President Donald John Trump has ordered a military parade in Washington, DC this Saturday to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army. The parade also happens to fall on the President’s 79th birthday. Should I check out this spectacle first-hand?
I’m Thinking About Traveling To DC To Attend Trump Army Military Parade
I make every attempt to attend the funerals of Supreme Court justices and Presidents, regardless of their party affiliation. The same applies to presidential inaugurations (at least until it was moved inside due to concerns over crowd size). The smooth transition of power is a hallmark of the US experiment.
Another one of the great feats of the US experiment, as I see it, is the clear line subjecting the armed forces to civilian rule, thereby minimizing the chances of a coup d’état. As a former Air Force Reservist and someone with degrees in political science and US history, I have great respect for the armed forces in this country and for the sacrifice that men and women in uniform have made to support the US Constitution for nearly 250 years.
For all its imperfections, the US is a system of government that strives to operate by the rule of law, not the rule of men. I think part of that expression of ordered liberty is a healthy separation between a strong miliary (most of us want a strong military able to protect and defend US interests under the direction of the Executive Branch in consultation, when it comes to war, with the Legistlative Branch) versus ostentatious and costly displays of militarism as you might expect to see in corrupt authortiran regimes like Russia and North Korea.
If US democracy relies on a clear separation between civilian governance and military power, marching armed forces through civilian streets symbolically blurs that essential boundary. US tanks rolling down streets should be reserved for the gravest of situations…we don’t need to show off what we have because other nations know how strong the US military is.
Furthermore, hosting the parade on Trump’s birthday and involving Trump squarely in the pomp and circumstance (the culmination of the parade will be a presentation of a US flag to him) sends a message that the military is being used for personal glorification, not purely to honor the institution.
I note that June 14th is not only Trump’s birthday, but the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the Continental Army. I also note that the United Kingdom and France have military parades too and it’s not that I don’t like them…the flyover for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee brought tears to my eyes.
But during a time of deep political division (especially in my own backyard of Los Angeles), massive budget deficits, and burgeoning national debt, I think the more solemn and appropriate commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Army is to care for veterans rather than to cut their healthcare and subject them to a VA system that is so inefficient…
Nevertheless, the parade will continue as planned and it strikes me one of those inflection points in American history that marks a change…everything has changed under the current regime and as an observer of American history, this seems like the sort of event that might be in history books, especialy if it occurs similateousnly to civil unrest across the country prompted by communities being torn apart by masked men with guns raiding businseses and rounding up folks who far from being crimianls, are essnetial and hardworking members of our communities that make this nation stronger. A dragnet will also catch bad actors too, but surely there must be a better way?
So should I look into last-minute tickets to DC? Should I take my son along? I’m considering it.
Absolutely not. As someone who lives locally, you won’t even find me in town next weekend for all the craziness. As someone with immense respect for you, the fact that you’re even thinking of attending this self-aggrandizing spectacle produced by, and for, our current clown-in-chief is surprising and disheartening.
Did you read what I wrote? It’s precisely because of how bad I view this event that I would consider attending. A fulcrum in US history…
I usually read your posts . Many are informative , and I have learned much from them ; including your generally moderate take .
This time : “… civil unrest … prompted by communities being torn apart masked men with guns raiding businesses and rounding up folks who far from being criminals …”
Corrections : (a) The law enforcement officers with guns are protecting innocent citizens from (b) the Venezuelan gangs who terrorized the innocent citizens in Aurora , Colorado .
The law enforcement officers with guns are our good neighbors , and the Venezuelan gangs want to destroy us .
Fixed it for you . You are welcome .
Why do these thugs have to wear masks? We know why violent protesters wear masks….that’s clear enough. But why do the “good guys” wear masks?
Because of threats to them and their families for doing their job. A job by the way that is taking criminals off the street.
Blame the far let who doesn’t play fair.
Still can’t understand why the mask issue bothers you knowing why they are doing it.
It’s not just the fact that they wear masks, it’s the fact they wear no visible identification or proper uniform, they don no badges or patches to signify their law enforcement affiliation, and use unmarked and even license plate-less vehicles to perform their “duties”. When you add all this to them wearing masks to conceal their faces, it bears an enormous resemblance to unsanctioned militants who storm communities by force. Not something I’d expect to happen in the US.
@Dave: Mike is right. These are Gestapo tactics. The ends do not justify the means.
