Ah, Memorial Day weekend—a time when Americans come together to honor those who served, while the rest of us gather around backyard barbecues, supermarkets, and political speeches. This year was no exception, bringing us an interesting speech from the President at West Point, where he welcomed what he termed the “Golden Era of America.” No, not some nostalgic trip back to yesteryear, but a bold proclamation about the current times. Bold, indeed.
The President didn’t dance around the dais; he confidently announced that the young, fresh-faced cadets were entering service in a new era defined by increased defense spending and an ever-looming sense of threat. Certainly an inspiring message, if one’s idea of inspiration involves talks of leaping into larger defense budgets and bracing for ominous threats. One might wonder if this golden era is more 24-karat gilded than actually golden, but to each his own.
In a bit of self-congratulatory back-patting, the President was eager to highlight a recent surge in military recruitment. Evidently, the administration believes this uptick is fueled by a newfound “spirit” within Americans—a potential euphemism for economic necessity or a lack of job opportunities elsewhere, but let’s not spoil the festive mood. He even cracked a joke, warning current personnel to watch their backs lest these enthusiastic recruits come after their jobs. An odd jest, perhaps, when speaking to those in service, but he seemed quite merry about it.
Of course, the talk didn’t stop with recruitment figures. There was also much ado about the President’s recent announcement of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system. It was hailed as monumental and transformative—as groundbreaking as Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative was back in the fabulous ’80s. Let’s hope this newfangled system isn’t more science fiction fantasy than reality, much like Reagan’s dream of laser-armed satellites.
This optimistic vision included a whole range of technological marvels meant to guard against a laundry list of threats, from North Korean missiles to cosmic terrors from China and Russia. One might say it’s ambitious—or insert any synonym for “barely feasible” here. An endearing tribute to the inventiveness often exhibited by our leaders. Whether this announcement is remembered as a monumental moment or a particularly heady day in the news is something only history will tell. But for now, it provides plenty of fodder while flipping the burgers this weekend.
