Mending fences is not a skill set that is part of President Trump’s mind set. Suddenly though he has become an ardent admier of some members of the US miitary – his rebuilding of this relationship is remarkable to watch; although he’ll never suck up to Senator Mark Kelly, his nemesis.
His recent State of the Union speech before some members of Congress was dominated by recognizing the heroic accomplishments of members of the military. Notably absent from his almost two hour speech were any references to proposed legislation to address issues that impact Americans hurt by his economic policies, such as tariffs. He famously failed to seriously address areas of health care costs, although he’s been saying for years: “I’ll have a plan for you within the next two weeks.” Two weeks have been more like twenty years.
Today’s noon time press conference at the White House was billed as an opportunity for Dictator Trump to address the nation for the first time about the War on Iran that he initiated over the past weekend. Actually, his few comments on Iran were lost during an award ceremony for military members who have served this nation nothing short of brilliantly. And of course there was his preoccupation with the new ballroom and the drapes that hide the construction. He said he’s always loved gold and he bought those drapes during his first administration, etc. etc.
It wasn’t that long ago that Dictator Trump was full of disdain for Senator John McCain, a war hero, who was captured and imprisoned. The Dictator famously called anyone who joined the military was a “sucker and looser” – maybe because he had used the execuse of his ‘bone spurs’ to avoid the draft on multiple occasions; five times I belielve. There was his famous visit to a cemetery in France with Americans buried in it that he would not visit because of the inclement weather. The video made by Senator Mark Kelly and his colleagues urging the military not to obey illegal orders, was particularly irksome to Trump We know how that ended.
Every Dictator needs a loyal mililtary. Not loyal to the Constitution. But to him. A military that will do his bidding – regardless of whether it is legal or not. That’s where we are.