LOSERS AND SUCKERS

In 2018, Donald Trump canceled a visit to the American World War I cemetery outside Paris. It was raining, and he claimed his helicopter could not fly there and the Secret Service would not drive him. Both statements were false; there are indications that the rain would have messed his hair. The visit wasn’t worth it to him, as he characterized the fallen soldiers as suckers and losers. Trump denied making the statements but there were witnessed, including the retired four star Marine general who was then his chief of staff. Several veterans at the No Trump rally still take offense.                 

VISION

I am so proud of this woman, out at the demonstration with perhaps her son helping her, expressing her conscience. Hard to see at this resolution, but her shirt has a face known to most Americans, Smokey the Bear (only you can prevent forest fires or, more recently, only you can prevent fascist liars). The bear wears mirrored sunglasses, reflecting the desert in one lens and mountains in the other. The word RESIST is  written across the hat. Hooray for her.            

ACCORDING TO MARK TWAIN

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.

Another image from the No Kings demonstration in downtown St. Louis. It was scheduled to go from 2 to 5. I got there at 1:30 as a brief shower broke out. By 2:45 Kiener Plaza was very crowded, my old creaky spine was wearing out and I was soaked in perspiration. I left but people continued to stream in. Only the next day did I learn that thousands more arrived and began a march many blocks long along the adjacent main avenue. I missed it but it’s a consequence of getting old.

And by the way, Mr. Twain, it doesn’t.                      

 

 

NO KINGS

There were at least six No Kings rallies around the metro area yesterday but the big one was downtown. I got there early and Kiener Plaza was already busy. By 40 minutes after the official starting time it was so crowded I could hardly get a clear shot, yet people were still streaming in. As of late Saturday night I have not seen an estimate of the number of people but it must have been well over a thousand. More to come.                 

QUEEN OF THE ROLLER DERBY

Possibly a last pic from Circus Flora, pending what happens at today's No Kings demonstration in downtown St. Louis. It’s hard to see at this resolution, but there is a sturdy strap around the man’s neck that wraps low on the back of the woman’s head. I was able to use a fast shutter speed to freeze this but just looking at it was a blur. 

This afternoon should be interesting.                   

NO NET

America’s first family of acrobats and aerialists, The Flying Wallendas, joins Circus Flora every June. The act included both a generation older and younger than what we see here. Rough estimate is that these three were +/- 30 feet / 10 meters off the floor, with nothing but their skill to protect them.

I need to do at least one more day of circus images. There are No Kings rallies planned in every city in the U.S. on Saturday, and I plan to cover the one in downtown St. Louis.                   

DOGS AND FRISBEES

One of the reasons we go to Circus Flora year after year is because granddaughter Ellie loves animals (particularly her somewhat indolent tabby cat, Gizmo). Whether it’s dogs, horses, goats, rabbits or you name it, she loves them all. I’ve seen dogs catching frisbees before, but never with such choreographed precision.