Trump's Second Term

[RedPhoenix]

Checking in on the promise to be the president of peace.

[Oniya]

While I do generally believe in the saying "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity", in Dumb-old's case I'd be willing to make an exception and say the 88 is quite possibly a deliberate nod, though one probably suggested by one of his inner circle. I doubt he actually cares enough about anyone other than himself to do that on his own.

88 is absolutely a custom number, that's....uh....something he would have had to specifically ask for.

It sounded off to me - 90 feet would be more believable (if still compensating).  However, I can absolutely see some suck-up putting the number into his head and Trump not getting the reference.  Slightly surprised that the company didn't recommend a 90-foot pole just for convenience.

[Beorning]

Checking in on the promise to be the president of peace.

Yeah :( I lament all these people that are going to die, because this moron got suckered into an unneeded war by the criminal Netanyahu. Damn.

If I may return to something from the last weekend for a moment...

Trump's military parade. Two questions:

1. I've heard opinions from the US in the vein of "military parades are something only dictators do". Which really isn't true - European democratic countries have them, too. Is it really that different in the States? Is there no tradition of public military parades in the US to commemorate historical anniversaries etc.?

2. I've also heard opinions that the soldiers at Trump's parade were marching in a sloppy manner. Is that really true? Obviously, they weren't marching as, uhm, orderly as the Chinese military - but Chinese parades are hardly the norm. That said, even compared to Polish parades, the soldiers at Trump's parades seemed a bit sloppy. But maybe it's the way marching is done in America?

Also, if these soldiers really were showing sloppy marching, is it really possible they screwed up on purpose? Wouldn't their higher-ups take notice and punish them later?

[LunarSage]

1. I've heard opinions from the US in the vein of "military parades are something only dictators do". Which really isn't true - European democratic countries have them, too. Is it really that different in the States? Is there no tradition of public military parades in the US to commemorate historical anniversaries

That wasn't just a military parade.  It was an ego driven birthday parade for Trump.  (Yes.  It was on his birthday)  What a waste of money.  (It cost about 62 million dollars)  Where's DOGE?

That's why people said the thing about dictators because really he is.

[RedPhoenix]

I've also heard opinions that the soldiers at Trump's parade were marching in a sloppy manner. Is that really true? Obviously, they weren't marching as, uhm, orderly as the Chinese military - but Chinese parades are hardly the norm. That said, even compared to Polish parades, the soldiers at Trump's parades seemed a bit sloppy. But maybe it's the way marching is done in America?

Also, if these soldiers really were showing sloppy marching, is it really possible they screwed up on purpose? Wouldn't their higher-ups take notice and punish them later?

I haven't and am not going to watch it, but if they were marching sloppily then it was because they were told to. American military forces have like, pageant level parade marching ability when they want to. There is zero chance anyone who was there was individually rebelling. If they were putting on a sloppy show it is because they were told by their officers to do the bare minimum, which I can absolutely see happening.

He says he supports the troops, but he cuts spending on veteran healthcare, wants them to dance like performing monkeys for him, use them as his thugs when his precious ice gets offended, and puts every one stationed in the middle east at risk now with this latest nonsense. He doesn't respect them at all.

[LunarSage]

I haven't and am not going to watch it, but if they were marching sloppily then it was because they were told to. American military forces have like, pageant level parade marching ability when they want to. There is zero chance anyone who was there was individually rebelling. If they were putting on a sloppy show it is because they were told by their officers to do the bare minimum, which I can absolutely see happening.

He says he supports the troops, but he cuts spending on veteran healthcare, wants them to dance like performing monkeys for him, use them as his thugs when his precious ice gets offended, and puts every one stationed in the middle east at risk now with this latest nonsense. He doesn't respect them at all.

Also, he really called the troops "suckers and losers" and that is not hyperbole.

[Ollumhammersong]

Yeah :( I lament all these people that are going to die, because this moron got suckered into an unneeded war by the criminal Netanyahu. Damn.

If I may return to something from the last weekend for a moment...

Trump's military parade. Two questions:

1. I've heard opinions from the US in the vein of "military parades are something only dictators do". Which really isn't true - European democratic countries have them, too. Is it really that different in the States? Is there no tradition of public military parades in the US to commemorate historical anniversaries etc.?

2. I've also heard opinions that the soldiers at Trump's parade were marching in a sloppy manner. Is that really true? Obviously, they weren't marching as, uhm, orderly as the Chinese military - but Chinese parades are hardly the norm. That said, even compared to Polish parades, the soldiers at Trump's parades seemed a bit sloppy. But maybe it's the way marching is done in America?

Also, if these soldiers really were showing sloppy marching, is it really possible they screwed up on purpose? Wouldn't their higher-ups take notice and punish them later?

