Tonight, The Atlantic published a story by Jeffrey Goldberg detailing Trump’s contempt for military service and the self-sacrifice of those killed in the line of duty. According to the story, sourced by interviews with military leaders and people close to Trump, “the president has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members, and,” in 2018, asked that wounded veterans be kept out of a military parade “on grounds that spectators would feel uncomfortable in the presence of amputees. ‘Nobody wants to see that,’ he said.”
What gets me is Trump's contempt for selfless heroes and disdain for the 'underdog' have been out there from Day One, way before he was elected. Maya Angelou said "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." At least a third of the American Public didn't have a massive revulsion to his mocking of a disabled reporter, his pussy grabber tape, his comments mocking McCain as a "loser" for because he was a POW. It was undeniably out there in front, and people STILL voted for him. I heard comments like "awww, he's just joking, where's your sense of humor!" or "just yanking the libtard's chain, ha ha ha yuk yuk yuk". A couple people told me it was fake news, or overblown by the "Liberal Media". For a certain percentage of our population, they absolutely adore this, for them Trump's behavior is a feature not a bug. His cruelty and selfishness galvanizes them. He is "Their guy". Regardless of what happens with this election, we have a lot of work to do.
As a disabled Gulf War vet I receive my medical at a local VA clinic (which is run very well, and FYI the medical care I receive is far far more personal, thorough and responsive to any that I've ever received on private insurance in the "outside" medical establishment)...and when you go in to check in at the desk there is a picture of that lying, rapist traitor hanging on the wall in pride of place. And every time I've gone in I give it "the bird" (middle finger)...& everyone around me and at the desk laughs and nods their head. We DESPISE him.
Several months ago, I found two wartime letters my father had sent to his parents in the 40s. His handwriting was difficult to decipher so I put them aside until today. Here is the first; when I can wipe away the tears and compose myself, I will transcribe and post the second letter.
--------
Germany
January 14, 1945
Dear Mother,
In your letter of June 5 you abhorred the needless waste of mankind in war. On this I agree. War and everything associated with it is a waste. Then you asked why you should get excited over my volunteering to risk life and limb to come home to a place where democracy was both born and slain? Well it’s this.
I am just the idealist who has yet that little or that much faith in the few or many fair minded Americans and in myself to think that through our combined efforts there can be an Easter for the slain democracy. I think that any possible resurrection would be eliminated and lost forever if some passionate few didn’t make any attempt to revive democracy. I don’t get any real glory from being in this unit, but I get so much satisfaction in knowing how much I am continually contributing to the good causes of my race by merely being here among those whites in nearly every case an equal being, and in some cases by exhibiting superior greatness.
Believe me we are making real progress here. Were you here you could see it daily. From here I know that any danger I was exposed to or shall be exposed to was not in vain, and if it were I would feel better having made a supreme attempt.
I would much rather die trying, and may yet, than to live complacently in our pseudo democracy. I feel that perhaps when I have grandchildren I will not have to tell them they cannot enter a certain theater, or that there is a difference in color.
I hope that a more harmonious associations of races will eliminate most suggestions of differences.
And if not, I can tell them what I have tried to do.
I read the Goldberg's article when it published yesterday and immediately knew it would dominate the Letter. It was fascinating watching it explode on Twitter as Trump & WH tried to deny the allegations and seemingly everyone else tweeted back examples of HIS OWN WORDS in response (the internet NEVER forgets). When AP and others began backing the account I knew this was going to be a significant setback for 45.
I am, however, ready for some of these anonymous sources to step up and go on record by name. It's too easy for T to dismiss anonymous sources as fake news. It's a harder sell when he has to resort to personal attacks on respected former members of his administration.
Three things staggered me more than any other during Trump's initial run for president: his mocking of a disabled reporter, his remarks about John McCain being a loser, and his contempt and callous disrespect of the Khans, the Gold Star parents who spoke at the DNC. I thought, at the time, that these acts would be enough to open the eyes of the undecided and repel those already on board the Trump train. Especially active and retired military. They weren't.