Facial recognition technology is quite commonplace and it is more and more challenging to protect personally identifiable information. The masks are unfortunate, but I defer to those who put themselves in harmful situations.
The good law enforcement ought also to wear goggles , as well as masks .
When Camel-a praises the “peace-loving” rioters , she has reside from re-fried beans and hot sauce on her , from when they scream slogans whilst eating .
For the same reasons executioners are historically portrayed as having been masked. They are doing the dirty work of others and hope to not take that work home with them.
But, unlike executioners of old, these people are CHOOSING to do this dirty work and doing so in an environment where there are daily attacks on mask wearing for ANY OTHER REASON than concealing the identities of these government thugs.
Well-said.
Alert you haven’t deviated from your xenophobic racist self. There’s over a year in the archives here to prove you are the propaganda spreading paid troll you continue to be.
Yes, I read the entirety of your post. I just fail to see why you would legitimize it by attending, as Erin notes below. We (and many of our local friends) reserved our “dedicated seats” via the event website with no intent of attending in hopes that the bleachers will sit empty and this stupid, self-aggrandizing stunt will go down in history the way most Trump events do: with pathetically small crowd sizes.
Echo is right.
Ignore Trump! Stay home! He wants a riot! Leave streets empty!
Waste of time and money. Skip.
It’s only logical the president wants a parade the weekend following international Pride celebrated in DC.
I fail to see the logic. Unless you’re saying Trump is a homophobe.
No… for all the reasons you pointed out. It’s a ridiculous spectacle we shouldn’t legitimize by attending. I’ll admit… soldiers paratrooping onto the Elipse sounds objectively cool if you ignore everything else. But don’t legitimize this by showing up so he can claim “largest crowd ever” or something.
Please do. not attend—-keep the crowd size as low as possible. The wannabe dictator cannot be given any satisfaction
By giving him/them air we keep giving them power.
I appreciate your reasoning in viewing it from a historical lens, but the pictures won’t show that. Crowds imply support, and if a million “unbiased observers” show up, it will look like a success for the president. It’s no secret that he obsesses over crowd sizes. There will be coverage both on TV and in all kinds of media. I think you should give it a pass.
If you want to attend the Führer’s birthday, don’t forget to wear a Brownshirt or Blackshirt to match the atmosphere.
Sorry your family was broken up. Should have taken the self deportation offer for $1000.
My family is doing very well, thank you for your concern.
I also hope the immigrant who abused you is in jail.
One day you’ll get over it, Racist Dave.
Therapy might work…
Glad to hear, I definitely need some Tacos tomorrow with it being Tuesday and all. And your family makes the best!
OK! A taco with the widest sausage for “El Loco” Dave!
He loves it so much he comes back every day! I think it’s his love for Taco Trump.
But you can’t swallow it whole here in the store like last time, there are kids.
Skip it. As a 31 year old Army veteran, I observed/participated in many parades/ceremonies in my time – they were to honor Soldiers and historic events in the country’s history (and NOT the Army’s birthday in this fashion). This parade? Just a birthday bash, a la Mussolini. What a disgrace.
Visit a veteran’s cemetery instead; lay a flower on any tombstone for those who gave their lives.
if you can see the event as about the country and not the President, then go. If not, stay home.
By that logic, Trump should skip it too. He couldn’t care less about the military or our country. In his mind, this is all about him.
What trk1 said. Don’t go. Unless you support fascism.
I’m an active duty Army and Gulf War veteran, and the thought of this spectacle makes me projectile vomit. The only way I’d attend is with a sniper rifle and laser scope.
Absolutely not. Your logic for attending is illogical. He has no respect for the military, the military doesn’t want to do this parade, there’s no rational reason to support it in any way, including attending, unless one is a racist, fascist, dictator supporting, multiple felon, MAGA. (Sorry for the redundancy, it’s common knowledge that MAGA is synonymous with racist, fascist, dictator supporting, irrational.)
I agree with you, but as a historical matter, I view this as a (sad and unfortunate) turning point in US history. As an observer and witness to history, it’s the sort of thing I would like to see myself, even as I lament it.
Matthew – The problem is that if you attend the parade, regardless of your rationale for being there, you are endorsing *all* of the direct and indirect messaging that will accompany it because Trump *will* take credit personally for each and every attendee being there because of him, not the US military.
