3 takeaways from the military parade and No Kings protests on Trump's birthday
By: Alana Wise, Kat Lonsdorf, Clare Marie Schneider (NPR)
A lot of soldiers invested a lot of effort in putting together a celebration for their branch of service, the U.S. Army. 250 years is a long time, a lot of history, a lot for Army service members to be proud of. It's a celebration that comes once and can't be repeated.
Blue islands dotted across the country rose up to protest the Army's parade. Why? Because they don't like Donald Trump? Because they didn't want to share the spotlight? Because they were selfish? Because they were stupid? Why?
So what did the No Kings protests prove? Who did the No Kings protests hurt? It wasn't Trump. Trump had a front row seat and, no doubt, enjoyed the show. Trump wasn't watching the protests. Trump is not up for reelection even if he wants to be. So how could the No Kings protests possibly hurt Trump? How could the No Kings protests possibly change Donald Trump's mind?
So what do the No Kings protesters expect? Do they expect the men and women of the Army to be ashamed of their organization, ashamed of their service? Do the No Kings protesters expect the Army to shirk their duty, disobey their orders, turn their backs on the United States? What did the No Kings protesters get out of day? What were the No Kings protesters celebrating?
In their hubris and hate, the local PBS station was airing ten year old reruns of Rick Steve's Europe. They chose to broadcast a celebration of Europe over a celebration of American history. What did they prove? Who did they hurt? And PBS expects me to fight for them?
Just remember that it was the blue islands dotted across the country that stole the day from men and women serving the country. It was the blue islands dotted across the country that sucked the air out of the news cycle. It was the blue islands dotted across the country that claimed they were more important than anyone or anything else in the United States. And we're supposed to respect their right to disrespect and disparage everyone else?
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The U.S. Army celebrated its 250th anniversary on Saturday with a massive military parade in Washington, D.C., against a backdrop of political division and protests savaging President Trump rippling across the country.
Trump, whose 79th birthday corresponded with the Army anniversary, had long dreamed of holding such a display of America's military might.
The parade stirred up controversy for what opponents view as a politicization of the nation's armed forces and a break from U.S. democratic norms, and sparked an organized No Kings protest movement across the country on Saturday.
Here's how the day unfolded.
1. Stormy clouds didn't rain on the parade
Despite threats of lightning and storms rolling into D.C., the parade went ahead as advertised.
It featured dozens of armored tanks and artillery vehicles, such as HIMARS, army aircraft, including Black Hawk helicopters and Apaches, and more than 6,000 uniformed troops. The idea was to walk viewers through the history of American military conflict, with some historical uniforms and vehicles being used.
Additionally, 34 horses, two mules and one dog — a Blue Heeler named Doc Holliday — joined the march.
Mike Davis, a 30-year Army serviceman who was at the parade as a spectator, said he welcomed the flashy affair — that the military had been overdue for a big bash.
"The last time we've had a military parade of any sorts, I recall, is the Gulf War," Davis said. "So, it's been a long time and what better way to celebrate it than the 250th?"
Davis said that protests against the event cast a pall on what he thought should be a celebratory occasion, but that he also backed people's First Amendment rights to speak out.
"We go to war and defend the nation's rights for the citizens to do things like that, so more power to it," he said.
The weekend festivities came with an expected price tag of between $25 million and $45 million, according to Army spokesperson Heather J. Hagan. That includes planned road repairs due to possible damage from tanks rolling on city streets.
2. Trump got the thing he has wanted for years
Trump wanted to hold the parade during his first term, but it was scrapped because it was deemed too expensive. He was inspired after attending the annual Bastille Day parade in France in 2017. That parade celebrates French mobs taking over the Bastille state prison in 1789.
In closing remarks following Saturday's procession, he hailed the Army as the "greatest, fiercest and bravest fighting force" the world had ever seen.
"The Army keeps us free, you make us strong, and tonight you've made all Americans very proud," he said. "Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did too. That's what we're doing tonight."
After his speech, Trump was presented with a traditionally folded American flag — a gift usually reserved for the family members of fallen soldiers.
Since the parade was announced, there has been sharp criticism, particularly from Democratic lawmakers who called the showcase self-indulgent and a misuse of public funds.
"To use the military in this manner when Donald Trump is slashing veterans' benefits to aggrandize himself, to communicate to the country his control over the military, is just another shameful act of this administration," said Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.
