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Deserving of honor?

Posted

To the editor:

I knew! I knew! I knew! Michael Gorman would have something to say after Trump said he would like the Medal of Honor.

Let's go back in time. Harry S. Truman states, "I would rather have a Medal of Honor than be the President of the United States." While I knew you would comment on Trump's statement in the negative, I agree with you if Congress opens the Medal of Honor criteria for a POTUS (it never will).

Harry Truman was a decorated WW1 veteran; Trump was deferred for school and bone spurs. Congress wanted to award Truman the medal in 1971. But Truman refused stating, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

On the other hand, if Congress authorized that a POTUS is eligible for the MOH (will not happen), Trump would gladly take it. As a veteran, like you, I would be appalled if he did accept it.

I'm a man of reason and I think in a propitious manner. I understand your resentment since Trump received deferments for bone spurs and circumvented the Vietnam war.

His father, with the help of a judge that lived in his building, helped him avoid being drafted. This is similar to the Civil War where people with money would pay another man three hundred dollars to take their place.

Bill Clinton also avoided the draft using education deferments as well. Is he a coward as well, like you say Trump is? I am not a draftee since the draft was over when I enlisted at the tender age of eighteen in 1979, a mere month after the hostages were taken in Iran.

I would implore you to look into sanguine activities this way you can reduce your Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).

Dominic Genovese

Comments

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  • Harry

    The ask of Trump to be given an MOH should be taken in the context of his view that dead or injured military are losers, and John McCain being a POW was somehow his fault. Wearing a baseball cap when accepting home the remains of our heroes reflects Trump’s own derangement.

    Wednesday, March 18 Report this

  • fcannisi

    I would add that Trump actually accepted a veterans Purple Heart saying "I always wanted one of these, getting it this way was much easier."

    Trump also called escaping venereal disease at Studio 54 his personal Vietnam and getting the Medal of Freedom better than the MOH because you don't have to get all shot up to earn one.

    Sorry Mr. Genovese, Trump stands out in his blatant disrespect for the sacrifices our troops make.

    Wednesday, March 18 Report this

  • Valete

    A Tidbit of Historical Fact

    Many people claim that former Sen. John McCain became a war hero for refusing to be released from a Vietnamese prison during the Vietnam War.

    In his last re-election bid in 2016, John McCain pledged to the people of Arizona to vote to repeal Obamacare. He even sought Donald Trump’s endorsement, promising him in return that he would vote to repeal Obamacare. However, when the time came to vote, McCain chose to keep Obamacare, thereby breaking his promise to the people of Arizona and to Donald Trump.

    Any time we break a promise we make, the people to whom we make that promise have the right to call us traitors. Therefore, the people of Arizona and Donald Trump are perfectly justified in calling John McCain a traitor.

    Wednesday, March 18 Report this

  • Valete

    Why would anyone question a combat veteran’s reasoning,

    if he freely chooses to give President Trump his Purple Heart,

    as a gesture of respect for the president and the presidency?

    It is indubitably no one's business if a combat veteran wishes

    to present his Purple Heart to anyone, for any reason, including President Donald J. Trump.

    Wednesday, March 18 Report this

  • fcannisi

    Iraq War combat veteran Lt. Col. Louis Dorfman gave his Purple Heart medal to CANDIDATE Donald Trump on August 2, 2016. Upon accepting an unearned military combat medal, CANDIDATE Trump said "I always wanted one of these, getting it this way was much easier." No gesture of respect for the presidency or president.

    In any case, only an insensitive, disrespectful A-hole would accept a medal someone else earned in defense of our nation, full stop.

    AND, it would take the same type of A-hole to tell a Medal of Freedom recipient that her award "It's actually much better because everyone who gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they're soldiers. They're either in very bad shape because they've been hit so many times by bullets or they are dead."

    Thursday, March 19 Report this

  • Valete

    Keep posting your fallacious posts; your own words incriminate you—Hasta la vista!

    Thursday, March 19 Report this

  • Valete

    Lies and Truths

    A lie asked the truth to walk in the night.

    The air was warm and covered by roses.

    The truth was unsure, so it looked discerningly

    to see if the copious roses were truly resplendent.

    The roses had reflected the colors of the rainbow.

    So the lie and the truth embarked on a long walk.

    Somewhere along the way, the lie overpowered the truth.

