Sit Rep 5 November 2025

 My spirit was willing to go to DC every day of the current five-day protest event.

 Alas, the flesh was weak.

 Yesterday I got off Metro at Union Station to check in on the 24x7 veterans’ protest, then walked to the Washington Monument for the main event. Hung out there for a couple of hours, got a hot dog, then joined the march to the Capitol. All in all I had a great time.

 My feet did not.

 Today is a maintenance day so I’ll be ready to go tomorrow when the focus of activity will be the Supreme Court, which will conference at 9:00 to decide whether to take the case that could reverse the decision that made gay marriage legal in all fifty states. There’s a veterans’-related event on Sunday but the details (when, where, what) are TBA, which means my participation is TBD. It kills me to say it, but I have reached an age where how I’m going to feel physically after an event has to factor into my decision whether or not to participate.

 Yesterday’s key takeaways:

 ·       I saw a lot more people of color than I have in the past. This can only be a good thing. I understand Black and brown folks place themselves at much more risk than I do at such an event, but they also have a lot more to lose. If they’re safe anywhere, it’s surrounded by several thousand people who they can be sure have their backs.

·       The speakers need to take some public speaking lessons. Ranting to a crowd that already agrees with you and is motivated enough to come out doesn’t do much. Repeatedly chanting, “Trump must go!” doesn’t move the ball. Tell us how you intend to do it.

·       Two notable exceptions: the DC congressional delegate and a college student who came in from Connecticut. Both were eloquent and inspiring, especially the student. I forgot my notebook so I don’t have their names, but this young man may be someone to keep an eye on.

·       I made a point along the march to thank all the groups of cops we passed, whether Metro, Park, or Capitol. Without exception they smiled and nodded. There was no friction between the protestors and law enforcement.

·       I came across a retired Army Master Sergeant in full dress blues, hash marks to his elbow, and enough medals to make him list to the left were he not such a formidable man. I thanked him for coming out, as presences such as his refute the arguments made by MAGgots about the protestors better than any verbal exchange. His reply: “I’m right where I’m needed: where the fight is.” He carried a large “Fuck Trump” flag near the head of the entire march.

·                I came to realize “Foxtrot Delta Tango” is used as a military identifier. The Beloved Spouse™ bought me a shirt with that embroidered on it; I wore it yesterday. On my way to the Mall a gentleman passed me. Without preamble he asked, “Which branch?”

“Regular Army.”

“Marines. Have a good day.”

“Hoo-rah, Marine.”

He smiled.

·       One excellent speech had its message ripped out when the speaker compared the non-violent protests we’re seeing now to the abolition movement and how their non-violent protests got slavery abolished. Had I encountered her later I would have reminded her of that whole Civil War thing.

·       A regular speaker at Refuse Fascism events is an avowed Communist who openly says he wants not only to take down Trump, but the whole “inherently corrupt system.” I ‘m all in on the anti-fascist aspects, but the oath I swore that keeps me motivated against Trump also prevents me from wanting anything to do with this guy, as I firmly believe the Constitution is fine; it’s the people executing it who are fucked up. With that in mind, I think of World War 2, where we had to partner with the Soviet Union to defeat fascism. We need to work together to defeat Turmp, then the speaker and I can go back to Cold War-ing each other.

 I’d like to do more, but I also realize physical limitations imposed by age, as well as personality issues prohibit a lot of things. (I’m not a joiner and have little patience for meetings. Decide what needs to be done and I’ll decide whether I’m in or not.) That said, I’ll be there tomorrow, I’ll be there in a couple of weeks when the next wave of protests hits, I’ll continue to write to my elected officials, I’ll forward confirmed news, and I’ll send money when I can.