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Suckers and losers.
That's what Trump supposedly called veterans. Called America's war dead.
Outrageous! Ooooh, that guy! Furious! Insulting! How dare he?!?!
Right?
I mean, that's it, right? We're outraged. Suckers and losers. Goddamn.
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That's what Trump supposedly called veterans. Called America's war dead.
Outrageous! Ooooh, that guy! Furious! Insulting! How dare he?!?!
Right?
I mean, that's it, right? We're outraged. Suckers and losers. Goddamn.
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He denies it, of course. Trump said yesterday that he never called John McCain a loser.
But, he did. More than once.
He called those Americans who couldn't get out of the draft and instead went to Vietnam suckers.
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But, he did. More than once.
He called those Americans who couldn't get out of the draft and instead went to Vietnam suckers.
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He used those words, or some variation of the same, hundreds, thousands, of times over the years. This isn't hyperbole or fake news or taken out of context. These words are there for all to see, written in Trump's own hand, recorded and spoken in his own voice.
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Hell, even Fox News confirmed the report.
And you know it's true. You know it is. You do.
I mean, it's TRUMP. He radiates contempt and throws out demeaning insults like a Russian nuclear reactor leaks neutrons.
This is literally who he is. You know it's true.
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And you know it's true. You know it is. You do.
I mean, it's TRUMP. He radiates contempt and throws out demeaning insults like a Russian nuclear reactor leaks neutrons.
This is literally who he is. You know it's true.
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Trump stood at the Arlington grave of Robert Kelly, an enlisted Marine killed during his 3rd tour of duty in Afghanistan, and said to his father, then Trump's Chief of Staff John Kelly, "I don't get it. What was in it for them?"
He doesn't get it.
And he never will.
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He doesn't get it.
And he never will.
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What was in it for them?
Maybe you can imagine saying that to the father of a fallen Marine.
I can't.
But then again, if you have to ask why we serve, you're not equipped to understand the answer -- even if I was so inclined to give you one.
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Maybe you can imagine saying that to the father of a fallen Marine.
I can't.
But then again, if you have to ask why we serve, you're not equipped to understand the answer -- even if I was so inclined to give you one.
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When confronted with that irrefutable evidence, Trump denies it, just as he denied the Grab 'Em By The Pussy tape -- even though it was irrefutably him saying those words.
Like someone with Lewy-Body dementia, Trump doesn't exist in the same reality as the rest of us.
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Like someone with Lewy-Body dementia, Trump doesn't exist in the same reality as the rest of us.
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When his supporters are confronted with that same irrefutable evidence, they deny it. They call it a fake. Taken out of context. They dismiss it, yeah, he said it but he doesn't really mean it.
Locker room talk.
As if that somehow makes it okay.
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Locker room talk.
As if that somehow makes it okay.
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According to the Daily Beast, A senior Administration official said: “The president means no disrespect to our troops; it’s just that the way he speaks, he can sound like an asshole sometimes. That’s how he is. It’s his style.”
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That's just his style.
He's an asshole. That's his style.
An asshole.
Well, he is certainly that.
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He's an asshole. That's his style.
An asshole.
Well, he is certainly that.
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Suckers and losers. My inbox is full of messages today, asking how outraged I must be.
How outraged?
Not much.
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How outraged?
Not much.
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Trump's contempt for me and those like me isn't exactly something he's kept hidden. Or a surprise. I would expect little else from him.
It's not even close to the worst thing he's called people like me.
And honestly?
Honestly?
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It's not even close to the worst thing he's called people like me.
And honestly?
Honestly?
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To be bluntly honest: When it comes to being a veteran, particularly of the wars I served in, well, folks, I've been called a sucker and loser by a hell of a lot more liberals than conservatives.
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Oh, don't get me wrong, I've run into plenty of conservatives who look down their noses at those of us who served. What's the matter, loser, couldn't get a real job? I don't get it, what's in it for you?
Sure.
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Sure.
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But one hell of a lot of folks on the other side of the political spectrum aren't shy about their contempt either.
Suckers. Chumps. Dupes. Killers. Warmongers...
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Suckers. Chumps. Dupes. Killers. Warmongers...
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...too stupid to get a real job, instead they throw away their lives fighting for corporate America, for Wall Street, for the rich, for oil, for money.
Right?
I've been called all of that, right here on this platform. I know you've seen it.
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Right?
I've been called all of that, right here on this platform. I know you've seen it.
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Is it more egregious coming from Trump? For some, probaby. I mean, he's the president. But, for me?
Not really. Like I said, I *expect* it from him. Because Trump has never shown anything but contempt for those around him, especially the military.
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Not really. Like I said, I *expect* it from him. Because Trump has never shown anything but contempt for those around him, especially the military.
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Conservatives love the IDEA of the military, force, power, violence, not the actual soldier.
Liberals pity the soldier, and hate the war.
When you're on the receiving end, I'm not sure there's much difference.
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Liberals pity the soldier, and hate the war.
When you're on the receiving end, I'm not sure there's much difference.
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Underneath shallow veneer of Yellow Ribbon Magnets and the rote patriotism of "Thankwewferyerservich," a lot of Americans do indeed think we are nothing but a bunch of suckers and losers. Chumps, too dumb to get a real job and too stupid not to die for Wall Street.
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I spent more than 20 years in uniform. I worked my way up from junior enlisted to commissioned officer. I served in peace and in war. I served on the front lines and in the cushy rear, at home and abroad, on land, at sea, and in the air.
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I was decorated, more than some, less than others, but I'm no hero and I never claimed to be. I did my job, I did it well, I set the example as was expected of me. I did things I can't tell you about, and things I won't.
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I know that I can look my son in the eye and be proud of my actions. Likewise those who served under my command have no cause to be ashamed of their service -- and that ain't for nothing because war is a damned shitty business and make no mistake about it.
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I trained others to take my place, and they have done so with skill and courage, and I'm proud of them and what we accomplished together even if the wars were foolish and unjust.
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The truth of the matter is that I don't much care what you think about it.
Call me a sucker and loser? Meh. I've been called worse by better people.
I didn't did do it for you.
And I for goddamned sure didn't do it for Trump.
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Call me a sucker and loser? Meh. I've been called worse by better people.
I didn't did do it for you.
And I for goddamned sure didn't do it for Trump.
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Why? Why did I do it?
If I have to explain it to you, if you have to ask, you're not equipped to understand the answer.
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If I have to explain it to you, if you have to ask, you're not equipped to understand the answer.
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