Althouse: Watch the “Salute to America”...

July 4, 2019

Watch the “Salute to America”...

... and talk about it here.

253 comments:

1 – 200 of 253 Newer› Newest»

effinayright said...: The Fox News camera crew has apparently decided to diss the President and America itself by not wiping the rain from their camera lenses.; 7/4/19, 5:42 PM
stephen cooper said...: Quand je serai mort, dites au doux royaume de la terre que je l'amais plus que je n'ai jamais ose dire

Don't forget that you are beloved by God and that God wants you to have, in your years of exile on this earth, knowledge of these things

and here are a few of them:

God loves you
God loves your family
God loves your friends
God loves the people who would have been your friends if you were not too tired and lazy to have as many friends as you should have had
God loves your nation

I am not a big fan of the oath-breaker Washington (can you imagine having had all the blessings in life he had had, and then deciding to break your oath of loyalty - sad!) and if I had been around back in the day (and if God had listened to my prayers) there would have been no revolutionary war, peace would have reigned in our beautiful country .... and it would have been as wonderful a country today as it would have been, even if those rich malefactors from back in the day had not decided on the sinful path of war of brother against brother ..... Sad!

but there was a war, and after the war there was a nation, and I have risked my life for that nation - as many people who comment here have also done (don't think I did not notice) ---- and, if you do not know anyone who posts here, as many people you know have also done.

Have a nice July Fourth!

Quand je serai mort, dites au doux royaume de la terre que je L'aimais beaucoup; 7/4/19, 5:53 PM
Birkel said...: This is a history lesson about America's greatness.
You might say he is educating students that America has been great, before.
And he's promising future greater greatness.

Democratics cannot abide.; 7/4/19, 5:54 PM
Howard said...: That's a negatory Big Ben. Watch it for me and summary it; 7/4/19, 5:55 PM
Birkel said...: Howard avoids abiding with religious conviction.; 7/4/19, 5:56 PM
Shouting Thomas said...: I wouldn’t have watched if the lefties hadn’t raised hell about the speech.

Trump’s enthusiasm and optimism are wonderful.; 7/4/19, 5:57 PM
Bay Area Guy said...: Trump is going full history professor...; 7/4/19, 5:58 PM
Darrell said...: Watch it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03K5VZj0NNk; 7/4/19, 6:00 PM
Shouting Thomas said...: Where are the tanks?; 7/4/19, 6:07 PM
David in Cal said...: Well-written speech. Adequate presentation of it by Trump.; 7/4/19, 6:10 PM
Drago said...: Howard: "That's a negatory Big Ben. Watch it for me and summary it"

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that Trump will be giving much less credit to muslims for their make believe contributions to our founding than LLR Chuck's "magnificent" obama did.

Because, you know, like, they actually played no part in it.; 7/4/19, 6:12 PM
Two-eyed Jack said...: The local parade had liberal politicians, signs welcoming immigrants, tricked out trucks, girl gymnasts, and large vehicles deployed to guard against ramming attacks on the crowds. I would have preferred tanks.; 7/4/19, 6:13 PM
chuck said...: > You might say he is educating students that America has been great

The invention of the combine would establish that. Most of modern agriculture came from Britain and the US.; 7/4/19, 6:13 PM
Jupiter said...: Drago said...

"Because, you know, like, they actually played no part in it."

Let's not forget the Shores of Tripoli.; 7/4/19, 6:17 PM
Darrell said...: Sherman tanks! M1 rifles!; 7/4/19, 6:21 PM
doctrev said...: I'm digging these flyovers. Some nice technology that reminds the American people that yes, there's a President who doesn't just see the military as a device for cheap approval ratings.; 7/4/19, 6:22 PM
traditionalguy said...: History is happening as we watch. The leaders job includes speeches that instill courage. DJT gets an A+. Men will follow a leader like that.; 7/4/19, 6:22 PM
Mark said...: Those four Navy planes flew 1000 feet directly over my house in Arlington. Pretty cool. Pretty loud.; 7/4/19, 6:23 PM
Mark said...: Going back outside.; 7/4/19, 6:26 PM
Darrell said...: Melania!; 7/4/19, 6:27 PM
Birkel said...: Small-c chuck,

My point is that most young people haven't heard the good things. Their heads are filled with Leftist propaganda bull shit. Trump is offering them a history lesson.

Meanwhile, Leftists will decry the speech. Anybody who heard the speech will know they are lying, as per usual. This was a well-played overture by Trump.

The dog that barks got hit.; 7/4/19, 6:28 PM
Darrell said...: The dog that barks got hit.

Was that dog Howard?
Was it by a truck?; 7/4/19, 6:30 PM
traditionalguy said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7/4/19, 6:30 PM
Big Mike said...: I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that Trump will be giving much less credit to muslims for their make believe contributions to our founding than LLR Chuck's "magnificent" obama did.

Because, you know, like, they actually played no part in it.

I agree with Jupiter; the Barbary pirates learned a lesson about the new country, and older countries were given something to think about.; 7/4/19, 6:30 PM
traditionalguy said...: Instilling courage for battle is job #1. George Patton knew that. Finally we get the song that won the War of the Southern Rebellion by giving men a purpose for battle.; 7/4/19, 6:31 PM
Darrell said...: Capitol Concert
8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol
This all-star salute to America's 243rd birthday with performances by Grammy Award-winning music legend Carole King, multi-platinum recording artist Vanessa Williams, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, the National Symphony Orchestra, and a special appearance by the Sesame Street Muppets!

