Trump honors D-Day vets, discusses Vietnam deferment

"I want to thank everyone who came to my defense last night during my personal Battle of the Bulge with he who must not be named.

Shades of the trial of Oscar Wilde?

"At that time, nobody had ever heard of the country."

Speak for yourself, Mr low IQ.

Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, didn't indicate he was moved by the arguments he heard.

Reminds me of the Trump supporter who said climate change has always happened - quote, it's called winter, spring, summer and fall, unquote.

"I'll be honest with you."

Always followed with a lie.

"I think I'm making up for it rapidly because we're rebuilding our military at a level it's never seen before."

Is an example of rebuilding the military taking funds from it to build his wall? If so, it sounds like the military has TOO much money.

It's shameful the US economy has relied on military spending for so many decades, and that Trump and the war hawks in his admin - and Congress - are spending even more to subsidize big war industries and their investors.

Throughout Trump's life his primary focus has been to make more money. If the public could see his most recent tax info we might learn how much he's invested in big war industries, and which of these industries have been awarded government contracts while he's been in office.

Can't stand the guy but I agree--why would any American want to fight in that war if they could avoid it? I've never met a progressive who was for the war in Vietnam at least not in retrospect. Are liberals now saying only men who wore the uniform are eligible for the presidency? i.e. Echoing GOP talking pts. against Clinton or Obama? And thus far, however cozy his ties with rightists across the globe, he has been more reluctant to start wars of his own than our last 3 presidents (who either failed to serve or in war criminal Bush's case avoided combat). Pick your battles people--this kind of debate isn't going to change any ballots next year, unless of course he heeds the insane likes of John Bolton and starts his own war.

In the interview with Piers Morgan that aired Tuesday, Trump was asked if he wished he had served in Vietnam. "Well, I was never a fan of that war, I'll be honest with you. I thought it was a terrible war. I thought it was very far away," Trump said. "At that time, nobody had ever heard of the country." Trump received a series of deferments to avoid serving in Vietnam, including one attained with a physician's letter stating that he suffered from bone spurs in his feet.

Or, as with Bill Clinton, he was a coward. Billie and Donnie - both draft dodgers and perverts. No wonder he can't stand to see John McCain's name honored on a US warship - reminds him of his cowardice...

The queen provided the keynote address in unusually personal terms. "When I attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings, some thought it might be the last such event. But the wartime generation, my generation, is resilient, and I am delighted to be with you in Portsmouth today," she said.

Classy...

Trump's after-midnight tweets showed anew that the president has a hard time overlooking criticism, taking on an actress who has been critical of him on Twitter but who also offered an apology when she discovered a quote attributed to Trump had not occurred. Trump called her a "washed up psycho."

Vulgar and classless....

Trump said: "She was nasty to me. And that's OK for her to be nasty, it's not good for me to be nasty to her and I wasn't."

Verifying for everyone that what Mattis said was true - he has the "understanding of a fifth grader"...

He disparages Gold Star families.

He couldn't be troubled to attend a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington.

He tried to pocket the money he raised for Vets when he chickened out of that debate with Hillary, and held a fundraiser instead.

He tried to promote his crazy personal doctor to the head of the VA.

He doesn't visit Walter Reed hospital 

No Trumps have ever served.

Disparages John McCain every chance he gets

So let me get this straight: Trump says he ducked Vietnam because it was "far away" and not popular, but he would have eagerly gone to fight in a more popular war?

The insanity that spews from this "president's" mouth just never ends.

trump is clearly an idiot beyond belief...….why does that sound so complimentary.....AGH!

On to climate change, CLEARLY tiny winy Donny boy can be neither FOR or AGAINST climate change as the moron DOESNT even understand the CONCEPT & I quote:

> Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, didn't indicate he was moved by the arguments he heard. "I believe that there's a change in weather and I think it changes both ways," Trump told Morgan, a former contestant on Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice."

O...…….M……..G!! the imbecile DOESNT even understand the concept, suppose it is hardly surprising given the rest of the moronic things he said just on this trip alone.

Time to send this fool back to junior high & start again, though that likely wont help at this point in time

Correction:

He did visit Walter Reed.

No wonder he can't stand to see John McCain's name honored on a US warship - reminds him of his cowardice...

No, it’s because McCain from the beginning tried to thwart his Presidential run from the start, on that, I can’t blame him for being hostile to the man.

