I'm far angrier with the people who enable Trump, the sycophants around him, than even Trump.
Because this detestable man is a symptom of our racism, sexism, and homophobia, not the cause. Granted, he's a symptom that causes our system massive inflammation, he has taken advantage and exacerbated our weaknesses, he has worked so hard to divide us, and he needs to be gone. But Trump is *their* creature, in the end.
Think about it, why isn't media 'outing' the names of the Trump staffers who were so arrogant as to actually assault an Arlington cemetery official? Name the names, shame the actual culprits who did the physical work of pushing and shoving those officials who were just trying to do their job.
Why isn't this reported? It's a public venue, after all. They did it as part of a Public Relations campaign. It cannot be that hard to identify the specific personnel involved. Why is this buried?
And why doesn't every State Bar organization have a list of those lawyers who have been busily violating election laws, why haven't these men and women's activities been reviewed by their Bar, and once it is clear they violated their oaths, their legal credentials removed post-haste?
I was going to say this. His staffers, and every single Republican who hasn’t denounced him, and his latest horrific stunt, are just as responsible. They could have rid us of him many times along the way, but they refused. The “news” media constantly chooses to fail in their jobs. I realize these organizations are mostly owned by rich oligarchs, but the journalists need to find another line of work. Infuriated doesn’t begin to convey my disgust with them all.
Thank you, Charlotte, for once again educating us.
I recently attended a service with full honors for my uncle at Arlington. While in all honesty, I was at something of a distance from the emotional impact not having known him, my sister and I were there for my father so that he (in his 80’s now) could make the trip to attend his older brother’s funeral. I wasn’t raised with an understanding of military service from those who served, but I have since learned how others understand it who have or who have been nearer to it. Even for me, that funeral service was remarkable in its ceremony and respect carried out through those precise and measured movements from the procession to the presentation of the flag. I thought a great deal, Charlotte, of an earlier post you wrote about the time you spent posted there and as I looked on I had a deeper appreciation for that moment than I ever would have without reading about your service and training. Thank you for sharing experiences and perspective that are so important and meaningful to you for the benefit of this community and anyone who chooses to listen. You’re a gift. ❤️❤️
"and all we can meagerly offer them is choreographed dignity in place of irreparable loss"
A truly revelatory phrase. What service and sacrifice mean, and how that cost can never be repaid, and how we never stop trying to do so, and what this absurd calculation tells us about ourselves and the Republic we treasure. Thank you.
Charlotte- I shared with a friend what I learned from you about your work in the Old Guard just after those incredibly awful Trump remarks about the Medal of Freedom. Again, I underestimated the depths of the his utter contempt for our Service Members. While my father is not buried at Arlington- as a WWII Veteran my brother requested a graveside memorial service for him in 2016. I was incredibly moved by this final act of respect. When the soldier handed the folded flag to my older sister and told her the President of the United States thanks your father for his service, I truly felt that President Obama did. Thank you for your respect and dedication whilst serving, and for your incisive commentary. I’m proud to be a subscriber!
Thank you, Charlotte, for providing background and context to help the public truly grasp the magnitude of the offense committed by the Trump campaign.
Because the funeral of service members in Arlington is SO perfect, the common human being does not realize the work that is involved by the Old Guard. If I ever uttered or thought that it was simple, I apologize.
I was trying to buckle down and get work done at my desk when this entered my inbox and I felt compelled to read it, and now I'm left in tears. Thank you for your service and God bless those, and their loved ones, who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
I have seen the perfection practiced by honor guard members, although not the pinnacle practiced by the Old Guard. I have two perfectly folded flags, one from my grandfather's casket and one from my uncle's. The hubby's family has one from my father-in-law - proudly displayed alongside all his medals from WWII. May you and all who take part in such choreographed perfection be blessed for the small comforts you provide families of the fallen. From experience, I know that your presence DOES provide a modicum of comfort to the bereaved. Thank you.
The moment I saw the photo op and heard that someone had tried to stop it, I knew there would be a voice for the fallen and it would come from you. I so wish your last thoughts come true. We cannot let that thing anywhere near the seat of power in this country again. Thank you
I’m typing this with tears running down my face. The lack of respect for such a sacred space is almost unimaginable to me. Those who work so closely with your uncle should have realized that desecration of Arlington is terrible beyond anything else they could do.
Thank you for the service you gave to our country, your sacrifice of your body and mind to provide comfort to grieving families is a reminder of the dedication of our military personnel.
Charlotte, this was an eye-opener for me. I deeply appreciate the personal, graphic, clear, meticulous picture you've gifted us of something I would never have seen. As someone who, like you, has written for a living, I also appreciate the energy and focus it takes to produce something that matters. This mattered.
Wow. What a truly great and moving piece, informed by your personal experiences, and of those with whom you served. Thank you for your service, and for honoring the soldiers who have given their lives in service to this nation.
Charlotte, thank you for such a personal description of the work our soldiers carry out in Arlington. There are so many lines the Dumpster-fire has crossed and this is one of the worst. This fills me with heart-ache and sorrow for the families of the loved ones buried there. And for our fellow Americans who support this “anti-human being”.
Please keep us informed of the consequences (if any) of this despicable action. God bless you Charlotte and keep doing what you’re doing. ❤️😢
I'm far angrier with the people who enable Trump, the sycophants around him, than even Trump.