I didn't expect his predatory and aggressive attitudes toward women to be a game changer for those already supporting him, they don't care about women and women's rights. I also didn't expect any of his followers to be put off of by his mocking of a physically disabled journalist. But I truly thought that the military community would stand against him, en masse, once he'd shown how he truly felt about their sacrifices.
I hope that this specific letter, the Atlantic piece and his total disregard for human life, as evidenced by his handling of the pandemic, are powerful enough catalysts to change the the hearts and minds of those voters still sitting on the fence.
If this story can achieve wide circulation and generate follow-ons it will be very useful to the Biden campaign to further reduce Trump's support to his absolute core or "rump". It will not be a miracle but it is already destabalizing Trump severely and will give even more reason to his GOP coat-tails to distance themselves as much as their little courage will permit in an attempt to avoid being part of a rout. Obviously it will not do more than that....but decency remains a a factor common to all current Americans heritage as is respect for service to the nation .....be it patriotic and heroic or just everyday care for the proverbial other. Those non-rabid foxes amonsgt us will know where our "duty" lies.
As a response watch out for the next horror from Trump to try to recapture the headlines and once again divert attention.
Both of my grandfathers served in WWI. My father and my uncle served in WWII - fighting both the Germans and racism within the Army. He was an infantryman, engineer, cartographer, photographer and interpreter - fluent in German, French and Portuguese - with the rank of sergeant. Included in a booklet I did for his memorial service was the following excerpt from an 1988 newspaper article:
"As casualties climbed on the ground, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower asked for black volunteers to fight in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. More than 4,500 blacks responded. Almost half were selected, trained and sent into battle.
There was a catch: Volunteers who were officers in other units were busted down to privates -- so they wouldn't outrank white soldiers.
Wilfred Strange of Washington, D.C., an Army sergeant in an all-black engineering regiment in France, took the demotion.
"They said that black people couldn't fight and didn't have any courage," Strange, 76, said. "I had a point to make."
Strange joined a platoon of 70 black soldiers attached to the 69th Division which later crossed the Rhine and met the Russians in Torgau -- a campaign that helped end the war, he said.
"During combat, quite often the black platoon would be in front," said Strange, who was featured in Love and War by Robert and Jane Easton. "About a dozen of us were killed. They saw by our heroism how well we performed."
When the war ended, most black volunteers returned to their old segregated units. Their ranks were never restored.
Last July, five survivors of the Battle of the Bulge received the bronze star for their bravery -- a commendation awarded in 1949 to white infantrymen who served in combat.
But Strange has refused to accept his medal. "Justice reserved is justice denied," he said."
What would it take to have a Bill passed in Congress to require a mental fitness exam before any person runs for POTUS? There must be a battery of tests that are available to take a clear inventory of a person's character. Let's ask for A.) mental fitness, B.) character assessment and C.) IQ, plus D.) Emotional intelligence. If they cannot manage this battery of tests in an above average way, then they cannot run. (IMHO). I'm so sick of this bottom feeding cretin.
I have long since abandoned any hope that Trump's die-hard followers will be disaffected by anything reprehensible they learn about him. Just like himself, they have shown their true colors. Our challenge now is not to transform them into us, but rather to become ever more fully who we are in a passionate effort to drive Trump out of office. Unfortunately, all too many of "us" are down in the dumps after years of revulsion, and I fear this battering may translate to a suppression of our work between now and November 3. I've just posted a recipe to preclude that tragic possibility, if you're interested, read it here: https://eliotdaley.com/well-of-course-youre-depressed-why-wouldnt-you-be/
After perusing everybody's responses to HCR's letter and links, my usual head-scratching moment tends to end with: "WHAT. WILL. IT. TAKE???" I know that in this community on here we most frequently end up "preaching to the choir", but I like to think that maybe there are a few Republicans lurking on here who are fed up with Trump and still feel some reticence to publicly berate him. I daresay they agree with some of what we say on here, but I hope they also realise the importance of decent-minded people who love this country to step forward and fight against this menace in our midst. Trump IS an insult to almost anyone's definition of decency, and that should cut across any and all party lines. We're in a situation--ruled by an insane President* who is bereft of any reason, ethics, or morality--we have never (correct me if I'm wrong, HCR) been in in the 244-year history of this republic. We don't seem to know what to do. I suppose it is to our credit, and to the credit of how our government operates, that we've gone this long relatively unscathed. We've not had the misfortune to have our country ruled by a miscreant. Nixon came close, but Trump takes us into a whole other realm. I keep waiting for Trump to finally put the nail in his own coffin, and maybe we are close. But, with the long list of other outrages over the past 4 years that would have easily destroyed anybody else, he manages to endure. I do still wish the Democrats would "grow a pair" and attack him relentlessly. God knows, he's given us plenty of ammunition. The Lincoln Group of disaffected Republicans are showing how it's done. They just could use a lot more high-profile airplay. Democrats' responses so far, IMO, have been pretty lame. C'mon! We've got 2 more months and piles of $$ to sink this would-be tyrant!
