President Donald Trump was talking patriotism in his most recent pet tweets.
His target was Colin Kaepernick, an African-American NFL player who’s been silently displaying solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by not standing during the national anthem.
We do not live in a kingdom where absolute fealty to anyone or anything is imposed.
Trump’s the same age as my uncles and countless older friends who served their country during Vietnam.
Many or most were conscripted.
Al Gore and John Kerry — two distinguished older Americans — actually volunteered.
Where was Donald J. Trump then when his country needed him?
He was hiding under his desk, along with other “real” American patriots like Dick Cheney, Bill O’Reilly, phony-patriot Newt Gingrich and a host of others in the far-right, war’s-the-answer, cowardly, drum-beating party.
Trump had the audacity, the absolute lack of decency and respect and lack of patriotism, to publicly call U.S. Sen. John McCain — a decorated, wounded, imprisoned and tortured veteran — a “loser,” according to news reports.
This is the kind of man who is — unbelievably — now leading our nation.
Furthermore, Trump refuses to reveal his income tax records.
Trump’s campaign is being rightfully investigated for believed involvement with Russian interference in the 2016 election.
If this proves true, what could be more unpatriotic than that?
Wearing a red tie, a tiny lapel pin and wrapping yourself in the flag does not confer patriotism onto the wearer, nor do these acts imbue patriotism into one’s person.
Trump isn’t qualified to lecture anyone in America regarding patriotism.
Tom LaRue,
Carlsborg