Trump and the Military

[Guest]

Donald Trump said that John McCain was not a war hero because war heros do not get captured.

Trump further went on to say he did not serve in the military because he had student deferments AND because of medical reasons - a bone spur on his foot!

Well, George W. had his dad get him into the Air Guard, Rumsfield got student deferments, and Cheney got student deferments.

Seems it was up to us poor schmucks to enlist or get drafted so these rich dudes could stay safe.

Wait a minute, though, John McCain was an the son of an Admiral and graduate of the Academy. He didn't ask for special treatment - even when imprisoned.

Maybe Donald was wrong and John McCain really is a hero. Is that possible?

[Guest]

I can't fault Donald Trump for having a deferment, everyone I knew had one.

I do think his comments about McCain were totally wrong.

[Guest]

Trump comments on McCain war record spark outrage (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/2015/07/18/trump-mccain-war-hero-captured/30347573/)

He does seem to be the stuff of a comedian's dream. :popcorn::popcorn:

If this were a movie, I doubt if anyone would believe it but then along come Donald Trump. There's a hornest's nest, so he kicks it.

[Guest]

Finally the other candidates have come out condemning Trump's remarks. Even for a die-hard democrat, this is almost too embarrassing to watch.

On Friday he said John McCain was so dumb that he graduated last in his naval academy class. The same day, he said Rick Perry should have to take an IQ test to get into the debates.

Matt Lewis of the Weekly Standard said "fact-checking Trump would be like trying to clean up from a dog with chronic diarrhea". He paints a lovely picture.

[Guest]

Finally the other candidates have come out condemning Trump's remarks. Even for a die-hard democrat, this is almost too embarrassing to watch.

On Friday he said John McCain was so dumb that he graduated last in his naval academy class. The same day, he said Rick Perry should have to take an IQ test to get into the debates.

Matt Lewis of the Weekly Standard said "fact-checking Trump would be like trying to clean up from a dog with chronic diarrhea". He paints a lovely picture.

Trump GOP Candidacy Blows Up | The Weekly Standard (http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/trump-gop-candidacy-blows_993170.html)


Should have been Stephen Hayes of the Weekly Standard. Here is a link to the article containing the quote.

[Guest]

I would have voted for John McCain back in 2008 until Sarah Palin kind of came unraveled due to the pressures of the campaign.

I never have liked Trump as a political candidate. He is very entertaining though. I wonder what he will say next?

[Guest]

The US voter don't like heroes either or McCain would have won in 2008. I voted for him even though I am a Democrat. He will always be a hero to me. I will also vote for Trump if he ever gets that far.

[Guest]

I can't fault Donald Trump for having a deferment, everyone I knew had one.

I do think his comments about McCain were totally wrong.

None of my family got a deferment....but then again we were all middle class.

One of my cousins returned with PTSD, it wasn't called that then, he will never be the same.

I used to get so mad when all of the Bush neocon war hawk had deferments....

Now Trump, he might be worse than a chicken hawk............

:mad::mad::mad:

[Guest]

As to whether John McCain at least didn't use his family's power or money to advance himself... Does anyone actually believe he would have gotten into the Naval Academy if he did not have his father's name to manipulate the admission process?

Nepotism got him into the Academy, graduated last in his class, got his plane shot down. He did show guts in staying in captivity when he was offered the chance to get out. Of course that chance was offered because of who his daddy was, but he did display courage and valor in staying. Does that define a hero? I remember some talk about JKF and the PT 109. People were saying he was no hero as he got his boat sunk.

[Guest]

As to whether John McCain at least didn't use his family's power or money to advance himself... Does anyone actually believe he would have gotten into the Naval Academy if he did not have his father's name to manipulate the admission process?

Nepotism got him into the Academy, graduated last in his class, got his plane shot down. He did show guts in staying in captivity when he was offered the chance to get out. Of course that chance was offered because of who his daddy was, but he did display courage and valor in staying. Does that define a hero? I remember some talk about JKF and the PT 109. People were saying he was no hero as he got his boat sunk.

Yes, McCain was a hero for telling the N. Vietnamese he would not go home before his comrades! Courage and valor define a hero!

JFK could have been exempt from WWII but enlisted. I would not call him a hero but a brave officer, yes!

Trump is not a veteran, so he should just shut up.

