SWORDLESS SAILORS
"Graduating midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are being told in writing to leave at home or in their vehicles all "ceremonial swords" and anything else "that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners" for Friday's outdoor commencement ceremonies featuring an address by President Barack Obama.
"Inside the Beltway has obtained the academy's list of prohibited items for this year's graduation exercises, which, besides ceremonial swords, includes umbrellas.
"Yes, cell phones and texting are still allowed."
I don't think my friend will mind if I pass along his point of view. I'm sure a lot of veterans share it--
"Full Dress White includes "wear sword". More to the point ... those badges of office have been earned in a manner that the current administration just wouldn't begin to understand. Important traditions that inspire are kind of lost on this crowd, apparently.
"Further, ceremonial swords never seemed to bother the Secret Service for any previous President, and before World War II, the swords were not always even considered particularly 'ceremonial'. Those swords were worn not just to graduation, but to Inaugurations, in the receiving line at the White House afterward, to the Inaugural Ball. Somehow nobody gave it a second thought. Somehow even Presidents in the past didn't presume to specify items of uniform.
"But of course, what worked for Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan, F.D.R., the Bushes, T.R., any other rational non-cult leader ... doesn't work for this former state senator anointed by the Chicago machine.
"Does he secretly consider our Naval and Military leaders 'the enemy'? Even 'Slick Willie' didn't specify swords were not to be worn?"