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kpete

(71,999 posts)
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 11:13 AM Oct 2017

VET: I thought I was done being shocked by this megalomaniac-I was wrong. Even for him, this is low.

Charles Clymer - Writer
12 hrs ·

This evening, it was reported that Donald Trump told a grieving military widow over the phone that her husband "knew what he signed up for".

The full reported quotation was: "he knew what he signed up for ...but when it happens it hurts anyway."

I have folded countless flags in Arlington National Cemetery, carried countless caskets to their final resting place, and heard countless parents, spouses, siblings, and children grieve over the loss of their loved ones.

I have heard things cried out in agony over flag-draped caskets that I dare not repeat here because there is something to be said for the sacred and dignified privacy of certain moments that transcend our fragile bonds.

What is given to the rest of us by these families is a person who represents the whole sum of all that's come before them and all that could have been had they lived.

Sergeant La David Johnson, 25, will never again celebrate the birthday parties of his two children. His parents will never again be able to call on a weeknight and playfully hassle him for not calling them enough.

His wife, Myeshia Johnson, pregnant with their third child, due in January, will never again wake up next to his warm body on a winter's morning.

These are all part of the million things now lost forever to this family.

And it is why when interacting with the loved ones of a fallen service member, anything less than perfection is failure.

How many commanding officers have rehearsed their remarks to spouses, rewritten handwritten letters to the bereaved because the words weren't quite right, spent an extra thirty minutes scouring their uniforms for lint before visiting the family's home?

These moments are sacred, and everything must be perfect.

I cannot adequately articulate the disgusting cruelty of this person who could not be bothered to choose his words carefully when speaking to a widow who has lost everything.

This is a man who never served, who received five draft deferments, who has insulted a prisoner of war, who has lied about donating to veteran's organizations, and who, just last year, callously mocked the parents of a fallen soldier because of their religion.

This coward is a high functioning sociopath who is unfit for the Office of the Presidency, let alone negotiating our daily collective existence with people far greater in character than he will ever be.


I thought I was done being shocked by this megalomaniac, and I was wrong. Even for him, this is low.

Sergeant Johnson, thank you for your service, given in full, and our thanks to your family for theirs. Be thou at peace.

https://www.facebook.com/cmclymer/posts/994854820657410

47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
VET: I thought I was done being shocked by this megalomaniac-I was wrong. Even for him, this is low. (Original Post) kpete Oct 2017 OP
One of the most beautiful pieces cilla4progress Oct 2017 #1
And sadly these actions will not budge the support of his cult members. kimbutgar Oct 2017 #2
They will probably start sending the widow insults and threats if she doesn't support his lie. nt tblue37 Oct 2017 #24
You're right. Just five minutes ago, on a discussion a friend of mine posted Neema Oct 2017 #33
K & R SunSeeker Oct 2017 #3
President Obama should call her lame54 Oct 2017 #4
In an unofficial capacity. Blue_true Oct 2017 #44
He should call her because... lame54 Oct 2017 #47
The only thing I'd add gratuitous Oct 2017 #5
I've got to tell Mrs. Stonepounder yet again to not peel onions while I am reading. Stonepounder Oct 2017 #6
K&R smirkymonkey Oct 2017 #7
Well, that did it. sarge43 Oct 2017 #8
SCROTUS fails us every time he opens that vile, sphincter-like mouth of his, but ordinary catbyte Oct 2017 #17
Thank you so much for posting this gofundme. It's the least we can do. n/t sarge43 Oct 2017 #21
You're very welcome. I found another GoFundMe for Dustin Wright that's not getting as much traction catbyte Oct 2017 #36
Thank you again. n/t sarge43 Oct 2017 #39
Thanks. Enoki33 Oct 2017 #42
Something in my eye... calimary Oct 2017 #9
The only thing in question here is the 'high-functioning' part. joanbarnes Oct 2017 #10
+1 sandensea Oct 2017 #15
i agree. barbtries Oct 2017 #16
He is a high-functioning sociopath. He got to be president. tblue37 Oct 2017 #23
K&R for exposing the Toxic Tangerine meow2u3 Oct 2017 #11
It was a beautiful and profound letter but I too questioned that part. arthritisR_US Oct 2017 #12
Moved to tears. I'm so ashamed to be an American at this time of our history. ffr Oct 2017 #13
The tears welling in my eyes are born of both grief and rage... Moostache Oct 2017 #14
Outrage peggysue2 Oct 2017 #18
My husband, a vet, said Trump was essentially saying, "Sucks to be you". Solly Mack Oct 2017 #19
Sucks to be in the military now FakeNoose Oct 2017 #34
Yup. Imagine being on the WH detail. That has to be major suckage. n/t sarge43 Oct 2017 #37
Tragic that the US President addressed the loss of your son Alice11111 Oct 2017 #20
K&R for visibility. nt tblue37 Oct 2017 #22
100th Rec ...and tears Hekate Oct 2017 #25
And this is from the exclusively few interviews this regime does with the media. ffr Oct 2017 #26
"Be thou at peace." Still In Wisconsin Oct 2017 #27
K&R ... there is nothing I could possibly add. Nothing. Puzzler Oct 2017 #28
I just know heaven05 Oct 2017 #29
this heaven05 Oct 2017 #30
It is our horrible MFM008 Oct 2017 #31
everyday it's another bdamomma Oct 2017 #32
Kick. dalton99a Oct 2017 #35
The Republican draft dodger in chief is pissing Achilleaze Oct 2017 #38
For what its worth, we DO support survivors Fritz Walter Oct 2017 #40
That brought some tears. PatrickforO Oct 2017 #41
I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire madokie Oct 2017 #43
Obviously trump didn't know what he signed up for mdbl Oct 2017 #45
There is no low point for Trump. He thinks they are all high points. LiberalFighter Oct 2017 #46

