The Donald Trump amateur hour
For some reason, Donald Trump thought it was important to make fun of John McCain’s military service yesterday when he told a crowd in Iowa;
“He’s not a war hero,” Trump said of McCain, a Vietnam War veteran who was held captive and tortured for more than five years at one of North Vietnam’s most notorious prisons. “He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.”
Well, so Trump has tried to back peddle on those comments;
“If a person is captured,” Trump said, “they’re a hero as far as I am concerned… But you have to do other things also.”
He continued that he disagrees with how McCain has spent his later years as a legislator. Yeah, so do I as I’ve made clear in these pages over the past years. But what he went through in Vietnam has nothing to do with that. The year that McCain was captured and imprisoned with his injuries at the Hanoi Hilton, in 1967, Trump was on his fifth draft deferment while working on his economics and archeology degree at the Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania. So, where was Trump after his graduation from college in 1968? He was working for his Dad at the family business – and not being drafted into the war. How heroic.
John McCain has been a real POS in regards to his political career, and I’ve written that here for years. Him and his little buddy, Lindsay Graham have sold veterans own the river on countless occasions. But, to use his POW years against him in a political discussion is just indicative of how Donald Trump has no place in politics.
But Trump finds himself in good company. The most incompetent lawyer in the history of the profession, a fellow whose own military career has come into question countless times on this blog, Daniel A. Bernath, comments on a Mediaite article on the subject;
This is silly. Getting captured doesn’t make you a hero. Putting your ass on the front line doesn’t make you a hero.
How about if McCain actually did something other than stay a prisoner and cave in to the communists during his imprisonment. How about if he risked his life and saved a fellow sailor. That would make him a hero.
Daniel A. Bernath United States Navy 1966-70
TSA 2002-2004
So, am I a hero? nope.
Finally, we agree on something, Danny-boi, despite the fact that you’ve rewritten your life story to look like a hero, you’re no hero. You and Trump deserve each other.
Category: Politics
Agree. PH2 made an excellent post on this yesterday on the open thread.
Love how the soon to be ex lawyer touts his heroic TSA job all the time. On the front lines etc.
Remember the bullshit he spouted when he called into the Michael Berry Show – “keeping you alive”… “as you’re running out of the airport, we’re running in”…”we’re saving your life”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUvrsnY6_XQ
Dan sucked as a school bus driver, as an TSA agent, tour guide, “background actor” (aka – extra) and as a lawer. But he wants you to kiss his ass for his “accomplishments” in his pathetic little narcissistic life.
I don’t agree with you at all, Trump is right, McCain got a free ride because daddy was an Admiral…the slug soft peddled running for prez when he could have slammed obozo to the wall for NO CREDENTIALS, Not only McCain, but Romney did the same thing, they were both in cahoots with the muslim communist! HE WAS never vetted by the dumocrats! McCain is a RINO of the lowest degree…and I am in Az, I know what the cull has and has not done!
For the record, before I say anything, I am in Jonn’s camp of having serious issues with some of McCain’s political history. That being said….desert, you seriously need to crack a history book because your short comment is one of the dumber ones I’ve seen on this blog in the 5+ years I’ve been following it. Where did McCain get a free ride? When he was almost blown up during the USS Forrestal deck fire? When he was nearly killed in the crash before his capture? When he was being tortured by his captors? For Trump to say he’s not fan of guys who get caught indicates he has no idea of the history of guys men like Bud Day, James Stockdale, and Jeremiah Denton. He must really not like Lance Sijan since he was caught more than once. Did those guys get free rides too desert? And you obviously don’t even know Trump’s history if you’re going to make a comment about Daddy giving free rides. How about the time Trump had to admit he broke the law by allowing his father Fred Trump to purchase $3.5 million worth of casino chips so that he would have enough cash to pay his mortgage on the Trump Castle Casino in Atlantic City. Trump got where he is because he had a rich daddy. He is certainly not a character from a Horatio Alger novel….apologies if you don’t get that reference desert….maybe you should look it up.
AverageNCO. I agree with about 98 percent of what you are saying my issue with McCain is his statements about us the voters being STUPID !!!!