There was this little kurfuffle too, which clearly shows how he treats and regards vets... "The case is tied to a televised fundraiser for veterans held by Trump in Iowa when he was running for president in January 2016. Trump had said the funds raised would be distributed to charities. But according to court documents, the Trump Foundation improperly used $2.82 million it received from that fundraiser, for his campaign." He was fined, and had to pay charities who had come in on the fundraiser- https://www.npr.org/2019/11/07/777287610/judge-says-trump-must-pay-2-million-over-misuse-of-foundation-funds
My nephew committed suicide after Afghanistan and his younger brother is not the same after his stint. Cousins, my father all served in armed services. This is so disgusting! I can’t imagine this doesn’t do dumpty in. All the veterans and families affected! Why would any of them vote for this coward? We have to keep reminding voters of the evil while he presents his distracting smoke screens.
I hope the story catches fire. My husband served served 4 years voluntary service as a young man and he deeply resents Trump. As stepmother to a career soldier who served in the initial incursion into Iraq after 911 and who served in that region twice as well as three other overseas assignments, I deeply resent this President's treatment of our troops. He still has not condemned Russian bounties. He took money away from projects for military families to build his ridiculous wall. I have zero respect for this draft dodger. My son has permanent disabilities from his service. Trump said his disabilities were temporary.
What, he healed as soon as the Viet Nam conflict was over?
What gets me is Trump's contempt for selfless heroes and disdain for the 'underdog' have been out there from Day One, way before he was elected. Maya Angelou said "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." At least a third of the American Public didn't have a massive revulsion to his mocking of a disabled reporter, his pussy grabber tape, his comments mocking McCain as a "loser" for because he was a POW. It was undeniably out there in front, and people STILL voted for him. I heard comments like "awww, he's just joking, where's your sense of humor!" or "just yanking the libtard's chain, ha ha ha yuk yuk yuk". A couple people told me it was fake news, or overblown by the "Liberal Media". For a certain percentage of our population, they absolutely adore this, for them Trump's behavior is a feature not a bug. His cruelty and selfishness galvanizes them. He is "Their guy". Regardless of what happens with this election, we have a lot of work to do.
As a disabled Gulf War vet I receive my medical at a local VA clinic (which is run very well, and FYI the medical care I receive is far far more personal, thorough and responsive to any that I've ever received on private insurance in the "outside" medical establishment)...and when you go in to check in at the desk there is a picture of that lying, rapist traitor hanging on the wall in pride of place. And every time I've gone in I give it "the bird" (middle finger)...& everyone around me and at the desk laughs and nods their head. We DESPISE him.
Several months ago, I found two wartime letters my father had sent to his parents in the 40s. His handwriting was difficult to decipher so I put them aside until today. Here is the first; when I can wipe away the tears and compose myself, I will transcribe and post the second letter.
--------
Germany
January 14, 1945
Dear Mother,
In your letter of June 5 you abhorred the needless waste of mankind in war. On this I agree. War and everything associated with it is a waste. Then you asked why you should get excited over my volunteering to risk life and limb to come home to a place where democracy was both born and slain? Well it’s this.
I am just the idealist who has yet that little or that much faith in the few or many fair minded Americans and in myself to think that through our combined efforts there can be an Easter for the slain democracy. I think that any possible resurrection would be eliminated and lost forever if some passionate few didn’t make any attempt to revive democracy. I don’t get any real glory from being in this unit, but I get so much satisfaction in knowing how much I am continually contributing to the good causes of my race by merely being here among those whites in nearly every case an equal being, and in some cases by exhibiting superior greatness.