Other critics have said it's a display of military force typically associated with autocratic governments in places like Russia or North Korea.
"It's a vulgar display," Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California said during a news conference on Friday. "It's the kind of thing you see Kim Jong Un, you see Putin, you see with dictators around the world that are weak."
3. Protests spring up across the country
No Kings protests rippled peacefully across dozens of cities in the U.S.
Organizers estimated that more than 5 million people participated in more 2,000 planned protests, according to spokesperson Eunic Ortiz. While protests were peaceful, police in Culpeper, Va., arrested a man who "intentionally accelerated his vehicle into the dispersing crowd," at the end of a protest. One person was hit, but no one was hurt, police said.
Tens of thousands marched peacefully in Philadelphia, where organizers were holding their main event, police said. Philadelphia was chosen as the hub, because "there's an indelible link between Philadelphia and between the freedoms and the ideals that the country was founded upon," said Joel Payne, spokesperson for MoveOn, one of the dozens of groups behind the No Kings protests.
Ezra Levin, co-founder and co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, another No Kings coordinator, said the atmosphere at the event was joyful.
"Today what I saw was a boisterous, peaceful display of First Amendment rights," he told NPR.
Thousands were at a Dallas protest, one of more than 60 planned in Texas, KERA reported. In Alaska, the theme was, "The only king I want is king salmon," Alaska Public Media reported.
Shahera Hyatt of Sacramento made signs for her local event that read, "From Palestine to Mexico, border walls have got to go," and "ICE, you're fired."
"I decided to go because I feel like with unchecked authority, Trump has led America into clear fascism," she told NPR.
There were some feelings of unease amid the protesters, some of whom turned off their phones and avoided posting to social media.
"It does feel like there's a vendetta against people who are exercising their rights to speak up against this administration," said protester Ali Schoenberger of Sacramento. "So I feel like it's important to protect my fellow protestors today and not expose them or even have it on my phone."
"I am completely terrified of what's going on in our country," said protester Margo Ross of Watsonville, Calif. "I believe from the beginning it's been a coup and a fascist overthrow, and I keep thinking, 'Well, it can't get worse.' And then it gets worse and worse."
Separately, U.S. Capitol Police said they arrested 60 protesters Friday evening after some pushed down barriers and ran toward the steps of the Rotunda. They say all 60 will be charged with unlawful demonstration and crossing a police line. Additional charges include assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. The groups behind the protests didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
The No Kings demonstrations were put together by a coalition of more than 200 organizations, including MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers and the Communications Workers of America. Protests were not planned in Washington, D.C., where the military parade was held.
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The blue islands dotted across the country lecture us that we have a sacred obligation to respect their right to disrespect and disparage the United States, its history, its culture, and its people.
How self centered and selfish can the blue islands dotted across the country become?
Do not rely on 2-dimensional maps, 3-dimensional ones offer a far better read. Alaska is huge and yet is red from sea to sea with but 1 house rep. The same could be said of large states such as Montana and Wyoming. You are only gaslighting yourself.
How provincial.
If only land could vote.
Yet Trump won the popular vote the 2nd time around.
Without that land, the blue islands would starve in the dark. Those blue islands are so insular they forget there's a whole country out there.
Popular vote means dick in a presidential election, thought you knew that?
Then why does the left keep bringing it up about Clinton?
Ah, look at that, it's actually blue States and Mexico that feed the majority of these ungrateful conservatives. Perhaps without us they'll go back to their other favorite metaphorical food, a big bag of Richards.
ok, no idea, why? Are you a lefty now?
Not by a long shot. I quit drinking.
There were over 2,000 protests, and they happened in every state. Data so far, indicates that 1-2% of the nation’s population took part, and it is probably the largest protest in American history. Approximately 5 million people took part. There were even “no kings” protests in several other countries around the world.
I think very few people were protesting the parade, specifically, and certainly not the Army itself. I was at one of those protests. There were thousands of people with signs. I don’t think I saw even one that said anything at all about the parade.
A parade for the Army should have been very popular. And if it were ordered by Congress and genuinely focused on military service, it probably would have been popular. It also would have helped if millions of people weren’t about to lose healthcare while millions of dollars was being spent on this parade and billionaires were getting a tax cut.