[Guest]

Retired Admirals Torpedo President Trump - The Daily Beast (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/20/retired-admirals-torpedo-president-trump.html)

Some more opinions about Donald Trump.

[Guest]

Donald Trump said that John McCain was not a war hero because war heros do not get captured.

Trump further went on to say he did not serve in the military because he had student deferments AND because of medical reasons - a bone spur on his foot!

Well, George W. had his dad get him into the Air Guard, Rumsfield got student deferments, and Cheney got student deferments.

Seems it was up to us poor schmucks to enlist or get drafted so these rich dudes could stay safe.

Wait a minute, though, John McCain was an the son of an Admiral and graduate of the Academy. He didn't ask for special treatment - even when imprisoned.

Maybe Donald was wrong and John McCain really is a hero. Is that possible?

Dear Guest: It seems you overlooked William Jefferson Clinton? As I recollect he was visiting Canada.

I too am disappointed that Donald Trump made a personal attack on John McCain. Trump should have stuck to his criticism of McCain's ineffectiveness with the VA issue. Trumps mistake is instructive to those posters on Political Talk who make personal attacks against other posters.

Personal Best Regards:

[Guest]

Please, during Vietnam all reserves was full of draft dodgers. They knew then low chance of going to Vietnam. Not true In today's reserves they get called up. Not big fan of DT, I think his attack on John M. Was uncalled for. A now if he was bashing Kerry that's different IMO. Kerry is POS. DT likes the attention, he will have his 15 mins of fame and be gone.
JOhn M biggest mistake was choosing woman for his running mate. If back fired due to the liberal attacks on her even though she done good job as governor. The liberal media does good job of killing republican candidates. DT needs no help!

[Guest]

Yep everybody I knew that went into the reserves during Vietnam was movitived by the draft. Then 1969 or so the Lotery system came along which drafted up to 150 to 200. If your number was below 150 you knew you were going to get drafted. if I remember correctly reserves was topped out and it took some during or luck to get in. Meaning you had someone pulling some strings.

[Guest]

Yep everybody I knew that went into the reserves during Vietnam was movitived by the draft. Then 1969 or so the Lotery system came along which drafted up to 150 to 200. If your number was below 150 you knew you were going to get drafted. if I remember correctly reserves was topped out and it took some during or luck to get in. Meaning you had someone pulling some strings.

Some people seem to enjoy denigrating the service of Reservists during the Vietnam War, and never mention the 5,760 that died while serving their country.

[Guest]

Trump is kicking butt. He has a huge amt of support so sick of politicians trump is blunt, bold, refreshing from the pc bs. He would save jobs, restore economy, cut deals, etc. He's a threat, therefore will be a target. Go Trump , you show them. Americans sick of pc

[Guest]

Some people seem to enjoy denigrating the service of Reservists during the Vietnam War, and never mention the 5,760 that died while serving their country.

Sometimes it just does not fit the POLITICAL point to be made, but those folks who simply skip over and mock reservists during that time, they will get after you, IF IT FITS THEIR POLITICAL NARRATIVES, about honoring the troops.

[Guest]

Let's put he hero stuff off to the side for a moment. We all agree the VA is corrupt and is in terrible shape. What no one is looking at is that McCain has been a Senator for what, 30 years! And what has he done to turn it around. 30 years is a long time to not correct a problem!

[Guest]

Some people seem to enjoy denigrating the service of Reservists during the Vietnam War, and never mention the 5,760 that died while serving their country.

Off the high horse, everybody knew back then, signup for the reserves to beat being drafted in to the army or marines which had 90% chance you was going straight to Vietnam. Everybody new someone back then that got killed in Vietnam that got drafted. Few knew anyone that got killed in the reserves.

[Guest]

I wonder if some posters even bother to read other posters comments given the fact they repeat what has already been addressed?

The reaction from the hippie generation toward military men and women serving in Vietnam was a continuation of the irresponsible and self interested movement of the 1960's. Like slavery, the hippie's irrational and derogatory behavior was a stain on this country led by Jane Hanoi Fonda and abetted by John Kerry who should have known better. Those same people populate our universities and government and continue with their infectious propaganda to this country's detriment.

I enlisted. My brother enlisted. My cousin volunteered to do two tours of duty in Vietnman I have been in favor for a very long time in reinstituting the draft a) because too many of our young people are disengaged b) because a volunteer army is too costly and eventually it will only be about the money and not the cause/country (too mercenary).

