The Chicago Board of Tirade
Sick of what passes for patriotism? Happy f**kin’ Veterans Day
“Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism.” – President Emmanuel Macron
First published on November 11, 2017:
There’s about 4,800 homeless veterans in Los Angeles. Luckily, they’re in L.A. and not here, in Chicago, where it was 20 degrees last night.
Do you think any of those 4,800 homeless veterans care if you stand, kneel or squat and take a dump during the national anthem?
If you want to support veterans, how about starting with those in need of shelter? How about taking care of those poisoned by Agent Orange in Vietnam?
They don’t have another fifty years to wait for a decision about whether or not they were poisoned by poison.
For years we’ve heard one of our political parties define the meaning of real American and patriotism. Now they embrace blatant hypocrisy and cast aside any pretense of patriotism.
They’ve pledged their allegiance to their own self interests.
I have almost no beliefs in common with John McCain. He, however has always shown himself to be a man who loves his country and serves it enthusiastically and with honor.
He is also one of the most courageous, self-sacrificing men any of us will ever see in real life.
When McCain was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, he declined an offer of early release.
After years of torture at the hands of his captors, McCain CHOSE to stay with his men instead of returning to the United States for long overdue medical care.
Whether you call that bravery, patriotism or whatever, America has always held John McCain in the highest esteem. He is a hero by anyone’s definition.
When Donald Trump said that John McCain was not a hero and that he (Trump) prefers people who were not captured, I thought that was it.
That should have been the end of ANYONE’S political career.
I looked around me in places where people gather to honor the military and saw no outrage, no spurning of those words that should have been an affront to every American.
Words from a draft dodging dilettante who compared the risk of combat with contracting venereal disease at Studio 54. Words from a criminal narcissist who compared building a business empire at the expense of taxpayers and contractors with serving his country.
When Trump attacked Gold Star parents Khizr and Ghazala Khan, I looked to those around me for some response that would reflect the reverence of the Gold Star sacrifice. I saw none, just as there was none when he attacked Myeshia Johnson, a grieving, pregnant Gold Star wife.
Everyone seems to have walked away from their principles to embrace a man who has none. So-called Christians embrace the most un-Christian behavior with open arms.
Those who spent their lives honoring service and sacrifice now accept blatant disrespect from a charlatan who takes the word of a man trained in deceit and an enemy of our nation over those who serve our nation at their own peril.
Until we’re taking care of those who have actually served, let’s ignore phony controversies stirred up by a man who seeks only to inflame anger, hatred and resentment.
Standing during the national anthem will not bring back one dead soldier, shelter the homeless or treat the ailing.
If you voted for Donnie Trump in 2020, just shut the hell up today. You lost the privilege of thanking those who have actually served.
Don’t talk about honoring veterans, we can’t hear you over the noise of your actions.
2021 Update: The same goes for cops. If you don’t support the Capitol Police who defended the building and the occupants they were sworn to protect and recognize their heroism and if you think the January 6 insurrectionists were patriots, please keep your bullshit about backing the blue to yourself.
Subscribe to the Chicago Board of Tirade
* You will never get SPAM
* Your email address will never be sold or given away
* You will only receive emails on days I post
* You can unsubscribe at any time
* Just type your email address in the box below and click the “Create Subscription” button
* Email me anytime: [email protected] OR [email protected]
Filed under:
America, Commentary, Current Events, Editorial, GOP, Political, Republican Party, Veterans
Tags:
Ghazala and Khizr Khan, Gold Star Families, John McCain, Myeshia Johnson
Completely spam free, opt out any time.
Subscribe NOW !!!
Enter your email address:
Delivered by FeedBurner
Meet The Blogger
Bob Abrams
Bob “RJ” Abrams is a political junkie, all-around malcontent and supporter of America’s warriors. After a career path that took him from merchandising at rock concerts to managing rock bands to a 27-year stint in the pits of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, he’s seen our nation from up and down.
As Regional Coordinator of the Warriors’ Watch Riders (a motorcycle support group for the military and their families) Bob plays an active role in our nation’s support of America’s warriors and their families.
Send comments and/or suggestions to [email protected]
Categories
Commentary (656)
Current Events (593)
Editorial (472)
Political (432)
America (241)
Donald J. Trump (205)
Republican Party (117)
GOP (69)
Satire (66)
Basket of Deplorables (55)
Monthly Archives
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
Latest on ChicagoNow
Having Self-Worth Part II: “I Believe In Myself” – By Rick McCain
posted today at 6:22 pm
Having Self-Worth Part III: Being Ready To Soar! – By Rick McCain
posted today at 6:20 pm
What Is Love? – By Rick McCain
posted today at 6:18 pm
Living My N.O.W. Life! – By Rick McCain
posted today at 6:16 pm
Sick of what passes for patriotism? Happy f**kin’ Veterans Day
posted today at 6:14 pm
Posts from related blogs
The Quark In The Road
Most recent post: Reflections on the Moon:
The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor
Most recent post: Here’s the proper pronoun for a gender neutral, third person singular: “It”
Margaret Serious
Most recent post: Notebooks vs. computers
More from News: Opinion
Read these ChicagoNow blogs
Cubs Den
Pets in need of homes
Hammervision
Read these ChicagoNow Bloggers
Carole Kuhrt Brewer
Dennis Byrne
LeaGrover
About ChicagoNow
•
FAQs
•
Advertise
•
Recent posts RSS
•
Privacy policy (Updated)
•
Comment policy
•
Terms of service
•
Chicago Tribune Archives
•
Do not sell my personal info
©2021 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
Crafted by the News Apps team