Like WTF kind of statement is that ???
Trump calling him a False Hero is not right but McCain running his trap. Set himself up for the retort from trump.
He served this country with Honor…
As far as deserts. Statement it sounds way off the wall to me running a (clean) campaign now days is a No-Go…
As far as having a free-ride well some here in Arizona believe it. I don’t
Skippy, Trump has a right to stand up to his supporters being called “crazies”. But his comment about being “a fan of guys who weren’t captured”, was a slam on all POW’s. Intentional or not, Trump insinuated POW’s had somehow performed poorly, thus causing their capture. So he can defend his supporters, but he no reason to insult a collective group that includes some remarkable men.
AvgNCO..Much like Skippy I agree with a good deal of what you have said. That coupled with Desert’s comment about McCain soft peddling when running still irritates me on the basic truth, in spite of the fact that it seems to have been the case many post elections where the Repubs refused to go for the jugular vein and show some balls. One thing I do think McCain deserves recognition for if it is indeed true, is his refusal to allow himself to be released from the Hanoi Hilton for propaganda purposes, knowing the position his father held. Most of us have suffered some difficult periods of one form or another during time served, but none to my knowledge ever walked in McCains’s shoes or any others who were housed there in Hanoi. In all honesty, knowing what little we actually do, based on stories, I can’t honestly say had I been in McCains’s situation that I would not have given in to the “get out of jail” pass offered. Beyond that, McCain has not earned my respect with regards to his political career. Then again, NOT A Damned ONE of the “forever” politicians have ever earned my respect.
AverageNCO. The Whole story being out now, I don’t think anybody should belittle anybody for going though the hell that our POWs have gone through on the same token different side to call the voters of the state of Arizona crazy, stupid, Dumb, and as one of his staffers put it out of touch. Is crossing a line. People here are Fed up with his B.S. Trumps statement now that it’s all out was clear. I don’t care for Trump. But the fact that McCain is trying to milk it for free PR when actions speak louder is more of the Washington smoke and mirrors makes me even sicker !!!!!!
Trump is wonderful… for the Democrats. Hope he flames out before inflicting more damage to the 2016 race.
He will make the more reasonable Republican candidates look good, and if shrillary is the only democrap candidate running, he will make her look worse than she does now.
He really doesn’t. Whenever they don’t call him out, and whenever they act like he is a legit contender it makes independents thing that republicans are crazy. Its time for the grown ups to take charge if they are save us from hillary
I’ve wondered if Trump might not be secretly trying to help the Democrats; if he’s the nominee he’ll drive many moderate Republicans and independents to the other side, or out of the election entirely.
I kind of feel that he is a shill also. I sure as hell would have to vote for the prick.
Even if he misses the nomination (which I’m certain he will), Trump could stay in the race as an independent and split the conservative vote. Trump very well could lead to abother Democrat Whitehouse
Now, there’s a nightmare for ya …
You mean like when Perot split the vote twice and gave us eight years of President Clinton and her husband Bill?
Was hoping that he would remain relevant long enough to get a serious conversation going about border security. Ya know, like, force the other candidates to offer up real solutions to our porous border and disgusting visa granting system.
Wile I have had disagreements with what McCain has done since his becoming a politician, I have never questioned his military service. I understand that the term “hero” gets thrown around an awful lot these days, but there are legitimate times to apply it and McCain is one. The Donald has stepped on his wiener this time.
I wrote this on another blog yesterday and pretty much sums up my feeling on the subject:
“I’ve liked Trump from the beginning and have said so within these pages many times.
I haven’t liked McCain’s politics for years and have also said that herein.
Having said that – I fought in that lousy stinking war during the Tet Offensive in 1968 – I was never captured but did spend some time in hospital as a result of wounds incurred by the NVA and not the VC…….I’m afraid Trump is on the verge of losing me for such assinine comments about McCain. The SOB was shot down and captured and he is a fellow Viet Nam Veteran who was denigrated by the leftists back in the 60’s and 70’s as was I ————- tread lightly Mr. Trump. Until you can show me your VA ID card and maybe the scars of a battle or two – SHUT THE HELL UP!!!