I said early that Trump should not have made a personal attack on McCain but it was right to criticize his ineffectiveness in dealing with the VA.

I believe even Trump recognized he went too far. However I personally want him to continue to campaign because he is changing the national conversation and more importantly dragging many politicians out of their safety/neutral zones so that we can get a peek at who they really are or are not. Keep it up Donald. If the Republicans push too hard against Trump he will run independent.

Personal Best Regards:

[Guest]

Let's put he hero stuff off to the side for a moment. We all agree the VA is corrupt and is in terrible shape. What no one is looking at is that McCain has been a Senator for what, 30 years! And what has he done to turn it around. 30 years is a long time to not correct a problem!

"TRUMP: "I'm very disappointed in John McCain because the vets are horribly treated in this country. I'm fighting for the vets. I've done a lot for the vets ... He's done nothing to help the vets. And I will tell you, they are living in hell."



"THE THE FACTS: The VA says it has removed or forced into retirement at least six senior executives since the wait-time scandal emerged last year, including Sharon Helman, the former director of the Phoenix VA health care system, who was fired last year. The Phoenix VA was the epicenter of the wait-time scandal.

The VA announced last week it has placed an Augusta, Georgia, VA official on administrative leave following his indictment by the Justice Department on charges of falsifying medical records of numerous patients.

Despite these actions, McCain and other Republicans have pushed for the VA to do more to fire poor-performing employees. The new law gives the VA secretary greater authority to fire senior executives, with a final decision required within 28 days.

McCain slammed the VA earlier this month for failing to fix its "broken bureaucracy," but he and other lawmakers have little ability to affect the agency's day-to-day actions beyond changes to its budget and new legislation.: McCain has a long record of supporting veterans' issues in Congress. He was instrumental in a landmark law approved last year to overhaul the scandal-plagued Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain worked with the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont, as well as Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House veterans panel, to help win passage of the law, which aims to alleviate long delays veterans faced in getting medical care."

"McCain pushed for a provision in the law allowing veterans who live more than 40 miles away from a VA health care site to get government-paid care from a local doctor. McCain and Miller also pushed to make it easier to fire senior VA employees for poor performance."

"McCain also was central in a law enacted this year aimed at reducing a suicide epidemic among military veterans that claims the lives of an estimated 22 every day. The law is named for Clay Hunt, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who killed himself in 2011. It requires the VA and the Pentagon to submit to independent reviews of their suicide prevention programs and offers financial incentives to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals who agree to work for the VA.

Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, credited McCain for his leadership in both the VA overhaul and the Clay Hunt law. While McCain "is very capable of defending himself," Rieckhoff said, "a public attack on one veteran's service is an attack on us all.""



"
TRUMP: "Thanks to McCain and his Senate colleague Bernie Sanders, their legislation to cover up the VA scandal...made sure no one has been punished, charged, jailed, fined or held responsible. McCain has abandoned our veterans. I will fight for them."

"
THE FACTS: The VA says it has removed or forced into retirement at least six senior executives since the wait-time scandal emerged last year, including Sharon Helman, the former director of the Phoenix VA health care system, who was fired last year. The Phoenix VA was the epicenter of the wait-time scandal.

The VA announced last week it has placed an Augusta, Georgia, VA official on administrative leave following his indictment by the Justice Department on charges of falsifying medical records of numerous patients.

Despite these actions, McCain and other Republicans have pushed for the VA to do more to fire poor-performing employees. The new law gives the VA secretary greater authority to fire senior executives, with a final decision required within 28 days.

McCain slammed the VA earlier this month for failing to fix its "broken bureaucracy," but he and other lawmakers have little ability to affect the agency's day-to-day actions beyond changes to its budget and new legislation.

FACT CHECK: Trump shortchanges McCain's record on veterans - Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/fact-check-trump-shortchanges-mccains-record-veterans-071217042--election.html)

[Guest]

The reaction from the hippie generation toward military men and women serving in Vietnam was a continuation of the irresponsible and self interested movement of the 1960's. Like slavery, the hippie's irrational and derogatory behavior was a stain on this country led by Jane Hanoi Fonda and abetted by John Kerry who should have known better. Those same people populate our universities and government and continue with their infectious propaganda to this country's detriment.

Personal Best Regards:

I must admit that I heard Brig. Gen. Jack D. Ripper's voice when I read this.