By Laura Ainsworth, Staff Writer
July 8, 2019
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Once again, Huckabee writer/researcher Laura Ainsworth has chosen to answer a reader’s comment personally, as she is not nearly as nice as the Governor...
From Gary:
In the President's July 4th speech, when the Battle Hymn was played, I thought I saw Melania mouthing the words --- at least the tune; her husband, however, had no lip movements. Am I to believe this man does not know the words to this Hymn? On such an important occasion, you would expect at least some outward acknowledgement of this refrain. The hymn usually brings tears to the eyes of true patriots –- it does to mine, every time I hear it –- that includes the 1812 Overture.
And over these proceedings the President chooses to wear the worn-out red 'Power Tie.'
Our country is not some bully in the world that we must demonstrate our military might in front of everyone (watch Russia’s or China's parades –- they strut out all their weapons and claim how great their might is). I am of the opinion the US does NOT need to copy this sort of bragging; as a matter of fact, it lessens our credibility on the world stage. It also sets us up to be the loudmouth that needs to be knocked down a few notches.
Our Country is FREE –- we welcome all to come here and be a part of our culture; we do not dictate what the rest of the world must do.
A blue tie would have been more appropriate.
…………………………….
From Laura:
After the Fourth of July, I was thinking back to the Washington, DC, celebration and feeling good about how well it went --- how non-partisan and well-focused it was --- when I encountered Gary’s comment critical of the event and, specifically, of President Trump.
Mind you, Gary, we wouldn’t dream of denying you the opportunity to express your opinion. As long as you didn’t encourage violence or use language or imagery that our fine readers don’t deserve to be subjected to, the Gov welcomes other views. Not being Google or Twitter, we enjoy examining other opinions, as we are curious to journey into the type of mind that produced them. Typically, though, it’s a short trip, as we find little of benefit to see in there. And many times, although the light is on, nobody’s home.
You took time out of your day to rant about President Trump, mainly because he didn’t mouth the words to the Battle Hymn and also for THE COLOR OF HIS TIE. Is this for real?
Of course, it would’ve been difficult to find a more substantive reason to criticize the President, as he fulfilled his role well. Politics played no part. And, unlike the previous Commander-in-Chief, he refrained from using the word “I,” which Obama is known for repeating scores of times in a single speech. Trump critics like to say he makes everything about himself, but, really, go back and read Obama’s speeches and then tell me which President did that. Gary, have you ever taken time out of your day to rant about the inappropriateness of Obama using the word “I” in a speech, say, 70 or 80 times? Correct me if I’m wrong to presume; otherwise, admit you haven’t.
When Trump first mentioned the idea of featuring military hardware, I’ll admit my first thought was, “Really? TANKS?? Hm, I don’t know...” But, unlike most of Trump’s critics, I researched and found that Presidents of both parties (FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy) have presided over such parades. This is nothing new, and it is not comparable in any way to the military swagger of dictators such as Kim Jong-Un, who put on pathetic shows to try to intimidate us while their own people are starving and rotting in political prisons.
On this we agree: America doesn’t have to show off her military might. But that’s not what we were doing, Gary. The inclusion of tanks and planes was meant to honor our military. American soldiers have perished in tanks like those on display, along with pilots who died in planes like the ones seen in the magnificent flyovers. There is a cost to freedom, and generations of Americans have paid that price dearly to help keep others free. THAT’S what the hardware symbolized to me. The display of a couple of tanks must have seemed anti-climactic to those who'd envisioned long columns of tanks rumbling down the street. Too bad --- it meant there was less to rant about, and they do enjoy their rants.
No matter what Trump does or doesn’t do, his critics will always see a bully. (Notice the focus-group-tested word “bully” cropping up in Biden’s campaign rhetoric?) If Trump had worn a blue tie instead of red, they would’ve said something like, “Trump tried to conceal his aggressive, bullying stance by wearing a blue tie instead of his customary red, but this seemed out of character and he fooled no one with his dishonesty.” And if he HAD mouthed the words to the Battle Hymn, they would have said, “Instead of standing solemnly and respectfully for the Battle Hymn, the President made it about himself, pulling focus and showing off his ‘patriotism’ for his right-wing base by moving his lips in an exaggerated fashion.”
The double standard is stunning, and Trump will never please his most virulent critics. You imply that Trump is not a “true patriot,” while others accuse him of being too much of one. He absolutely cannot win. He is criticized for everything he does, talks about doing, thinks about doing, mentions purely as a negotiating tool, would like to do but changes his mind about, never intended to do, is wrongly accused of or thought to have done, doesn't plan to do in the future, would never do in his wildest imagination, and even --- by judges who fancy themselves mind-readers --- for the motives he might or might not have for any of this.
Trump would surely agree with you that “we welcome all to come here and be a part of our culture.” But most of his critics condemn the phrase “be a part of our culture.” And they refuse to accept that all who come must apply and get in line to pass through that “big, beautiful door,” not pour in by the hundreds of thousands and overwhelm the system, as they are doing now.
If anyone damaged the Fourth Of July festivities, it was Code Pink, by flying the grotesque baby-Trump balloon and displaying a 16-foot Trump sitting on a gold toilet, tweeting, pants around its ankles. What image does THIS send? Don’t you think THIS “lessens our credibility on the world stage?”
Yet what did you choose to single out as inappropriate? The color of Trump’s tie. Come on, even the Washington Post had to admit that “Trump made his critics look small during his ‘Salute to America.’” Get a grip, man, before you look so small you risk disappearing entirely.
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