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 they 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.                 

Filipino Veterans

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It's almost midnight my time and I just got home from the airport. These pictures were edited on the plane.

At one point on Sunday afternoon I was shooting around the intersection of Hollywood and Highland in LA when this parade came down the street. I asked one of the marchers what it was about. The details weren't clear but it had something to do with Filipinos who fought for the US - in World War II, I think - being denied American military veterans' benefits. But there can hard to be any of those people still alive. Maybe I missed something. Good opportunity for street portraits, if nothing else.

Bikers For America

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There were an awful lot of motorcycles at the veterans parade last weekend. Nearly all of them were Harley Davidsons, machines that have become a cult in this country. Think back to Peter Fonda in Easy Rider. There seems to be a certain style that goes with riding one, albeit with variations. Almost all the drivers wore black leather outer clothing. Some were well tailored and clean cut. Others looked tattered and tough, favoring bandanas tied around their heads and lots of facial hair.

Speaking of the Fonda family, look closely at the bottom picture. The patch on the rider's right hip says "Jane Fonda American Traitor Bitch." Sheesh, let it go. The Vietnam War was more than 40 years ago. And, um, people can sincerely hold different viewpoints, right?

Apologies for not leaving any comments yesterday. Long day at work (they all are) and then spent the evening doing something different. I am a participant in a long-term study of personality and its effects on aging at the psychology department at Washington University, one of the country's most prestigious centers of higher education. (Recall that I went to that other university across town.) Every year or two they have me over for three hours of interviews and testing. I hope I skew the bell shaped curve.

Thursday Arch Series

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Another one from the veterans welcome home parade. I tried putting a little fill flash on the people in the foreground shadows. However, I forgot that the word on the back of the officer's jacket is reflectorized. You really can't tell in daylight. So watch out. No lawlessness or disorder allowed on Market Street. Flag waving is okay.

Paint It...What?

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No patriotic parade is complete without a marching band. But look carefully at the flip-chart sheet music of the horn player above. It's the Rolling Stones Paint It Black, not exactly flag waving and not at all marchable unless you try to force a square peg into a round hole. Sheesh, that song was popular when I was in high school. The tempo is much too fast for marching and, anyway, the Stones' original version, although in 4/4 time, is built on bars made of four fast doublets (listen to Charley Watts rhythm on the drums). The trombonists would trip on their slides. However, by the time the band was stepping down Market Street it was John Philip Sousa all the way. That was just right.

I think I'm going to do theme day for a change tomorrow with an animal shot from the parade.

NOTE TO LOCAL READERS: it's only a few days until our national festival of beer, guacamole dip and giant screen televisions. Oh, and some event in which behemoths repeatedly damage one another's brains. For 25 or 30 years Mrs. C and I have had our own private Stupid Bowl party. We are horrified by the way American football destroys players' bodies and minds for the sake of money and spectacle. We always go out to dinner during the game. If the restaurant is open, you can have your pick of tables and most attentive service. Any like-minded St. Louisans who might care to join us can email me. We have a few choices in under consideration.

Paul Says Welcome Home, Too

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Paul Pagano is a St. Louis institution. He's 88 or 89 now and goes by the nickname Father Time. STL DPB has featured him before (check out the sign on his back in the second photo.) I have memories of Paul driving around downtown at public events, particularly opening day of the baseball season, in an old bus completely covered with red, white and blue patriotic slogans. He had a loudspeaker on top blaring Kate Smith singing God Bless America.

Pagano often walked around at occasions like the German street festival seen in the link above, covered with signs. I never saw the man without a smile on his face. It's been a while since I've spotted him and I wondered how he was doing. He may be a bit more frail now but the attitude is unchanged.

Below, a family welcomes its sailor back.

Welcome Home

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Something unusual happened downtown yesterday, a parade. Parades are commonplace, but this was the first and so far only ceremony welcoming home our men and women in uniform now that our national adventure in Iraq is over. Whatever you think of President Bush's eruption into the land where there were no WMDs (and it leaves me shaking my head), Americans appreciate the risks and effort undertaken by our armed forces. What a difference from when I was a young man and our soldiers came home from Vietnam to be met with scorn.

Two guys dreamed this up over coffee just a few weeks ago. They started a Facebook page. Money and help poured in. Even MSNBC, the cable channel for left wing political rant in this country (you know, the one we watch - none of that Rupert Murdoch claptrap in this house) urged everyone to turn out. Thousands of people lined Market Street for the event. We will have more scenes over the next few days. Good video from NBC News here.