Believe me we are making real progress here. Were you here you could see it daily. From here I know that any danger I was exposed to or shall be exposed to was not in vain, and if it were I would feel better having made a supreme attempt.
I would much rather die trying, and may yet, than to live complacently in our pseudo democracy. I feel that perhaps when I have grandchildren I will not have to tell them they cannot enter a certain theater, or that there is a difference in color.
I hope that a more harmonious associations of races will eliminate most suggestions of differences.
And if not, I can tell them what I have tried to do.
Your son, Wilfred.
I read the Goldberg's article when it published yesterday and immediately knew it would dominate the Letter. It was fascinating watching it explode on Twitter as Trump & WH tried to deny the allegations and seemingly everyone else tweeted back examples of HIS OWN WORDS in response (the internet NEVER forgets). When AP and others began backing the account I knew this was going to be a significant setback for 45.
I am, however, ready for some of these anonymous sources to step up and go on record by name. It's too easy for T to dismiss anonymous sources as fake news. It's a harder sell when he has to resort to personal attacks on respected former members of his administration.
Three things staggered me more than any other during Trump's initial run for president: his mocking of a disabled reporter, his remarks about John McCain being a loser, and his contempt and callous disrespect of the Khans, the Gold Star parents who spoke at the DNC. I thought, at the time, that these acts would be enough to open the eyes of the undecided and repel those already on board the Trump train. Especially active and retired military. They weren't.
I didn't expect his predatory and aggressive attitudes toward women to be a game changer for those already supporting him, they don't care about women and women's rights. I also didn't expect any of his followers to be put off of by his mocking of a physically disabled journalist. But I truly thought that the military community would stand against him, en masse, once he'd shown how he truly felt about their sacrifices.
I hope that this specific letter, the Atlantic piece and his total disregard for human life, as evidenced by his handling of the pandemic, are powerful enough catalysts to change the the hearts and minds of those voters still sitting on the fence.
If this story can achieve wide circulation and generate follow-ons it will be very useful to the Biden campaign to further reduce Trump's support to his absolute core or "rump". It will not be a miracle but it is already destabalizing Trump severely and will give even more reason to his GOP coat-tails to distance themselves as much as their little courage will permit in an attempt to avoid being part of a rout. Obviously it will not do more than that....but decency remains a a factor common to all current Americans heritage as is respect for service to the nation .....be it patriotic and heroic or just everyday care for the proverbial other. Those non-rabid foxes amonsgt us will know where our "duty" lies.
As a response watch out for the next horror from Trump to try to recapture the headlines and once again divert attention.
Both of my grandfathers served in WWI. My father and my uncle served in WWII - fighting both the Germans and racism within the Army. He was an infantryman, engineer, cartographer, photographer and interpreter - fluent in German, French and Portuguese - with the rank of sergeant. Included in a booklet I did for his memorial service was the following excerpt from an 1988 newspaper article:
"As casualties climbed on the ground, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower asked for black volunteers to fight in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. More than 4,500 blacks responded. Almost half were selected, trained and sent into battle.
There was a catch: Volunteers who were officers in other units were busted down to privates -- so they wouldn't outrank white soldiers.
Wilfred Strange of Washington, D.C., an Army sergeant in an all-black engineering regiment in France, took the demotion.
"They said that black people couldn't fight and didn't have any courage," Strange, 76, said. "I had a point to make."
Strange joined a platoon of 70 black soldiers attached to the 69th Division which later crossed the Rhine and met the Russians in Torgau -- a campaign that helped end the war, he said.
"During combat, quite often the black platoon would be in front," said Strange, who was featured in Love and War by Robert and Jane Easton. "About a dozen of us were killed. They saw by our heroism how well we performed."
When the war ended, most black volunteers returned to their old segregated units. Their ranks were never restored.
Last July, five survivors of the Battle of the Bulge received the bronze star for their bravery -- a commendation awarded in 1949 to white infantrymen who served in combat.
But Strange has refused to accept his medal. "Justice reserved is justice denied," he said."
Quite the contrast to 45.
