June 17, 2025: Tanks But No Tanks

 

Saturday was Flag Day. We flew our flag with pride. We love our country. We are deeply embarrassed by our current goevrnment. We are also very afraid of President Trump ignoring his role as protector of the Constitution and creating a totalitarian government. Therefore, flying the American flag was also a protest and a warning, in our minds. There are two paths America can go down: one, to everything for which that flag stands, or two, to dictatorship.

It seems obvious to me which one Donald Trump wants.

Saturday was also marked by Trump's Big Beautiful Parade. Make no mistake, the parade was less to honor the Army's 250^th anniversary and more to honor the Trump who would be King. Members of the administration claim 250,000 people showed up for the event but I saw rows and rows of empty seats along the route and Cabinet members looking bored. As many as 5 million people across America attended the No Kings rallies. Even if the numbers for the parade turn out to be accurate, that means 20 times more people stood up to protest Trump's policies than to support his birthday salute. Diane and I were among the No Kings protesters in Kalispell. It was hopeful to see so many people of all ages in attendance.

What are we so afraid of, you may ask. When Trump sent National Guardsmen and Marines to the streets of Los Angeles, despite assurances from the city's mayor that the situation did not warrant such a move, and despite the governor of California not requesting help, it sent a signal. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem spelled it out, telling us plainly that this administration wants to liberate Los Angeles from the socialist and liberal leadership of the mayor and governor. It is another hiking up the rhetoric to divide the country. Democrats are the enemy. The use of American troops against American citizens is not just on the table, it is the plan.

Dialogue and discourse are going away. Loyal opposition does not exist in Trump's world. The right to disagree is being replaced by intimidation and fear, backed by guns and tanks. If our military is sworn to protect the Constitution against all enemies foeign and domestic, I beg you to look hard at just who in America is threatening that precious document.