Instead of this being an event to genuinely honor the Army, Donald Trump made it all about him. He has been trying for years to hold a military parade in the style of Russia, China, and North Korea, where they roll out the troops and weapons, and the obedient crowds cheer for the glorious leader.
How do we know it’s all about Trump? Well, it happens that he and the Army share a birthday (so naturally they sang Happy Birthday to him at this event). The Navy turns 250 in October. No parade is planned. The Marines turn 250 in November. No parade is planned.
This need for attention to boost his ego on a day that should have been to honor the military is one of many things about Trump and his administration that people were protesting. In general, people have no problem with the Army or the military in general.
And they were protesting something that hasn't been in the US since 1776, nor will have in the future.
So 1 - 2% don't understand what they were "protesting".
That's one opinion.
Somebody told you it was.
If just want to troll the comments and won’t read them, or consider someone else’s point of view, do you think you have any chance of being persuasive?
I'll be honest. I have the same chance as the left and democrats being on the right side of anything.
LMAO. You expect them to navigate ships down the street?
Fitzcarraldo 'navigated' one across the Andes just to bring an opera to town.
No, you personally really do not...
It’d be cool if you thought about stuff before posting. It is possible to do a Navy version of a parade, you know.
5 million nation wide out of a population of more than 330 million. Not exactly a force
to be reckoned with, especially when most of the protests happened in blue city/states.
Not to mention they were "protesting" something they were lied to about and that doesn't and won't exist in the US.
So... not as many as normally go to Pride rallies during June.
Pride is a celebration more than protest, though Trump is unfriendly to LGBTQ...
It's a collective demonstration of emotion.
From the outside, it seems like Pride rallies are a combination of celebrating existing situations of inclusion and protesting the situations where inclusion is seen as still deficient.
In any case, while 5 million is a good number, it's a very long way from the "largest protest in American history". It's a fraction of the BLM numbers. It's less than we see coming out regularly for other traditionally liberal causes.
Edit to add...
I think Trump reflects the sentiment of many Americans who are vastly more accepting of LGB than they were even 20 years ago, but who believe the TQ+ situation has simply abandoned common sense.
Pride parades and the BLM movement and any other minority movement is simply standing up and basically saying "Hey! We're just as valuable, just as proud of who we are as white Christians!" because for the last few centuries, white Christians have made no secret of being in charge and telling everyone how important and special they are while at the same time stamping down and groups they felt were inferior, disagreed with or that their faith condemned.
It's why it would be strange to have a "white pride parade" though many Christian conservatives, especially in the south have had them often wearing their cross-burning best sheets. Their parades weren't a message of "Hey, we're white and were proud to be white, but we love ALL people and welcome everyone to participate!" like a gay pride parade will. You do not have to be gay to participate in a gay pride parade. You do not have to be black to participate in a "Black Lives Matter" parade. As for a white pride parade, it would be quite the scandal if you found a black gay atheist marching along with the KKK and other rightwing white Christian conservatives.
Of the some 77 million Americans that voted for Trump, how many of them do you think are coming in contact with or having their lives actually effected by a transgender American? (Other than their blood pressure going up every time they see it on the news or talk about it at the local Piggly Wiggly).
How the fuck are roughly half of American voters apparently having their lives ruined by 0.6% of the population? Oh, that's right, they're not. They likely wouldn't even know transgender persons existed in America if it weren't for their rightwing news outrage machine cranking their well lubricated gullible conservative marketing knob getting all the poorly educated dipshit bigots outraged so they buy lots of gold coins (for way more than their gold weight value) and post apocalypse survivor gear and solar panel generators. Poor stupid schmucks, being towed around by the nose ring by opportunistic merchants who are laughing all the way to the bank.
Well, I must admit......Liberals were right for the first time
As of 7:17pm Eastern time, the US still does not have a king.
Great job, leftists...you succeeded
So that would include a combination of celebrating existing situations of inclusion and protesting the situations where inclusion is seen as still deficient.
I think you and I probably have very different definitions of "many". In any case, I've made no comment on such marches and don't care.
I don't thing that works out like you hope it does. Again... the TQ+ situation clearly demands that we all abandon common sense. Thanks for the example.
If there are so few of these people, why did we change the interpretation of federal law to accommodate them? Why are the members of the militant left demanding angrily that the rest of us change behavior with pronoun-mania? Why did people lose their jobs over "misgendering"? Why the uproar when they are excluded from active duty military service? Why do we all have to pretend Will Thomas is a woman?
