Thoughts for the Day, Memorial Day, 2025: Did you hug a veteran today?

A Memorial Day Poem

William H. McRaven is a retired naval officer which was published in The Atlantic today.

I remember the heat.
A dry, suffocating torrent.
The blazing, burning sun
baking the tarmac.
No clouds, no trees,
just a furnace of hate.
I feel the hate.
I remember the heat.

I remember the dust.
Filling our nostrils, caking our mouths.
It rained from the sky
and rose from the ground.
With every turn of the tire
and step of the foot there was dust.
Dust, everywhere dust.

I remember the heaviness.
The helmet pressing on my head,
the armor squeezing my chest.
I remember the weight of life and death
at the end of our guns.

I remember the fear.
Aboard the eight-wheeled coffin,
surrounded by a thin shield of steel.
The fear of the streets.
The fear of the smiling people.
The fear of no return.

I remember their faces.
So young and so stoic.
Why couldn’t they have been old men?
Not the young.
Not the young who would never grow old.
I remember their faces.
I cannot forget their faces.

I remember the loss.
The searing pain of the unfilled boots,
the solemn speeches,
the lowered ramp and the flag-draped coffin.
A hole so deep in my heart
only God could fill it.

I remember the letters.
Written again, and again,
and again, and again.
When will the letters stop?
Why were they so young and stoic
and brave and caring?
What will I say this time?

I remember the sorrow.
The sound of “Taps” on the hillside
covered with the graves of heroes.
A tearful widow, a weeping child,
a folded flag.
I remember the sorrow
so clearly.

Their shadows grow dim
and I fight to remember.
Their stories grow old
and I must fight to remember.

They gave everything.
The least I can do is remember.
I remember. I must remember.
I must always remember.

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The Dangers of Exempting the Executive Branch from Contempt of Court Charges

The “Big beautiful bill” as Trump calls it has a provision that enhances Trump’s desire to become a dictator. It is straight out of the authoritarian handbook. The provision, snuck in the bill, exempts the president and his administration from contempt of court charges. Here is the wording in the bill.

"No court of the United States may use appropriated funds to enforce a contempt citation for failure to comply with an injunction or temporary restraining order if no security was given when the injunction or order was issued pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c), whether issued prior to, on, or subsequent to the date of enactment of this section."

But what does that mean?

It appears to be an attempt to restrict the judiciary's ability to enforce its rulings. While it is incredibly broad in scope, it seems aimed at rendering recent court orders against President Trump regarding the deportations of lawful immigrants in the U.S. without due process unenforceable.

The first part of the provision deals with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 65(c). When seeking an injunction or a temporary restraining order, the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require a federal judge to determine whether a bond is needed. This is so that if the injunction harms the defendant, they can recoup their losses if they win the case.

Usually, the bond requirement is waived when a plaintiff alleges a constitutional violation by the U.S. government. Otherwise, it could be hard for many plaintiffs to challenge government laws and actions as unconstitutional.

In the recent deportation cases of Kilmar Abrego Garcia which the Trump administration has frustrated judges with the administration’s lack compliance with the judges’ order, no security bond was obtained. Federal District Court Judge James Baosberg found the Trump administration in contempt of court for failing to follow his orders to stop deporting Venezuelan immigrants to CECOT.

Should the Big Beautiful Bill pass as written by the House, Judge Boasberg's contempt order would be unenforceable because of the bill’s retroactive provision.

Through Trump’s control of the Republican members of the House, Trump can push through bills which strengthen the executive branch at the expense of the legislative and judicial branches. This action by Trump and his cohorts in the House is straight out of the authoritarian handbook.

Why is this important? Here are my thoughts.

In a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law, no individual or branch of government should be above legal accountability. If the executive branch were exempt from contempt of court charges, it would pose a significant threat to the balance of power and the integrity of the judicial system. Such immunity would erode the principle that the law applies equally to all and would undermine the judiciary’s ability to enforce lawful orders, particularly in cases involving executive overreach or abuse of power.

Contempt of court is a vital mechanism that ensures compliance with judicial rulings and protects the authority of the courts. It applies to individuals and institutions that obstruct the legal process, defy court orders, or show blatant disrespect for the court’s function. If the executive branch were immune from these consequences, it could ignore court rulings with impunity, setting a dangerous precedent. This undermines judicial review, a cornerstone of checks and balances, and weakens the judiciary’s role as a counterweight to executive power.

Historically, the courts have played a crucial role in checking executive actions, especially in moments of national crisis or political tension. Exempting the executive branch from contempt would create a loophole for authoritarian tendencies, allowing leaders to sidestep legal constraints and operate without accountability. This could lead to executive actions that violate civil liberties, ignore constitutional limits, or bypass congressional oversight without meaningful legal consequence.

Ultimately, allowing the executive branch to be above contempt proceedings endangers the rule of law and democratic governance. It fosters a culture of impunity, discourages transparency, and threatens the separation of powers that is essential to the health of a democratic society. Equal accountability under the law is not merely a legal doctrine; it is a safeguard for liberty and justice in any free nation.

The ”big beautiful bill” has not passed the Senate, it is important that the final bill does not contain the exempt from contempt of court provisions. It is important that we “speak up and speak out”.

Please call your members of Congress today. The U.S. Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. Tell the operator where you’re from and the operator will connect you to your representatives and senators. I tested this out today. It is very simple. They will ask for the congress member you want to contact. They will then switch you to that office.

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Quotes of the Day: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly. Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow. Loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.” John McCrae

Orchid of the Day: Tarik Skubal and his extraordinary pitching performance against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Complete game 92 pitch shutout with 72 strikes and 20 balls, 13 strikeouts, final pitch 102.6 mph, the fastest pitch ever recorded in the ninth inning by the starting pitcher. Most importantly, the ace of the staff, putting a stop to a three-game losing streak.

Onion of the Day: MLB umpire Phil Cuzzi for ejecting the Tigers’ Javy Baez for arguing about a third strike call on a pitch that was clearly below the strike zone. No way should Baez been ejected, unless he said the magic word. Cuzzi blew the call and he should have given Baez a long rope to complain about the pitch as long as Baez didn’t say the magic words or try to show up Cuzzi (which Baez didn’t)

Upset with a called third strike on a ball that was low and out of the zone on a full count, Tigers center fielder Javy Baez voiced his complaints to home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. Cuzzi responded. Baez retorted. They went back and forth, and then Cuzzi seemed to finally signal to the Tigers center fielder: Go back to your dugout.

Baez didn’t oblige, got ejected and the real fracas began. Baez went ballistic, as Gleyber Torres and third base coach Joey Cora swooped in to restrain him — with great effort — from further accosting Cuzzi, who was now face-to-face with manager AJ Hinch. See my Video of the Day

Lyrics of the Day: I'm just trying to be a father, raise a daughter and a son. Be a lover to their mother. Everything to everyone. Up and at them bright and early. I'm all business in my suit. Yeah, I'm dressed for success
From my head down to my boots.

If you think you know the answer, send me your response in the comments section of the blog.

Answer to Lyrics of the Day for May 21, 2025: Let’s go Crazy by Prince

Question of the Day: Did you thank a veteran today? Will you thank one tomorrow?

Video of the Day: Javy Baez ejection. Please note, this video is from the Giants announcers, and they are siding with Baez that Cuzzi was much to quick to eject Baez. In a side angle from during the telecast the pitch was well below the front and back knees

https://x.com/NBCSGiants/status/1927070269144760572

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