TAT readers,
Today I offer a hearty Veteran’s Day salute to my former brothers and sisters-in-arms. Every one of you have earned today’s honors… except the 71 Republican Congressmen who voted against referring Pete Hegseth for impeachment yesterday. There is not one thing about Pete that represents the core values of our military or American values, and apparently the 71 congressmen either. My disgust with Republicans claiming to love and support our military despite voting regularly to degrade it, has finally hit rock-bottom. Watching those sheepish congressmen save war criminal Pete’s hindquarters was too much on this Veterans Day, and in my mind, unforgiveable. These same 71 have also spent the last two years of voting against all Veterans’ bills and threatening even more dramatic cuts to Veterans services.
To add to their disgrace, they did nothing when we invaded foreign nations without cause, kidnapped the president of Venezuela and presented oil supermajors with the oil of the Venezuelan people among other thefts. We’re blockading Cuba without cause and are imposing epic suffering on the Cuban people. These fake patriots were silent when the administration set its sites on Greenland and Canada and watched silently when some of the most prestigious historical military heroes were fired for being a person of color, trans or female. They shamefully watched the removal of historical artifacts, photos, statues and more disappear from the halls of the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery and national parks for the same reason. Yet today, their social medias will be full of glowing words and photo ops declaring their love for the US military. Forgive my frustration but not one of those 71 are worthy of the title, veteran.
The US military like publicly elected politicians, swear a sacred oath, “to protect and defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” Not one of those 71 cowards have acted on that oath during either Trump administration. They were all too afraid of a dementia-ridden, sadistic malignant narcissist who worships the worst enemies of our nation while raping our treasury and the bank accounts of hard-working Americans. Sure, they’ll stand up and put their hands over their hearts while lying to us again that they support our courageous men and women ordered to do the evil of a madman. To a person, they have brought immense shame onto every single citizen-soldier, sailor, Marine or airman serving proudly and bravely in support of all of us, regardless of the race, creed, religion or the beliefs of all Americans. Yes, we are a melting pot and from the beginning of our nation, all such immigrants or sons and daughters of immigrants, have worn the cloth of our nation with pride, distinction and selfless sacrifice.
My fury with these shameless posers comes from deep inside my family’s tradition of serving the greater good, especially in uniform when our nation called and had need of them. Countless thousands of other American families tell the same story. That’s who we are as Americans. Not one in our family said no, unlike the man who now sits in the exalted Oval Office, posturing as our commander-in-chief. President “bones spurs,” like every republican in this administration or serving in congress hasn’t the integrity, moral courage or backbone to honor their oath of office. Republican veterans in congress are far worse and all because they have sworn that sacred oath twice, once to the military and once again upon entering our congress.
Our unprovoked attacks on sovereign nations and murder of human beings at sea are not only against international law, but violate our own including our constitution. American service members are not cop, judge and executioner unless at war and even then, there are laws. Pete doesn’t give a damn about any of this. The administration he serves, apparently doesn’t either, especially the traitor perched like a vulture behind the Resolute Desk. We are Americans, not Putin’s sadistic hordes or Xi’s genocidal actions against his own people. As long as I can remember and in my regular reading of history, our once proud nation has been called a “nation of laws.” Hell, Republicans in office can’t even spell the word, “laws.” They are too busy doing what we call here in Texas, bootlicking their dear leader.
I also have a few words for those who still support these spineless Cretins. There is no justification for calling yourselves patriots so long as you support either the GOP or the administration. Those of us who have had the high honor of serving all Americans in uniform are taught from the very first day of our military service about core values, codes of conduct, our obligations to the constitution not a person and so on. You read laudatory comments every Veterans Day, Memorial Day and other holidays associated with the heroism of those who as we say upon enlistment, “writes a blank check to the nation for any cost, up to and including our lives.” We do this because it’s what Americans have always done when wrongs needed righting and evil had to be defeated. Now you worship a man and his party whose behavior and beliefs mirror the fascist thugs our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers gave their lives to defeat.
As someone who fully understands the experiences of battlefields, including a couple where friends and teammates of mine fell, the pain of watching veterans like those 71 GOP congressmen sellout my friends and those of other vets, leaves me seething with righteous anger. Sure they’ll make speeches tomorrow, post pictures of themselves in uniform and gladly accept the praise and adoration of their constituents, but for the millions of us who came before and honored their oaths, I would rather pet a rattlesnake than thank them for their service. For the record, most veterans will claim in all seriousness that our oaths never expire, even in retirement. Most of us will simply say thank you when you thank us for our service, but will often and gently add, “the honor was all ours.” We are sincere in our response because we have something those 71 don’t have, honor.
By now, I believe I have made my feelings clear regarding the depth of my disdain for those who posture patriotism and honor, as opposed to those who have served and continue to serve in accordance with our oaths. Not one Republican Veteran in our House of Representatives can say they have honored their military or congressional oaths. Many of them have already been expelled in the GOP bloodbath of last Tuesday and deservedly so. Those who remain and don’t have the courage to speak out against the abuse of our troops, history will not be kind to. In fact, at the embedded link, you can find a list of all Veterans in the House of Representatives and their party. Take a look and see if your representative is on the list. If so, let them know how you feel about their cowardice.
Additionally, I have levied many charges in this much shorter than usual essay against the White House, Senators, Cabinet members and House members. Since I have written on the topic of our military in the Trump era before, I will also include the links to previous essays that spell out in detail, including sources, the specific reasons for my visceral disgust for everything Republicans have done to our servicemembers and veterans. Feel free to read if you wish more background. No pressure though. Military service begats a brotherhood and sisterhood, linked by common experiences, including combat. Those experiences are lifelong for nearly all of us, and I refuse to ignore those solemn bonds. I will also and without exception, defend them with the same passion and dedication I have given in service to our republic.
To all, especially our veterans, savor the day you’ve earned and also, please reflect on what that service means to you and to all Americans.
My kindest regards to all,
Paul
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Memorial Day; We honor our fallen best, by defending the values they sacrificed all for.
“We are sincere in our response because we have something those 71 don’t have, honor”🙌🏻✨✨✨