I appreciate your fondness for historical events but you should sit this one out.
These are the times when each of us has to declare which side we’re on in the brewing battle for our nation.
Attending does not mean endorsement. You have a US passport, I assume. According to that logic, you support The Donald. Matthew would be supporting knowledge and history. Maybe even the US Army.
I have been to heavily Democratic or Republican states as well as very mixed states. I do not boycott Wyoming or California.
We have different opinions as to whether attending Trump’s birthday parade means endorsement of him. Given that *everyone* knows how important crowd size is to him, each person voluntarily present is giving themselves as an offering to him.
Attending the birthday parade is not the same as boycotting a state (which I don’t do – I’ve been to 39 of them so far, from the bluest of blue states and cities, to the deepest red states and cities, like Oxford, MS for an Ole Miss game). This parade is about one man.
If he hadn’t put the parade on his birthday, I’d actually feel differently.
Holding a US passport is not even remotely analogous. It’s the opposite. The fact that I hold a US passport indicates that I have the absolute right to say that I do not endorse His Trumpiness.
Absolutely not!!!
GO GO GO!!!
Don’t listen to these pathetic excuses for Americans.
Attending is the duty of every patriot!
You might have the vaguest semblance of an argument if the president hadn’t scheduled it for his birthday, an act enacted by monarchs and tyrants. This is a piece of self-aggrandizement veneered with the thinnest layer of support for our military (which I absolutely do). If he had done it on July 4th, that would be different. This is disgusting.
None of us have a *duty* to honor any president. If anything, the duty belongs to the President to honor each and every one of its citizens. A duty that the current president rejects on a daily basis.
How are Larry and Curly?
Personally ashamed that this event is not what was originally planned. Meanwhile the largest grower of tomatoes in south Florida had to plow under 4,000 acres of crops because the migrants are unavailable to pick and process. We have become a nation of extremists and i fear this parade could be the beginning of the end. Reason and good values are missing.
If you want to attend, do so it will be educational and should be safe.
Yes, attend and write trip reports. This is one in a series of national events that you have reported. Nobody does it better. History needs you. (Also helps teach your son life)
Or….stay home and just go to the ongoing “parade” in downtown L.A. It seems there is the same amount of military hardware being “paraded” there. Plus the Marines will be there…Sempre Fi!
No
-Signed, disabled army veteran who thinks this is a disgrace
Thank you for your service!
Nope. Trump would rather spend money on a parade than on cancer researchers at NIH. He also doesn’t respect the rule of law and will probably be the cause of some of catastrophic event.
I know you aren’t in government, but you do realize that Trump has fired/caused federal government workers to leave in droves that one or two people might make the difference between planes not crashing into each other, nuclear material being kept safe, oil spill prevention, epidemic tracking,etc, right?
Trump is no better than Erodogan. He mocks the judiciary and plays with the economy (e.g., Liberation Day) based on his own myopic viewpoints. Don’t give this guy your time nor attention
Well put, I totally agree 100%.
Trump and the MAGA movement and The Republican Party will weaken this country and cause irreversible harm to 90% of Americans.
It’s disheartening to see the fall of a great nation due to a swindler and narcissist who has bankrupted most of any businesses he has a hand in. He will destroy America along with the MAGA idiots too busy watching FOX propaganda and lies
@ Matthew — Please don’t.
If you boycott, are you anti-Army? Do you support the dictatorship in Togo? You went there along with Benin.
It is a historical moment. Your readers are reading. You review good and bad airlines, showing your are a good columnist. Your daughter is almost 5. She will remember if she is taken, too. At 3, often kids don’t remember but they do at nearly 5.
For personal safety reasons I would stay away from that area. This, and the ICE raids in our home city of LA are just to distract our attention away from how weak he is and how unpopular he is. He’s put a target on the DC area for next weekend for some nut to do something crazy. I wouldn’t go anywhere close to it.
The republicans are trying their hardest to turn the USA into a dictatorship and it’s not going to work. Unfortunately, Trump is already using the military on US citizens who are fighting back so we’re just seeing the beginning of the violence on both sides.
This is going to get much worse as long as Trump is alive.
Just stay home, might be more firepower in LA by the end of the week as the left continues to self destruct. The majority of the public is on Trump’s side on this one. Imagine protesting the arrest of the criminals listed from the recent LA raids. The facts don’t lie, they were some bad people, how a city was ok with them living in their community is insane.
