Patriot Games
Say “No” to Using Soldiers as Political Toys
Supporting men and women in uniform has long been our standard for patriotism. Even when objectors decried our government’s actions in Vietnam, they never derided the soldiers sent there.
Yet our military’s own Commander-in-Chief continues to undermine, insult, and politicize our military with no regard for truth—all in the name of patriotism. The Atlantic’s recent report that Trump had accused the Defense Department of waging wars only to boost contractors’ profits looked to be the final straw. One of the few things more repugnant than war-for-profit is Trump falsely accusing the military of it. And the outrage on both sides was only matched by Trump’s self-congratulatory indignance (“There is nobody that respects [the troops] more than I do”).
That the President doth protest too much is typical—as is his supporters’ rush to defend him. Both insult not just our military, but our intelligence, when one considers all the bile that Trump has directed at servicemen in the past. Shame on anyone quick to dismiss The Atlantic story merely because its sources are off-the-record, when the ugly tone is perfectly in keeping with all that Trump has said ON the record:
Calls veterans who are critical of him "Never Trumpers"—whom he characterizes as "human scum."
Took aim at retired four-star General John Allen (after Allen endorsed Hillary Clinton), saying, "You know who he is? He's a failed general. He was the general fighting ISIS. I would say he hasn't done so well, right?"
Said the only reason Sen. John McCain, was regarded as “a war hero [was] because he was captured. I like people that aren't captured."
Refused to fly the White House flag at half-staff until the dead McCain’s interment (though it's always been customary for presidents to do so).
Continued to complain that he had had to give McCain the funeral [the Senator] wanted and didn't get a “Thank you”. Saying, “We sent him on [his] way, but I wasn't a fan of John McCain."
Attacked the family of slain soldier, Capt. Humayun Khan, dismissing his father’s DNC speech while suggesting Muslim law had denied his mother the chance to speak (when in truth, her grief made it impossible to).
Belittled the commander of U.S. Special Operations, Navy Adm. William McRaven for endorsing Clinton (which McRaven hadn’t), saying, "Frankly, wouldn't it have been nice if we got Osama bin Laden a lot sooner than that?"
Forgot the name of slain US army Sgt. La David Johnson while on the phone with his widow—before reminding her that her husband, "knew what he had signed up for."
Mockingly referred to Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (a key impeachment witness) as “the lieutenant colonel” and “another beauty.”
Called Rep. Conor Lamb, a Marine Corps veteran, "Lamb the Sham," after endorsing Lamb's opponent.
Referred to his sex life in 1980s New York as, “my personal Vietnam,” and said he felt “like a great and very brave soldier.” This from a man who received five military deferments (one for bone spurs, and four for education) during the War.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a General, a recipient of the Purple Heart, or a grieving military family—Trump will condemn you for doing the smallest thing he doesn't like. Considering our political climate, it’s not far-fetched to imagine this litany of disparaging insults in anyone else’s mouth getting them nearly stoned to death. Yet supporters gladly allow them from our President. And (in the case of those directed at McCain) even applaud them!
“Patriotism” is just a buzzword Trump throws around when needed. “There is nobody more patriotic than me,” Trump proclaimed on July 20th (citing his wearing a mask as proof—though he’d refused to wear one for six months prior). He responded to The Atlantic’s story with, “There is nobody that respects [the military] more. No animal—nobody—what animal would say such a thing?” And yet he HAS said such a thing. Over. And over. And over again.
Herein lies Trump’s most dangerous quality—his belief that the rules don’t apply to him. He will condemn others for the same kind of statements he makes on camera—then insist he never made them AND label those who point to the conflicting evidence, “idiots” and “losers.”
When a leader can say and do WHATEVER he wants—with no concern for accountability—tyranny is sure to follow. Talk of tyrants or a Dictator-in-Chief would have seemed unimaginable in America 4 years ago. But not now.
It’s heartwarming to see the growing number of soldiers—whose allegiance to the office of the President comes with the uniform—brave enough to question Trump when out of it. When McRaven told Trump that, "I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency,” it spoke to the Admiral’s defense of our country’s principles as much as any action on the battlefield.
Make no mistake, Trump’s abuse of our military (and our democracy) makes this election year just that—a battlefield. And the death of Americans AND our freedoms will continue if we don’t unseat him.