Trump’s tanks were unimpressive—that’s what Russian pundits think, anyway. Bringing out these old, beat-up, partially-disassembled relics of past victory and sacrifice proves nothing important. Parades should tout the latest, most intimidating, most high-tech muscle the military can muster. By all those standards, Trump’s parade flopped. Instead, he celebrated America’s heart and heritage—all things unimpressive in the eyes of Russians pining for their old imperial days of glory gone bye.
The Left, on the other hand, thought it was too much. JFK and Clinton celebrating bravery with marches and fly-overs were good, until Trump did it, then they weren’t. Perhaps next year’s Independence Day could host a bilateral talk between the Left and their recently-estranged Russian comrades.
Russia and America’s Left weren’t the only ones trying to tell Trump what to do. A leak from Britain’s Daily Mail shows disdain from the ambassador of the failed administration. Some suspect an attempt to influence fast-approaching election politics in the UK by painting Trump as the villain. More likely is a rogue, self-appointed hero who doesn’t like the manners of movers and shakers, pretending that his experience as an ambassador means his personal value for fecklessness should “trump” the White House, as it were.
Newt was the most out-spoken for Trump. He thinks not invading Iran was smart and that Trump is making all the right decisions on his successful path to re-election 2020.
Some important things happened in Civil Rights. The Republicans missed two great chances on these.
California finally passed a law, more or less, seeming to clarify what kinds of haircuts are natural for Black people. Though it doesn’t fit with the conventional Right of 20 years ago—always turning away from “touchy-feely” laws—it’s about time. What is wrong with Black people wearing dreads, anyway? Dreads are the easiest way for Black people wear their hair if they don’t go to the barber every other day. Why was this political and why was the law needed? The reason is probably because most White people don’t know that Black people need an entirely different kind of clippers at the barber shop. Some sad Republican politician who didn’t know as much just might complain about Cali, then lose his seat in 2020.
A DA in Philly won’t fine people in poverty beyond restitution anymore. Crime will be prosecuted, of course. Damages must be paid, of course. But, there’s no point in fining someone $1,000 who can’t pay rent and barely affords a car that’s worth less. Such a fine would effectively make the sentence an eviction. Current laws might as well say, “This crime is punishable by two weeks income if you’re middle class, an afternoon round of golf if you’re rich, and eviction if you’re poor.” Why didn’t Republicans make criminal and traffic fines proportional to income already? With the income gap gaping so wide, fines shouldn’t be measured in dollars, but in percentages. Some Republican politician probably won’t know that either.
Speaking of Republicans, Justin Amash of Grand Rapids’ district in Michigan took Independence Day to announce his independence from the RNC. His statement appeared as an Op-Ed in the Washington Post. Maybe he’ll be the one to start the People’s Party.
Whether it’s the communists in Russia and America quibbling about tanks in parades, getting Republicans to get along, being aware that Black and White people have different hair, or considering that flat fine rates aren’t fair, America has a lot to learn. We’re learning, we’ve come a long way in 243 years, we’re not there yet, but we’re inching along alright. We’re inching along.
Trump
Newt Gingrich: Donald Trump will win in 2020 if these two things happen // Fox News
Will Donald Trump’s Fourth of July parade break the law? // Slate
Law
Ruth Bader Ginsburg praises Brett Kavanaugh and reflects on gender equality // CBS News
Republicans
Justin Amash: Our politics is in a partisan death spiral. That’s why I’m leaving the GOP. // WA Post
Rep. Justin Amash Quits Republican Party // TIME
Rep. Justin Amash announces he’s quitting Republican Party in op-ed Index // ABC News America
American Patriotism
Russian state-run media mocked Trump’s July 4 celebration. // Slate
Presidents on July 4: Some chill, some get in your face // AP
Afternoon Downpour Drenches Washington Ahead Of Trump’s July Fourth Speech // Huffington Post
Trump Asks Americans To ‘Stay True To Our Cause’ In Speech Celebrating Military // NPR
It’s not your imagination: Americans are shooting off more fireworks than ever // The Oregonian
This Fourth of July, why patriotism is worth defending // NY Post
Trump asking Americans to ‘stay true to our cause’ // AP
Washington as Usual
Why the House Breakthrough on Border Funding Matters // RCP
Joaquin Castro calls Laura Ingraham ‘a white supremacist’ // POLITICO
Russianewsgategate
Reluctant witnesses in FISA abuse probe agree to talk to DOJ inspector general // Fox News
Gohmert Calls Mueller An ‘Anal Opening’ // Talking Points Memo
News Media & Journalism
How Fox News changed their tune about North Korea meeting // CNN
Rights
Philly DA Eliminates Fines And Fees For Defendants In Poverty // Zero Hedge
California Crown Act: state bans discrimination against natural hair // Vox
Security
Starbucks barista asks officers to leave, says a customer ‘did not feel safe’ // YouTube @ Fox News
It’s not just foreigners who should fear crossing the US border // Zero Hedge
Econ & Tech
Record 157,005,000 Employed; 19th Record of Trump Era // CNSNews
Strong U.S. Hiring Rebound Dilutes Case for Larger Fed Cut // Yahoo News
Why the Trump stock market has lost touch with any form of reality // Yahoo News
US breaks record for longest economic expansion // The Hill
Science & Weather
Strongest Earthquake In Decades Rocks Southern California On July 4th // Zero Hedge
6.4 magnitude earthquake strikes Southern California during July 4 celebrations // Daily Mail
Strongest earthquake in 20 years rattles Southern California // wlos.com
6.4 Earthquake Rattles Southern California // NBC Los Angeles
Strongest earthquake in years rattles Southern California; damage reported // LA Times
Culture
Disney denies Spider-Man grave for young fan: report // NY Post
The Isles
Donald Trump: Cables from UK’s ambassador to US blast President as ‘inept’ // CNN
Mid East
Newt Gingrich: Iran is very close to breaking // YouTube @ Fox News
Iran violates nuclear deal, exceeds 300 kg limit on enriched uranium// Jerusalem Post
NATO Focus
Erdogan: US scrapping F-35 jet deal with Turkey would be robbery // Aljazeera
Putin signs bill withdrawing from nuclear arms treaty with the United States // Fox News
Putin signs bill suspending participation in nuclear treaty // ABC News America
The Navy’s Secret Wish: Bring Back the Old F-14 Tomcat from the Dead? // National Interest
Even Building the F-35 Is a High-Tech Process // Popular Mechanics
Why Iran Loves the F-14 Tomcat (And Passed on the F-15 Eagle) // National Interest