If there are so few of these people that they're inconsequential, why were the militant left demanding that the rest of us not be allowed to watch Dave Chappelle on Netflix?
0.6% of the population is over 2 million people. The left wing goes into orbit for far fewer people on numerous issues.
There are 900 billionaires in the US, and the lefties can't sleep at night knowing they exist.
It's literally the biggest one day protest in American history. Don't play games.
I'm now seeing over 12 million. Either way, it's still widely being called the biggest one day protest in the country's history. You sound pretty foolish trying to diminish that.
Most people live in blue states, so that's really not surprising. However, there were protests in every state - even red ones - and in several other countries.
Why not claim 40 million? The numbers have no basis in reality.
They’re not my numbers, but I’m not surprised at the urgent need of conservatives to dismiss them.
That you blindly accept the organizers claims are not surprising
Chicago: they claim 75,0000.
police said 20,000
New York: they claim 200,000. Reports says 50,000.
Los Angeles: they claim 200,000. Mayor says 30,000
Where did I say I accept them? Oh that’s right. I didn’t. Your desperation is still showing.
There's a first for everything.
Cool. And here we are 2 days later and the world has moved on and the protest accomplished nothing.
Do you use that two day standard you just invented on Trump policies? MAGA rallies? I bet not.
Can't comment on the comment?
I literally did.
By trying to deflect to me and totally different things? Tsk tsk tsk
“…and the protest accomplished nothing.”
The protest brought together thousands of people from all walks in hundreds of cities to shed light on the atrocities being inflicted by this administration. And all voluntary, all important and all worthwhile…in the continuing efforts to not remain silent, to not acquiesce, to not accept the consequences.
As opposed to the multi-million dollar birthday bash that truly accomplished nothing.
And a thank you is due. Well, here it is now................
And NONE could factually point any out.
...waste of time. They protested something the United States NEVER had nor will ever have. And all based in fiction.
And not just fiction. The fiction(s) we've heard and read for ten years now.........similar to this blast from the past...........
Thus proving if nothing else, the protesters are most assuredly in his head…more than likely leading to propagandized restrictions on our First Amendment freedoms…
Oh, it was a shed light protest on something we have not had for 250 years. Cool
What policies were changed?
I bet he has moved on and is not giving it a second thought
Let me know when that happens.
Still a favorite of mine.
This statement is 100% backwards, trump lives rent free in their heads on a daily basis, these fuckers are so eaten up with the dumbass, they are protesting something that will never happen based on stupidity, anybody stupid enough to protest no KINGS in America should be on disability for mental illness.
“…should be on disability for mental illness.”
But with the funding cuts, what ever will I do…as an attendee and therefore a “stupid fucker”?
Your eloquence and powers of reason are simply astounding…emphasis on ‘simply’.
Let me put this as simply as i can, with a frontal lobotomy and 40 pounds of fentanyl in my system i wouldn't be stupid enough to think that America would ever have a king.
You: And here we are 2 days later…
My reply: Do you use that two day standard…
Are “2” and “two” totally different” to you?
Wouldn't that qualify you as a liberal?
…you’re seemingly half way there…
I'm surprised to see you struggle with the definition of "urgent".
Hmmm, that's an interesting quote. I thought the idea behind filming was so when peaceful protesters rights were infringed on, they had proof...
1. No one was protesting the US Army .
2. Trump makes everything about himself and people are sick of it.
3. If the parade was so important why were there so few people there?
No one said they were. That's a red herring.
Blue island protesters make everything about themselves and people are sick of it.
The No Kings protesters and the immigration protesters threatened disruption. Were there more No Kings protesters than celebrants attending the U.S. Army 250th anniversary? The Army parade and celebration was 3 hours long. How long did the No Kings protests last? Did the No Kings protesters leave after the news cameras left?
There were reports of some of those idiots harassing parade goers as they were leaving the parade area.
The protestors are the people of this country. It’s supposed to be about them. Government serves the people, not the other way around. We are not subjects of King Trump. He is one person - a person who has shown disdain for so many people of this country - including a lot of whom have served in the Army. And he is supposed to work for us.
Some were a few hours. At some, the folks were there all day.
That’s a curious question. Is there something wrong with news cameras? People protest so that those in power will see and hear their message. News cameras facilitate that.
