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Nevilledog

(53,493 posts)
Fri Aug 30, 2024, 01:12 PM Aug 2024

Why Trump's Arlington Debacle Is So Serious [View all]

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/08/trump-arlington-cemetery/679659/

No paywall link
https://web.archive.org/web/20240830154819/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/08/trump-arlington-cemetery/679659/

The section of Arlington National Cemetery that Donald Trump visited on Monday is both the liveliest and the most achingly sad part of the grand military graveyard, set aside for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Section 60, young widows can be seen using clippers and scissors to groom the grass around their husbands’ tombstones as lots of children run about.

Karen Meredith knows the saddest acre in America only too well. The California resident’s son, First Lieutenant Kenneth Ballard, was the fourth generation of her family to serve as an Army officer. He was killed in Najaf, Iraq, in 2004, and laid to rest in Section 60. She puts flowers on his gravesite every Memorial Day. “It’s not a number, not a headstone,” she told me. “He was my only child.”

The sections of Arlington holding Civil War and World War I dead have a lonely and austere beauty. Not Section 60, where the atmosphere is sanctified but not somber—too many kids, Meredith recalled from her visits to her son’s burial site. “We laugh, we pop champagne. I have met men who served under him, and they speak of him with such respect. And to think that this man”—she was referring to Trump—“came here and put his thumb up—”

She fell silent for a moment on the telephone, taking a gulp of air. “I’m trying not to cry.”

For Trump, defiling what is sacred in our civic culture borders on a pastime. Peacefully transferring power to the next president, treating political adversaries with at least rudimentary grace, honoring those soldiers wounded and disfigured in service of our country—Trump long ago walked roughshod over all these norms. Before he tried to overturn a national election, he mocked his opponents in the crudest terms and demeaned dead soldiers as “suckers.”

*snip*
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"'And to think that this man'--she was referring to Trump--'came here and put his thumb up--'" PSPS Aug 2024 #1
Defiling Bayard Aug 2024 #2
TY.. It looks like TSF knows he's in deep shit doing what he did.. Cha Aug 2024 #3
How do you get no-paywall news links? Bucky Aug 2024 #4
It's really easy. Nevilledog Aug 2024 #5
😌 Bucky Aug 2024 #7
Thank you Democratic Angel!!! wolfie001 Aug 2024 #8
There are a few publications it can't crack, but it's really useful. Nevilledog Aug 2024 #10
Another way to do it is to go into your brower settings , , , markpkessinger Aug 2024 #27
it's such an utter lack of respect Skittles Aug 2024 #6
Another sick thing... 2naSalit Aug 2024 #9
Trickle down.. BattleRow Aug 2024 #19
And if he were aware of their feelings Sky Jewels Aug 2024 #11
Another perspective: If he was aware of anyone elses feelings, he wouldn't be trump. erronis Aug 2024 #16
I think people like JD usedtobedemgurl Aug 2024 #20
Every day is something new that makes me wonder what the fuckin' fuck. twodogsbarking Aug 2024 #12
Kick Cha Aug 2024 #13
Pure evil. mwb970 Aug 2024 #14
Trump and company were told it was illegal to film @ the grave site but they did it anyway and Botany Aug 2024 #15
Don't forget Speaker Mike's part in making it happen. CrispyQ Aug 2024 #26
Yeah, but Cox still did it to be seen with one of Dark n Stormy Knight Aug 2024 #33
This better be in the news for weeks ! RANDYWILDMAN Aug 2024 #17
Absolutely !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DENVERPOPS Aug 2024 #21
If you do not feel the solemness when at Arlington liberal N proud Aug 2024 #18
I have friends and former colleagues who are COL Mustard Aug 2024 #22
"He Was My Only Child" DallasNE Aug 2024 #23
Makes me mad every time I read about it. They didn't have to go. Hermit-The-Prog Aug 2024 #24
I WANT THE NAME OF HIS GROUP THAT PUSHED THE FEMALE OFFICER! BComplex Aug 2024 #25
Steven Cheung. Trump's campaign spokesperson. Botany Aug 2024 #28
Thank you, Botany! He needs to face the shame of the nation. What a creep. BComplex Aug 2024 #34
He played H.S. football ... total punk Botany Aug 2024 #35
I hope that the DOJ under Harris will be more pro active about that kind of threat. BComplex Aug 2024 #36
Trump Has Done This Before OhioTim Aug 2024 #29
The Dump of the highest Dishonor Blue Owl Aug 2024 #30
5000 Taliban prisoners freed krkaufman Aug 2024 #31
After the Doha Agreement was signed Postal Grunt Aug 2024 #32
That Was Negotated With The Taliban DallasNE Sep 2024 #37
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