What would it take to have a Bill passed in Congress to require a mental fitness exam before any person runs for POTUS? There must be a battery of tests that are available to take a clear inventory of a person's character. Let's ask for A.) mental fitness, B.) character assessment and C.) IQ, plus D.) Emotional intelligence. If they cannot manage this battery of tests in an above average way, then they cannot run. (IMHO). I'm so sick of this bottom feeding cretin.
Thank you, Ms. Heather. While I am encouraged by all the comments here, I feel we still need to be vigilant until the final vote is cast.
Can I just say it plain and simple? He is a self-centered, greedy, ignorant *sshole!
(BTW, I adore HCR and my HCR tribe. You keep me sane these days.)
I have long since abandoned any hope that Trump's die-hard followers will be disaffected by anything reprehensible they learn about him. Just like himself, they have shown their true colors. Our challenge now is not to transform them into us, but rather to become ever more fully who we are in a passionate effort to drive Trump out of office. Unfortunately, all too many of "us" are down in the dumps after years of revulsion, and I fear this battering may translate to a suppression of our work between now and November 3. I've just posted a recipe to preclude that tragic possibility, if you're interested, read it here: https://eliotdaley.com/well-of-course-youre-depressed-why-wouldnt-you-be/
After perusing everybody's responses to HCR's letter and links, my usual head-scratching moment tends to end with: "WHAT. WILL. IT. TAKE???" I know that in this community on here we most frequently end up "preaching to the choir", but I like to think that maybe there are a few Republicans lurking on here who are fed up with Trump and still feel some reticence to publicly berate him. I daresay they agree with some of what we say on here, but I hope they also realise the importance of decent-minded people who love this country to step forward and fight against this menace in our midst. Trump IS an insult to almost anyone's definition of decency, and that should cut across any and all party lines. We're in a situation--ruled by an insane President* who is bereft of any reason, ethics, or morality--we have never (correct me if I'm wrong, HCR) been in in the 244-year history of this republic. We don't seem to know what to do. I suppose it is to our credit, and to the credit of how our government operates, that we've gone this long relatively unscathed. We've not had the misfortune to have our country ruled by a miscreant. Nixon came close, but Trump takes us into a whole other realm. I keep waiting for Trump to finally put the nail in his own coffin, and maybe we are close. But, with the long list of other outrages over the past 4 years that would have easily destroyed anybody else, he manages to endure. I do still wish the Democrats would "grow a pair" and attack him relentlessly. God knows, he's given us plenty of ammunition. The Lincoln Group of disaffected Republicans are showing how it's done. They just could use a lot more high-profile airplay. Democrats' responses so far, IMO, have been pretty lame. C'mon! We've got 2 more months and piles of $$ to sink this would-be tyrant!
"Breathes there a man with soul so dead...?" Yes.
There was this little kurfuffle too, which clearly shows how he treats and regards vets... "The case is tied to a televised fundraiser for veterans held by Trump in Iowa when he was running for president in January 2016. Trump had said the funds raised would be distributed to charities. But according to court documents, the Trump Foundation improperly used $2.82 million it received from that fundraiser, for his campaign." He was fined, and had to pay charities who had come in on the fundraiser- https://www.npr.org/2019/11/07/777287610/judge-says-trump-must-pay-2-million-over-misuse-of-foundation-funds
My nephew committed suicide after Afghanistan and his younger brother is not the same after his stint. Cousins, my father all served in armed services. This is so disgusting! I can’t imagine this doesn’t do dumpty in. All the veterans and families affected! Why would any of them vote for this coward? We have to keep reminding voters of the evil while he presents his distracting smoke screens.
Thank you, Heather!
💙
I hope the story catches fire. My husband served served 4 years voluntary service as a young man and he deeply resents Trump. As stepmother to a career soldier who served in the initial incursion into Iraq after 911 and who served in that region twice as well as three other overseas assignments, I deeply resent this President's treatment of our troops. He still has not condemned Russian bounties. He took money away from projects for military families to build his ridiculous wall. I have zero respect for this draft dodger. My son has permanent disabilities from his service. Trump said his disabilities were temporary.
What, he healed as soon as the Viet Nam conflict was over?