Also, these days, everyone has a camera. The pictures and videos are all over social media. We’re not really relying on news media anymore. At the protest I attended, there were no news cameras beyond those of the local newspaper, but thousands of people had their own cameras, and I found many pictures and videos of our little protest that evening on the internet.
(I say “little” but between the thousands standing there and the thousands more driving by and honking their support, it was probably close to 10% of the local population.)
At the protest in our small, ruby-red community, over 2000 attended with music, singing, and calmly eloquent speakers. With the associated march down the main drag, it lasted over three hours…and other than the trump flag waving, bumper sticker wielding, stereos blazing lifted pickups aplenty, it was a peaceful and serious yet contemplative event. It was encouraging to see so many people engaged in standing up and letting their voices be heard. More events are planned as long as this administration continues to trample on the rights of us all, even those that dismiss the truth.
I don't think that's how you mean to say that.
The viewpoint I believe Nerm is expressing (I'll let him correct me if I'm wrong) is that liberal protesters tend to behave as though they are the only people who matter and everyone else must accommodate their usually undefined desires or face protests which historically have a high probability of devolving into violence. In other words, they behave very much like self-centered brats throwing group tantrums.
The idea that it's supposed to be about them is a validation of his critical view.
Actually, many people - I would say most of the people - were protesting on behalf of others. I am not an immigrant. But I protested on their behalf.
It's easy to protest when you're in the majority, but you usually don't have to do it on your own behalf because you're in the majority. These protests were on behalf of marginalized people, but also on behalf of our Constitution and our founding ideals.
But yeah, keep trying to disparage protestors and imagine that will be persuasive somehow.
You protested for what you want, just like all protesters do. As you've just said, it was all about you. The fact that you convinced yourself it would help immigrants is secondary.
Our founding ideals are those of self governance. Those ideals would involve changing the laws being enforced instead of protesting their enforcement.
I have no delusion that the type of people who protest will ever be persuaded. They only listen to each other.
I literally did not say that, so don’t lie and claim I did.
I didn’t convince myself. I was thanked by actual immigrants.
Anonymous masked agents abducting people without a warrant and incarcerating or deporting them without due process is not supported by the law. So we were actually protesting violations of the law. Additionally, we were also endorsing a more humanitarian approach to governance.
I don’t know what you think you mean by “type of people who protest,” but to my mind, they are patriots. This country was founded by protestors. Protest is a core American value. To denigrate protests and protestors is to endorse authoritarianism.
Sorry. We'll clarify. What you actually said was:
As you have now identified yourself as one of them, it is necessarily supposed to be about you.
For what? What did you achieve for them?
OK. So explain how the IIRIRA expedited removal provision applies here.
Interesting. Because you all said you were protesting against kings.
I'm sure you see them that way. I view them as people who would rather shout about their feelings than take effective action.
That's as nonsensical now as when the Tea Party tried to sell their version of it. This country was not founded by angry vandals dumping tea into a harbor. It was founded by serious men who took responsibility for carefully planning and documenting the outcome they desired, and then implementing laws accordingly. Those men were willing to take great risk and endure great hardship to establish their ability to govern themselves. Saturday's protesters have almost nothing in common with them.
I agree that the 5th and 14th Amendments do provide some level of legal due process even to those here who are undocumented. Under federal law, people who enter or reenter the United States without authorization are subject not only to civil immigration detention and deportation proceedings but also to criminal sanctions under 8 U.S.C. §§ 1325 and 1326. And it is prudent to note that residing or working here without proper authorization is itself "not supported by law".
I believe when ICE apprehends those whom they have deemed to be here without proper authorization (probable cause that led to their raid), they must then initiate "deportation proceedings" which is the "due process" path for undocumented immigrants. They can't just throw them across the border without this due process. If this is not the process that ICE is currently following then I agree it is not supported by law, but I am fairly certain that for the most part they are following the processes put in place by the law just as they have in the past.
To my knowledge, the masking of agents has occurred more recently as there is now a legitimate concern about doxing and physical threats against agents and their families , which itself is against the law. Their gear is most certainly marked so it isn't like they are undercover or completely anonymous. Many now operate in full riot gear as well due to physical threats they have encountered in the line of duty.
By the letter of Federal Immigration Law it is a violation to reside here or work here without proper authorization and the punishment, by law, is detention or deportation. So technically you are also protesting FOR violations of the law, are you not? Those protestors who throw things and threaten ICE agents physically are also clearly violating the law. But I agree those will be a very small percentage of the more peaceful immigration protestors.
