The article is by Vanessa Friedman, who writes that, in a military parade, "the uniformed body is part of a mass — denatured and subsumed into a whole — and particularly when the parade in question does not signify the end of an actual conflict." "Instead of honoring the sacrifice of individuals... it becomes a moment of sheer pageantry dedicated to the glory of the state or the head of state...."
Quoting Achter again: "It’s difficult to see this and not see Leni Riefenstahl" (that is, Hitler, as presented in "Triumph of the Will").
When it comes to expression about the military, is there some reason to prefer the rhetoric of "sacrifice" over that of "glory"? A parade is a form of expression. It's visual speech, visual propaganda. Can you tell whether the theme is sacrifice or glory? Is it inherent in the nature of a military parade that it will say: glory?
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72 ટિપ્પણીઓ:
What the...?
I call projection.
And btw - everyone looks good in a flight suit! (Not that you parade in one.)
The military parade honors service of men and women to the glory of individuals, family, community, and nation.
I'm not sure what to think about this upcoming parade. It might be kinda cool. that the collective left are melting own - yeah.. shock.
- but we all know that Biden degraded just about everything in our lives... and the left, under crook-Soros-Joe, degraded our military with trans-madness and woke nonsense.
The military is a fighting force - that's it. We don't need leftist BS inserted into what should be strong standards.
As far as the Nazi imagery and Nazi-like scare tactics - via Leni Riefenstahl - Biden already did that with his bizarre American-hating anti-MAGA speech.
Remember- the corrupt Soviet-Democratic authoritarian left demand we only worship and honor them... and grovel and marvel at their non-stop BS and lies.
Gloria from Mass in B Minor is perfect for the parade.
From my link:
"Biden Gives Strange, Rambling Speech Attacking Americans and Implying Violence Against His Political Opponents
Earlier this week, Joe Biden gave a speech that is already considered one of the worst in American history. In his rant, he boiled with rage against Republicans and implied that all Republicans are threats to his regime and thus threats to America.
This type of speech is dangerous. His hate towards over 100 million Americans and his uncontrollable rage are a threat to our Republic and democratic process. When the Republicans retake the House, I will add this speech to the list of reasons to impeach and remove this dangerous demagogue for inciting violence, hate and intolerance. His threat to use the military against American citizens and calling 100 million Americans a “danger” to his incompetent regime is unacceptable and a threat to everyone."
What we should have done to Crook-Soros-Joe. Worst human and worst president in our nations history.
The military on parade contrasts with Antifa and the other masked hooligans rioting
Patriotic displays are crap except at ball games.
I see Friedman has erased all the women in the military.
Odd that Achter sees Triumph of the Will and not one of those big Stalinist May Day parades in Red Square, or the French Foreign Legion parading down the Champs Élysées.
"The uniformed body crystallizes all these associations we have. It makes your chest look broader, your posture straighter, your shoulders stronger.
He obviously hasn't been through boot camp or plebe summer. Coming out of either, successfully, your chest will look broader, your posture straighter, and your shoulders stronger. The uniform doesn't make you look that way- you've changed to look that way.
Anyone with the barest association with the military is aware of this.
"When it comes to expression about the military, is there some reason to prefer the rhetoric of "sacrifice" over that of "glory"?"
Christian slave morality. Trump is more of a pagan. Being strong and powerful is a good thing, actually.
The uniformed body crystallizes all these associations we have. It makes your chest look broader, your posture straighter, your shoulders stronger. It becomes shorthand for words like manly, strong, brave, dominant... the uniformed body is part of a mass — denatured and subsumed into a whole.
They agree!
I Love A Parade, the tramping of feet,
I love every beat I hear of a drum.
I Love A Parade, When I hear a band,
I just want to stand and cheer as they come.
That rat-a-tat-tat,
The blare of a horn,
That rat-a-tat-tat,
A bright uniform,
The sight of a drill,
Will give me a thrill,
I thrill at the skill of anything military.
