Two Americas on display
The sharp differences in American politics were on display Saturday as millions took to the streets in overwhelmingly peaceful protests against a culture centered on violence and intimidation.
“We’re the hottest country in the world right now,” a clearly clueless Donald Trump intoned in reviewing his long-desired military parade that just by coincidence fell on his 79th birthday.
The ostentatious display of weapons of hot wars was a contrast to the sad reality of a cold war marked by the assassination of an elected Minnesota legislator by a Christian warrior who left behind a hit list of Democrats.
Even Fox “News” acknowledged that millions turned out across the nation — red and blue states, big and small towns — to declare there are “No Kings” in the United States.
And in Los Angeles, thousands ignored a massive force of police, National Guard and Marines occupying their city to protect Trump’s immigration thugs who are intimidating their constitutional rights of due process and protest.
A smattering of rocks, bottles and firecrackers in LA could not match the violence in Minnesota where Vance Boelter, a “pro-life” activist posed as a police officer and shot his way into the home of Minnesota House Speaker emerita Melissa Hortman, murdering her and her husband.
A similar scene played out nine miles away where Senator John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were shot in their home in the middle of the night terror attack.
Right-wing propagandists quickly tried to claim Boelter was a Democrat because he had been named to two bipartisan Minnesota committees. But as authorities noted:
“The suspect had ‘No Kings’ flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets.”
In Washington, a crowd that apparently fell far short of an anticipated 200,000 who were expected to attend stood behind 18 miles of anti-scaling fencing as 60-ton tanks rumbled down Constitution Avenue, shredding the pavement and making a mockery of the document the street was named for. The Associated Press reported there were large gaps between viewers near the Washington Monument.
That didn't stop the Birthday Boy.
“Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too,” Il Douchebag declared.
The parade was initially designed to mark the 250th anniversary of the Army until it was commandeered into a birthday bash for the aging wannabe king.
Approximately the same number of people expected in Washington actually took part in “No Kings” protests throughout the Los Angeles area, although skirmishes were reported between police and some demonstrators as the curfew for downtown LA took effect.
But it is important to compare rock-throwing at heavily armored (and armed) police and National Guard troops with an arson fire at the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro or the murder of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington.
And violence has been an all-too-frequent calling card of the “pro-life” movement.
Not to mention the rhetoric of the Felon-in-Chief, who has a long history of incendiary comments, most recently in warning against anyone who might seek to protest despite the overwhelming security present at his birthday “party.”
"People that want to protest will be met with big force," he said, noting that he hadn't heard of any plans to protest at the military parade in Washington yet. "But this is people that hate our country. They will be met with heavy force."
“No Kings” organizers wisely opted not to stage a rally in Washington.
It appeared at least one American institution is paying closer attention too. After the media virtually ignored the April “Hands-Off” rallies across the nation, coverage was much better, albeit with multiple pictures of protesters and law enforcement engaging in LA.
It’s still all too frequently overlooked that while Trump actually won the popular vote this time around he failed to achieve 50 percent and is underwater in polls over his handling of immigration and LA protests; tariffs; the economy; and the Big Beautiful Boondoggle working its way through Congress.
His overall approval rating is down to 38 percent in the United States and he receives mostly negative ratings from more than half of respondents in 19 of 24 countries surveyed by the Pew Research Center who say they lack confidence in Trump’s leadership of world affairs.
Not to mention he is a lame duck who is trying to rule by intimidation rather than consensus.
This faux-king felon has no crown.