Jason Kander: Trump's Support for the Troops Is a Lie

[babylonsister]

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/jason-kander-trump-military-698246/

Jason Kander: Trump’s Support for the Troops Is a Lie
The president is turning his back on the military right before our eyes
By Jason Kander

snip//

The Commander in Chief is breaking Army code. He is leaving soldiers behind.

A person who voluntarily joins the military, especially when it likely means going to war, has a unique and powerful love for America. Those men and women – the ones who are willing to bear any burden and possibly risk it all – are exactly the kind of people that we should welcome as American citizens.

They’re also people who have been promised citizenship in return for their sacrifice, and America should keep that promise.

President Trump walked away from the Paris Climate Accord and the Iran nuclear deal because he has no respect for the international community with whom we share this planet.

But soldiers fighting in the U.S. Army who happen to be immigrants do the same jobs as soldiers who are already citizens. They’re members of our military, fighting for the protection and advancement of our country, and our interests.

That’s not only misguided, discriminatory and counterproductive – it also ignores an important fact of American history. Non-citizens have fought in our ranks since the Revolutionary War. We literally wouldn’t be the free democracy we are today without the valor and sacrifice of immigrants seeking citizenship through military service. It’s American tradition to recognize the heroism of soldiers who join us from other countries to support what we stand for and fight with us.

The president’s racist rage blinds him from these facts and makes our military weaker and our country less safe.

As an Army veteran who volunteered to serve in Afghanistan, I know that diversity in units is a strength. I also know that soldiers with language skills and cultural knowledge of the places where we serve are invaluable.

The Trump administration uses coded language like “political correctness” as an excuse to stymie diversity in the military, which they claim makes us weaker. But I know firsthand that a more diverse military is a stronger one.

This is about capable, honorable people who are willing to serve. It makes no sense to take that right away from them.

And after an immigrant accepts the promise to exchange service to America for American citizenship, returning to their country of origin can be dangerous. In some places, service in the American military can make a person a wanted man or woman.

President Trump is accepting the service of soldiers from abroad, denying them what they were promised and then forcing them into danger. That’s wrong. It’s immoral. And we shouldn’t stand for it.

Men and women from around the world join our ranks to fight under the American flag. They deserve a chance to live under it.

[xmas74]

1. I adore Kander.

I wish he'd run for governor in 2020 instead of mayor of KC next year.

[Totally Tunsie]

2. For tRump, it's all about his phony patriotism and his damn parade.