I love A Parade, a handful of vets,
A line of cadets or any brigade
For I Love A Parade.
“For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting.”
― George Patton
History gives us two reasons for a parade - one is glory indeed. That helps the morale of the troops, the state, and the people, as it demonstrates that there are many soldiers available at need, top the soldier that you are not alone, you have many well trained comrades, to the apparatus of the state, that you have power available, and the people, that there is power to maintain order and defense. That all is still valid.
The other reason was purely practical, to demonstrate, in a system of mercenary companies and military contractors, that your business partners are able to come up with enough men, well enough equipped, trained and disciplined. It was a contractual demonstration. That part seems to have become less important.
Achter's right you know. The uniformed body does make your chest look broader, your posture straighter, your shoulders stronger. Shorthand isn't necessary to presume the "associate prefessor of rhetoric" is the polar opposite of manly, strong, brave, and dominant and that he enjoys hollow chests, sagging posture and weak shoulders.
Achter is a hollow man
A stuffy man
Leaning feebly
Headpiece filled with straw
Alas!
Laying groundwork much? The Army doesn't want to date you, Vanessa. If a parade makes Antifa feel inadequate, let them learn to march.
Honor and Glory
I felt that soldiers in Viet Nam were expected, really commanded, to accept that their sacrifice would be forever devoid of honor or glory in their own society. And I thought that sneaky, hidden command meant that the society in this country was devoid of honor and glory. And I wrote the poem below after my brother died. I was fifty years younger than I am now and fifty times as bitter. But I still think those who cannot honor soldiers just don't understand where their own freedom really came from. And we as a society can't just let sleeping dogs lie and ignore the dishonest narrative that our freedom is unrelated to sacrifice, to soldiers and to their honor which is their title to glory.
How sleep the brave who sank to rest
By cowards and by traitors curst?
At New Thermopylae,
Soldiers,
Less solid than earth
In which they lie,
Gather
In grieving companies
On the Fourth of July.
Outside the speeches,
The songs,
Where sleeping dogs lie,
They linger
Till we hear them –
You or I.
‘ and we should come like ghosts
To trouble joy.’
“Strangers now,
We tried
To die without honor
According to commands
Later denied.
But honor with us died
And fire below the green,
A trouble to our rest,
Honor with us lies.
Preachers rush by
This wounded death
Our fathers deny.
When will we come into speech,”
They cry.
“When will honor live
And we die?”
Spent rockets
Falling,
In the market place
Sigh:
“Let sleeping dogs lie.”
And you? And I?
Achter never got a look at LtC Alexander "Bearclaw" Vindman or he'd at least know his statement wasn't 100% universal.
As an enlisted man in the US Navy I marched in a couple of parades, even though marching is not a nautical thing. I can't imagine anybody being intimidated by a phalanx of sailors in those cracker-jack suits.
"It’s difficult to see this and not see Leni Riefenstahl"
I didn't see Leni Riefenstahl, nor did I see Sergei Eisenstein. But I did think of the Roman Empire.
The entire MSM is hoplophobic, but the NYT is hoplophobe central.
The 250th anniversary of the US Army is as good a reason for a military parade as there ever was, especially since we apparently aren't doing anything else to commemorate the country's birth.
Some hundreds of obviously disciplined, fit men in uniform are going to impress crowds even if they are dressed as sailors. You sell your much younger self short.
The US Army isn't doing much these days anyway, so they might as well parade. The organization and logistics for the event are also a good exercise.
"It’s difficult to see this and not see Leni Riefenstahl"
You know what would do that? Have the President stand astride two military men in uniform, with guns, and have a giant red Hoheitsabzeichen in lighting above his head. Put the camera way down low so he looks insanely large.
Now have him do a speech about how he viscerally hates half of America, with both fists pounding the lecturn.
You know, like Joe Biden did.
Blogger won't let us put photos in the comments because they know we'd post that Leni Reifenstahl photo of Joe Biden with the blood red background, reminiscent of Hitler banging on the lecturn.