Lol, how is the left self destructing? By fighting against fascism?
The one who’s self destructing is the person who feels so weak and small that they are commanding a military parade to attempt to show the world how “strong” they are. What a f$&?ing coward. The world is laughing at the weak fool you morons follow.
Only cowards follow cowards. You don’t have the support of the American people and you know it. This will not end well, and will open the door for true socialists to take power. Good job moron, you are running this country into the ground.
I’m sorry Matthew
If you are in the country illegally you ARE a criminal.
Only criminals are being rounded up
This still is a very watered down version of what Ike did, which was a real illegal alien roundup
Dems are opposed as they know they are losing their illegal votes
Except they are also detaining citizens that they think look illegal. Even the Latinas for Trump founder is calling this inhumane… although I have to laugh at people as dumb as her.
I know you just want them gone so you can finally get that job cleaning toilets you keep losing out on.
If you are going to scream certain people are criminals, please learn something about the law.
Violating immigration laws are just violations of civil laws. That’s why immigration judges just deport people and don’t hold criminal trials. This does make not make them criminals. It makes them violators of civil laws. A jaywalking is an example of a violator of civil laws.
There may be criminal charges of illegal immigration, as opposed to violating immigration law, but they would have to have a jury trial and a prosecutor would have to bring charges
incorrect, Comrade
Illegal entry is a criminal violation
And you need to be convicted of a crime to be a criminal. You don’t believe in due process?
@ Matthew — While the US is fighting its illegal war against the people of California, I think it would be in very poor taste to attend this disgusting parade.
Illegal! War! Hilarious, thanks for making my day Geno!
Maybe we should make it a real war and have the police start defending themselves as rocks are thrown at them and they are spit upon by savages.
THIS is your party lefty and it’s losing the PR battle for the heart of Anerica. And comments like yours are causing it, please pull some more stuff out of your rear!
They are just tourists that got lost on the way to the capital
The fact you are even considering attending speaks volumes about yourself!
I always loved this picture of August Landmesser:
https://images.csmonitor.com/csm/2015/07/918517_1_0701-august-landmesser_standard_1.jpg?alias=standard_900x600nc
We live in a nuanced world. Learn to lean into that.
Read the list of criminals arrested in the DHS post. Child Molesters, rapists, murderers and other fine people.
How Karen Bass can stand there with a straight face and say they don’t need ICE in her city is unbelievable. Now busloads of “protesters” coming in from Portland and Seattle on someone’s dime.
It’s another losing issue for the left, seeing the videos of fires and the graffiti of “Kill ICE”, “Death to Cops”, etc all over. The left can deny they support these actions but they are stuck with them.
Truly a glorious time to be alive in America. And the S&P is up again and a great deal with China is coming. Only elite liberals and criminals have any problem with what Trump is doing.
“Read the list of criminals arrested in the DHS post. Child Molesters, …” I didn’t know that POTUS had been arrested.
Again, comments like this are why your party is getting destroyed by the public in every poll and survey.
And when I see it posted here on what is mostly “upscale” individuals you know the rich leftists really are losing it.
The only question is why? Hatred of one man can’t explain it all, can it?
You support a child molester. Even Elon Musk knows the truth
“Child Molesters, rapists, murderers and other fine people.’
I would expect nothing less from you, Dave Edwards, to refer to them all as “fine people.” It’s clear you found a home
By attending and swelling the crowd you are endorsing the president.
Same with the current riots in LA, you attend, you endorse.
So, by choosing not to attend you’re thereby dismissive of the Army? I’d be happy to attend but I’m a disabled Army veteran with limited mobility. You’re not welcome for my service.
Benedict Arnold served in the army too. We aren’t thankful for his service either
Dad and older brother serviced in WWII & Vietnam respectively.
I doubt each would be too proud of this parade.
Go to this one instead:
https://www.findaprotest.info/event/mountain-home/2ab0304e-8ae4-4936-baf2-5e99064c198c
Fly to XNA or SGF, then drive.
I vote you take a trip to Mogadishu instead. Would be more fun.
Tangerine Brezhnev will put on a great show. Take the whole family! The kids will always remember seeing Trump standing on his podium surveilling his mighty kingdom, as he emulates histories most revered and inspirational world leader such as Joseph Stalin, Kim Jong Il, Mao Tse Tung, Augusto Pinochet, and Idi Amin, just to name a few.