Them = the people. All people, not just protestors. the government serves the people. That was my point.
Moral support. They got to see citizens - especially white citizens - standing up for them. They are encouraged by that support.
I don’t see why I need to since I didn’t bring it up. If you want to make a point about it, no one is stopping you.
Are you interested? Because it feels more like trolling.
We are protesting against a president who is acting like a king. I don’t believe that is hard to understand, but some people want to pretend like it is.
You saw someone shouting about their feelings? Or is that just a prejudice you have?
For example?
After protesting. They protested many acts of the king. When they grew frustrated that their protests were being ignored, they went to war. After fighting that war against the king - a crime for which they would have been hanged if they had been caught - then they set about making laws.
First, I’d like to see a real investigation into that and not just claims. Second, at some point, government has a responsibility for the feelings the public has about them. If government agents are acting in a way that is perceived as unjust or cruel, masking them is not the answer. Better practices are the answer. Third, law enforcement has faced this risk forever. It was not invented with social media. My dad was a cop before anyone had computers and this was a concern even then.
Cops love to say that citizens should be forthcoming if they have nothing to hide. Government agents should be subject to at least that much transparency and scrutiny.
Sure. And while I would advocate for certain individuals to be allowed to stay, even if they are here illegally, that is a separate conversation - at least for me.
But if someone is picked up, the government should have to prove they are holding the person they claim they are holding. That’s before we even get to the matter of whether they are here legally, should be deported, etc.
Additionally, many people who are here legally are seeing that status revoked through no fault of their own. They are arrested while showing up to court or immigration offices to comply with the law. That is unjust, and is an abuse of government power.
Even when agents are seeking someone for whom they might have a legitimate warrant or deportation order, they needlessly, and cruelly terrorize the spouses and children of those people. In some cases, they even arrest the family members who do not have a deportation order against them.
The administration has also made clear that it is actually eager to ship off the people it captures to foreign prisons where any basic rights - that even a prisoner should have - will go ignored and unprotected.
None of these abuses should be acceptable to Americans.
Seriously, you haven't seen the video of widespread violence against ICE agents in California that lead to the need for support to protect them? In this case the claims are clearly valid and the agents have a right to protect themselves and their families. I don't think the "they deserve it" defense is valid when most are just trying to do their jobs and enforce the law.
To the extent that unnecessary force is being used by some agents, then I agree better practices are in order. But you admit that doxing, threats, and violence was a concern even for your dad as a LEO, so are you saying that he should not have had a right to protect himself and his family against violent protestors who lump him in with a few bad cops?
If I may borrow from your response to my argument, I’d like to see a real investigation into that and not just claims.
Of course not, so those times when it happens, or claims are made that it happens, they should be investigated and changes should be made. Otherwise, in most cases where agents are following the laws and procedures for detention or deportation proceedings, do you agree that those who try to impede that process, or assault LEO's, put themselves in danger of arrest on obstruction or assault charges as well?
The law is the law regardless of where it applies to undocumented immigrants themselves, violent protestors or those who impede or assault law enforcement, or to the following of proper procedures for detention and deportation proceedings on the part of LEOs. We either abide by and enforce those laws or we change them. To pick and chose which laws we want to follow or enforce based on our personal feelings is not a valid position to take in a society governed by the rule of law, IMHO.
At the homes of ICE agents?
And I dispute that any violence against them is “widespread.”
I don’t think it’s valid to dismiss the suggestion that they contribute to the problem in the way they do their job. For example, I have seen many people demand to see a warrant when someone is being apprehended. I have yet to see an ICE agent actually produce one.
He did protect us. We were armed to the teeth in my house. But he didn’t walk the streets in a mask, looking like a gangster. In fact, he made a point of being friendly and respectful to everyone in our community. When he died, hundreds of them showed up to his funeral, and several spoke about him and the positive impact he had in their lives. There are different ways of enforcing the law, and the fact that I have seen this myself is a reason I am so so critical of the bullies and racists who are often employed to do this work.
So would I. Very much. Unfortunately, I think it is unlikely. On top of the already absurd immunity that police enjoy, and the general disinterest in police reform from government, the current Congress, in particular is not interested in exercising its power of oversight for anything. Nor will the DOJ be concerning themselves with any abuses of police power. For them, such a thing is not even possible.