Because this detestable man is a symptom of our racism, sexism, and homophobia, not the cause. Granted, he's a symptom that causes our system massive inflammation, he has taken advantage and exacerbated our weaknesses, he has worked so hard to divide us, and he needs to be gone. But Trump is *their* creature, in the end.
Think about it, why isn't media 'outing' the names of the Trump staffers who were so arrogant as to actually assault an Arlington cemetery official? Name the names, shame the actual culprits who did the physical work of pushing and shoving those officials who were just trying to do their job.
Why isn't this reported? It's a public venue, after all. They did it as part of a Public Relations campaign. It cannot be that hard to identify the specific personnel involved. Why is this buried?
And why doesn't every State Bar organization have a list of those lawyers who have been busily violating election laws, why haven't these men and women's activities been reviewed by their Bar, and once it is clear they violated their oaths, their legal credentials removed post-haste?
I was going to say this. His staffers, and every single Republican who hasn’t denounced him, and his latest horrific stunt, are just as responsible. They could have rid us of him many times along the way, but they refused. The “news” media constantly chooses to fail in their jobs. I realize these organizations are mostly owned by rich oligarchs, but the journalists need to find another line of work. Infuriated doesn’t begin to convey my disgust with them all.
Thank you, Charlotte, for once again educating us.
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-incident-arlington-national-cemetery-matters-rcna168577
I recently attended a service with full honors for my uncle at Arlington. While in all honesty, I was at something of a distance from the emotional impact not having known him, my sister and I were there for my father so that he (in his 80’s now) could make the trip to attend his older brother’s funeral. I wasn’t raised with an understanding of military service from those who served, but I have since learned how others understand it who have or who have been nearer to it. Even for me, that funeral service was remarkable in its ceremony and respect carried out through those precise and measured movements from the procession to the presentation of the flag. I thought a great deal, Charlotte, of an earlier post you wrote about the time you spent posted there and as I looked on I had a deeper appreciation for that moment than I ever would have without reading about your service and training. Thank you for sharing experiences and perspective that are so important and meaningful to you for the benefit of this community and anyone who chooses to listen. You’re a gift. ❤️❤️
"and all we can meagerly offer them is choreographed dignity in place of irreparable loss"
A truly revelatory phrase. What service and sacrifice mean, and how that cost can never be repaid, and how we never stop trying to do so, and what this absurd calculation tells us about ourselves and the Republic we treasure. Thank you.
Charlotte- I shared with a friend what I learned from you about your work in the Old Guard just after those incredibly awful Trump remarks about the Medal of Freedom. Again, I underestimated the depths of the his utter contempt for our Service Members. While my father is not buried at Arlington- as a WWII Veteran my brother requested a graveside memorial service for him in 2016. I was incredibly moved by this final act of respect. When the soldier handed the folded flag to my older sister and told her the President of the United States thanks your father for his service, I truly felt that President Obama did. Thank you for your respect and dedication whilst serving, and for your incisive commentary. I’m proud to be a subscriber!
Thank you, Charlotte, for providing background and context to help the public truly grasp the magnitude of the offense committed by the Trump campaign.
Because the funeral of service members in Arlington is SO perfect, the common human being does not realize the work that is involved by the Old Guard. If I ever uttered or thought that it was simple, I apologize.
I was trying to buckle down and get work done at my desk when this entered my inbox and I felt compelled to read it, and now I'm left in tears. Thank you for your service and God bless those, and their loved ones, who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
I have seen the perfection practiced by honor guard members, although not the pinnacle practiced by the Old Guard. I have two perfectly folded flags, one from my grandfather's casket and one from my uncle's. The hubby's family has one from my father-in-law - proudly displayed alongside all his medals from WWII. May you and all who take part in such choreographed perfection be blessed for the small comforts you provide families of the fallen. From experience, I know that your presence DOES provide a modicum of comfort to the bereaved. Thank you.
The moment I saw the photo op and heard that someone had tried to stop it, I knew there would be a voice for the fallen and it would come from you. I so wish your last thoughts come true. We cannot let that thing anywhere near the seat of power in this country again. Thank you
I’m typing this with tears running down my face. The lack of respect for such a sacred space is almost unimaginable to me. Those who work so closely with your uncle should have realized that desecration of Arlington is terrible beyond anything else they could do.
Thank you for the service you gave to our country, your sacrifice of your body and mind to provide comfort to grieving families is a reminder of the dedication of our military personnel.
A beautiful thoughtful piece. You are amazing!
Charlotte, this was an eye-opener for me. I deeply appreciate the personal, graphic, clear, meticulous picture you've gifted us of something I would never have seen. As someone who, like you, has written for a living, I also appreciate the energy and focus it takes to produce something that matters. This mattered.
Incredibly insightful, Charlotte. Thank you for this, and always for your service.
Wow. What a truly great and moving piece, informed by your personal experiences, and of those with whom you served. Thank you for your service, and for honoring the soldiers who have given their lives in service to this nation.
Charlotte, thank you for such a personal description of the work our soldiers carry out in Arlington. There are so many lines the Dumpster-fire has crossed and this is one of the worst. This fills me with heart-ache and sorrow for the families of the loved ones buried there. And for our fellow Americans who support this “anti-human being”.
Please keep us informed of the consequences (if any) of this despicable action. God bless you Charlotte and keep doing what you’re doing. ❤️😢
Yes. This. My dad was buried at Arlington and it was moving and perfectly carried out. My family and I are so grateful.