Fireworks Display
9:07 p.m., National Mall & Neighboring Parks
Independence Day culminates with a spectacular fireworks display launched from West Potomac Park and behind the Lincoln Memorial which will be visible from many locations throughout D.C. and Northern Virginia. The fireworks will be cancelled in case of heavy rain, thunderstorms or high winds.; 7/4/19, 6:35 PM
traditionalguy said...: Melania looks like she is going to a square dance.; 7/4/19, 6:35 PM
rhhardin said...: Derrida destroys leftism, at "Despite my very strong reservations" sentence at the end. Has to do with founding principles.

``What appears to me unacceptable in the ``strategy'' (in terms of weapons, practices, ideology, rhetoric, discourse, and so on) of the ``bin Laden effect'' is not only the cruelty, the disregard for human life, the disrespect for the law, for women, the use of what is worst in technocapitalist modernity for the purposes of religious fanaticism. No, it is, above all, the fact that such actions and such discourse _open onto no future and, in my view, have no future_. If we are to put any faith in the perfectibility of public space and of the world juridico-political scene, of the ``world'' itself, then there is, it seems to me, _nothing good_ to be hoped for from that quarter. What is being proposed, at least implicitly, is that all captialist and modern technoscientific forces be put in the service of an interpretation, itself dogmatic, of the Islamic revelation of the One. Nothing of what has been so laboriously secularized in even the nontheological form of sovereignty (...), none of this seems to have any place whatsoever in the discourse ``bin Laden.'' That is why, in this unleashing of violence without name, if I had to take one of the two sides and choose in a binary situation, well I would. Despite my very strong reservations about the American, indeed European, political posture, about the ``international terrorist'' coalition, despite all the de facto betrayals, all the failures to live up to democracy, international law, and the very international institutions that the states of this ``coalition'' themselves founded and supported up to a certain point, I would take the side of the camp that, in principle, by right of law, leaves a perspective open to perfectibility in the name of the ``political,'' democracy, international law, international institutions, and so forth. Even if this ``in the name of'' is still merely an assertion and a purely verbal committment. Even in its most cynical mode, such an assertion still lets resonate within it an invincible promise. I don't hear any such promise coming from ``bin Laden,'' at least not one in this world.''

``Autoimmunity: Real and Symbolic Suicides'' _Philosophy in a Time of Terror_ p.113; 7/4/19, 6:38 PM
Mark said...: Missed the Blue Angels.; 7/4/19, 6:39 PM
Drago said...: "I agree with Jupiter; the Barbary pirates learned a lesson about the new country, and older countries were given something to think about."

I dont think thats the type of contribution to our founding that LLR Chuck's "magnificent" obama had in mind.; 7/4/19, 6:39 PM
Molly said...: (eaglebeak)

One thing comes across loud and clear: Trump loves this country.

Hope it rubs off.; 7/4/19, 6:39 PM
Drago said...: It would be hard to imagine a more nightmarish day from LLR Chuck's point of view.; 7/4/19, 6:40 PM
gilbar said...: chuck said..
The invention of the combine would establish that. Most of modern agriculture came from Britain and Illinois

Fify!

7/4/19, 6:13 PM; 7/4/19, 6:41 PM
Hagar said...: Great coordination of Trump's speech with the flyovers.; 7/4/19, 6:43 PM
narciso said...: Like Donald Sutherland at the end of body snatcher, with the primal shreak.; 7/4/19, 6:43 PM
Hagar said...: And that was kind of great speech!
Trump is getting good at it.; 7/4/19, 6:46 PM
Beasts of England said...: Very well done, Mr. President!! How in the heck could a real American be upset with that event?

Headed with some friends to a yuge fireworks display over the lake - and there's not much better entertainment. I usually avoid the water on holiday weekends, but this is an easy exception!; 7/4/19, 6:51 PM
Hagar said...: If the alphabet soup went through with their resolve not to air this, they made themselves look awfully small.; 7/4/19, 6:53 PM
Ignatius Acton Chesterton OCD said...: SHOCKER: Most people want to like the country they live in.

Details at 11.; 7/4/19, 6:55 PM
Birkel said...: Hagar,
The alphabet networks refuse to abide.
They object to America qua America.; 7/4/19, 6:55 PM
Darrell said...: ABC, NBC, CBS

No borders. No walls. No USA at all.; 7/4/19, 6:59 PM
Narr said...: Out eating BBQ--missed the whole thing, except for the fact that it rained.

Maybe the concert will be dry.

rhhardin: Roddenberry put it more simply when asked why there was no Islam in his Star Trek future, and he replied, "Because it's about the future."

Narr
Or so I have read; 7/4/19, 7:02 PM
Ignatius Acton Chesterton OCD said...: I might actually screen “Fury” for all my friends tonight — just to show how into tanks I am.

Donald Trump is the full embodiment of the Antichrist.

I want a president who hates America. For fuck’s sake, who doesn’t???

Happy Fourth! Wish we were still a part of Great Britain. Shit, they’ve got it ALL goin” on. England... just lost to our U.S. women’s soccer team. But they’ve got FREE healthcare. What more could you want?

‘Merica.; 7/4/19, 7:04 PM
narciso said...: That maybe so, but roddenbury had strong Indiansympathies going back to his airforce experience.; 7/4/19, 7:08 PM
readering said...: How was the crowd?; 7/4/19, 7:09 PM
pacwest said...: I missed it. Was there any goose stepping? I wanted goose stepping. MSNBC promised me goose stepping.; 7/4/19, 7:14 PM
Ken B said...: Here's a platform idea:
America is a crime against humanity, perpetrated by the deplorable bigots who live there. The only solution is to import tens of millions of newer, better, Americans. To entice them we offer free medical care, $15 an hour and rising, and no application forms or background checks.; 7/4/19, 7:17 PM
whitney said...: It's so bizarre that Independence Day is now a controversial holiday. If the leftist get power first thing they're going to do is figure out how they can round up white people and exterminate us. I'm sure they're looking at the South Africa as a primer.