Verifying for everyone that what Mattis said was true - he has the "understanding of a fifth grader"...

But Mattis is not the most powerful man in the world. So his opinion is just that, an opinion.

Can't stand the guy but I agree--why would any American want to fight in that war if they could avoid it? I've never met a progressive who was for the war in Vietnam at least not in retrospect. Are liberals now saying only men who wore the uniform are eligible for the presidency? i.e. Echoing GOP talking pts. against Clinton or Obama? And thus far, however cozy his ties with rightists across the globe, he has been more reluctant to start wars of his own than our last 3 presidents (who either failed to serve or in war criminal Bush's case avoided combat). Pick your battles people--this kind of debate isn't going to change any ballots next year, unless of course he heeds the insane likes of John Bolton and starts his own war.

Oh, please! This is bigger than Trump. You hate the President, I love this guy, we have our different opinions and different ideologies, but let’s not lose sight what these commemorations stand for and why we are celebrating them, it’s bigger than all of us. The President can echo talking points, it shouldn’t distract from what really is the main focus of these said, but very important memorials.

But Mattis is not the most powerful man in the world. So his opinion is just that, an opinion.

I would say that the Defense Secretary's observations are more than "just opinion". Trump's ignorance is a security issue.

Oh, please! This is bigger than Trump. You hate the President, I love this guy, we have our different opinions and different ideologies, but let’s not lose sight what these commemorations stand for and why we are celebrating them, it’s bigger than all of us. The President can echo talking points, it shouldn’t distract from what really is the main focus of these said, but very important memorials.

Apparently you didn't get past the first few words of my comment. Nothing you'd said here has a thing to do with what I wrote (i.e. a par for the course).

Trump's verdict that it was "a terrible war" is correct, but Donnie's disingenuous: he dodged the draft with a "deferment" to save his own bacon and not out of any conviction that because the war was a crime against humanity all Americans with a conscience should have defied the criminal plans of successive US governments to wage wars of aggression against the peoples of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Trump's support for bin Salman's murderous assault on the Yemeni people is proof enough of his patent insincerity.

When Donald endures an hour of rough seas then scrabbles on to a beach under fire and fights his way forward I might give him the time of day. Even hug him. But sadly when the call went out for heroes I turned around and Donald was gone.

"At that time, nobody had ever heard of the country."

No wonder Trump University failed.

I thought it was very far away,"

Donny must have been preparing for wars closer to home, like the 'Civil War'.

I'm betting the same guys who swift boated John Kerry voted for President Bone Spurs.

I would say that the Defense Secretary's observations are more than "just opinion". Trump's ignorance is a security issue.

For the Media, I guess so...

Apparently you didn't get past the first few words of my comment.

I did, but I guess you didn’t get my overall point, now why am I not surprised by that. Less emotion.

lol Not so easy to dismiss when Mattis worked for Trump and observed him at close quarter, so based on his first hand experience.

There are other Generals that have a different opinion. Mattis is just one man who has an opinion, people are allowed to agree or disagree.

I did, but I guess you didn’t get my overall point, now why am I not surprised by that. Less emotion.

Trust me when I say that no one gets your overall point b/c there's no there there bro. It's stream of consciousness word salad typed out with one hand while you're reading Twitter. That's not emotion, that's stone cold truth from someone who gets paid handsomely to assess academic writing.

The Queen is paying attention to what's going on. Charles and Trump aren't. Where's the respect? And who deserves it the most? QE2

Trust me when I say that no one gets your overall point

I disagree.

It's stream of consciousness word salad typed out with one hand while you're reading Twitter.

I’m not a fan of Twitter, try again.

That's not emotion,

It’s real emotion and that’s not necessary.

I am surprised that Trump could actually stand on that stage, given his disabilities and all.

No wonder he can't stand to see John McCain's name honored on a US warship - reminds him of his cowardice...

No, it’s because McCain from the beginning tried to thwart his Presidential run from the start, on that, I can’t blame him for being hostile to the man.

He's a war hero and statesman who served his country with valor and honor, and who has passed - that Donnie can't respect that and continues to disparage him, shows what a pitiful human being he is...

Verifying for everyone that what Mattis said was true - he has the "understanding of a fifth grader"...

But Mattis is not the most powerful man in the world. So his opinion is just that, an opinion.

