On Memorial Day we spend time remembering those who lost their lives and could not come home, reflecting on their service, a service that has given us the luxury of freedom that we enjoy today. It is the holiday that most represents what America should be: “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”
Who should be leading this tribute to our fallen heroes? Right – the President of the United States!
Except when the President of the United States is Donald John Trump.
Trump’s plan to end the deployment National Guard members assisting in coronavirus relief one day short of the day when their extended benefits is cynical and transparently cruel.
I wonder if he can say, “Thank you for your service.”
Today’s Around the Block concerns two recent headlines.
1. Jerusalem Post: “US asking Israel to eliminate China ties in sensitive areas.”
2. New York Times: “Chinese Ambassador Is Found Dead at Home in Israel
Eliminate?
Coincidence?
Just saying!
Going to the beach seemed to be the most desired, but until recently, most publicized unavailable pandemic-related non-activity.
Given recent sightings on Palm Beach Country beaches, “Around the Block” asks why does anyone really want to go to the beach?
While the President and the Vice President don’t wear masks at very publicized events, a retail security guard, enforcing a duly enacted state order that requires masks in retail stores, is murdered trying to enforce that order. Do you see any connection here?
The White House is barring members of the coronavirus task force from testifying before Congress without special permission, claiming that they’re too busy.
Of course, the two most important members, Fauci and Birx, haven’t been too busy to spend 2-3 hours a day, 7 days a week, as props for Trump.
But there’s a little wrinkle in the process. Seems permission is granted for appearances at Senate hearings, not House hearings. I wonder why?
Also, in this Around the Block, how Trump used the claim of “core government function” to televise his campaign “town hall” from the Lincoln Memorial.
Today, May 4, 2020, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Kent State Massacre.
Last week 100’s of protesters, “American Patriots,” stormed the Michigan Capitol building.
The difference: The students at Kent State were armed with rocks. The “American Patriots” were armed with AR-15’s.
I was watching the videos of gun-toting demonstrators protesting Michigan’s coronavirus lockdown as they stormed the state capitol building. The images were horrific!
I read that the President of United States said that Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer should “negotiate with them…make a deal,” because “they are very good people.” It was a stunning, but not totally surprising, statement from this man.
I promised myself that I’d take a break from Around the Block today and instead go back to writing a few more chapters of my book, “Bashert,” (Look for it on Amazon in a few years).
But then I saw this on “Morning Joe” (actually courtesy of Trevor Noah and “The Daily Show”) and couldn’t help myself.
As you all probably know by now, Vice President Mike Pence visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. During his visit, and in an earlier meeting with Minnesota governor, Tim Walz (D), Pence was the only person in the room not wearing a mask.
This despite instructions on the Mayo Clinic website requesting that all patients, visitors and personnel bring and wear a face mask to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