Anyway Melania looks fantastic. Love the dress!; 7/4/19, 7:19 PM
Mark said...: Couldn't place that song exactly, but then the instrumentals came in and I said Gloria Estefan.; 7/4/19, 7:22 PM
buwaya said...: The Chilean army still goose-steps. In Pickelhaube and all.

They can put on a fine parade.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=adzg_iMg9Sc; 7/4/19, 7:26 PM
Birkel said...: readering,
They were wet and plentiful.
What else ya got?; 7/4/19, 7:26 PM
narciso said...: The first part is jill lepores new book, the second will be the democratic platform next year.; 7/4/19, 7:26 PM
Michael K said...: Blogger readering said...
How was the crowd?

Big, all around the reflecting pool. Looked like the antiwar crowd in Forrest Gump.; 7/4/19, 7:27 PM
Seeing Red said...: But they’ve got FREE healthcare. What more could you want?

Timely cataract surgery?; 7/4/19, 7:30 PM
Mark said...: The Dems generally have shot themselves in the foot. If when the campaign really gets underway they start trying to say that they love America too -- like Hillary did -- it will really ring hollow.; 7/4/19, 7:32 PM
Mark said...: Watching A Capitol Fourth, it occurs to me that the deep-seated anti-Trump impulses of the Dems will lead them to repulse from things like this or anything else where there is overt patriotism and talk about the greatness of America's heritage and the American people.; 7/4/19, 7:36 PM
Mark said...: Charlottesville and U.Va. are now crapping all over Thomas Jefferson.

Yes, he is a conflicted, imperfect character. He is a remainder that people who do great things can also do bad things. But the lesson there, which the left gets backwards, is that those who do bad and evil -- being imperfect humans after all -- can start the process of making a better world. It is the story of hope, the story of the redemption of the sinner.

But for the left, there is never redemption.

And that does not sit well with people.; 7/4/19, 7:40 PM
readering said...: How multi-racial was the crowd?; 7/4/19, 7:41 PM
Rosa Marie Yoder said...: Our First Lady looked great again today.

Although I'm not sure how she manages to cobble together a decent outfit without the aid of all those Faab-u-lus designers who said they would not clothe her. Poor Melania.; 7/4/19, 7:41 PM
readering said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7/4/19, 7:41 PM
readering said...: For a non-partisan speech on a patriotic occasion it sure seems to have drawn a lot of partisan comments here.; 7/4/19, 7:44 PM
Hagar said...: I did not like their version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Too artsy. Like the national anthem it should be sung straight with no personal flourishes.

And played deep and somber. It is about the wrath of God and the tramp of umpteen million Union soldiers coming south to stamp out the secession and put an end to slavery for good.; 7/4/19, 7:44 PM
Birkel said...: readering,
Do you consider all the black and brown people wearing MAGA hats part of multi-racial or honorary-white?
Fuck you, cowardly bitch!; 7/4/19, 7:50 PM
buwaya said...: You should see the partisan comments it has drawn elsewhere.

Face it, you are not one country.; 7/4/19, 7:50 PM
Birkel said...: Do the Sikhs count, readering?; 7/4/19, 7:51 PM
readering said...: Like I said ....; 7/4/19, 7:52 PM
Drago said...: readering: "How multi-racial was the crowd?"

Very. Lots of active duty and retired Navy types, Marine types, Army types, Coast Guard types, future Space Force types (long long overdue), first responder and law enforcement types, families & citizens of all types.

There were some black clad demonstraters who were chanting for the destruction of America who were slightly singed from burning the flag, so they left a little redder than when they arrived.

Hope that helps.; 7/4/19, 7:53 PM
readering said...: Sikh is an adherent of a religion. But I'll let you count that.; 7/4/19, 7:54 PM
Drago said...: I think readering is rapidly veering towards "white hispanic" and "white Native American" and "Uncle Tom" and all the other names lefties like to use to intimidate those who vacate the leftist plantation.; 7/4/19, 7:55 PM
buwaya said...: You may be better off with a national divorce.

Best to propose a peaceful split. That should come from a senior and generally trusted political figure, if such a person still exists. That one shall become widely hated, but will, probably, in the end, be justified by history.

Or you can go on hating each others guts until the last straw is laid on that poor camels back.; 7/4/19, 7:55 PM
readering said...: Drago, not really. I'll try to make my questions easier for this crowd.; 7/4/19, 7:56 PM
Drago said...: readering: "Drago, not really. I'll try to make my questions easier for this crowd."

If you and yours dont understand that babies are human and men cant have babies there isnt much you can explain to anyone.; 7/4/19, 7:57 PM
Mark said...: Eventually rage fatigue sets in.

And people get tired of being expected to be angry about their country and its history and feel like shit if they think things such as a boy should not be in the girl's locker room.

And they start to resent the folks that push these things.; 7/4/19, 7:58 PM
Drago said...: You can tell how out of sorts readering is after today.

She's flailing for something, anything to take the sting of American patriotism on full display away.; 7/4/19, 7:59 PM
buwaya said...: Almost all Sikhs are Punjabis by residence or origin, so the racial "type", that of North India, is quite consistent.; 7/4/19, 8:00 PM
Drago said...: buwaya: "Almost all Sikhs are Punjabis by residence or origin, so the racial "type", that of North India, is quite consistent."

But thats only because Hitler invaded from the West, right readering.

For other readers of the blog, its important to understand how heavily readering leans on that rationale to explain historical events.