DumbAssBastard ran his mouth again? Well, looky, look here, peeps. The Donald has found his running mate. They can both mouth off in public, in the spotlight like the attention whores they are, while the real candidates give the sane amongst us something to consider.
I would like to see someone debating shrillary and bring up Benghazi and when she refuses to answer this question (Who gave the order to stand down on helping those people?), hound her until she either admits she was culpable or walks off the stage. She looks like she’s had a botox injection in that mask of a face she wears.
But AS TO The Donald and dab, they belong together. Two waves oscillating at the same frequency can cancel each other out.
Oh – almost forgot. The Donald twittered out a page that had a campaign poster on it, and in the lower right hand corner there is an image of what appear to be Nazi soldiers marching. He blames that booboo on an intern. He didn’t check it himself ahead of the publication. He reacted to the reaction. Same thing as his jackass remarks about McCain.
I called him an idiot and I was ostracized by many.
I feel vindicated.
Right, because no other candidate has ever said something stupid. I wish my candidate was perfect, just like yours. In fact, McCain said something stupid, which illicited a stupid response from the Donald. Not defending the Donald’s statement, but just pointing out that no other candidate is perfect, either.
What are you talking about?
This is not about politics or a candidate. And for the record, I do not have one.
He IS an idiot for constantly saying stupid shit. Do you believe McCain is a fraud and not a hero like he claims? While I do not agree with the man’s (McCains) politics, I be damned if I would EVER consider attacking his character. If Trump cannot figure that one out then HE IS an idiot. Sometimes you just have to have tact and common sense. If you do not have it, you do not have it. Move on.
Stay classy.
Ok, using your logic; is it ok for McCain to attack the character of those that supported Trump’s message by calling them “crazies”? Does his hero status allow him to attack everyone else’ character? McCain made it personal, not political. Like I said, above; they both said something stupid. But only Trump is an idiot; right?
You do realize that he backtracks on just about everything he says, right?
It just did not come out the right way the first time.
And by the way, your comment could be construed in in direct contrast to the one you posted above.
What gives? Did I piss in your Cheerios this morning or something?
Nope, you didn’t piss in my cheerios. Trump doesn’t always say stupid shit and he didn’t become a billionaire by being an idiot, like you claim. I know you have a hard-on for Trump, however, just because he says something stupid about McCain doesn’t invalidate some of the other things he has said. Is Trump my candidate? No, and now the move is on to demonize the other things he has said, because of one stupid statement. That’s how it goes with the electorate these days. Say something stupid and it negates everything else. Because of the rapid push to marginalize him, after his remarks, everyone will forget about the conversation on illegal immigration and border security. The other candidates are glad to drop it, because they are all for amnesty and an open Southern border and have said so. Now we can get back to politics as usual and let the establishment types get back to what really matters; keeping their jobs and pandering to voters they were never going to get anyway and when we have O’Malley or Hillary in the WH in Jan. of 2017, I don’t want to hear any bitching about how we all needed to vote for the spineless establishment puke the GOP puts up for us to vote for. All because the discussion was killed, so the GOP field didn’t have to address the truth.
A very well-organized point.
To be clear, I think Trump is bringing up some things that need be discussed, particularly immigration. But to say that all immigrants are dirtbags is idiotic.
As far a McCain, not a big fan personally. But being a POW for all of those years while other deferred or attended Woodstock, he can say what he wants in my book. He earned that right.
But it might not be Trump. If it is not, then he needs to terminate his staff.
I forgot one additional point.
I completely agree with you that the term “hero” is thrown around way to much these days. It is becoming watered down.
My neighbor’s young daughter dropped her pacifier the other day and started crying. I picked it up, wiped it off, and gave it back to her.
Am I a hero? Probably.
In that little girls eyes, YES!
The Donald has a massive ego that frequently gets the better of him. He also enjoys being in the spotlight. I question his ethics in declaring bankruptcy four times and also in getting repeated deferments from military service, including a medical deferment after he finished his undergrad degree. He is outspoken, which annoys some people and attracts others, but he SHOULD have the common sense to think before he says and does some of the very stupid things that come from his corner of the room.
