This was originally posted by a veteran friend Al McCormack.
I find myself in a somewhat reflective mood today. The Holidays have a way of reminding us of those who are no longer with us, so perhaps that explains it. But more than that…
I watched Fox News Sunday (FNS) this morning with Chris Wallace. The “Question of the Day” for this Sunday’s panel was “How Much Trouble is the Trump White House in?”
Is there a “bias” in that question? I mean, it struck me that in order to get a fair perspective on the “Trump White House”, shouldn’t the question have been “IS the Trump White House in Trouble?”
The apparent bias of the first question is clear when compared to the second question, right? (if not, don’t bother reading any farther)
They were referring to the “Government shutdown” over the 5.8 Billion Dollars the President had requested for “the wall” (Border Security). Also referenced were the resignations of Mattis (SecDef) and McGurk (US Envoy) that occurred this week due to the President’s decision to withdraw from Syria and to reduce the military force in Afghanistan.
Our nation is over 21 TRILLION Dollars in debt. We spend millions and billions of dollars on really stupid stuff. Instead of 5.8 Billion for a border wall, the Congress appropriated $10.6 billion in “economic development” aid for Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador to help stem (illegal) migration.
Really? Is this about solving problems (needed border security), or is it about “poking the President in the eye” – DENYING him the ability to deliver on a campaign promise THAT THE AMERICAN VOTERS ELECTED HIM TO DO?
I remember the speech that President Eisenhower gave upon the occasion of the end of his term as President. The line I’d like to ask you to recall (or learn) is:
In his farewell address, Eisenhower famously warned against “unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.”
I’m a really old guy, so when I ask you if you remember a song from 1969, “Monster/Suicide/America”, by the band Steppenwolf – I recognize many of you will never have heard this song. I will remind you of the lyrics:
***
“The spirit was freedom and justice
And it’s keepers seem generous and kind
It’s leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won’t pay it no mind
‘Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it’s all just an echo of what they’ve been told”
***
The lyrics speak to America of the 1960’s/1970’s, but perhaps the lyrics ring true almost 50 years later? They continue:
***
“Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin’ the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can’t understand
We don’t know how to mind our own business
‘Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who’s the winner
We can’t pay the cost”
***
I’m not a philosopher, I’m just a regular guy. I served for 24 years in the Army/Army Reserve and served in Operation Desert Storm. I consider myself to be a “God Fearing, Constitution loving, American citizen”.
I was not initially a supporter of Donald Trump for President, but I voted for him (given the choice between Trump/Clinton). Given that he IS the President of the United States, I wonder why so many immediately are against whatever he does. I do NOT admire his language or his style sometimes, but I am an admirer of many of the policies/programs he has overseen/ implemented since he became President (NOT the bloated Budget!). So when I opine on the reflexive nature of the opposition to President Trump, know that I am not a dyed-in-the-wool “Trumpster”. I’m an American. One who loves his country, and one (I hope) that is “fair minded”, rational, and someone who cares what happens, if not for me, for my children and grandchildren.
WHY is it that so many instinctively, and reflexively, DISagree with President Trump, no matter WHAT HE DOES?
Am I wrong? Am I seeing reflexive disagreement where it doesn’t exist? Does anyone else feel like me?
What is going on in our great nation? It used to be that after an election, BOTH Democrats and Republicans were AMERICANS FIRST! What happened to that attitude?
My friends, at this special time of year when so many celebrate HOPE, let us ALL pray for the leadership of this great nation. PRAY for the elected officials that you agree with, and more importantly pray for those elected officials that you disagree with – let us today, PRAY for all of our elected officials.
If you believe in the Bible, read 2 Cronicles 7:14
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
If your diety beliefs do not include the Bible, I ask you to consider prayer in whatever manner you deem appropriate – to pray for our leaders, and pray for our nation! Pray that what is happening in our nation is not the product of the “Military-Industrial Complex”!
(WoW – that was LONG.! Stupid? Waste of time? I pray not)
Vets for Trump will always make sure no harm comes to all law-abiding Americans! It's OK to disagree.
A sentiment greatly put. The Government has become too bloated and unresponsive to the needs of the people. I loved the line in Trumps inaugural address where He says the People, not the Party or Individual rules in DC. It is time to remind D C of this. Let’s start with Congressional Term Limits! I too am an Army Alumnus Regular 69-72, then Reserves till 98 including Desert Storm. Was MSG on retirement. Keep up these missives, they are neededThanks. Yours. Leo Dorrington
Hi Leo. Thanks for the comment. We all wish Congress would have term limits but can we count on them to hurt themselves? For them it is like winning the lottery when they get elected. I’m sure there are many good people but not enough to make this happen. We can only pray that one day something will happen to end career politicians. All the best to you and yours this New Year!
I am an original Trump supporter. However, I am no longer a supporter of his. My problem is not his policies, which I agree on about half. He lost my support by his continued insulting of our Intelligence and Military Organizations. How many time has he said similar to; “Our intelligence Agencies are wrong because ____ said so”. He has taken Putin’s word on our elections as well as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s word on Jamal Khashoggi’s death despite his briefing that “everyone else” knows. He has said that our agencies are wrong because a despot said so!… Read more »
Jon. Much of what you say is accurate. I guess, in many ways I agree with you. In some ways I do not. I have relatives that live in New Jersey, across the Hudson river from NYC. In many ways, they consider themselves “New Yorkers”. I’ve visited often enough that I have come to know and recognize “New Yorkers”. They have this baffling way of leading with almost absurdity on various topics, sometimes unbelievable. But in “new york speak”, they all understand one another. This partially explains your view on President Trump and what/how he says it. When you first… Read more »
Mac M, I realize that New Yorkers are very strange, to say the least. Their talk is just as crazy. My friends from NYC are stranger than my friends from California. I have no problem with Donald Trump talking as he does. That is his “style”. Plus, I never expected Donald Trump to be a normal politician. Anyone who did has not been paying attention to the news for decades. He has been a public figure for decades so everyone should have realized what we were getting. The trouble is, he is no longer Donald Trump. Now, he is President… Read more »
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