Cuz she is, like, smart and stuff.; 7/4/19, 8:03 PM
readering said...: That's why I counted it.; 7/4/19, 8:06 PM
Drago said...: Dont worry readering.

By tommorrow there will be reports from unnamed sources of KKK crosses being burned in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Then, everything will be right again in your world.; 7/4/19, 8:07 PM
Birkel said...: readering wouldn't watch for fear of infection.
So she cannot admit what she did not observe.

QED; 7/4/19, 8:07 PM
Drago said...: readering: "That's why I counted it."

LOL

The sense of entitlement is off the charts.

Too funny.; 7/4/19, 8:08 PM
Birkel said...: There were blacks, browns, reds (not the political Reds with which readering identifies), and yellows in the crowd.
The ethno-pentagraph was completed.; 7/4/19, 8:09 PM
narciso said...: Dont let reality get in the way of her narrative, the ap will find a squirrel to distract from the main point.; 7/4/19, 8:11 PM
readering said...: I didn't watch the Salute to America but the thread here leads me to think it was a disappointment for folks who want more red meat in their diet.; 7/4/19, 8:11 PM
Drago said...: They dont count Birkel.

Every white lefty can tell you that.

The last thing white leftists allow for is the agency of minorities.; 7/4/19, 8:12 PM
cf said...: Normalcy is threatened with extinction. (Hell, we can't even get ONE magazine cover with Melania on it.)
That is what this Fourth of July celebration was: Brazen American normalcy.
it is a wonder when you think about it, the genius of American normalcy!
I hope a lot of all color & makes of young guys caught a look. The military offers tough, noble training that improves most all who join.; 7/4/19, 8:13 PM
Mark said...: Looks like they are using extra smoky fireworks.; 7/4/19, 8:13 PM
Drago said...: readering settles on a well worn Inga ploy to try to get over the hump.

Frankly, I expected better.

Alas.; 7/4/19, 8:14 PM
Mark said...: The fireworks are all lost in the fog of the smoke.; 7/4/19, 8:14 PM
Drago said...: Thats right readering. It was a real letdown.

And the Trump crowd rally attendance means nothing.

And you have all of the Harvey Weinstein Hollywood crew on your side.

And SNL will make fun of the celebration this weekend.

See?

You have nothing to worry about. Its all good. Its all good. Everyone is still "With Her".

Sleep tight.; 7/4/19, 8:17 PM
Mark said...: Vanessa Williams is being attacked by gnats!; 7/4/19, 8:19 PM
BUMBLE BEE said...: Always wit dose negative waves readering?; 7/4/19, 8:21 PM
readering said...: Drago "expected better" from me. Touched you were expecting.; 7/4/19, 8:21 PM
Drago said...: readering: "Drago "expected better" from me. Touched you were expecting."

It was an extraordinarily low bar you failed to clear.

I'll adjust my expectations accordingly.; 7/4/19, 8:26 PM
Darrell said...: The marijuana smoke from the Antifa compound is obscuring the fireworks display.; 7/4/19, 8:27 PM
Drago said...: BUMBLE BEE with a Kelly's Heroes subrference.

Nice.; 7/4/19, 8:27 PM
Jeff said...: @rhhardin, all that quote from Derrida brings to my mind is the SNL Church Lady's favorite expression: "Well, now. Isn't that special?"
Why does anyone take these postmodern idiots seriously? Ridicule and outright guffaws are the appropriate response to them.; 7/4/19, 8:28 PM
Mark said...: MSNBC replaying the Dem debate now. Their idea of a Fourth of July.; 7/4/19, 8:32 PM
Darrell said...: God Bless America.; 7/4/19, 8:33 PM
buwaya said...: There is no niceness here, nor much neutral observation.
The problem is there is no niceness anywhere. Where I am one cannot discuss much even in person. One has to worry intensely about some faux pas.

Basta. I go to where there is at least social liberty. For a while anyway.; 7/4/19, 8:33 PM
narciso said...: That's something banned by the Vienna and Geneva conventions or it should be.; 7/4/19, 8:34 PM
Drago said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7/4/19, 8:34 PM
Birkel said...: Jeff > rhhardin; 7/4/19, 8:34 PM
Drago said...: Only a couple questions remain:

1) Why does Putin want a stronger and more vigorous US military?

2) Why does Putin want a stronger NATO?

3) Why does Putin want the US to be the worlds largest energy producer AND oppise the Russian Nord Stream pipeline?

4) Why did Putin want Trump and US forces to kill a battalion of Russian mercenaries in Syria

You know, if I didnt know better I might swear that Putin isnt controlling Trump at all!

LOLOLOL; 7/4/19, 8:35 PM
Drago said...: Trump references Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman and Jackie Robinson.

Just like Hitler.; 7/4/19, 8:41 PM
Drago said...: Trump references great Americans at the same moment in history when Israel is naming streets and towns and train stations after Trump.

Just like Hitler.; 7/4/19, 8:43 PM
Howard said...: Was it good for you, too?; 7/4/19, 8:47 PM
Automatic_Wing said...: I guess no one told Derrida about "keeping it pithy".; 7/4/19, 8:50 PM
narciso said...: After eight years of running down this country, you bet.; 7/4/19, 8:50 PM
narciso said...: He was a very prolix fellow, having deconstructed reality; 7/4/19, 8:54 PM
tim in vermont said...: Putin wanted the Keystone built, which is why he opposed Hillary.
Putin wanted fracking ended, which is why he opposed Hillary.

