Coming Attractions

 On a visit to our local cinema recently, I was reminded of the excitement generated by the trailers that are shown before the feature. It's a part of the movie-going experience that never gets old to me. My wife and I look at one another after each two minute reel unfolds in front of us, and we make secret agreements to return to the theater, "Ooo. I want to see that." Or occasionally, "I can skip that one." In many ways these introductory moments provide an agenda for the coming months. What sort of entertainment awaits us?

In the past I have had a similar feeling when summer approaches. Anticipating all the stops on my June calendar provide me with things for which I can look forward: The release from the daily grind of school. My sister-in-law's birthday. Father's Day. My own birthday. And thanks to a good friend's penchant for the arcane, Flag Day. 

Yes, June 14 sits on my schedule of events as the anticipatory week before the day of my birth and a reminder that we as a nation have a symbol in common. Celebrating is as simple as putting the flag out and then remembering to bring it back in at sunset. No big barbecues or need to invite friends over. Just a quiet celebration of our nation without all those fireworks in just a few weeks. 

And now that's spoiled because one of the planet's biggest egos requires that his birthday becomes some monstrous fete with marching troops and rolling tanks. Picture the streets of North Korea or Russia when their dictators demand a show of military might, but without a trace of irony on the Orange Clown's part. Not satisfied with sending three thousand troops into Los Angeles to pick a fight with peaceful protestors after the police department there had done a fine job of misusing their authority, the convicted felon now demands that his troops perform for him in a very public celebration of his declining years. 

A celebration fit for a king. 

As with the summer of 2020 as millions died from a pandemic the adjudicated rapist saw fit to ignore and the country rose up to remind us all that Black Lives Matter, the fool in the White House seems more than content to let our cities become immersed in conflict and struggle. The plans I had for a quiet, relaxing summer are gone. All those celebrations I had anticipated will be put to the side. 

It's time to fight the power. 

As Spike Lee reminded us, "Do the right thing." That's not a coming attraction, necessarily. It's more of a revival.