Editor’s note: This commentary is by Bob Stannard, an author, musician and former lobbyist. This piece first appeared in the Bennington Banner.
“Veterans have no better friend than President Trump.”
– Vice President Mike Pence
“If you’re going to show up, act like you want to be there.”
– Tim Russert
[O]n many occasions our president gave passionate, heartfelt speeches commemorating (not celebrating) the fallen heroes who gave their lives for our freedom. It mattered not to him that it was pouring rain. Sometimes he was handed an umbrella, but many times he simply stood at the podium getting soaking wet while offering comforting words to family members, friends and the entire nation. It was not that the rain did not bother him, so much as it was the need for him to give compelling and convincing speeches; and give them he did.
President Barack Obama had a firm grasp on what it meant to be president of the United States of America. Sure there were times when the job was difficult, and perhaps even raining, but foul weather never deterred him from what needed to be done. And yes there were times when the press would ask hard, perhaps even awkward questions designed to hold him accountable. Would he have preferred to not stand in the rain and/or take tough questions from our free press? You bet, but he did so, because that’s what the job requires. Being president once demanded that you be held accountable. With the advent of Donald Trump accountability appears to be over; for now.
As this column is being written it is 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 11, Veterans Day. The day that ALL Americans come together to commemorate (not celebrate) those who died in battle on our behalf, along with the countless of thousands of men and women who have, or are currently, serving. This is a day of reflection and remembrance of those who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Today is as sacred a day as can be for an American citizen.
So what are today’s headlines of every news source (with the exception of Fox News) saying about Veterans Day 2018? “Trump Cancels Visit to U.S. Military Cemetery Outside of Paris citing Weather Condidtions.”
“It’s incredible that a president would travel to France for this significant anniversary and then remain in his hotel room watching TV rather than pay, in person, his respects to the Americans who gave their lives in France for the victory gained 100 years ago tomorrow,” said David Frum, former speechwriter for George W. Bush.
Sir Nicholas Soames, British politician and grandson of Winston Churchill, criticized Trump, calling him “pathetic,” “inadequate” and “not fit to represent this great country.”
For a president who seems to be consumed with the military and having people like him — no make that love him — he sure does seem to go out of his way to drive most people away. Other than not wanting to get wet (and possibly ruining his infamous hairdo) there was no valid reason for him not to attend this milestone event.
From The Hill: “President Trump is scheduled to sign a bill on Wednesday that would expand veterans’ access to private health-care services while his aides reportedly work behind the scenes to thwart a Senate plan to fund it.”
Saying you’re “the best friend veterans ever had” and then working against them is a lie. It’s disgracing veterans. Our authoritarian-wanna-be president is counting on his lies and misstatements to garner support from our veterans and, to a certain degree, it has worked thus far. Maybe this time it won’t work. Showing more concern for watching TV versus doing the job that all Americans expect of their president to do may be the final straw.
We can only hope that all Americans wake up and realize what this president has become.