Ya I agree with this. Other countries do military parades and shows all the time. We love them in Canada, we hold several of them throughout the year. So do most commonwealth countries, We just don't call them parades, we call them 'tattoos' and they're fantastic to watch. So calling him a dictator for holding a military parade is a little silly. 

Doing it specifically for his birthday.... welll again I live in a commonwealth country and we hold yearly parades and 21 gun salutes for the monarch's birthday. So as a Canadian I can't criticize Trump or the US military for that one. I'm more surprised that presidential birthday parades aren't a more commonly done thing in the US seeing as how much the US love's using the military for sports and other events. 

As for US troops slovenly marching.... ya, the yanks have never been as tight on their D&C as other world militaries. That's been the case for a long time. Put the US army next to the brits or Germans and often the europeans and it always seems like the Americans are shuffling or casually walking around in comparison to more crisp european marching with full swinging arm movements and uniform steps. But I also have assumed that because of this, D&C simply isn't a huge priority for most branches of the US military. 

The only branch of the US military that puts serious effort into their drill are the marines or other special purpose units. Like the Sentinels for the various US memorials who specifically sharpen their D&C skills all day

[TheGlyphstone]

I think it might be because in America we dont have those traditions. We venerate our military, worship it even, but culturally we associate things like parades of marching soldiers and lines of tanks rolling down the street with news-reel footage of countries like the USSR and North Korea - posturing and propaganda flexing by people who couldn't live up to it if a *real* military like America (/s) fought them. Our traditions of public military displays are drill teams and color guards or aircraft flyovers, which is more showing off individual/team skill than raw might.

The fact that other first world democracies also hold parades like this is conveniently ignored in most cases.

[Ollumhammersong]

I think it might be because in America we dont have those traditions. We venerate our military, worship it even, but culturally we associate things like parades of marching soldiers and lines of tanks rolling down the street with news-reel footage of countries like the USSR and North Korea - posturing and propaganda flexing by people who couldn't live up to it if a *real* military like America (/s) fought them. Our traditions of public military displays are drill teams and color guards or aircraft flyovers, which is more showing off individual/team skill than raw might.

The fact that other first world democracies also hold parades like this is conveniently ignored in most cases.

I suppose that makes sense. Honestly I watched that parade, it wasn't even that crazy of a military parade. Again, as a commonwealth realm we know how to throw a military parade and the US attempt was pretty tame all things considered. Practically nothing compared even to the annual 'Trooping of the colours' for the king's birthday. That's nearly 2000 soldiers alone in full crimson, gold braided flags, complete with cavalry, etc. 

Or the queen's Diamond and platinum Jubilees. Holy shit, those were proper celebrations. Co-ordinated parades and events spread over over two dozen countries. Soldiers, fireworks, music, etc. 

[Al Terego]

Doing it specifically for his birthday.... welll again I live in a commonwealth country and we hold yearly parades and 21 gun salutes for the monarch's birthday. So as a Canadian I can't criticize Trump or the US military for that one. I'm more surprised that presidential birthday parades aren't a more commonly done thing in the US seeing as how much the US love's using the military for sports and other events.

Not exactly. Since 1957, Victoria day is the official date on which the Monarch's birthday is celebrated, and is fixed to the last Monday before May 25th. So even though Lizzie2 was born on April 21st and Charlie3 on November 13th, we normally neither celebrate those dates nor hold military parades on them.

The closest US analogy I can think of is Presidents Day.

[Keelan]

I'm a little surprised it hasn't been mentioned, but for the sake of full clarity: June 14, 2025 was actually the US Army's 250th anniversary, it just happens that Trump's birthday is *also* on the same day.

From what I've read, preparations had been in the works since Biden's time in office for the Army's 250th, including a venue request around the middle of last year. However, in March of this year there was a second venue request for the parade aspect of it.

*Something* was going to be happening on that day, Trump was going to be involved regardless as the US President and it being the Army's 250th, *some* acknowledgement of Trump's birthday was bound to happen too at least in small part since it's the same day, but the parade part was requested later during Trump's time in office for sure.

[TheGlyphstone]

I suppose that makes sense. Honestly I watched that parade, it wasn't even that crazy of a military parade. Again, as a commonwealth realm we know how to throw a military parade and the US attempt was pretty tame all things considered. Practically nothing compared even to the annual 'Trooping of the colours' for the king's birthday. That's nearly 2000 soldiers alone in full crimson, gold braided flags, complete with cavalry, etc.

Or the queen's Diamond and platinum Jubilees. Holy shit, those were proper celebrations. Co-ordinated parades and events spread over over two dozen countries. Soldiers, fireworks, music, etc.

Well like I said, its not something we usually do, so not surprised we aren't very good at it.

I'm a little surprised it hasn't been mentioned, but for the sake of full clarity: June 14, 2025 was actually the US Army's 250th anniversary, it just happens that Trump's birthday is *also* on the same day.

From what I've read, preparations had been in the works since Biden's time in office for the Army's 250th, including a venue request around the middle of last year. However, in March of this year there was a second venue request for the parade aspect of it.