Trump isn't the most powerful man in the world either, that's Putin - he got a criminal con-man elected President of the US. As to Mattis' opinion, it is shared by Tillertson, Kelly, McMaster, Cohn, and almost everyone else that has worked for Trump...and no doubt by the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family...

Remember when the leftists took to the streets across America in the 1960s to march in honor of extolling /honoring the soldiers who went to Vietnam? Yeah, neither do I.

Wonder how the dems are going to downplay their party's front runner for their nomination when American voters learn that Biden received as many deferments as President Trump during the Vietnam Conflict for having "teenage asthma" until he aged out (25) of being drafted.

Mattis is a man of 44 years of military service to his country rising to the rank of General.

Great for him. I do respect his service to our country.

Not so easy to achieve. I wonder if Trump had been in military service what rank he might have achieved. Corporal, or Sargent ?

I wonder what would have happened if the last President would have never been elected.

General John Kelly, previous Chief-of-Staff also has same views as Mattis.

They aren’t the President. They’re “yes, sir” men

Although I oppose mindless wars of choice similar to the Lyndon B (Bomb Then Back to the Stone Age) Johnson War on Vietnam as well as the George W (Weapons of Mass Deception ) Bush wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, I was also a university student in the 60s and registered with the Selective Service of the United States of America as required by law.

The current occupant of the White House bought his way out of his duty as a citizen of the United States of America. He was a farce then and continues to be a farce today.

What a disgrace that this coward was invited to talk. Again, how the mighty have fallen that they grovel to the US and a coward president. UK, sent this poor excuse of a president, poor excuse of a man home. Have some self respect.

It’s real emotion and that’s not necessary.

Emotions are good, actually, but I understand that Trump cultists are heartless.

What a disgrace that this coward was invited to talk.

Why? He’s the President. He represents us, he has every right to talk and be in Europe especially after the sacrifices of so many of our men that died liberating Europe.

Have some self respect.

Exactly why he’s there, much respect.

Emotions are good,

Well, it’s not serving liberals at all politically at this point and time.

actually, but I understand that Trump cultists are heartless

To the Democrats and establishment that trying to take him down, he’s, we are.

bass4funk: "He represents us".  So this coward represents you! Enough said.

I've never faulted Trump for deferment. None of us here can really say we'd be gung ho about being shipped to Vietnam unless they actually did it. I'm not a military man and if I were that age back then I would have tried to get out of it.

It's just that we have to watch Trump do these ceremonial things like honoring troops with the knowledge that he mocked McCain as a POW. It's difficult because I can remember Trump trying to humiliate the mother of a fallen soldier by asking if she's allowed to speak. I guess having a American-Muslim son dying for other American troops doesn't get you a free pass on some mocking religious stereotypes.

And his reason? They said mean things to him. Ya know what, Trump? I've had a few mean things said to me over my lifetime. But I've sure as hell never mocked the person saying it for spending 5 years of his life as a POW after my dad bought my way out.

“They said: ‘You know, we could make it smaller. We could make it 3%. We could make it 2%. We could make it 4%.’ I said: ‘No. Make it 10%. Make it more than 10%.’”

Trump told that lie to cheering troops. Why? Because he's a loser and he wanted to make people cheer for him.

Maybe, just maybe, he's not the best person to be reading during ceremonies for our fallen soldiers. It's astounding to think that this is what America sent.

There are other Generals that have a different opinion. Mattis is just one man who has an opinion, people are allowed to agree or disagree.

Mattis has 44yrs experience in the military and world affairs, and hes one of the more hardcore generals the US has had. Yet even his opinion makes Trump look ignorant. Trump can disagree but it doesn't make him right, Id say that Mattis is far more knowledgeable in world affairs than Trump and thats based on facts not opinions

he could have volunteered for some other service like the peace corp a reserve service or the USO...

"I thought it was very far away . . . At that time, nobody had ever heard of the country."

Donald Trump

And yet Trump went to great lengths to insult former P.O.W. John McCain.

Wouldn't you hate to be in the same foxhole with a wuss like Trump?

"He represents us". So this coward represents you! Enough said.

If that were true then he would’ve never gotten elected. Not hard to see why people are tired of the establishment.

It's just that we have to watch Trump do these ceremonial things like honoring troops with the knowledge that he mocked McCain as a POW. It's difficult because I can remember Trump trying to humiliate the mother of a fallen soldier by asking if she's allowed to speak.