"The article is by Vanessa Friedman..."
According to wikipedia, Ms. Friedman is the fashion director and chief fashion critic of The New York Times. I don't know about you but when it comes to the military, a fashion director would definitely be my go-to source for insight on the topic.
On the other hand, it seems to me that it's not entirely unexpected that recognition of anniversaries of significance (both personal and institutional) are often made and a parade might very well be such a recognition.
One more thing from wikipedia...
"Friedman married J. David Stewart in New York City, on June 15, 1996. They live with their three children and two cats in Park Slope, Brooklyn."
One wonders what the atmosphere might be like in the Friedman/Stewart household on June 16th, should Mr. Stewart choose to let June 15th pass without mention.
Happy Birthday Soldiers
march in President Trump’s military parade
Stopped reading right there.
The fashion director and chief fashion critic of the New York Times must be aware that Hugo Boss designed those snappy black uniforms for the SS back in the Nazi era.
As trombone player I led my own marching column at football games.
They asked the man who sweeps up after the elephants in the circus parade why, after so many years, he hasn't found a better job. His reply:
"What, and leave show business?"
I love a charade.
Mason G at 714 nails it.
How can we not celebrate 250 years of our fighting forces?
One of the tropes I keep seeing in internet commentary about ongoing military conflicts is the notion that good will always defeat evil. This is dangerous nonsense. Far too many people are people are historically illiterate. Evil beats good most of the time. Evil has a far more extensive range of action than good.
"One of the tropes I keep seeing in internet commentary about ongoing military conflicts is the notion that good will always defeat evil."
Democrats are still unhappy over losing their slaves and they're not any happier since the German nazis were put down in WWII. They do so long for their "boot stamping on a human face - forever" moment.
The uniformed body crystallizes all these associations we have. It makes your chest look broader, your posture straighter, your shoulders stronger.
Add in assless chaps and it sounds like a really fab Gay Pride Day parade!
Within reason -- and the Army's 250 th anniversary certainly *is* that -- a military parade is a chance for individuals and a nation to say "Thank You", not just to individual soldiers but to the collective national effort in which they have participated across the generations.
Seven of my distant grandfathers fought with that Army in its first few years, and secured the independent nation we, well *most* of us, enjoy and appreciate today. In my own family, generation after generation of men stepped forward to offer their lives to this great endeavor we call America, and quite a few actually had to fight for it.
Less-distant grandfathers fought on both sides of the Civil War, and I honor them equally, just as I honor both Lee and Grant. And then there are those I actually knew. My paternal grandfather who fought in WWI and served as an intel Colonel in WWII. His son commanded an artillery company under Patton [Dad was Navy]. Another uncle who perished in Italy.
My three ROTC buddies and a second cousin who came home from the Nam in bags. An adopted granddaughter, thrice deployed to the 'Sandbox'.
And so the line marches on. And if we pause on rare occasion to recognize, honor, and thank them ... that is a very good thing.
"But I still think those who cannot honor soldiers just don't understand where their own freedom really came from."
I can honor soldiers. And do. I admire all the military virtues except obedience, and I can see the need for that one as well. But I am pretty sure that no soldier has fought for American freedom since 1865. A lot of Americans have died, in a lot of un-American places. But no increase of American freedom was obtained. Rather the opposite, it would seem.
I woke up this AM with a Kinks song playing in my mind;
"I'm an ape man,
I'm an ape ape man,
I'm an ape man."
I don't remember the last time I heard that song. I doubt it was in this century. So why was it in my mind this morning?
I have learned that this is one way my subconscious brings things to my attention. I just have to play the song forward a little;
"I don't feel safe in this world no more
I don't want to die in a nuclear war ..."
Ah, yes. Something else I recall from that disastrous century.
Jupiter - a more interesting parade would be the
Trooping of the Code of Federal Regulations". Make all of the Federal employees march bearing the copy of the volume (of the 240 or so volumes) that their agency created. And let's not forget Congress! Make them march bearing the sixty or so volumes of the United States Code! Citizens could line the streets our capitol and proclaim to their progeny, "Look! There is your freedom marching by!" The Army is just the final enforcement arm, after all.
