And So, it Goes...

"And so, it goes" is a recurring, iconic phrase in Kurt Vonnegut's novel Slaughterhouse-Five, serving as a dark, fatalistic, and sometimes absurdist commentary on the randomness of death, especially during wartime, and the resulting desensitization to violence.  The death could be of a human, of a pet, of a plant, or a democratic republic.

When the President walked into the room at Quantico on Tuesday, there was no applause, just silence.  In the President’s own words, he described what he witnessed.  “I've never walked into a room so silent … Have a good time. And if you want to applaud, you applaud ... If you don't like what I'm saying, you can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future. but you just feel nice and loose.”  This, according to MSNBC producer Kyle Griffith.

I’m wondering what the President thought the reaction of the audience to be.  The discipline of approximately 800 of the most senior military officers of the United States Armed Forces was on full display.  The military is to be APOLITICAL.  The officers sat in their chairs, with great posture as one would expect, in full dress uniform.  As Gen. Douglas MacArthur called what the President witnessed over 70 years ago during his farewell address in 1951, …”Duty, Honor, Country”.  General Milley would be proud.

Maybe that was lost on the President.  Maybe he doesn’t understand “Duty, Honor, Country”.  Maybe the President doesn’t understand the sacrifices these “lifers” in the military have willfully given.   Maybe the President has confused discipline for personal loyalty.  Maybe the President expects loyalty to his person, instead of the country and Constitution.

As it was, President Trump gave a meandering speech that often focused on his familiar grievances.  He spoke for over an hour, delivering remarks that may have put people to sleep, but was wildly partisan in terms of content.  He repeatedly bashed Democrats and the free press guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, calling them “sleezebags” and “really corrupt,” respectively.

In the President’s address, he indicated he believed the real enemy of the United States, was, the “enemy within.”  The President said he had told Sec. Hegseth certain cities of the United States should be the training grounds for the military.  Journalist Phillip Bump wrote Trump said “We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military – national guard, but military – because we’re going into Chicago very soon, that’s a big city with an incompetent governor.”  A published account from “The Hill” stated, “They’re very unsafe places, and we’re going to straighten them out one by one,” Trump said. “And this is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room. That’s a war, too. It’s a war from within.”

Really?  That sounds to me the President is indicating waging war against citizens of the United States.  I will not use or throw around the term “traitor”.  I will not accuse the President being unhinged.  What I will suggest is the President is drunk with power.  An old cliché I remember from long ago is, “The secret of using power is not to abuse it.”  Maybe the President, along with the rest of his administration should, as Stephen Covey has written, “…understand before being understood”.

The President also made comments about recently built Naval vessels.  Once again, from Phillip Bump, "Trump notes than in World War II they were building a ship a day but we don't build ships anymore. Does he … not realize that the military needs of 2025 are different than those of 1945?"  OR, does he not know how long it takes to build a naval vessel?  Did the President or his speech writers(?) research or talk to anyone in the ship building business?  I don’t think so…
 
Just to be clear, during World War II, the time it took to build a warship varied dramatically depending on the vessel's size, complexity, and the shipyard's efficiency.  The United States, using mass-production techniques, developed the fastest shipbuilding practices in history.  The U.S. implemented standardized, prefabricated designs and assembly-line construction to build massive numbers of ships in a very short time. 
 
These large and complex vessels required more traditional construction methods, resulting in longer build times. 

• Battleships: The powerful Iowa-class battleships took years to complete. For example, the USS New Jersey was under construction from 1940 to 1943, a period of just under three years.
• Fleet Aircraft Carriers: The famous Essex-class carriers had a wartime average construction time of 18 to 20 months, with the fastest being completed in about 15 months. The USS Midway, a Midway-class carrier, was built in just 17 months.
• Submarines: Construction times for U.S. submarines varied by shipyard, ranging from 9 to 24 months

On the same day as the Quantico meeting, no progress was made on a Continuing Resolution aimed at keeping the government afloat and open.  At the present time, we have a government shut down.  Neither side is willing to address the abyss between the two party’s leaders.  As one would suspect the blame game is in full force for people to see.  The Republicans are claiming the Democrats want money to insure undocumented citizens.  The Democrats are saying the Republicans wanted to pass the Continuing Resolution to fund the government, and afterwards, discuss could be had regarding insurance to include Medicare, ACA, and Medicaid.  

To fully understand who may and who may not be insured I have included the following:

Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for federal health insurance programs, but may have options for coverage and care through state programs, emergency Medicaid, and community health centers.
 
Federal restrictions
Undocumented immigrants are barred from federal programs, including: 

• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace: They cannot purchase subsidized health insurance through the federal or state marketplaces.
• Medicaid and Medicare: They do not qualify for comprehensive Medicaid or Medicare coverage.
• Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): They are not eligible for CHIP. 

The finger pointing needs to stop and compromise must be found.  The two parties must sit and discuss their issues.  And, it is apparent the President will say yes or no to any compromise.  The “ball” is in the politician’s court; do the work of the people.  Or, continue to put the nation at risk.

With all due respect to Vonnegut…“And so, it goes “.