If Trump 'always wanted' a Purple Heart, he should have served

[TexasTowelie]

[font color=330099]Letter in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:[/font]

I am a Vietnam veteran. By the grace of God, I was not “wounded in action against an enemy of the United States, or as a result of an act of such enemy, provided such would necessitate treatment by a medical officer” — the official requirement for the award of a Purple Heart.

So, Donald Trump, you always wanted a Purple Heart? Hillary Clinton was right: No, Mr. Trump, you don’t get it. You also didn’t have the guts during the Vietnam War to raise your hand, swear the oath, put on the uniform and be willing to die for the country you now want to lead — and send our young people into the danger that you figured out how to avoid. Maybe you were too busy learning to make money at the time, but your five deferments meant one or more people had to be willing to serve — and maybe died —instead of you.

Anyone can buy a medal. Too cheap to buy one? A patriot might offer to give you his or hers, but if so, your line should be “I am sorry, I don’t deserve this. But thank you for your service to our country” — not “Gee, I always wanted one.”

JOE ADAMS
Friendship

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2016/08/10/If-Trump-always-wanted-a-Purple-Heart-he-should-have-served/201608100105

[anoNY42]

1. This is weird

"You also didn’t have the guts during the Vietnam War to raise your hand, swear the oath, put on the uniform and be willing to die for the country you now want to lead "

There is no indication that Trump supported the Vietnam war at the time. Thus, we should have no problem with him not serving and/or dodging the draft.

[DLevine]

2. Is there evidence Trump protested the war?

If he is anti-war, why has he "always wanted a purple heart"?

[anoNY42]

4. Oh I don't think there is evidence either way, at least I haven't seen any.

I just took his "always wanted a purple heart" comment as a stupid throw-away line. Anyone who knows what they are doesn't actually want one.

The comment makes him look like a moron, but I still cannot fault someone for skipping out on a draft unless they supported the war that the draft was related to.

[whathehell]

3. Trump got five deferments to avoid Vietnam..

I doubt his draft dodging was a reflection of whether or not he "supported" the war, but whether or not he supported his own ass being there...Give us a break.

[anoNY42]

5. Perhaps

He was probably an entitled jerk. However, it is still a good thing to skip out on the slavery of the draft, even if one is an entitled jerk.

The disclaimer is, as always, that I have not seen any evidence that Donald Trump actually supported the Vietnam war. If he did, then skipping the draft is a slimy move.

[mainstreetonce]

6. IMO. No draft dodger can ever be CIC

I have no problem with people who got out of the draft for whatever reason. However you can't do that in time of war and come back later and think you can be CIC.

I would include Trump.Cheney,Bill Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

I could never vote for any of them for president.

I also think his accepting the Purple Heart,making light, of what it means and saying "I always wanted a Purple Heart" is possibly the worst thing he has said.

It is worse than his comment about Mrs Khan,because that just reveals a bigotry that we already know he has.

It is worse than his comment about the second amendment people because that just shows his careless stupidity which we already knew.

When he casually treats a Purple Heart like a prize in a box of Cracker Jacks,he shows that he knows nothing about and cares nothing about our military history.

He is disqualified,he is dangerous, he is an insult to his country.

Republicans should delete this candidate.

[anoNY42]

8. I agree with most of that, except for the CIC comment

Just think of all of the anti-war people that would exclude. Also, it would exclude people like me who find a volunteer army acceptable (I'm a vet, in fact, but from way after Nam), but are strongly against a draft because it is slavery.

[whathehell]

7. Maybe, but his graceless comments on receiving a purple heart

from that poor deluded veteran were disgusting. Had he the slightest bit of character, he would have graciously refused

the medal, or at least have accepted it with something resembling humility.

[anoNY42]

9. I agree completely nt