It’s so clear. Non partisan and even handed, clear minded intellects like Brennen and Clapper have explained it all to us, and who could question their analysis after seeing the statesmanlike and non partisan emanations that have come from them since the election?; 7/4/19, 9:00 PM
Jeff said...: @buwaya, I know you've heard this before: You are far too pessimistic. The far left is a small minority in this country, albeit a noisy one. If they were really as numerous as you seem to think they are, then how is it that the Oberlin college case drew a jury able to see right through the nonsense and render a just verdict? Oberlin is a college town, and college towns are not conservative.

Much is made of the fact that even if Trump wins in 2020, the election will be close. But that's not because a majority or near-majority of voters agree with the far left. It's just the normal consequence of the fact that parties compete for the vote of the median voter.

Suppose you are a strongly conservative Republican Party bigwig. You want to win, but you want to win 51-49, not 60-40. To win 60-40, you would have to appeal to squishy conservatives, independents and even some liberal-leaning moderates. But positions that appeal to those voters do not sit well with you and your strongly conservative supporters. What you want is to campaign on is the most conservative stands you can get away with while still winning 51 percent of the vote. That puts you in a much stronger position to actually enact conservative policies than if you had run a more moderate campaign.

Of course, the same analysis can be repeated for a strongly liberal Democratic Party bigwig. He or she will want to run a campaign that is far-enough left to lose 49 percent of the vote, but not 51 percent of it.

The median voter competition explains a lot about modern politics. It explains why, given competent politicians on both sides, elections are usually close. It explains why there are conservative office holders and liberal office holders, but very few officeholders who are neither. Or at least very few who campaign as such. Very few political journalists seem to understand it.; 7/4/19, 9:01 PM
Drago said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7/4/19, 9:02 PM
Drago said...: Howard: "Was it good for you, too?"

I dont think I should hate the country just because democrats owned slaves, created the KKK and implemented Jim Crow.; 7/4/19, 9:02 PM
Drago said...: Howard, what angers you more?

Trump honoring African-Americans in his speech or Israel naming sites after Trump?; 7/4/19, 9:05 PM
tim in vermont said...: Just came in from the dock after a 4th of July that may have been the best one ever. The only thing that could have made it better would be a blow job from Gilligan’s Island era Mary Ann. But I may be down a quart of blood and may need to drink a little bit of orange juice and have a sandwich. I seem to be getting a little delirious. I am trying to say that the mosquitos got really thick all of a sudden. I have no idea what Trump has been doing. I hope he has a bunch of liberal panties in a twist though.; 7/4/19, 9:07 PM
tim in vermont said...: You have to admire Howard, he always has a chum bucket and a ladle.; 7/4/19, 9:09 PM
steve uhr said...: Jeff -- you don't understand how it works on this blog. You either support Trump or you are on the far left. A "leftist." There is nothing else. A simple binary choice.; 7/4/19, 9:09 PM
Molly said...: (eaglebeak)

Who on earth needs Derrida to destroy leftism?; 7/4/19, 9:10 PM
Robert Cook said...: "Derrida destroys leftism, at 'Despite my very strong reservations' sentence at the end. Has to do with founding principles."

It doesn't seem like he's addressing "leftism" at all, but opting for a drastically compromised secular society over nihilistic religious fanaticism.; 7/4/19, 9:14 PM
BJM said...: "But they’ve got FREE healthcare. What more could you want?"

Not to die in a hallway lying in urine & feces for starters.; 7/4/19, 9:14 PM
tim in vermont said...: I know what you are saying steve, but in your case, the shoe fits pretty well. Unless the left starts for you at Uncle Joe Stalin.; 7/4/19, 9:14 PM
tim in vermont said...: nihilistic religious fanaticism.

You will have to untangle that one for me, because it looks like you think that “nihilism” means to reject your particular set of values. Is that what it means?; 7/4/19, 9:16 PM
Robert Cook said...: "rhhardin: Roddenberry put it more simply when asked why there was no Islam in his Star Trek future, and he replied, 'Because it's about the future.'"

Sounds apocryphal.

On the other hand, was there any religion in STAR TREK? I don't recall any Christianity in the show.; 7/4/19, 9:16 PM
tim in vermont said...: If only Hillary were president, those jets and tanks would be in use in anger is some hell hole that Sid Blumenthal has decided needed a good pounding because there was something there that he thought his friends should have instead of whatever benighted people are native to the targeted country.

We wouldn’t be seeing any of these masturbatory parades! No! These weapons would be in use in anger!; 7/4/19, 9:20 PM
tim in vermont said...: On the other hand, was there any religion in STAR TREK? I don't recall any Christianity in the show.

Remember the planet of “Sun worshipers” who had a Bible and at the end Kirk says “Oh! They mean SON worshippers!"; 7/4/19, 9:21 PM
narciso said...: There was the baroque reference to children of the son in the Roman empire episode, flint was supposed to be at least one of the prophets but he was quite nondenominational; 7/4/19, 9:23 PM
Narr said...: I support Trump--the same way I have supported every president, no more and no less.

I didn't vote for him or the bitch; he has been better than I expected. He could earn my vote in 2020.

Other people are welcome to label me.

Narr
I pay it no mind; 7/4/19, 9:24 PM
narciso said...: Yes that one, as mentioned before the character of Khan was named after one of his friends when he was in the service much like Fleming's blofeld and goldfinger; 7/4/19, 9:25 PM
Narr said...: I seem to recall one episode in the original ST where the Enterprise crew were allowed

"One of your minutes to worship any diety or dieties you may have, before obliteration."

I don't recall what happened after that. (And don't Vulcans and Klingons have spiritual traditions?)

Narr
Not the biggest fan by any means; 7/4/19, 9:31 PM
Narr said...: I seem to recall one episode in the original ST where the Enterprise crew were allowed

"One of your minutes to worship any diety or dieties you may have, before obliteration."