But I must wonder - what if parades really do inspire people to embrace an ethos or ideology? If a military parade can inform fascism, does a Pride parade help turn a child into a rainbow person?
So, military parades were cancelled under Biden and Obama? Guess so.
Judas Priest. If you read history, and pay attention, you get more and more annoyed and irritated at Libtard Bullshit and and bad faith flip flops. 1940's = the military are great. 1960s= the military are evil. 1990s = the military are great. 2000s = the miltary are evil under Chip-Hitler. 2010s the military are great under Obama. Etc.
Its always been this way. Eleanor Roosevelt flip flopped from being a pacifist in 1916 to a warmonger in 1918 to a pacifist from 1921-1936, then to warmonger until 1945. Then back to a pacifist in 1946, and then a very, very reluctant cold warrior in 1950.
If Kam harris had won the election and wanted a parade in June 2025, all the MSM would be writing how great it is. "A New Patriotism for A new America".
"It’s difficult to see this and not see Leni Riefenstahl"
For the longest time, I didn't know the May Day parade at Moscow's Red Square was in honor of defeating the Nazis. I thought it was a show meant to scare the west, or something. Somewhere along the line I acquired that missing formation and would probably have today, if the Berlin Wall hadn't come down.
I don't think we need any more Parades. We need real patriotism. Which is love of country. Not love of war and military adventures. I'm sick and tired of seeing the average Americans love of country and respect for the military being twisted and preverted to invade some foreign country that has zero to do with either our national interest or our defense.
Stop singing "Over there" because after we win the war "Over there" - all of them come "Over here".
Quoting Achter again: "It’s difficult to see this and not see Leni Riefenstahl" (that is, Hitler, as presented in "Triumph of the Will").
These people are just absolute pieces of shit.
Leni R. was just a German patriot and a damn good director. Nobody ever justifies why she was blacklisted for entire life after WW II, while Soviet directors - stalinist stooges - came the Hollywood in the 30s and were wined, dined, and celebrated.
Morally, there's not one ounce of difference between Eisenstein and Riefenstahl.
Impertinence is not free.
Go watch "Triumph of the Will" . There's nothing really nazi about it. Same with "Olympiad". You can claim - rightly - that both films lie by omission. But if you watch what's onscreen, its not objectionable.
“Man is born impertient, and everywhere he is in chains of politeness.
Typical quote from Triumph of the willies:
Robert Ley: One thought must alone dominate all our work: to make the German worker an upright, upstanding, proud and decent citizen, enjoying equal rights with the rest of the Reich!
Democrat Party members are constantly opining on masculine endeavors with the same kind of "Gorillas in the Mist" detachment they behold Republicans and non-Party members.
They really show how weak and stupid and fearful they are of ordinary male behavior. Libtards should stick to that fatuous and concise canard "write about what you know", which for them would be soy-boys and girlbosses and throuples and trans.
RCOCEAN II said...
Go watch "Triumph of the Will". There's nothing really nazi about it. Same with "Olympiad"... its not objectionable.
6/13/25, 9:11 PM
LOL! I'm shocked that the guy who hates Jews with a passion is also a fan of Hitler cinema.
We're all unique individuals striving to individuate, and if we succeed we fulfill our unique personal ambitions and goals. As a byproduct of having a sense of "self" we bicker and challenge one another endlessly, sometime oblivious to that competition being the impetus for our own improvement. This notion of individuality is built into creative societies but it also can be exhausting.
So I think there is something refreshing for a change to see people unified in some common cause, be it singing together, dancing together, being part of a sports team, marching together. I'm sure the writer attacking men and women in "military uniforms" and being part of the service protecting our nation would not criticize a ballet troupe, even though they also wear uniforms and move in step with one another. But the principle of belonging to something bigger than oneself and celebrating that common bond is the same regardless of the style of uniform.