kimbutgar

(21,172 posts)
2. And sadly these actions will not budge the support of his cult members.
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 12:04 PM
Oct 2017

So sick and disgusting him and his supporters. Draft dodging sob.

tblue37

(65,456 posts)
24. They will probably start sending the widow insults and threats if she doesn't support his lie. nt
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:51 PM
Oct 2017

Neema

(1,151 posts)
33. You're right. Just five minutes ago, on a discussion a friend of mine posted
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 05:39 PM
Oct 2017

about why our jobs are going overseas, a guy she knows posted something about how Trump is changing all that. That he's done more than any sitting president to keep our jobs from going overseas because he's a successful business man. Seriously. And this dude is Puerto Rican. I just had to shake my head and hide the post. There's no reasoning with someone that delusional.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
44. In an unofficial capacity.
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 08:59 PM
Oct 2017

Unfortunately Trump is President. I tear a hair out each day over Trump being President.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
5. The only thing I'd add
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 12:08 PM
Oct 2017

Sgt. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson, you deserved better. Your country has let you down.

sarge43

(28,941 posts)
8. Well, that did it.
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 12:25 PM
Oct 2017

I've been trying to hold back the tears of rage and pain. No more.

I won't say thank you Sgt Johnson. Just peaceful passage Soldier. Duty done. I wish we could do more for your wife and children. God knows they deserved better.

I try not to hate; it's corrosive. So, loathing and disgust for the soulless coward who said those vile words to your wife and children.

catbyte

(34,413 posts)
17. SCROTUS fails us every time he opens that vile, sphincter-like mouth of his, but ordinary
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:35 PM
Oct 2017

Americans are coming through for Sgt. Johnson's family. The GoFundMe page is up to $387,849 as of now.

https://www.gofundme.com/sgt-la-david-johnson-scholarship

catbyte

(34,413 posts)
36. You're very welcome. I found another GoFundMe for Dustin Wright that's not getting as much traction
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 05:59 PM
Oct 2017

Probably because that orange nightmare didn't make things 10 X worse for his family.

https://www.gofundme.com/ssg-dustin-wright-memorial-fund/

calimary

(81,352 posts)
9. Something in my eye...
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 12:26 PM
Oct 2017

I have NEVER in all my 64 years seen our country’s so-called “leadership” stoop so damn low. So utterly DETESTABLY and DESPICABLY low.

DEPLORABLY low.

tblue37

(65,456 posts)
23. He is a high-functioning sociopath. He got to be president.
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:50 PM
Oct 2017

Low-functioning sociopaths end up broke and/or in prison. That is the distinction that is drawn by psychologists.

meow2u3

(24,766 posts)
11. K&R for exposing the Toxic Tangerine
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 12:46 PM
Oct 2017

as the rotten-to-the-core, irredeemable, demonic monster he is!

ffr

(22,671 posts)
13. Moved to tears. I'm so ashamed to be an American at this time of our history.
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:06 PM
Oct 2017

But I would never want to trade places with Myeshia Johnson who not only lost her husband of three, but who now must also deal with 36% (Dotardians) of America being told to look down upon her family's sacrifice. It cannot ever be taken back. Surreal.


"Sergeant Johnson, thank you for your service, given in full, and our thanks to your family for theirs. Be thou at peace."

Moostache

(9,897 posts)
14. The tears welling in my eyes are born of both grief and rage...
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:11 PM
Oct 2017

I am so sorry for the asinine response of our President to the grieving widow that I want to punch him square in the jaw and shake him while screaming "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!"

I am also moved to tears by the immensely appropriate words from Charles Clymer. I never served. I was never subject to a draft or a choice of having to be inducted or seek refuge like our current Coward in Chief. I'll never fully know the depth of sacrifice serving in uniform requires, but I respect the choice and service of all those who answer the call. To see one of their surviving spouses and their memory disrespected like that is too much.