I don't recall what happened after that.

Narr
Not the biggest fan by any means; 7/4/19, 9:32 PM
Titus said...: Boston pops playing Stars and Stripes. Watching fireworks from my penthouse roof deck. Happy 4th fellow republicans and lovers of everything trump! Love you flyovers!; 7/4/19, 9:33 PM
Narayanan said...: Is Derrida abbreviation/variant spelling for Diarrhoea...

Asking for medical dictionary!; 7/4/19, 9:35 PM
Titus said...: Liberal yachts are everywhere in the harbor.; 7/4/19, 9:35 PM
Titus said...: Arlo Guthrie was here. Alice lives in ptown natch.; 7/4/19, 9:37 PM
Ralph L said...: Kirk says “Oh! They mean SON worshippers!"

I believe Shatner is Jewish, so he was a little slow there.; 7/4/19, 9:39 PM
Jeff said...: Steve, while I wouldn't call myself a Trump supporter, I did vote for him because the alternative was much worse. And I've been pleasantly surprised by his judicial appointments and deregulatory policies. So far as I can tell, the whole "collusion with Russia" investigation was dreamed up by Democratic partisans and should have been shot down by Jeff Sessions. But then, Sessions has always been an idiot, and his appointment illustrates one of Trump's major weaknesses: People who vocally support him when it's not popular to do so are rewarded with appointments to important positions that they can't handle. (Sessions is just one example. The nomination of Judy Shelton to the Federal Reserve Board is another. The Senate may not approve her, but if they do, she will quickly become a non-entity on the Board. The professional economists there will recognize her for the intellectual lightweight that she is.)

I don't think Trump's trade policies have been very good, and unlike most commenters on this blog, I favor more, not less immigration. Of course we should try to stop as much illegal immigration as we can, but we should also increase legal immigration and make it more skill-based.

Most of the commenters here are smart enough to recognize that these are the positions of a fairly conservative libertarian, not a leftist. Unless something drastically changes, I will be voting for Trump again next year. The positions being taken by the Democratic candidates are insane. Free healthcare for illegal immigrants? Are they nuts? I've been paying taxes here for over 40 years, and I don't get free health care. Why should they?; 7/4/19, 9:40 PM
tim in vermont said...: Shatner is Jewish, Kirk was Christian. I can’t totally remember the episode, but the people on the planet had lived through an apocolypse, but they still had an old copy of the Declaration of Independence. I remeber him reading “We the pee - oh -ple” and Kirk says “He’s saying ‘we the people!’."; 7/4/19, 9:44 PM
Titus said...: The rare clumber is on my lap. Feeling so patriotic and American even if I I've in very euro Boston. We are practically Paris.; 7/4/19, 9:47 PM
J. Farmer said...: She has seen that probably for centuries to come, all the contests of that Aceldama the European world, will be contests of inveterate power, and emerging right.

Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.

But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.

She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example.

She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom.

The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force….

She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit….

[America’s] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is, Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her Declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice.”

-John Quincy Adams, Independence Day Speech 04 Jul 1821

Looking forward to the launching of The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft; 7/4/19, 9:48 PM
tim in vermont said...: Went to a little cove on an island to swim and there were maybe three or four pontoon boats tied together and their had to have been 60 people on them. It looked like a house party, except they were listening to country music. I was happy that we had a couple three girls on our boat representing in bikinis. I would have hated to have been shown up by the redneck yacht club.

Not sure why that came to mind, except for Titus’s comments. America is sure a big place.; 7/4/19, 9:49 PM
Narayanan said...: ,,,I dont think I should hate the country just because democrats owned slaves, created the KKK and implemented Jim Crow,,,

I am curious about one thing: was there even a smidge of civil disobedience in the Southern States to go against Jim Crow ?

Was the reign of fear all pervasive and power fully clinched in all three branches at Federal level?; 7/4/19, 9:50 PM
readering said...: Is it too partisan to proclaim hurray that the Yankees won today (going down south to do so)?; 7/4/19, 9:51 PM
narciso said...: Headed by the head of the Iranian lobby in America, niac funded by a partnership between soros and koch. Remember edith keelers children's crusade which led to the delay of the us entering world war 2.; 7/4/19, 9:52 PM
narciso said...: Well the Klan didnt just kill blacks Jews and Catholics but moderate southern protestants; 7/4/19, 9:54 PM
Birkel said...: Narayanan,
The racist laws passed by Democrats had to be passed to stop those who would have ignored social probation.
Changing the laws to control people is a Democratic mainstay.; 7/4/19, 9:55 PM
narciso said...: That would be trita parsi and his associate Suzanne DiMaggio; 7/4/19, 9:55 PM
CWJ said...: readering, you're trying too hard.; 7/4/19, 10:03 PM
readering said...: Don't you think that 50 years after Nixon was inaugurated because the only Southern state Humphrey could carry was Texas, it's time to retire the Southern Democratic racist trope? (Me, I'm a northern Irish-American Democrat); 7/4/19, 10:04 PM
Sprezzatura said...: All Americans are equally saluted, but some Americans are more saluted than others. 45 + 76 = 3721.

As if owning the direct kickbacks resulting from the gov that you hired isn't enough: now you also get special seating for a show with stuff trucked from Georgia, and there are cool planes.

Being financially wise: much of the cost of this bonus fun is covered w/ dough sucked from the losers who use the parks (btw: parks = shitty wastes that should be returned to the deserving folks, i.e. the donors w/ the good seats).

But, the mostest cool thing of all is that the others in the cheap seats (not to mention y'all) are such eager suckers.\

Logic is tricky.

