Many of us are both proud to be an embarrassed to be an American. This isn’t a surprise to those of you that know me. The values I stand for are basic. They are honor, integrity, and thoughtfulness. The embarrassment comes into play due to the current political administration and its Supreme Leader, Donald Trump.
Remember those days when many travelers from our country were considered Ugly Americans? Those days are back and led by an arrogant, self-centered, egomaniacal hypocrite who thinks the world revolves around him and his family. Donald Trump, the evil essence of dogma that I have fought against most of my life.
Donald Trump has shown contempt for almost everything that our country stands for. His political hero Andrew Jackson showed his racism against native Americans. Trump has outdone Jackson in his attacks on everything and everyone that disagrees with any of his actions. Groups that have been in Trump’s crosshairs include but are not limited to; women, Hispanics, blacks, Muslims, and the NFL to name just a few. Oh, let me not forget a major group that has received his ire. That group consists of anyone that disagrees with and states he is wrong.
He claims to have a genius IQ. However, he makes statements such as Puerto Rico is an island surrounded by water. Mr. Trump (notice how I don’t say Mr. President) the basic definition of an island is a land mass surrounded by water. I could present other strange comments about him yet none of them will change the minds of his core supporters that learned that Puerto Rico is an island from the BLOTUS.
Trump’s attack on the NFL may trigger another criminal investigation into his actions as President. The law is: 18 U.S. Code § 227 - Wrongfully influencing a private entity’s employment decisions by a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch. Look up the code for yourself. On the other hand he has suggested that kneeling during the Star Spangled Banner is illegal and unpatriotic.
On the contrary, the U.S. Code is clear in suggesting not legalizing mandatory standing during the National Anthem. No penalty exists. Even Supreme Court Justice Scalia considered protests involving the flag as a sacred part of the free speech and the first amendment. It makes me wonder if Trump isn’t getting his information from the NRA and its stand on standing for the flag? We don’t know for sure at this time since his legal advisers haven’t been seen since being caught at a cafe discussing Trump’s legal situation openly next to a reporter from the New York Times.
I honor our flag as Scalia says it should be honored. I applaud the NFL for not allowing the BLOTUS to intimidate them. Contrary to what the NRA thinks or its members may or not believe the flag is a symbol. The flag does not support our leaders. It does not represent our fallen soldiers. Our respect for the law and Constitution is far more important than a flag. The graves that we visit of those that have fallen in service to our country says so much more than our flag.
In my heart I believe that our soldiers have fought and died for what the flag represents not for the flag itself. Our soldiers fought for the rights of all. Among those rights that come to mind are Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech and the freedom that allows us to stand against tyranny no matter where it is found even in the hands of POTUS. Our Constitution has been so eloquent in expressing these concepts.