Trump is an irredeemable lump of shit. He is the answer to the question "what is worst in life?". Our country deserves better, but the families of our fallen soldiers should NEVER face such abuse from our leadership. Ever.

peggysue2

(10,836 posts)
18. Outrage
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:38 PM
Oct 2017

It's the only reasonable response to the Trumpster's latest example of full-on psychopathic behavior. And for the cherry on top, he lied about the encounter, called everyone who heard his hollow words as being fabulists. They made it up; he didn't say it. He has proof.

The only proof is the growing evidence of the man's callousness, his repeated soulless responses to anyone/anything that demands empathy, intelligence, understanding.

Josh Marshall at TPM wrote yesterday: the man is poison. Equally on the mark is Rick Wilson's mantra: Everything Trump Touches Dies. I stand by the story/lyrics that Trump repeated during the campaign: The wounded, venomous snake invited into the house. However, the ending needs a rewrite, specifically the kind woman, seeing the snake for what he is, heaves the reptile into the fire. And never looks back.

Solly Mack

(90,776 posts)
19. My husband, a vet, said Trump was essentially saying, "Sucks to be you".
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:43 PM
Oct 2017

That's what he said when we heard what the piece of shit said to Myeshia Johnson.

Then he made a face he hasn't made a in long while, not since his early days home from Iraq. He got up and walked away. Like he did in the early days after Iraq when his remembering got the better of him.

Trump's comments hit a lot of vets that way. His heartless and cruel words, said to the widow of a dead soldier, were one more destructive blow that leaves its mark forever.

Myeshia Johnson will never forget the day she learned of her husband's death. BAM

She will never forget the day his body made it home. BAM

She will never forget when his body went into the ground. BAM

- And she will never forget the words Trump said to her.

One - more - blow.



FakeNoose

(32,672 posts)
34. Sucks to be in the military now
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 05:52 PM
Oct 2017

Why would anyone want to enlist in any branch of the military, with Cheeto as the "leader"?
He does not have your back, or anyone's back.

It's a sad day in America when we all come to this realization together.

Alice11111

(5,730 posts)
20. Tragic that the US President addressed the loss of your son
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:45 PM
Oct 2017

in such a cavalier & disrespectful way. That is all DT is capable of feeling, for anyone but himself & his family. This, together with the fact that he lied to avoid his responsibility himself make him a model for young people to avoid. Your son is the model young people should emulate.

He only eprsents a few. Most of us care deeply & honor your son. Thank you for his brave service. We are very sorry for your loss.

ffr

(22,671 posts)
26. And this is from the exclusively few interviews this regime does with the media.
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 01:59 PM
Oct 2017

Imagine what it would be like if they were transparent.

O-M-G!

 

heaven05

(18,124 posts)
29. I just know
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 02:15 PM
Oct 2017

Lt. Johnson would have had my back as you know I would have yours...idiot-boy-potus never would understand that camaraderie....never. To treat a dead soldier/officer as such, openly, proves the ameriKKKa trying to form is not my america. Neither is he my prezident..or ever will be my prezident.

MFM008

(19,818 posts)
31. It is our horrible
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 02:40 PM
Oct 2017

Bad luck anyone has to sacrifice anything while this horrid creature squats in the white house.

bdamomma

(63,903 posts)
32. everyday it's another
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 02:44 PM
Oct 2017

nail in his coffin...........he is digging himself in a hole, and he wonders why people don't see his "greatness" what a delusional POS he is.

Achilleaze

(15,543 posts)
38. The Republican draft dodger in chief is pissing
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 06:18 PM
Oct 2017

On America's military and fallen soldiers. Disgraceful and disgusting.

Fritz Walter

(4,291 posts)
40. For what its worth, we DO support survivors
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 07:20 PM
Oct 2017

I know that survivors receive extended support from numerous resources, including Military OneSource, an excellent DoD-contracted program that provides extensive confidential non-medical counseling and other direct support, (at least until Drumpf decides that it’s not profitable to his brand).

Not to mention other federal, state and local programs who actually see value in supporting Gold Star families. And are thereby essential community partners.

Still, his callous, egomaniacal response should be a wake-up call to all the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have donned the uniform, picked up a weapon, stood a post and perhaps fired a shot in defense of all we hold dear (past or present). And yet, some of them still voted for this shit-stain on the fabric of our great nation. Please don’t hold that against them: they’re loyal to us, politics notwithstanding.

A shit-stain who donned a costume at an adolescence convalescence institute and carried a prop in one formation/parade or another. Yet, chicken-hawked out with “bone spurs” when his nation called.

From an Army brat (Korea and Vietnam era) and civilian service-provider to service members and their families.

madokie

(51,076 posts)
43. I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 08:08 PM
Oct 2017

One day we will free from him. Either the congress will do their job or mother nature will take care of him. He's not a very healthy person from what I read and see.

LiberalFighter

(50,997 posts)
46. There is no low point for Trump. He thinks they are all high points.
Thu Oct 19, 2017, 08:34 AM
Oct 2017

As long as he is the one doing it.

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