And, carry on.; 7/4/19, 10:05 PM
Gahrie said...: I am curious about one thing: was there even a smidge of civil disobedience in the Southern States to go against Jim Crow ?

Yes...which is sadly why there were so many lynchings.

Was the reign of fear all pervasive and power fully clinched in all three branches at Federal level?

Worse...there was a corrupt political deal. The 1876 presidential election was undecided, primarily because of disputed votes in four states. The Democrat had more electoral votes, but not enough to win. The Republican would win if he got all of the disputed votes. So the Democrats offered the Republicans a deal...we pull our objections to the Republican electoral votes, and you promise to end Reconstruction and pull Federal troops from the South. That allowed the Democratic Party to take control of the South and impose Jim Crow.; 7/4/19, 10:09 PM
Gahrie said...: Don't you think that 50 years after Nixon was inaugurated because the only Southern state Humphrey could carry was Texas, it's time to retire the Southern Democratic racist trope?

Nope...they just switched races, and are now anti-White.; 7/4/19, 10:11 PM
readering said...: By the way, I credit POTUS for reading what by all accounts was a patriotic address. Doubt he'll want to do it again next year year.; 7/4/19, 10:11 PM
readering said...: Quote my whole post.; 7/4/19, 10:13 PM
Narayanan said...: My next question:
Did USA *Federal structure*
I.e. jurisdictional issue
prohibit or merely delay challenge to Jim Crow laws?

How staunch was *1789 Bill of Rights* enshrinement or incorporation within various State Constitutions; 7/4/19, 10:13 PM
Sprezzatura said...: "By the way, I credit POTUS for reading what by all accounts was a patriotic address. Doubt he'll want to do it again next year"

If the donors keep writing checks and ordering everything on the list at the Post Office hotel, F Yes he'll do it again.

Plus the rubes are guaranteed to fall for this stuff until the end of time. Yur in this thread, so you know that already.; 7/4/19, 10:16 PM
Birkel said...: When reading (or readering) the Leftist Collectivist comments, why do they all come off as whinging bitches?
Are they all just whinging bitches?
Or do they teach special classes so they can all come off as whinging bitches?

It's curious.; 7/4/19, 10:17 PM
narciso said...: Theres a twist to that election though, those four were ones thar the Klan was particularly active, so their intimidation may have likely suppressed the votes there.; 7/4/19, 10:17 PM
J. Farmer said...: @Narciso:

When you devise a strategy beyond guilt by association, wake me. The usual smears from the usual crowd.; 7/4/19, 10:18 PM
Gahrie said...: Did USA *Federal structure*
I.e. jurisdictional issue
prohibit or merely delay challenge to Jim Crow laws?

No, a Supreme Court dominated by Southern slave owners and a Democratic Party wed to White supremacy did. In Dred Scott the Supreme Court ruled that Black people were not citizens of the U.S., and could never be citizens of the U.S., and had no rights they could seek to protect in U.S. courts.; 7/4/19, 10:18 PM
Birkel said...: For example, it seems like readering would pose more of a physical challenge than adSs.
Does anybody else sense that?; 7/4/19, 10:19 PM
Sprezzatura said...: I am not at all trained as a fighter. Though I'm strong, cause of fitness.

I did wrestle in HS, but that just taught me that that was not something I could (or wanted to) dominate.

So I do other stuff.

Hence I concede re reader.; 7/4/19, 10:23 PM
narciso said...: They put parsi on top of the organization, niac settled to reveal further discovery of their regime ties, now I know why.; 7/4/19, 10:25 PM
Birkel said...: adSs,
I accept your admission that a girl like readering is your physical superior.
Seems reasonable.; 7/4/19, 10:27 PM
Birkel said...: And what do you mean by strong?

*sits back in recliner chair*; 7/4/19, 10:28 PM
narciso said...: The Democrats went whole hog anti police, anti military anti traditional religion, anti family most recently anti football.; 7/4/19, 10:29 PM
Sprezzatura said...: "And what do you mean by strong?

*sits back in recliner chair*"

Hopefully the Clumber on yur lap doesn't get poked while yur pondering that image.; 7/4/19, 10:34 PM
Narayanan said...: ,,,Worse...there was a corrupt political deal,,,

1876 : ?Seeds of cuckdom? Planted early and deep roots now.

What would've happened without deal?

Such deal making would have established dynasty and tribe aka cronyism wealth and power and retainers ...
Has anyone compiled a "Debret" of the names founders and progeny allies etc.?

Historians' dreams or Robert Ludlum plots.; 7/4/19, 10:35 PM
Not an oldster. said...: Shame on you, readering, for taking something beautiful and inclusive, and trying to spoil it with your racial tripe.

We're you disappointed that more blacks weren't bused in? Because surely you suggest for dome odd reason "they" weren't welcome?

Divided We Fall, readering. But don't take the rest of us down there with you.; 7/4/19, 10:37 PM
Birkel said...: Yeah, adSs.
Tell me how many reps you put up at 275 lbs.
Knock my socks off.; 7/4/19, 10:38 PM
Michael K said...: Of course we should try to stop as much illegal immigration as we can, but we should also increase legal immigration and make it more skill-based.

Have you identified anyone commenting here that opposes that? Aside from the open borders lefties, of course,.; 7/4/19, 10:39 PM
Birkel said...: How many squats at 405?
How many barbell curls of 115?

Tell me how strong you are.; 7/4/19, 10:40 PM
walter said...: Went to the fireworks at a (per Titus) flyover small town in WI. with a buddy who lives in L.A., his sister and her Norwegian hubby. The couple live in Oslo.
Seems like a nice guy...but repeatedly and inaccurately predicted the end of the 'works.
A couple nights ago, I witnessed the couple pretty strongly disagreeing over the importance of Norway's monarchy.
She's more 'murrican than she would admit.

