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For years, veterans' groups have pointed out that the true meaning of Memorial Day was lost to picnics, beach excursions, and cookouts. This year, with Americans gaining a newfound appreciation for the everyday freedoms so many veterans gave their lives to protect, the significance of the holiday reemerges in a poignant way. As we remember with gratitude the troops we've lost in war, we also grieve the lives lost in a different kind of battle—one that we continue to fight. They're all in our thoughts this Memorial Day. Wishing you and your families a safe weekend. THE TOPLINE will return on Tuesday, May 26. —Evan McMullin
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6. Another arrest in Arbery case
William "Roddie" Bryan, the Georgia man who recorded the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery on Feb. 23, was arrested yesterday on charges of murder and attempted false imprisonment. The 50-year-old Bryan is the third person to be arrested in the death of Arbery, along with Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis.
- — Bryan was the only witness to the shooting, according to his attorney, Kevin Gough, who also said Bryan cooperated with investigators, voluntarily went to local police, and answered questions during a "lengthy" interview without a lawyer.
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- — Bryan also took a polygraph test, which suggested he was unarmed at the time of the shooting and did not exchange words with the McMichaels.
- — Lawyers for Arbery's parents said the family is "relieved" that Bryan has been arrested. "His involvement in the murder of Mr. Arbery was obvious to us, to many around the country, and after their thorough investigation, it was clear to the GBI as well," they said. —NBC News
8. QAnon Senate candidate draws scrutiny
After winning the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate race in Oregon on Tuesday, Jo Rae Perkins has gained some unwanted attention over her strong support for the QAnon conspiracy theory. She has already begun distancing herself from the conspiracy.
- — On the day she won the GOP nomination, Perkins posted a video on Twitter in which she delivered clear support for QAnon, going as far as using a common QAnon slogan. "Where we go one, we go all. I stand with President Trump. I stand with Q and the team. Thank you anons, thank you patriots. And together, we can save our republic," she said in the since-deleted video.
- — "I'm disheartened to see that less than 24 hours after my win, my words were already being spun through the fake news machine and taken out of context. I was not endorsing QAnon but rather stating that I appreciate the fact that there is still free speech in this country," Perkins later said in a statement.
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- — The QAnon conspiracy claims, among many things, that there is a "deep state" plotting against the president, that Democrats torture and kill children, and that prominent Democrats will soon be imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. —Newsweek
More: The prophecies of Q: American conspiracy theories are entering a dangerous new phase (The Atlantic)
9. The Economist: Open Skies are now closed
"The breakdown of Open Skies represents another blow to the architecture of global arms control, which has had a torrid few years. In 2018, Mr. Trump left a multinational nuclear deal with Iran. Last year, he abandoned a Cold War missile pact that Russia had probably violated. Next year, he may walk away from the last remaining cap on American and Russian arsenals, the New START treaty. As these accords crumble, so too do their intricate provisions for verification, such as inspections, data exchanges, and, in the case of Open Skies, overflights. That makes each country ever more blind to what the others are doing—and, perhaps, more likely to assume the worst." —The Economist
More: Pompeo announces Open Skies withdrawal (Defense One)
10. An American Story: Painting up a smile
Ten-year-old Chelsea Phaire of Danbury, Conn., has given the gift of art to more than 1,500 kids in foster care and homeless shelters during the COVID-19 shutdowns through her charity, Chelsea's Charity. Chelsea's Charity is a nonprofit she started on her birthday in August 2019 as a way to donate art kits to at-risk children.
- — "Since she was seven, she was begging me and her dad to start a charity," Chelsea's mom, Candace Phaire, said. "She was so persistent, every couple of months she would ask, 'Are we starting Chelsea's Charity yet?' When she was turning 10, she asked us again, and we decided it was time to go for it."
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- — When she was 8, Chelsea lost her swim instructor, whom she considered family. The instructor was killed from gun violence in the middle of their swim season. This was the moment art went from being Chelsea's hobby to her therapy.
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- — Knowing that other children have also gone through trauma, especially now, inspired Chelsea to help make art more accessible to help others cope with their feelings. Great job, Chelsea! —CNN
Ed. Note: We are spotlighting ways that Americans are helping each other through the coronavirus crisis. Would you like to suggest an "American Story" from your local news? If so, please forward a link to the story to [email protected]. Thank you!
Does anyone doubt that the confirmation of John Ratcliffe as DNI is the next nail in the coffin of accountability for this administration? He was put there for the same reason Bill Barr was put at the DOJ—to erase the inconvenient facts regarding Russia and Ukraine and project Trump's culpability onto his sworn enemy, Barack Obama. It's like Barr said: "History is written by the winners." In other words, the facts don't matter, only corruption and spin. —Carole L., New York
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