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06/12/2025

Today’s blog

Lynn Murphy Mark

“No fat soldiers”

This is a phrase from 47’s handlers as they set up a photo op with a group of military people at Fort Bragg . I’m pretty sure they were all men, given that women are not fit to serve these days. The instructions also stated that attendees at the event should be soldiers who approved of 47’s administration and policies. In other words, create the perfect environment for a display of loyalty to the commander in chief. I can’t even put those three words in caps… 

“No fat soldiers”. This is the perfect example of my new word, Kayfabe. It means the portrayal of staged events, narratives and characters as real. It’s a term from the world of wrestling which, as we all know, is the only honest sport left. After all, the head of WWE is our secretary of education. I don’t watch commercial wrestling because I have no interest in such a ridiculous undertaking, and because I know that it is all acting and optics.

“No fat soldiers”. Everything about 47 has to do with optics. The ridiculously expensive and destructive military parade to be held the day after tomorrow is all about showing a display of power that is meant to reflect the strength of 47 and his minions. I won’t be watching but I will be in South County at a No Kings protest with a few friends. Got my signs ready and everything. (The organizers of this protest project that more than a thousand people will line Lindbergh’s sidewalks. There are instructions going around as to what to do if there are disruptors or hecklers that approach protesters. There are directions for where to park, how to respect the businesses that face Lindbergh, how to protest peacefully and respectfully, and not block any part of the street.) 

“No fat soldiers”. Back to presidential optics. It seems the lower his approval rating goes the more panicked 47 becomes and the more he needs to throw his weight around. Oh, maybe there should be an executive order titled, “no fat presidents”. Anyway, a Fort Bragg commander said, “This has been a bad week for the Army, for anyone who cares about us being a neutral institution. This was shameful. I don’t expect anything to come of it, but I hope we can learn from it long-term”. The military is to remain non-political, except when 47 needs to create an opportunity to show his macho-ness. 

“No fat soldiers”. In another violation of military regulations, there was a vendor outside the venue selling MAGA merchandise. Honest to God. Inside, soldiers booed and jeered, going along with 47’s highly partisan speech. When questioned about the appropriateness of the event, the Pentagon accused the questioners of “a disgraceful attempt to ruin the lives of young soldiers.” More evidence that the Kool-Aid is flowing freely around 47’s administration.

In other news, yesterday I was at Busch stadium with a friend watching the Blue Jays have their way with the Cardinals. It was a perfect day for baseball except my team didn’t show up. It was good to be in a crowd of people who were not talking politics. For all I know, the nice man seated next to me might have been a MAGA follower, but for a few peaceful hours we were just ordinary people watching our national pastime. That felt good.