'Sitter,
What Dem prezzer captures your heart thus far?; 7/4/19, 10:41 PM
Narayanan said...: But Dred Scott, the Supreme Court ruled,... should be irrelevant jurisprudence Post Bellum? To discuss Jim Crow!; 7/4/19, 10:41 PM
J. Farmer said...: @Narciso:

The case was not settled, but I don’t expect facts to get in the way of your narrative. You can read the judicial opinion on the libel case here.; 7/4/19, 10:41 PM
narciso said...: Had the Republicans held out, maybe reconstruction holds out for another decade, the southern bourbons fail to dispossess a generation of black citizens, Jim crow doesn't take told, maybe Washington and not Dubois become the aspirational model.; 7/4/19, 10:43 PM
Birkel said...: J Farmer,
You being defensive for Iranian interests again?
Good for you.
Stay on brand.; 7/4/19, 10:45 PM
walter said...: "Death to America" is merely aspirational.; 7/4/19, 10:46 PM
Narayanan said...: What would've happened if Republicans said nyah, nyah, fooled yeah! After deal; 7/4/19, 10:48 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Walt,

I've only voted for D twice (the same person, two different elections). But, I've never missed a vote for any position on the ballot. And, while I may be young re this blog's demo, I've still been around the block a bit. IOW, I have a lot of R votes.

I will not vote for any D in 2020, as in 2016 (and 2018, FTR).

But, I put the 'never' in 'never DJT.'

Plus: my state (re voting) doesn't matter re POTUS.; 7/4/19, 10:48 PM
narciso said...: Furthermore maybe Woodrow Wilson doesn't arise and we get involved in world war 1, although that's more speculative. Roosevelt might have likely committed us to that.; 7/4/19, 10:48 PM
narciso said...: The posse comitatus bill, comes out of this period, forcing union forces out of the south. There isnt a need for an atextual civil rights movement which affects other institutions; 7/4/19, 10:51 PM
J. Farmer said...: You being defensive for Iranian interests again?

No, defensive against smears of an organization that will advocate an alternative to the foreign policy blob (and folks like Narciso) that had advocated one foreign policy disaster after another. But by all means don’t consider their arguments or points of view. Just say they’re “defending Iranian interests” and think you’ve accomplished something.; 7/4/19, 10:52 PM
Birkel said...: adSs,
I accept your abject surrender RE: strong.; 7/4/19, 10:52 PM
readering said...: Roosevelt constantly hard on Wilson for being a wus.; 7/4/19, 10:53 PM
walter said...: Ah..gonna indulge in the hands clean, don't blame me approach that makes you feel comfortable throwing shit at Trump's supporters.
Any Dem but Trump ok with you, ultimately.
Happy 4th!; 7/4/19, 10:54 PM
narciso said...: Which just happens to push for Hezbollah dominating Lebanon, for alawite dominance in Syria and Houthis in Yemen, quelle surprise.; 7/4/19, 10:54 PM
Birkel said...: It's cool J Farmer.
Your brand is safe with me.
Never safer, really.

But the words "unindicted co-conspirator" do keep popping into my head.; 7/4/19, 10:54 PM
J. Farmer said...: But the words "unindicted co-conspirator" do keep popping into my head.

As do many other foolish things apparently.; 7/4/19, 10:55 PM
Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...: "The self-serving politician that he is, Trump has succeeded in making July 4th about himself, and in doing so, further divided our country. This on a day when our nation’s president should be uniting us."-- Tulsi Gabbard

... and you thought she was "relatively sane".; 7/4/19, 10:56 PM
Birkel said...: narciso,
Not to make J Farmer mad...

But do you mean Hez b'Allah?
The Army of God?; 7/4/19, 10:56 PM
J. Farmer said...: @Narciso:

Which just happens to push for Hezbollah dominating Lebanon, for alawite dominance in Syria and Houthis in Yemen, quelle surprise.
I admire your ability to move on from being dead wrong (“niac settled”) to making even more bogus assertions. As I said, you steadfastly refuse to let facts get in the way of your narrative.; 7/4/19, 10:59 PM
Birkel said...: J Farmer,
You might be a little too on-brand.
Defend Iran's interests from an angle.; 7/4/19, 11:01 PM
Mark said...: Remember the evil Angelique? I remember almost none of the episodes, but the devious Angelique who cursed Barnabas is one you don't forget. The beauty of Josette/Maggie Evans I'll always remember.; 7/4/19, 11:02 PM
J. Farmer said...: @Birkel:

The second I need advice from someone incompetent on the subject, I’ll let you know. Thanks.; 7/4/19, 11:04 PM
walter said...: Farmer's gone kinda Howie.; 7/4/19, 11:06 PM
Mark said...: Were there any satanic-evil characters on TV before Angelique?; 7/4/19, 11:09 PM
Birkel said...: J Farmer,
By all means, call names.
That seems your best defense.
Quite reasonably we conclude the same.
What next?; 7/4/19, 11:10 PM
J. Farmer said...: Farmer's gone kinda Howie.

Hmm...haven’t really “gone” anywhere. Been advocating a non-interventionist foreign policy my entire adult life.; 7/4/19, 11:12 PM
Birkel said...: And here we were hoping you'd grow up.
It's a shame you aren't adulting yet.; 7/4/19, 11:15 PM
J. Farmer said...: @Birkel:

Saying you are “incompetent on the subject” is not calling names. But by all means keep playing a victim. It’s a good look on you. And remember, you engaged me. Not the other way around. So please feel free to stop.; 7/4/19, 11:16 PM