Do you member how the Democrats humiliated the mothers of murdered children, they got no respect, the point is, it doesn’t serve the liberal narrative. I don’t fault the person at all for attacking McCain for the sheer fact that the men from the very beginning is out to destroy him, based on that alone he had every right to respond. The same goes for the Khan family that equally attacked him. Now it doesn’t go far enough to say, Trump is a counterpuncher and if people don’t like how he conducts himself, leave the man alone, if you criticize the man, that’s one thing, but you start calling him names, I assure you, he won’t take it and the insults will come back 5 times nastier. He just will not allow people to attack him, nor should he.

I guess having a American-Muslim son dying for other American troops doesn't get you a free pass on some mocking religious stereotypes.

Ahhh, the race card again, I forgot, it’s all about race with liberals. Well, there are plenty of Whites that get the same treatment, he’s not showing Chuck, Nancy or Biden any love either, so there goes that weak argument.

Trump told that lie to cheering troops. Why? Because he's a loser and he wanted to make people cheer for him.

Really? I completely disagree.

Maybe, just maybe, he's not the best person to be reading during ceremonies for our fallen soldiers. It's astounding to think that this is what America sent.

Some May think that, I think he did a fantastic job.

Mattis has 44yrs experience in the military and world affairs, and hes one of the more hardcore generals the US has had.

Ok and?

Yet even his opinion makes Trump look ignorant.

Well, he has the absolute right to his opinion, as well as the President, the haters and his supporters.

Trump can disagree but it doesn't make him right,

Doesn’t make him wrong and it doesn’t make Mattis right.

Id say that Mattis is far more knowledgeable in world affairs than Trump and thats based on facts not opinions.

Probably is, but Trump has more money, more success, property, TV shows in syndication and the highest position in the country and not even taking a salary. Again, we all feel differently and have a right to those feelings.

trump is very sick & greedy.

@bass4 not even taking a salary. 

While the taxpayers fund his golf trips to his properties where he bills the taxpayers for any expenses his trips cost.

How much do US taxpayers pay for his family member's personal vacations?

If the Trumps are so rich, they should have paid their own way on this current trip instead of having the US taxpayers pick up the tabs for their luxurious lifestyles.

More welfare for the rich.

Bass: Do you member how the Democrats

Of course I do. I’m a Democrat. I remember perfectly whatever wuddaboutism you’re mentioning. (Respond with the real story here being liberal hypocrisy.)

I don’t fault the person at all for attacking McCain for the sheer fact that the men from the very beginning is out to destroy him, based on that alone he had every right to respond. The same goes for the Khan family that equally attacked him. 

I already know this. A POW insults you, you insult him for being in a cage for 5 years. Got it already. No need to keep repeating it. (Respond with vague comments that don’t mention mocking POWs).

Ahhh, the race card again, I forgot, it’s all about race with liberals.

Of course it is. Trump would have mocked a white Christian Gold Star mother in the exact same way, and it’s just me projecting the Muslim race angle here. (Agree with me.)

Probably is, but Trump has more money, more success, property, TV shows in syndication and the highest position in the country

so how does Trump wealth make him more experienced in world affairs than Mattis!? if anything greed causes more problems than it solves, GFC and Trumps business past is proof of that. The whole point Trump hired Mattis was because of his experience. Yet Trump wouldnt listen to Mattis becuase he though he knew better. Thats not an opinion that is a well known fact

They aren’t the President. They’re “yes, sir” men

I don't understand. Before, you said it was fine that Trump was an ignorant baby-brain because his advisors would tell him what to do. Now you're saying his advisors only do what he tells them. Which is it?

To the Democrats and establishment that trying to take him down, he’s, we are.

It's women, children, the old and the poor Trump cultists are heartless towards. They cheer the death of the oppressed while they tongue the toes of the undeserving wealthy.

... 5 times nastyer.

...an apt description of Trump.

While the taxpayers fund his golf trips to his properties where he bills the taxpayers for any expenses his trips cost. 

I could name a bunch of liberal outlets where we as the tax payer system not

How much do US taxpayers pay for his family member's personal vacations? 

QI’ll be sure to remind you of the same thing should we ever get a Democrat President.

If the Trumps are so rich, they should have paid their own way on this current trip instead of having the US taxpayers pick up the tabs for their luxurious lifestyles. 