I live in Arlington and do not intend to attend. It rather has ick written all over it. But I will make no assumptions about people who choose to attend.
Should you make the trip, track me down and I will get you a coffee.
You can probably get cheap fares into DCA.
Just wait for the 300th Birthday … 3 centuries would make it worthwhile … even though this might be a notable event.
PLEASE do NOT go. Stay home and join the protest marches. This clown didn’t call out the Guard on Jan 6 which was much more violent. He called it out now because he is a racist, power hungry pig. DO NOT SUPPORT this waste of our money and time
I think you are right that it is a historic and likely transition point in our history. Whether we like it or not, Trump has significantly altered our country’s trajectory and perception globally for the worse. You’ve shown that you seek to be there to support the idea of our democracy and have done it for all inaugurations and such, which is admirable.
That said, given the climate in America and what you’re seeing play out in LA, I don’t think it’s a wise decision. Trump and his hamfisted thugs are looking for any opportunity to erode our rights and take us farther into fascism. The use of the national guard in LA is an attempt to provoke an opportunity for this and I see no difference with this march. It will certainly be protested and the likelihood of it turning violent is high.
Will the troops be carrying ammunition? Will they remain calm in the face of protestors screaming at them? What happens when agitators (not protestors) start throwing things? Not worth it. Spend your time at local history museum instead. There’s far more to be learned there for you and your son.
You provided sufficient rationale in your comments on the parade to persuade anyone why attending would be a bad idea. This completely unnecessary, overpriced, jingoistic display of self glorification at the taxpayers’ expense, in the style of communist dictators is bound to attract the MAGA faithful as well as those bent on showing their disapproval for America’s wannabe dictator. What could possibly go wrong? I that you would even consider exposing your son to this potentially volatile situation boggles the mind!
Wow, this really brought the deranged Trump haters out from under their rocks!
Hopefully they remove all the stairs along with the ramps. Trump seems to have trouble with them now too
Thank you for showing why he shouldn’t go.
Far better to attend one of the thousands of NoKings protests going on that day (https://www.nokings.org/) which will have many scheduled in LA. That is something you should bring your children to, as I will be doing the same. Let me also state as an LA native and current resident who went through the city at length yesterday, this entire situation manifested itself and is being inflamed by an unprecedented abuse of power by the “regime”. NO ONE is supporting the bad actors who glom onto peaceful protests with their own violent and anarchistic agenda. LA is not burning, the city continues to function, and these heavy-handed tactics are infringing on legitimate and Constitutionally protected forms of expression.
This is just the start. The monster brewing has been poked too much. I predicted exactly this scenario. Trump will threaten to withhold Government funds. Newsom will in turn threaten to withhold federal taxes. The streets will start to erupt. Trump will send in the military. The streets will erupt more.
“Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.”
Meanwhile, in DC, a military parade to honor Trump will attempt to promote his great power. In fact, it will just poke the monster more. Civil war is coming. He has left the country no other choice.
Putin is laughing. No need for his involvement , while we dismantle our Constitution and destroy each other over manufactured lies from a man that can only rule with fear.
“far from being criminals”
Yer, except they entered the country illegally, making them illegal immigrants, That’s a crime isn’t it?
By the way… Trump is making the troops sleep on the floor. Shows just how little he respects the military… even beyond thinking they are suckered and losers
https://x.com/GavinNewsom/status/1932154802773045538
Nice. What a surprise…
Did you edit your OP on this parade? I thought you called it a lot of things in line with what it is, but now you think of going. That’s endorsement and contradicts all you have said. You do you, Matthew, but expect a lot of flack, which is deserved. Period. And IF (I cannot recall, and it’s not showing) you sanitized this piece, then you are really deceiving yourself. (https://liveandletsfly.com/trump-military-parade-dca/)
I didn’t edit anything…
Honestly, the knee jerk is to imagine this with Matthew. However it is far more complex. While not a journalist in a classic sense, why would you judge him any differently than a reporter for any agency or news source not to be there to report and write about what is seen? Will you call a reporter from the Des Moines Register (who probably has less readers than Matthew) a traitor for going?
People who have a voice and an audience should be there. They should tell us what they see. They should be allowed an opportunity to express their particular insights to the atmosphere or history that is made for others to read and learn from.
