Encore of Revival: America, July 8, 2019

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

Trump and R.N.C. Raised $105 Million in 2nd Quarter, a Sign He Will Have Far More Money Than in 2016 // NY Times

Will Donald Trump’s Fourth of July parade break the law? // Slate

Tucker Carlson defends Trump’s praise for North Korea’s Kim: Leadership means ‘killing people’ // The Hill

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

VIDEO full event…
President Donald Trump gives Fourth of July address from Lincoln Memorial (2019) // YouTube @ POLITICO

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


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


Minuscule microbes wield enormous power over the Great Lakes. But many species remain a mystery // Chicago Tribune

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

Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Rocks Southern California on 4th of July; State of Emergency Declared in Ridgecrest // ktla.com

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

The war on Southern California smog is slipping. Fixing it is a $14-billion problem – Los Angeles Times // 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

Britain’s man in the the US says Trump is ‘inept’: Cables from ambassador say he is ‘dysfunctional’ // Daily Mail

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

This Iranian Commander Kept Secret That Israeli F-35 Stealth Fighters Had Violated Iran Airspace // National Interest

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

US airstrike kills Al Qaeda fighters ‘plotting external attacks’ against American citizens: military // Fox News