    Truth being overcome by the lie, vanished into the

    dark night. For the world could not bear to look the

    truth in the eye, so the world turned from the truth

    in disgust. The lie had overcome the truth to humanity’s

    delight. Since the beginning of eternal time, the liet has been running unmasked in the world ,its proliferation in the world

    has arisen. For humanity had no deep longing to befriend

    the truth when the truth walked the face of

    the Earth. For humanity crucified him. And the world

    has been caressing the Big Lie ever since.

    Thursday, March 19 Report this

  • fcannisi

    Typical Word Man reaction to being caught in a lie.

    First, post a snarky retort that amounts to nothing more than "I know you are but what am I".

    Then, follow up with a long-winded, meaningless poem. Pretty predicable and quite pathetic.

    Thursday, March 19 Report this

  • wpeakes

    @Dominic Genovese and Word Man (aka JDonne, "0000", and Robert Sica)

    Whatever spin you care to put on it, the indisputable FACT is that after more than 10 days of unilaterally declaring war on Iran for various, varying, and prevaricated reasons, President Trump has not seen fit to address the American people directly himself, preferring instead to post on social media and rely on his sycophants to defend his decision. THAT is deplorable and indefensible.

    Thursday, March 19 Report this

  • namrogm

    Word Man, are you sure you're not really Dominic Genovese? If you, Robert Sica, starts writing nonsensical attempts at Socratic wisdom and painful Cuba syndrome brain destroying free verse, I'll know you are Mr. Genovese.

    Thursday, March 19 Report this

  • fcannisi

    Trump's blatant disrespect for McCain started well before McCain voted NO on repealing Obamacare.

    At a family leadership summit in Ames, Iowa, in July 2015 Trump brought up McCain - "I said, Somebody should run against McCain, who has been, in my opinion, not so hot. And I supported him for president! I raised a million dollars for him. That's a lot of money! I supported him. He lost. He let us down. But he lost. So I never liked him much after that, because I don't like losers." When Republican pollster Frank Luntz interjected with, "But he's a war hero!" Trump shot back, "He’s not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured? I like people that weren’t captured."

    On top of every other Trump insult to our troops listed in these comments, Trump disparaged a Gold Star family, skipped the 100-year WWI armistice ceremony in 2018 because it was raining AND incredibly on Memorial Day 2017, at Arlington National Cemetery, as Gen. John Kelly visited his son' grave Trump said "I don't get it. What was in it for them?"

    Michael Gorman has it exactly right - Trump stands alone in his disrespect for our military.

    Friday, March 20 Report this

  • Valete

    In your own words, you have been proven to be a liar. You have no credibility, reen’roe!

    In regard to the poems, they are miles above your head!

    Friday, March 20 Report this

  • Valete

    If President Trump were to accept any combat medal, it would be solely out of respect for the medal and its recipient. Claiming that the president cannot accept a combat medal from a medal recipient is nothing short of presumptuous.

    In conclusion, I’m certain if a combat medal recipient presented his/her combat medal to Biden or Obama, every Democrat would stand and cheer. Therefore, end the “righteous indignation;” it’s as “phony as a three-dollar bill.”

    Saturday, March 21 Report this

  • Valete

    Namgorm, write in clear English. Your last post makes as much sense as you do—none!

    Saturday, March 21 Report this

  • krell1349

    No MOH for the draft dodger with bone spurs.

    Saturday, March 21 Report this

  • Valete

    Combat medal recipients can choose who to present their medals to. Since they earned the medals, they have the right to award them to whomever they want.

    Nobody has the right to tell combat veterans what to do with their combat medals?

    If Biden or Obama were to receive a combat medal from a combat veteran, I am positive that Democrats would shout “Hail-the Chief, from the rooftops!”

    Saturday, March 21 Report this

  • dommyg

    I agree with some of the comments, however, I wasn't backing Trump on this. I find it appalling for any POTUS to accept any military medal not deserved. The vitriol from some of the people commenting is not warranted. I agree that Trump is an obtuse individual and would prefer his chest festooned with medals never earned. The country has been moving towards division for some time, way before he was elected to office. Let's go back to the days where everyone, no matter what party affiliation you identify with seemed to get along. I grew up when couples didn't care who you voted for, otherwise, we're done as a country. A famous POTUS once said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

    Sunday, March 22 Report this

  • Valete

    Mr. Trump’s Iran campaign seeks to eradicate Iran’s global terrorism, liberate the Iranian people from their oppressive regime, and liberate Israel from Iran-sponsored terrorism.