Matty gets his clicks.
This post got a lot of comments! Nice Matt!
It is no wonder that this post is receiving a massive amount of attention and misunderstanding of what you have written. I think you have to ask yourself this question. If by attending, you are contributing to Trump’s narrative as well as adding to his frequent use of “what aboutism,” whitewashing history (remember Jan 6th?), and national gaslighting? And for those who are saying you should attend, how likely would they have felt the same way if by chance it was a Dem President whose birthday was on the same day as the Army’s 250th? We have a big tradition on not doing military only parades except in the rarest of circumstances (VE, VJ, Gulf War Version 1.0) for good reason. I think it was Mattis who famously said the US Military does not do “stunts” and that is what this parade really is. I invite all who say this should be done and are happy to wave their made in China Maga hats, to take their next monthly donation and send it to various Wounded Warrior foundations. Mathew, perhaps the real lesson for your son is that in times like we are experience now, small act add up. Take your son to your local VFW Hall and buy a round of Pizzas or something along those lines. I bet he will remember that more than standing on some asphalt road watching something being played out for an ego maniac.
No, and why? But I am appalled at the forum of hatred you created. All I hope for is some decent review of airlines and hotels. Stay in you lane!
Just like silence is often support or agreement or complicity, attendance at something like this cannot be seen in any way other than support for Trump. And why give him 1 more reason to brag afterwards about “the biggest crowd in the history of the universe”?
Trump is a compulsive serial liar, flip-flopping, pathologic toxic narcissist, probably psychopathic, arrogant, sanctimonious, psychological projecting, multiply convicted felon, multiply guilty of fraud, serial sexual abuser, completely corrupt, unintelligent, stupid, racist, conspiracy theory embracing, authoritarian, fascist, nasty, bully with 50 years multiply documented proof for each of those allegations, without an ounce of integrity or honesty or a single redeeming quality. Every one of his policies, according to all objective opinions, are ultimately detrimental to the best interests of the country. He and his policies are fundamentally indefensible.
The members of his administration only support him for power and fame, purely transactional, most of them years ago wrote or spoke in opposition to him. His supporters are just as stupid and gullible and racist as he is and they prove with every utterance to be the actual sufferers of Trump Derangement Syndrome. He said it himself after his first primary victory in 2016 “I love the poorly educated” which clearly applies to street smarts and book smarts and the vast majority of his ilk. It’s unfortunate and sad and pathetic that the rest of us have to suffer the consequences of their stupidity.
Even a reformed Nazi 80 years ago could sum up Trumps strategy of today, German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1946, postwar):
First they came for the Communists, And I did not speak out, Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists, And I did not speak out, Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists, And I did not speak out, Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews, And I did not speak out, Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me, And there was no one left, To speak out for me
(First they came for the Liberals, And I did not speak out, Because I was not a Liberal
Then they came for the Undocumented, And I did not speak out, Because I was not an Undocumented
Then they came for the Poor People, And I did not speak out, Because I was not a Poor Person
Then they came for the Non-Christians, And I did not speak out, Because I was not a Non-Christian
Then they came for me, And there was no one left, To speak out for me)
So Matthew, have you made a decision? If so, what?
THIS I gotta’ see on TV. So will Putin and Kim Jong, who will be watching on satellite TV, and will be proud of Trump joining in the lines of authoritarianism….
Click. One more, Matthew.
Hey, since you’re a political commentator, you might want to apply for a senior position at ABC News. I hear there’s a job opening there.
All I can say is that I am glad you are clearly seeing everything that is happening, and plainly describing it, not shying away from the implications.
As Cassian Andor would say, welcome to the rebellion.
Protesting crowds, risk of tear gas and rubber bullets. No thanks> You’ll see it all on TV.
Go for it. Fly out to IAD or DCA and then take Greyhound back and really see America!
Long time reader without account, but here are my two cents:
I sure as hell will not go and I do not want to legitimize this event with my presence.
However, I think you can and should go. It is the task of journalists (and this includes bloggers) to report on the world as it is and to offer their commentary.
I think I sometimes disagree with your views, but your views are typically nuanced – which I appreciate.
In consequence, I believe we (your readership) benefit from you going to the parade and reporting on it.
Appreciate this, Max…and this sums up my view as well…but it’s now Thursday and there is so much going on that I cannot possibly make it on Saturday.