More welfare for the rich.

We feel the same way about most liberal funded outlets.

Of course I do. I’m a Democrat.

Really??

I already know this. A POW insults you, you insult him for being in a cage for 5 years. Got it already.

Exactly.

Of course it is. Trump would have mocked a white Christian Gold Star mother in the exact same way, and it’s just me projecting the Muslim race angle here. (Agree with me.)

Race and religion have nothing to do with it, conduct does.

I don't understand. Before, you said it was fine that Trump was an ignorant baby-brain

I never said such a thing,

because his advisors would tell him what to do.

I said, he can act the way he wants, if there’s something he doesn’t know, he can always seek the advice of his counsel.

The Gulf of Tonking incident was not real. I like the Pres to be as close to the truth as he possibly can.

Deferments and exemptions were sought and obtained by many people during the American phase of the Vietnam war. People on the right and left. If some of you insist that Mr. Trump is a coward then the same term should be applied to anyone who sought a deferment or exemption.

@zichi

Trump wants to destroy the unity of Europe.

The present European leadership is quite capable of doing that themselves as has been proven by their inability to control the EU border since 2015 (or before).

@zichi

We also have to remember how the African American troops were treated in this war.

The first thing is to remember what THEY DID on D-Day.

They were afraid like most. They performed their mission* like most. Whether brave or not, they spilled their blood. All this in spite of mistreatment by some at home. That is community and nation building character.

(* Many were members of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion charged with raising anti-aircraft balloons, under fire, to protect ships and troops on the beach from the Luftwaffe. Can the protesters in London who raised “Baby Trump” be compared to them?)

Trump has declared his own war on Europe including the abolition of the British NHS and other universal healthcare.

He’s entitled to his opinion

He wants to remove those hard won freedoms to put Europe once again under the thumb of America.

Not under the thumb, but of an equal ally, but when you have Europe trying to tell us what to do, how to live, how we should conduct ourselves is just asinine as if Trump does it to Europe.

Trump is a dangerous man in Europe, not a friend.

Trump is a friend, but more importantly, he’s a President who’s an American Nationalist, America first which is refreshing from the order of Europe first. If Europe can take care of itself and never asks for our money or assistance or back them militarily and take the lead for a change, that is a good friend with good incentives, if not, then that they oldnt be considered a friend.

But we both know that's it's much more than just another invalid opinion and intends to take whatever actions he is able to.

Is it a problem?

Trump has zero interest in "equal ally" whether it it's the EU, Britain or Japan. Maybe Israel is an exception with him continuing huge monies without demanding anything in return.

No, he does, he just doesn’t believe in an unhealthy one-sided EU, Britain, Japan free for all.

Seems like for trade both the EU and America need each other. 

We do, but it needs to be fair, not to mention, these countries love our military technology especially the F-35 and F-22 fighters.

The EU countries are huge investors in America, helping to create American jobs.

Not nearly enough as we do.

Seems like we are the ones putting money into America.

Now, it’s getting there, if you get the socialists in, it’ll greatly benefit Europe in the long run.

We do, but it needs to be fair, not to mention, these countries love our military technology especially the F-35

For which other countries pay Lockheed, so . . .

and F-22 fighters

Which is unavailable for export, so . . .

For which other countries pay Lockheed, so . . .

They want the best.

Which is unavailable for export, so . . .

Gotta keep the superiority

They want the best.

Irrelevant to any trade imbalance because other countries pay for the F-35 with their own money. Well, not Israel; it pays for F-35s with the money we give it in military aid.

Gotta keep the superiority

Irrelevant to your incorrectly implying that the F-22 is sold to other countries.

Can't stand the guy but I agree--why would any American want to fight in that war if they could avoid it? I've never met a progressive who was for the war in Vietnam at least not in retrospect. Are liberals now saying only men who wore the uniform are eligible for the presidency?

Yes, Lib hero Clinton also avoided the draft, as did other Repubs and Dems. For us Veterans, Vietnam has a significance for those who served, but from a geo-political view...one can be forgiven for asking was the war even worth it? During service, we dont think or ask such questions, but latter, they come in retrospect. I mean, Vietnam is now a quasi-ally of sorts, and no longer an enemy. Actually they never were. And Trump did build the memorial for the fallen Nam vets. I dont judge him for not going there, and I personally would not want to die for such a "cause"