That is all.
There is no way he will accept the nomination to be The Donald’s running mate. With his upcoming responsibilities of taking over the American Legion and purging it from criminals and his campaign to put an end to self murder I don’t see where he will find the time for that kind of commitment.
Nah, he better stick to what he is good at.
Okay, DH, but when you put two assholes together, what do you get?
Here you go again with subtle sexual innuendos. The thrust of our conversation should rise to the ridged expectations anticipated by those who are aroused by group participation on this site. If you think asking me to fantasize about anal activities is arousing well maybe it would be if you didnt include the vision of those two doing it. Try that technique with say….Palin and Bachmann.
Fell off chair laughing. Loud thump startled the cat.
Bwahahahahahaha!!! Awesome!!!!
Twice as much SHIT, like when DallASS and Bernath get together?
You don’t suppose that they will allow Bernath to pilot Air Force One?
That is exactly the kind of thinking we need in the White House.
Would you be interested in Chief of Staff?
He’d sue the manufacturer, so ‘no’.
How ’bout “Blobfish” Chevalier for White House Physician? He DOES claim to have a PhD AND he already has a lab coat! 😈
Only for the incumbent. He’s be the second choice, after that Lufthansa pilot that flew into the mountainside.
Regarding an alleged “stand down order,” the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee said that didn’t happen. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/21/no-stand-down-order-or-military-missteps-in-benghazi-attack-gop-controlled/
McCain is a fartsack. It’s about time somebody called him out for it.
But by all means he yo panties in a bunch and fall right into the rink playbook because they won’t go anywhere close to the issues trump is brining up that a lot of them are fully behind.
God damned auto correct.
I am not on drugs. 🙁
I like rink playbook. Politics is exactly like a skating rink.
Circles, add a “y” and a “dink” and you may be onto something.
Sometimes I just love the mother forklift auto-correct feature, don’t y’all?
Not sure what it was supposed to say, but that post was hilarious! At least it’s difficult to disagree. 😉
I normally grill or broil my issues, but Trump is right, sometimes the tough issues just need to be brined!
The problem is when he extended his quote to say “I like people who don’t get captured” he slammed all POW’s. There is an insinuation there that they did something wrong that caused them to get captured, when in reality a lot of the pilots were flying missions that were beyond risky. Look up the history of the Wild Weasels and see the risks they took to protect other pilots. Trumps quote reflects how clueless he is about military affairs.
The complex problem with Trump is: his ego is larger than his brian and his mouth is larger than his ego!
The percieved problem with Bernath is far less complex: he seemingly does not have a well fubctioning brain and nothing that comes out of his mouth makes any sense what so ever to society or humanity at large.
His ‘brian’? Is there something you know that we don’t know, Master Chief?
His brian is barin.
Hey if we can give a name to a man’s penis (johnson), why can’t we name his asshole (brian)?
In Bernath’s case, his brain and his brian are one and the same.
It’s all of the smegma that has infused his brain and caused his dysfunction. His brain/brian is functioning at the level of a sea cucumber on a “good day”
Some of McCain’s closest friends disagree with him on big issues, e.g., about 10 years ago when the torture debate was raging (the definition of it), I couldn’t believe he was going on record as saying that waterboarding was torture when one of his closest friends, the MOH recipient George “Bud” Day had the opposing view, as did I. In a huff, baffled, I called Day at his office in Florida, calmly told his secretary who I was (not expecting him to speak to me), saying I was very upset that somebody of McCain’s stature was putting waterboarding in that category. She put Day on the phone. “I disagree with John on that” he said. It was a short sweet conversation, but I was relieved, because 5 minutes prior I’d been upset. Mystified. Day and McCain remained super close, having been cellmates in Hanoi, super tight through the decades. Sometimes your best friends see things differently. It’s frustrating when you feel 100% right, but you are also 100% sure that THEY have credibility too. I was never a big McCain fan until 2008 after hearing the Tom Ridge speech at the Republican convention on TV. “THAT’S John McCain” Ridge kept shouting like a preacher, retelling story after story of heroic things he’d done, despite the fact that he’s a little wiry guy with white hair who walks and shakes your hand funny, sort of like Bob Dole, one of HIS heroes. The Christian right rejected McCain, and I was a part of that movement, but not anymore. When Barack Obama defeated John McCain in 2008, it just freaked me out, like 1992 all over again. Couldn’t believe it. Still can’t. It’s like people can’t read a resume.
