The July 4th National Mall celebration has always been a nonpartisan affair with politics taking a backseat to patriotism. Presidents have avoided making an appearance at the National Mall, opting instead to attend events honoring veterans. For example one year President Obama hosted a barbeque on the White House south lawn for 1,200 members of the US Armed Forces.
Tanks and other military hardware will be stationed around the National Mall, and the Blue Angels will do a fly over. American military might is impressive, but our democracy, freedom and diversity is even more impressive, and that’s what should be highlighted on Independence Day.
However, this year the annual event is poised to be one of the gaudiest, over-the-top displays of cult of personality, jingoism and militarism in American History. Trump has dubbed the celebration a “Salute to America”, but it would be more accurate to call it a “Salute to Donald Trump.”
I’m surprised Trump didn’t go full Kim Jong-un and demand that the ultimate phallic symbol, inter-continental missiles be included in the parade.
Trump will deliver a speech turning the holiday into a campaign event, and I hope the broadcast networks and the cable news outlets will have the good sense to boycott the circus. Of course the Trump-friendly Fox News will cover the so-called “Salute to America.”
I have plans for the 4th of July, and they include eating hot dogs, waving the flag and watching fireworks, but they don’t include watching Trump’s shit show.