Nor will you see one when they stop you for speeding and feel the need to search your vehicle. Probable cause is the name of that.
Yeah, I wasn’t referencing that situation.
Not much difference...............
Of course many cops and law enforcement are good people, but it undeniably attracts a disproportionate amount of Type A bullies, and even sadists, who enjoy their position of dominance over the general population. And this is the case in every area of the country.
That is great. Sounds like your Dad was a good cop and a great person my friend. I have known many cops like that over the years, and a few not so much. May he rest in peace.
However, do you really think that if all ICE agents arrived at a scene with probable cause to enforce our laws, properly identified (which the vast majority have been as can be seen in nearly every news report), no masks, and tried to be friendly and respectful that they would be well received and respected as your father was? Would some politicians perhaps stop with the vilification and rhetoric that not only puts LEOs in danger but also endangers the safety of the public? Had immigration laws been properly enforced from the beginning, perhaps the recent enforcement of such laws would not have been viewed in such a negative light. The law is the law, and if we don't like a law we should work together to see that our lawmakers change it and that they not stoke or encourage violence against those trying to enforce it.
Yes, but it depends on the scene. No one had a problem with ICE going after genuine criminals. It was when they started showing up at schools, restaurants, farms, and Home Depot that people started to get pissed off.
Arresting people who have been following the rules, and are in court for an immigration appointment pisses people off. Grabbing people and shipping them off to some gulag in another country - without even confirming their identity in court, or doing so in direct violation of a court order - pisses people off.
We were promised that dangerous criminals would be the priority. It appears, though, that ICE is pursuing the low-hanging fruit of good people who are easy to find.
Oh, 100%. I totally agree. But that ship has sailed. Poor enforcement in the past is no excuse for inhumane treatment today. We have more than just an immigration problem now. We have a humanitarian crisis that we created. We have families living in America who are vital and cherished members of their community.
It is immoral to hunt them like criminals or dangerous animals when we have allowed them to become part of “us.” Part of our solution has to be dealing with the undocumented in a humane way, acknowledging our collective responsibility in the matter.
Bullshit. Everyone protesting was protesting the US Army. You can’t have it both ways. I know you think you can but you can’t Not really
Just happens his birthday is the same day. I realize this brush with fate is cause for all TDS ridden folks to melt down …… and there’s a sign
Because a lot of us have lives, families, responsibilities and couldn’t make the trip. Unlike the motley crew I saw protesting in my town Saturday. They looked like they have plenty of time on their hands
Why do you think anyone was protesting the Army, specifically? Did you see signs that said “Army Bad” or something along those lines?
True. That is a genuine coincidence. However, in October, the Navy will also be 250 years old. When will we start hearing about the Navy’s parade? Have you heard anything about it?
And then in November, the Marine Corps turns 250. Where is the talk of their parade?
Yeah, well, it was a Saturday, after all. Most people have the day off.
Because the parade was “specifically” for the Army’s 250th birthday. Didn’t see many congratulations signs for the Army. Did you? Did see a lot signs saying things like “fuck Trump” at the Army’s parade though. Perhaps you think that is appropriate, in good taste and respectful for such an auspicious occasion. I don’t.
No but then again I didn’t hear about this parade in February either. Did you?
No but then again I didn’t hear about this parade in January either. Did you?
As far as who showed up. Spreading redass in public is the last place I want to be on a nice summer Saturday. YMMV.
Apparently these simpletons don't understand that "No Kings Day" has been celebrated every year since 1776. It's called 4th of July. Even the simpleton "protest" is completely based on false information.
Bazinga!
The true simpletons are oblivious to why we need a No Kings Day in this moment. They see the dear Leader they are sucking up to as some sort of icon that needs to be protected, just like King George. But these dipshit redcoats, er, redhats, don't even have a fucking clue that they are bringing our constitutional Republic to the brink of ruin. I guess when you ridicule education, abandon reason for the cult of personality and cling to fantasies about your own superiority and self-importance as the MAGAites have done, you render yourself blind to reality.
So tell me, why do we need another one?
The ONLY thing you have correct is "Constitutional Republic" The rest is the same fictional nonsense we've come to expect from you all.
my takeaways:
1. The people who live in one party blue cities come closer to living under a king than the rest of Americans. Illinois, for instance, was run by a single man for almost 40 years. And these one party governments exert the type of control over their citizens that the most autocratic of European monarchs never dreamed of.