*Something* was going to be happening on that day, Trump was going to be involved regardless as the US President and it being the Army's 250th, *some* acknowledgement of Trump's birthday was bound to happen too at least in small part since it's the same day, but the parade part was requested later during Trump's time in office for sure.

I'll be real, I wasn't certain if June 14th specifically was the army's actual founding date, or if it was just 'sometime in 1775'. But it apparently is, so at least the day wasn't chosen solely for the birthday.

[Ollumhammersong]

Not exactly. Since 1957, Victoria day is the official date on which the Monarch's birthday is celebrated, and is fixed to the last Monday before May 25th. So even though Lizzie2 was born on April 21st and Charlie3 on November 13th, we normally neither celebrate those dates nor hold military parades on them.

The closest US analogy I can think of is Presidents Day.

Yes, in Canada we have the practice of amalgamating the monarch's birthday, whatever day that happens to be, into Vic day. But believe me there are Vic day parades held in Canada. Maybe not in every city but they do happen. Victoria BC especially holds a good one. It's long since become a blended civilian/military thing but they're big on holding it in that city.

Plus then there's Canada day parades, Cenitaf/Rememberance day parades. Plus the Military Tattoos, granted they're bigger out east than in Central Canada these days, I was personally very dissapointed when Hamilton Cancelled it's annual Tattoo.

The UK still does the proper 'Trooping the colours' for the monarch's birthday however. And it's a great parade.

[SaintSicaire]

I was honestly surprised to learn, that military parades aren't a thing in the US.

That being said, how such a parade is percieved depends very much on how one's own society handles that kind of thing.
As a german, I find military parades somewhat...iffy as well. But we have a very complicated relationship to our military, which is pretty...non-present in everyday life. Sure, foreign heads of state get their military honours, there's a guard at a monument for fallen soldiers and chancellors, presidents and ministers of defense, as well as very high ranking officers get a sort of parade when leaving office or retiring, but those are all not really for the public, even if they often are public.

So I personally have never seen a military parade in my own country. The ones I hear about and see on the news however, are usually in Russia, China or North Korea. I only recently learned, that apparently, a lot of european countries have them as well. I guess it's easy to miss, because it's hardly newsworthy. Has anyone heard or seen the "Großer Zapfenstreich" for our last chancellor?
(If someone's curious here's a version without the speeches...Sadly I couldn't find one with subtitles...)

I'd also argue, that a lot of Tattoos, Trooping the Colours and other "Royal Inspection" kind of things, that monarchies do is something slightly different. I might be wrong, but usually they feature more...flashy uniforms and have overall a more historic vibe to it.

[Ollumhammersong]

Oh they definitely had flashy uniforms and historic vibes. That's kinda the whole point. Often soldiers in Canada, especially officers can have as many as 4 or 5 different uniforms. The everyday combats, PT and a dress uniform. Which is different from the Mess uniform that officers are forced to buy which is basically a crimson waistcoat type of thing. 

And some regiments have specific full dress & ceremonial uniforms to reflect their unique regimental history like the Royal Hamilton Light infantry. Regiments in the UK, Canada and australia are basically their own legal entities and institutions at this point. Some of them have existed for hundreds of years and are technically older than Canada itself. They simply are. 

They control their own recruitment, bank accounts (with oversight obviously) but can also get private donations from citizens. Until very recently the Molson family used to be big private donors to the Montreal Black Watch regiment. In the case of the Royal Hamilton Light infantry, they have existed in one form or another, since well before Confederation as a privately funded militia that popped up as needed and was gradually just absorbed into the regular army at some point. 

This kind of thing is all over the commonwealth. Breaking out the bright crimson wool jackets, White clay belts, bearskin or shako hats and more are part of the pomp and ceremony of it all. Seeing all those uniforms and the history they represent is a big part of these parades. 

[Lilias]

I only recently learned, that apparently, a lot of european countries have them as well.

In Greece we have them twice a year: 25 March (start of the 1821 revolution, which led to the creation of the modern Greek state) in Athens and 28 October (also known as OXI Day, start of involvement in WW2) in Thessaloniki. They are well attended in person and decently viewed on TV as well, although the vibe is quite different from the big affairs of greater powers. Given the country's geopolitical situation, what is emphasised is not power but dedication - 'these are the people who defend us and the equipment they use'.

Not gonna lie, the best part of any military parade is the flybys. Greek Air Force may not be the Red Arrows, but the kids love watching, and we never really grow out of that 

[Ollumhammersong]

You're from Greece! My grandparents are from Tichio. We actually used to have OXI day parades here in Canada too. Not with the Canadian military of course, but the Greek communities in the Toronto area used to hold parades for OXI day and independence day. Once they were really well attended once upon a time, but now not so much. Mostly just a memorial/small acknowledgement done in the churches