Our elections and politics have been so divisive lately it would be nice if people could put down their grievances for a day and celebrate the USA and the people who made it possible. But instead they are going to pretend that Trump is trying to be a king and unite to protest him to feel good about opposing him as if they share nothing in common with him. Meantime they choose to mock the people who sacrificed for our benefit and deny them the glory they deserve.
We marched in AF ROTC. The highlight of the day was when we were ordered to "Piss in Your shoe!" (Pass in review.) Dude got away with it, too.
La Gloire was a febrile part of the French Army at least from Napoleon forward. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries France's army carried forward such things as the "attaque a outrance" philosophy and the French Foreign Legion's "March or die" tradition. While the French Army from time to time could be a lethal force with great elan, it also encountered numerous setbacks in that period (Franco- Prussian War, WWII, Indo-China, Algeria, etc.). WWI tested French endurance, had little to offer in terms of La Gloire, and exhausted two generations of French martial spirit. Nonetheless, France continues to celebrate a military tradition that goes back centuries in the Bastille Day parade. This is what impressed Trump. He sees no reason why the USA's military tradition should not be celebrated, so he wants a big patriotic party on the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the Army. And it is his birthday.
That some goofball at the NYT wants to drag the Nazis to the party says more about her than it says about Trump.
It's because Trump ordered that Diversity (e.g. racism, sexism, gender ideology) and DEI (i.e. systemic, institutional Diversity) be aborted and sequestered by the military. So, the left brays wistfully for progressive days past.
We marched in AF ROTC.
As did I.
In tech school (Keesler AFB) we formed up and marched two and from class every day. And every Tuesday all squadrons did Pass in Review - and were graded - with the results added to Squadron of the Week rankings.
It's insane how much of a stink the left is making over this. But when you've got nothing else to contribute ....
Can you tell whether the theme is sacrifice or glory? Is it inherent in the nature of a military parade that it will say: glory?
It's the difference between propaganda and a John Ford movie. That's why people love Ford; his films are all about sacrifice.
He's famous for his cavalry trilogy:
Fort Apache
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Rio Grande
The third one is not very good, but the first two are magnificent.
His real name is Sean Aloysius O'Feeny.
Ocean: "I'm sick and tired of seeing the average Americans love of country and respect for the military being twisted and preverted to invade some foreign country that has zero to do with either our national interest or our defense."
True, and Trump manages to simultaneously honor the military and minimize their involvement in foreign wars.
JSM
There was one Leni Reifenstahl versus thousands of years of military marches -- here in the U.S. under both Democrat and Republican presidencies. Screw the HitlerHitlerHitler accusations from grey lady hags like Friedman. I'm sure her grandparents appreciated, or would have appreciated, the V-Day marches.
A parade says glory, but the Romans wisely had someone whispering to their victorious consul "mememto mori".
Every society, no matter how half-assed, can usually come up with a fairly loyal army. Yet it's always impressive. We have a tendency to distrust each other, and refuse to cooperate, and yet ...
Why sacrifice? For the glory. Personal glory, or the glory of an amorphous group? Awkward question.
"LOL! I'm shocked that the guy who hates Jews with a passion is also a fan of Hitler cinema."
Why do you suppose we all hate Hitler so much? Nobody seems too worked up about Tojo any more.
Wildswan, that was incredible. I'm sorry.
Bart Hall, thank you.
Leni Riefenstahl's thing (or the thing of Hitler and whoever his stage manager or choreographer or production designer was) was assembled solid masses, not parades. Nazi pageants, with floats representing Nordic gods or heroes from German history, were quite lame. SA marchers were scruffy and more likely to beat up onlookers than to inspire them. So long as Trump's parades don't have torchbearers, people won't mistake the marches for Nazis.
Speaking of bodies and crystals, look up the tourist at an Italian art museum who sat on a crystal encrusted chair for a selfie and broke it.
Speaking of torchbearers, what kind of self-respecting Nazi carries a "tiki torch"?
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