2. The thing trump has done that is most king like is ignore the law forcing the sale or. dissolution of tic tok. I notice among the myriad of complaints in favor of illegal aliens and Hamas, that wasn’t mentioned.
3. outside of the fascists harassing police and ice in blue cities, the average protester looked to be about 55. Just Rich boomers cosplaying. The youth could care less.
And the people who live in one-party red states ... a 'benevolent dictatorship'?
Republicans have one party rule in far more places than Democrats.
What's the point of saying utterly ridiculous nonsense like that?
Uh huh. The scumbag tried to bring down the Republic after losing the 2020 election. Jan 6 happened because of that, and he actually pardoned the traitors who perpetrated it, including those convicted of seditious conspiracy(!!!) in courts of law.
More recently, masked goons have been snatching people off the street and depriving them of their liberty without due process, with some being disappeared, presumably for life, in foreign prisons. Straight up Orwellian dystopia-type shit.
The list of things worse than TikTok could go on and on. He's a tyrant and traitor to the Republic. He is the biggest threat to liberty in our history. Why do you seem to have no problem with that?
Yet which party didn't allow the people to vote in a primary to select a candidate?
You also expect everybody to believe he incited the whole thing despite the investigations findings.
When the people are the victim of political overreach...
You need to do some research. Bill Clinton passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 that allows illegals to be removed without appearing before a court. It has been used by every administration since. The Democrats and left were fkng SILENT. But now Trump does it and suddenly is a problem? And you don't see the hypocrisy in it.
The Dems held a nearly 5-month-long primary from January to June, and Biden/Harris won it handily. When Biden withdrew less than a month away from the Convention, it created something of a time-constrained emergency. The delegates from the primary were asked to cast their votes again, and they nominated Harris by over 97%. Vice Presidents are always the presumed successor to begin with.
If you think the Jan 6 committee cleared Trump of trying to usurp power or inciting Jan 6, then you're living on another planet. When it was over they recommended charges for attempting to defraud the United States, and for inciting, assisting, or providing aid or comfort to an insurrection. Charges were eventually filed, but obviously too late, and the master of delay got away with it by getting reelected.
Right. Prosecuting individuals in courts of law for attacking the Capitol and Congress in an attempt to subvert the EC certification is "political overreach."
There is a world of difference between simple deportation (in which the person remains free after) and imprisonment without due process. The Constitution guarantees due process before the government can deprive someone of life, liberty, or property. Beyond simple deportation, Trump has summarily imprisoned people without giving them a chance to defend themselves. That is tyranny, and a government doing it is tyrannical.
Then Biden dropped out and there was no vote on who would replace him.
Doesn't change anything. They people had no say in who their candidate from the Democrats would be. You, know, kind of like a fascist move.
If you think the Jan 6 committee cleared Trump of trying to usurp power or inciting Jan 6, then you're living on another planet.
The J6 Committee failed in their stated objective. They were to investigate how it happened and how to prevent it in the future. They did everything BUT that.
The Act still stands and was used by every administration since.
You lose all credibility when you start crying about ONE administration doing taking LEGAL action while letting others have a pass. When you are done making excuses, we can talk.
It helps when you don't let anybody else on the ballot.
Right. So she got zero votes for president in any primary.
The people voted for delegates who voted for the presumptive successor in an emergency situation. Are you suggesting there was time to hold an entirely new primary? There were only a few weeks. Apparently, 75 million voters were ok with it and voted for her in the general (they didn't have to), and she very nearly won.
Sure they did...
No administration but this one has grabbed people up and imprisoned them on foreign soil without due process of law. If you think that's incorrect, then cite examples.
Speaking of credibility, what is it that you don't understand about the difference between simple removal and summary imprisonment that deprives individuals of their liberty without due process of law? It's not that hard to grasp.
The democrats haven’t allowed the voters to pick their nominee since 2008. The party has intervened every time there was a contested election since.
I saw this and it made me laugh (not sure of the origin)
(I saw reports that millions participated in the "No Kings Protests")
.Pretty much sums it up.............and great top-of-the-morning to ya.
But THAT would be a Queen ……. As far as we know ….
They don't know what a woman is so maybe not.
Best shot for 2028
looks about right.
No Kings?