military leaders and their hardware while his most recent global power moves include boldly walking into North Korea with his hand extended (two years after threatening to rain down “fire and fury” on the country) and wisely calling off airstrikes against Iran.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/opinion/trump-july-4th-parade.html

7 replies

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Highlight:

NYT: Let Trump's 4th of July buckle under the weight of its own absurdities & contradictions (Original Post) Miles Archer Jul 2019 OP

If there is any reason for this "celebration" other than the adulation of King Donald, it is Vinca Jul 2019 #1

two words onethatcares Jul 2019 #2

It's a taxpayer-funded celebration of Donald Trump Miles Archer Jul 2019 #4

The VIP donations I mentioned are for the Trump 2020 campaign, not for the public event. Vinca Jul 2019 #6

Speculation has reached the level of absurdity... Miles Archer Jul 2019 #7

absurdities and contradictions are sort of trump's "thing" mnmoderatedem Jul 2019 #3

The opening line of the piece, for me, is the "mission statement." Miles Archer Jul 2019 #5

Vinca

(50,278 posts)

1. If there is any reason for this "celebration" other than the adulation of King Donald, it is

Reply to Miles Archer (Original post)

Wed Jul 3, 2019, 06:54 AM

Jul 2019

the raising of massive amounts of donations from high value GOP donors who have already been given tickets and will be cloistered in a VIP area. Wonder if the Trump hotel gave them a special rate, too?

onethatcares

(16,172 posts)

2. two words

Reply to Vinca (Reply #1)

Wed Jul 3, 2019, 06:57 AM

Jul 2019

mushroom chubbie.

Miles Archer

(18,837 posts)

4. It's a taxpayer-funded celebration of Donald Trump

Reply to Vinca (Reply #1)

Wed Jul 3, 2019, 07:26 AM

Jul 2019

He attended that Bastille Day ceremony, and he's wanted one of his own ever since. He tried to go through "proper channels" and demand a military parade in his honor, and it went belly-up. So, instead, he came up with a "Fourth of July Celebration" and added all of the military parade elements to it.

I read this morning that the normal DC 4th of July celebration costs around $2 million.

The actual cost to taxpayers for the Trump "event" is being kept under wraps. I assume we will find out the true cost at some point.

Vinca

(50,278 posts)

6. The VIP donations I mentioned are for the Trump 2020 campaign, not for the public event.

Reply to Miles Archer (Reply #4)

Wed Jul 3, 2019, 07:36 AM

Jul 2019

This is going to be little more than a MAGA rally for MEGA donors.

Miles Archer

(18,837 posts)

7. Speculation has reached the level of absurdity...

Reply to Vinca (Reply #6)

Wed Jul 3, 2019, 07:51 AM

Jul 2019

...there has been discussion on MSNBC regarding whether his "speech" will be a campaign moment.

I don't think he'll be able to resist.

Whether he hits it head-on or dances around it, the point will be that America is great because of Trump.

And yes, it's a rally for MAGAts and mega-donors.

mnmoderatedem

(3,728 posts)

3. absurdities and contradictions are sort of trump's "thing"

Reply to Miles Archer (Original post)

Wed Jul 3, 2019, 07:09 AM

Jul 2019

his base support seems to get stronger the more absurd he gets and the more contradictory he gets.

Miles Archer

(18,837 posts)

5. The opening line of the piece, for me, is the "mission statement."

Reply to mnmoderatedem (Reply #3)

Wed Jul 3, 2019, 07:27 AM

Jul 2019

He knew it would "irritate his opponents." It did. Sick Mission Accomplished, and we foot the bill.

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