    Sunday, March 22 Report this

  • Valete

    Mr. Trump received the highest honors of all—the people’s trust and vote! No other awards are necessary.

    I reiterate, a combat veteran has the absolute right to present his/her combat medal to whomever he/she chooses without any restrictions—end of subject.

    Sunday, March 22 Report this

  • Valete

    The question is: If a combat veteran were to offer Mr. Trump his or her combat medal, would it be appropriate for Mr. Trump to decline it?

    The answer

    Mr. Trump’s refusal of the combat medal would be disrespectful to the combat veteran and the medal itself.

    The medal represents mutual respect between Mr. Trump and the veteran who presents it to the president.

    In my opinion, Lincoln’s House Divided speech, with its biblical references, continues to hold significance for the nation today.

    The combat veteran chooses to gift his medal

    to the U.S. President, who has shown mettle.

    The medal is a gift of respect between two men,

    who valiantly survived militant enemy fire, amen.

    It is a gesture of respect between two men

    who have an endearing friendship, amen.

    Monday, March 23 Report this

  • fcannisi

    I wholeheartedly agree with dommyg that political discourse was coarse prior to Trump and that our country is heading into a bad direction.

    However, Trump has amplified our divisions with his extremely vitriolic language and vindictive actions.

    Monday, March 23 Report this

  • Valete

    Butler, Pa.

    Best not to forget that bleak, dark day in Butler, PA,

    when President Trump spoke on that inglorious day.

    For a mentally deranged assassin opened fire in ire,

    forcing Mr. Trump deep down into muck and mire.

    Only to arise like the Phoenix from the burning ashes,

    Trump cried out, with fist raised, “Fight, fight!” in flashes.

    All praise and glory to the man of valiant gumption,

    whom from a priest’s hand received Extreme Unction.

    It was the divine hand of God that saved Pres. Trump

    from an assassin’s bullet that had gone thumpity thump.

    For the right hand of God had caught the assassin’s bullet,

    and forcefully thrown it into the furies of Hell’s gullet.

    As President Trump had arisen from the raucous turmoil,

    an enraged and bemused crowd had feverishly recoiled.

    For Trump, battered and bloodied, had been taken away,

    in a big-black limousine to the crowd’s shocking dismay.

    This day of infamy had caused the crowd to weep;

    for they had taken Trump someplace oblique.

    Overtaken by grief and confusion, the crowd did implore,

    “Where have you taken President Trump, the man we adore?”

    Monday, March 23 Report this

  • fcannisi

    Word Man's ode regarding Butler, Pa. in July 2024 overlooked the most significant thing that occurred that day.

    Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old former volunteer fire chief and father was killed by that mentally deranged assassin.

    Odes and weeping should be reserved for Mr Comperatore and his family.

    Monday, March 23 Report this

  • Valete

    I composed an ode to President Donald J. Trump, acknowledging his remarkable courage and resilience after being shot by a rogue assassin.

    President Trump demonstrated extraordinary courage in the face of danger, and it is appropriate to recognize his strength and determination. I am honored to have written a poem in honor of President Trump.

    If you wish to compose an ode or a dirge in honor of Corey Comperatore, I encourage you to do so. There are no barriers preventing you from expressing your sentiments.

    Wednesday, March 25 Report this

  • Valete

    Corey Comperatore

    In Butler, Pa., on a dark, ominous day,

    Corey Comperatore was fatally shot.

    The assassin’s bullet missed its prey.

    For it had gone astray, a misshot.

    From screams, tears and total disarray,

    The crowds sought shelter on the spot.

    For the crazed assassin was tucked away;

    An evil one he was, he fired the fatal shot.

    The devilish assassin had no humanity today;

    he lost it in the dark shadows of Butler, Pa.

    For the wily assassin escaped the authorities this day;

    as they had no creditable hypothesis to convey.

    As the assassin confessed his crimes to his father,

    a man of the cloth, he did say.

    “Son, confess your heinous crimes to the local

    authorities without delay.

    For the earthly body of Corey Comperatore was mortal,

    and laid at rest.

    At Corey’s funeral, covered in a river of free-flowing tears,

    Corey’s family and friends in genuflection silently-prayed.

    To God the Father, Corey’s family had solemnly prayed

    for the soul of Corey Comperatore, in Heaven today.

    Wednesday, March 25 Report this