Saturday, June 6, 2020 – not your ordinary Saturday

Commentary

On the 76th Anniversary of D-Day, one wonders: Is this what our troops were fighting and sacrificing for?

Today is Saturday, June 6, 2020.

Saturday, the weekend – although I’d suggest for a lot of you out there, during this pandemic, the weekend is no different than the rest of the week.

Saturday, June 6, 2020 is the day we should be commemorating the 76th anniversary of the battle that was the beginning of the end of World War II. It was on June 6, 1944, D-Day, the day that the allies landed on the beaches of Normandy and began the offensive against Nazi armies that ended in Germany’s surrender 10 months later.

What’s worse –the police brutality in Buffalo or the lying about it?

Commentary

After the incident in Buffalo, NY, where a 75-year old man was pushed to the ground by police and then left there, visibly bleeding from the head, the Buffalo PD released the following statement:

Are we at the crossroads between “In Union there is Strength” and “Divide and Conquer?”

Commentary

Collaboration, collaborators, unidentifiable “soldiers” gassing peaceful protesters. And finally some military leaders speaking out

A friend sent me an article from the HUFFPOST last night, “William Barr’s Vast, Nameless Army Is Being Brought To Bear On D.C. Protesters.” Her comment was, “Scary.” She asked if I had seen the article.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/william-barr-justice-department-protests-trump_n_5ed8330ec5b6513fdffca21a

I replied, “I hadn’t seen this particular article but was aware, through other reporter’s descriptions, that many of the “law enforcement troopers(!)” did not have any visible affiliation or identification on their uniforms.

But the article and the situation got me reading…and thinking.

GOP Senators take stand against Trump’s St. John’s Church visit and Bible stunt

Commentary

NOT!

You know the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

In this case, “A video is worth a million words.”

Watch this video of MSNBC’s Casey Hunt attempting to get comments from Republican senators regarding Trump’s “photo-op” at St. John’s Church in Washington DC on Monday (the link is right below the picture):

“Plot, Plan, Strategize, Organize, and Mobilize”

Commentary

“It is not time to burn down your own home!”

The quotes above come from rapper and activist Killer Mike.

Before my daughter sent me the video of Killer Mike making his impassioned plea at a press conference on Friday with Atlanta’s mayor, I had never heard of him. I had no idea who Killer Mike was. Now I do.

In Days of Discord, President Trump Fans the Flames

Commentary

The New York Times shows why people around the world “pity” America.”

The San Francisco Chronicle highlights the “disturbing irony” of two knees.

Peter Baker of the Times writes today, “Mr. Trump has presented himself as someone who seeks conflict, not conciliation, a fighter, not a peacemaker. And he has lived up to his self-image at a perilous time.”

As I read Mr. Baker’s column, it became clearer to me why, during these horrific times, the world is “pitying” the United States.

“Raid the Mailboxes” and other street games we played

*Nostalgia with a bit of News with a Twist**

Trump’s talk of “ballot harvesting” brings back memories of growing up in Brooklyn in the ’50’s

*Note: This “Around the Block” post is labeled “Nostalgia with a bit of News with a Twist.” “News with a Twist” is my term for “satire.” As you read, please bear this in mind. But just to be clear – all the street games I write about here were real…but one.

This morning I listened to a Trump mini-press conference held yesterday in the Oval Office. It went like this:

Reporter: Governor Newsom has not sent ballots out to everyone in California, they’re only going to registered voters.

Trump (interrupting): How many are there? How many are there?

Reporter (continuing): So, what you’re tweeting and what you said was not correct, it was wrong.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned; Trump tweets while Americans die!

Commentary

Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States: Memorial Day 2020

Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the women and men who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2020 occurs today, Monday, May 25.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

The purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 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.”

Can Coney Island Survive This?

Nostalgia

Times article brings back my own relationship with Coney Island

The New York Times posted an online article yesterday called, “Can Coney Island Survive This?” It will be published in the Times paper edition on Sunday. The article, by freelance journalist, Lauren Vespoli, begins:

This summer was supposed to be big for Coney Island.

Memorial Day weekend would mark the 100th anniversary of the Wonder Wheel, Coney Island’s 15-story feat of engineering in the form of a Ferris wheel, with swinging cars and panoramic views of both city and ocean. A three-day centennial celebration was planned, including a performance by the Broadway cast of “Wicked.”

The festivities have been postponed…

Here’s a link to Ms. Vespoli’s article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/nyregion/coronavirus-coney-island.html

Trump plans halt to National Guard deployments before retirement benefits kick in

Commentary

“Thank you for your service???”

National Guard members deployed in coronavirus relief

UPDATE: Not long after I posted this story, Politico broke the following news:

“Under pressure, Trump administration weighs extending National Guard deployments”

A plan to keep 40,000 troops on coronavirus duty through July awaits the president’s approval.

A few key things about this breaking news: “Weighs extending” is not “extending.” “Awaits the president’s approval” is not the same as “the president approved.” If this position reversal actually occurs, I wonder if it will result in doubling down on something else moronic to balance things out. Just saying.

The Hill reported today:

The more than 40,000 National Guard members deployed to states to help in coronavirus relief may end up one day short of qualifying for federal benefits under the Post-9/11 GI bill once President Trump’s executive order deploying them expires on June 24.

An official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said in an interagency call on May 12 reported on by Politico that the guardsmen will face a “hard stop” on June 24 to prevent them from reaching the 90 days of duty credit needed to qualify for early retirement and education benefits.