I suggest dropping Trump behind ISIS lines and see how quick he hollers “Momma Their Are Treating Your Boy Mean”
Can’t say I support any candidate thus far, but I did stumble across a Fact Check article on this story as reported.
Fact Check: The Washington Post on Donald Trump and John McCain
TRUMP and Bernath sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G,
First comes love, then comes marriage,
Then comes DullASS in a baby carriage (Drunk and passed out again!)
((((OVER))))
After seeing where these so-called professional politicians have taken us in the past 30 years, I’m kind of ready to let a businessman have a go. At least we know he can balance a checkbook, run a business, and is neither a lawyer or politician.
The current governor of Illinois (Rauner) is a successful business man and a Republican. Follow him if you want to find out what kind of difficulty there is in being businesslike and having machine politicians (Madigan) oppose everything you do.
Sadly that will never happen. The POTUS must turn over control of his business to a blind trust. There is no way that is going to happen. These people get involved to feed their own ego and stir up shit. If it ever looked like they might actually get elected they would bail out.
How many companies has Trump bankrupted? I’m pretty sure I would not let him anywhere near my checkbook…
Can’t take away the fact that McCain flew mission ans spent time as a POW – anyone that spent time in the living Hell known as a Vietnamese POW camp is a hero in my eyes.
But – McCain and Graham have tried to screw vets every stinking time that they get the chance, instead of going after those that have not had to sacrifice (long term welfare recipients being #1 on my list).
AS TO “the Donald”, well, did he serve in the military after graduating from the Wharton School in 1968? Bet he got himself one of them deferment thigys to help him out… or dear old DADDY paid someone to keep sonny boy from serving.
DT had “other priorities”…just like Dick Cheney.
Donald Trump is an asswipe with no business being in a position of political power. He would just continue the damage already done by Obama. The rest of the world already hasn’t taken us seriously since 2009, and a Trump presidency sure as shit won’t improve that.
There’s at least three or four very good Republican candidates out there. Honestly, I can’t think of anybody who would be worse than Trump. Even Hildebeast would only be just as bad. Trump can fuck off and die.
It’s too early to pick a nominee. I want the government to run smooth, open where it can, honest, fair, small, and reasonably cheap. I want the government to do national defense because I don’t want to do it myself. I am for tight borders with reasonable visa procedures – not the horror that we have today. I think that NSA should have to get a court order to monitor someone. I favor the death penalty but I agree with the mandatory appeal process. My position on global warming would not be popular here. I oppose the “global economy” because it works for everyone EXCEPT the average person in the US. The US poor get poorer, the rich get a lot richer and the poor slob stuck in the US middle class is paying to improve the Chinese and Indian economies while we get screwed. John McCain flew missions over North Vietnam, was shot down, captured, spent several years in a very nasty prison, and was physically tortured. That he survived and entered politics with his head on his shoulders shows an inner strength that I don’t have, I think that most of us don’t have. I disagree with a lot of his politics but that is separate from my respect for him as a man. I disagree with Mr. McCain’s characterization of Mr. Trump’s supporters. Does the senior senator from Arizona need to have an opinion about Mr. Trump’s supporters? Does he think that Mr. Trump’s supporters are not Republicans? I think that he should have kept his big mouth shut. Mr. Trump likes to talk, be the center of attention, and make money. I saw him on the street in NYC a few years ago, he is an attention whore with a great suit and really bad hair. He thinks that he can select good subordinates, I am not so sure. Any successful candidate has to put themselves in front of the public and take the heat – it is part of the job. I think that his political positions are okay but a little out there and… Read more »
Trump is an ass, I would have never voted for him, even before he said such a vile thing. Anyone who would give big bucks to Dems like Hillary Clinton, has no business being a Republican candidate.
