when all else stumbles, have a parade

The obvious is easy enough ... you know, the big and important news stories. But the flimsy and whimsical and times-changers -- they're the ones to be careful of from where I sit.

Eg.:

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has asked the Pentagon to plan a grand parade of the U.S. armed forces in Washington this year to celebrate military strength, officials said Tuesday.
The Washington Post, which was first to report the plan, said Trump wants an elaborate parade this year with soldiers marching and tanks rolling, but no date has been selected.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the request Tuesday evening. She said Trump wants the Pentagon to “explore a celebration” that will allow Americans to show appreciation for the military.t

It feels as if Trump were playing catch-up with Russia:

Or China:

Or North Korea:

When peace cannot generate the requisite applause and satisfaction, play the war card.

Jingo bells,
Jingo bells,
Jingo all the way!

President Donald Trump will propose $716 billion in defense spending in his fiscal 2019 budget request, a [sic] 7.2 percent from his request for this year that backs the Pentagon’s push for a major buildup, a U.S. official said.