A plea to Trump supporters about ‘losers’ (commentary)

Courtesy of the Bastrop Advertiser
Sept. 10, 2020
By Bill McCann

Dear supporters of President Donald Trump:

There are many issues about which you and I may disagree. I believe, for example, that all Americans have a right to affordable health care under a national system. I believe no civilian should be allowed to open-carry military weapons of war. I believe that women, not governments, have the right to make decisions about their bodies just as you may believe in your right not to wear a mask in a health emergency.

But we all should agree on one thing. Our men and women in uniform, especially those who lost their lives serving this country, are heroes, not “losers” or “suckers.” I have read many disturbing stories showing Trump to be an incompetent, soulless conman, but none have come close to the anger I felt last week when reading an article in The Atlantic magazine detailing numerous examples of Trump denigrating and demeaning our military personnel. As an American, I was appalled. As a veteran, I was beyond disgusted. Particularly appalling were instances cited in the article where Trump called fallen soldiers “losers.”

Several reputable news organizations (The Associated Press, Washington Post and New York Times) followed with stories largely corroborating and expanding on The Atlantic article. Before you say it’s just the fake, liberal news media trying to hurt Trump’s reelection, I remind you that Jennifer Griffin, the national security reporter for Trump’s usual propaganda arm, Fox News, also verified key parts of the story. Griffin said a former Trump administration official told her Trump once said of the Vietnam War: “It was a stupid war. Anyone who went was a sucker.” Trump responded by asking Fox to fire Griffin.

Nearly 9 million Americans served on active military duty during the Vietnam War. Many weren’t necessarily thrilled about it, but we served. Trump didn’t. He escaped military service, presumably due to bone spurs on his feet, although the daughters of the doctor who diagnosed the bone spurs said their father made the diagnosis as a favor to Trump’s father.

Anyone who has paid attention in recent years should not be surprised about Trump’s distain for, and insensitivity to, military service. There is considerable evidence of it on public record. Remember when Trump made despicable comments about Sen. John McCain, a hero who was tortured as a prisoner of war in Vietnam? Trump called McCain a loser, saying he liked “people who weren’t captured.” Last week, Trump denied calling McCain a loser. As he has done thousands of times, Trump lied. It’s on video.

Remember when the military widow whose husband was killed in Niger in 2017 recalled crying during a call from Trump when he said her husband “knew what he signed up for?” Remember in 2018 when Trump wished everyone a “Happy Memorial Day?” Memorial Day solemnly honors our war dead. It isn’t a birthday party. Remember when Trump’s niece Mary Trump recounted in her recent book that Trump threatened to disown Don Jr. if he enlisted in the military?

I know, Trump supporters, that many of you will reject this latest news as another conspiracy by Democrats against your guy. But maybe some of you who served or have family in the military or lost a family member in war have had enough. Maybe you have finally determined that this country has had enough of an inept, morally bankrupt commander-in-chief who thinks our troops are losers and suckers.

Maybe you won’t vote for a Democrat no matter what. So do the next best thing for your country. Don’t vote for president this time. Leave it blank. Or stay home. Help show Trump that he’s the real loser.