Trump confused McCain’s being captured with someone who has the ability to elude the enemy or to fight the enemy but elects to surrender. He screwed up. He then worsened the stupid statement by suggesting that it is not heroic to suffer deprivation, isolation, injury, and torture for years and then overcome all of that to walk out when day, head high, and move on to a full and productive life. He really needs to think before he speaks but, as Old Trooper said, it seems to have come to the point among the media that tripping over one’s own tongue is fatal. And that’s just sad. I don’t care for Trump. If he’s still standing in a year, I will not vote for him–well, unless he changes his hairstyle, that is. See? I am not superficial either.
Well maybe McCain should keep his trap closed, he has insulted every voter here in Arizona, bye calling them Crazies, Dumb, Stupid, and my favorite is his record on veterans issues. Here in Arizona you have a system on claims that is still broke !!!!!, maybe a little less backroom top secret trade deals and Immigration deals start acting like a republican and stop being a RINO !!!!
Most of all if you Run your mouth then you are going to get SHIT THROWN BACK AT YOU !!!!!!
Clearly his constituents disagree with you since they’ve spent the last few decades reelecting him. If Trump’s leadership ability is anything like his business acumen then America would be completely fucked if Hell froze over and he became President.
Maybe, maybe not, remember everybody thought Regan was a Nut to.
I’m no fan of Trump. But politics is a dirty business you get what you dish out. Plain and simple
Gee, Skippy, who keeps returning that guy to Washington, where he has been the following his first election in 1982: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. And he’s not done yet. He has already announced that he wants to stay in the club. So, where is the problem, here, if not with the crazy, dumb, and stupid voters?
There it is!
Wasn’t me! I’ve been in Arizona (mostly) since 1990 but couldn’t vote here till 2012 (WY residency). I didn’t put the guy in office, blame Phoenix and Maricopa county!
It’s the Scottsdale crowd lease we not forget the Sun city people to
I lived here for a while in the 90s early 2000-2002 and moved back here in 2014 I’ve never had a chance to vote in till last year now that I now his views and his feelings on VETs he is a NO-GO in my lane. The last few years the stuff that comes out of his Mouth about us and the people in this state is enough for me he last me by calling every body here Crazy and since his censure two years ago I think people here are feed up with is BULLSHIT !!!!!!!
Here is like Harry Ried in Nevada
He has been in Washington way to long
Bad spelling it should be he and not here
I learned something new – I thought as a Senator the elections would have been ’82, ’88, ’94, ’00. ’06, and ’12. Who knew Arizona had five additional elections in between.
David: You might want to reread what AC wrote. He only mentioned one election.
CITATION:
For heroism while participating in aerial flight on 26 October 1967 in North Vietnam. While attacking the thermal power plant in Hanoi Commander (then Lieutenant Commander) McCain, despite extremely heavy and accurate antiaircraft fire and more than fifteen surface-to-air missiles in the air, pursued the attack until his aircraft was hit by enemy antiaircraft fire. Although his aircraft was severely damaged, he continued his bomb delivery pass and released his bombs on the target. When the aircraft would not recover from the dive, Commander McCain was forced to eject over the target. By his exceptional courage, superb airmanship, and total devotion to duty Commander McCain reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service.
That’s ‘just’ for his DFC. Then there’s the Silver Star for his fortitude during captivity.
Trump is an ignorant ass.
Bernath saying stupid shit? Naw, not possible.
Someone needs to ask him why he has no personal awards for valor. Or a Good Conduct Medal.
Trump is an incompetent piece of shit. He’s more unqualified for leadership than even our current illustrious Commander in Chief was when he ran. Even being just a community organizer beats a life spent bankrupting every business you get your paws on. McCain has made several political missteps, but he spent several years being tortured as a POW. That’s a hero in my book.
He’s also one of the few politicians whose children has served. Definitely can’t say the same for Trump. One of my good friends went to prep school with Donnie Trump Jr, and he was notorious for being a cokehead. With any luck Trump will die due to an infected hairplug before he can embarrass himself any further.