Wisconsin Veterans and Families Deserve Better
Sen. Fitzgerald stands by Trump despite Gold Star insults
MADISON – Wisconsin Senate Republicans backing Donald Trump’s campaign continue to defend the unpredictable candidate’s erratic and offensive comments. After Donald Trump attacked the family of a fallen Muslim U.S. soldier, Senate Republicans once again refused to condemn the GOP presidential candidate’s divisive and outrageous comments.
“Veterans and their families deserve our utmost respect,” said Matt Ullsvik, SSDC Executive Director. “The fact that Sen. Fitzgerald and his Republican colleagues in the legislature continue to defend these abhorrent comments from Donald Trump toward the family of a fallen soldier is outrageous. It is time for Sen. Fitzgerald to condemn Donald Trump’s inexcusable, divisive and un-American remarks. Wisconsin veterans and military families deserve better.”
Sen. Fitzgerald is the most prominent Republican official in Wisconsin who has stood by Donald Trump’s previous attacks on women and racist comments.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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Wisconsin’s ruling class standing with: racism (illegal voter ID Law, gerrymandering technique) misogyny (defunding planned parenthood and reducing facilities for women needing low cost care) bowing to billionaire barons and baronesses, radical Christian terrorism, climate science deniers, Norquist’s fetish on taxes, wholly weapon worship. Weasel Walker endorses Dangerous Donald ( believes that will help his future political presidential plans) and Randian Ryan continues to endorse “off the rails” Trump for the sake of Party Unity.
Not that long ago the military was sacrosanct for the GOP. Of course many Republicans have condemned Trump’s comments about the Gold Star family, but if this doesn’t make someone pull their support or endorsement, nothing will.
Trump makes a lot of idiotic comments, this ones regarding the family that doesn’t understand his stance on immigration included… but just as offensive to me is the Democrat party using this family as pawns in their political game.
That is just as offensive??!! Good grief that is one of the most ridiculous and asinine things I’ve ever heard. The man has proposed a Muslim ban. Here’s a Muslim Gold Star family. Why shouldn’t they speak out? AG sometimes you come across as reasonable as WCD. This is one of those times.
Fine… change my wording to “also” offensive… The fact that Democrats largely don’t show any support for veterans and their families unless it serves their political story. That is indeed offensive to me.
Now you are overly generalizing. The same could be said of the GOP, that they talk big about “supporting the troops” but that talk is cheap and they are better at putting yellow magnets on their cars than actually doing what’s best for vets. I think both parties could do better on veterans issues and veteran care. But those parents speaking at a convention isn’t nearly as offensive. That’s why you’ve seen so many Republicans blasting Trump over them, from politicians to veterans.
Difference between the republicans (rightfully) blasting trump for his comments about the Kahns vs the democrats is that the republicans also railed on Hillary for her treatment of the Benghazi families but democrats have been silent… sure makes it seem like they only care when it’s politically beneficial for them. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s my impression.
Yes, in fact you are wrong. Did you happen to see that the family of Christopher Stevens bashed Republicans for being political opportunists, asked the GOP and Trump to stop exploiting his death for political gain, and stated that Clinton is not to blame for his death?
I’m not referring to Christopher Stevens, I’m referring to Patricia Smith and how she was treated by Hillary.
I don’t think the comments of the Stevens family are irrelevant when discussing this topic. How did Clinton treat Smith? Did she publicly insult her and her spouse?
After Hillary called her a liar and then leading liberal media such as Rachel Maddow castigated Republicans for using gold star parents for political motives at their convention… we now see the flip side happening. I’m still granting you that Trump is a buffoon the actual words he says are more offensive… but my point is the hypocrisy of Democrats and only finding the honor of the military when it suits them.
So is the one example you cite of Democrats only honoring the military when it suits them any different than using the Stevens family example as proof that Republicans are nothing but political opportunists who exploit tragic death for personal gain? Or could we agree that both parties could stand to treat vets better? I think this country in general could treat vets better. That’s the message I’ve gleaned from reading Sebastian Junger and books like Thank You for Your Service. Too much bumper sticker patriotism and too many meaningless platitudes.
Politifact gives the known facts of this case.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jul/18/checking-patricia-smiths-claims-about-clinton-and-/
Overall, I’d say the Republicans actually support vets better… but that’s my opinion. Heck, the least they can do when honoring our military is not show pictures of the Russian navy. 😉
Not to go too far afield with this… but I disagree with your sentiment on “bumper sticket” patriotism. I think the yellow ribbons and other such things are important for awareness of the need to support our troops. Think of those who complained about the ALS ice bucket challenge… that people did it for attention and only a small fraction donated. In the end, they raised a ridiculous amount of money because of the attention it garnered and from that small fraction.
You need those types of actions to help effect a cultural shift. My wife supports DryHootch by running a “suits for soldiers” campaign and they get flooded with people who want to help. I think because of the awareness and culture in the last couple decades we have a society that really wants to support troops. We see it in everything from buying a service member in uniform their meal in last at a fast food joint to a desire to donate to or volunteer at organizations that help vets with life challenges after leaving the service.
Could we do more? For sure. But I disagree with your statement and think the yellow ribbon and other such outward visible support was/is an important part of creating a culture that supports our troops.
I swear I was far more eloquent and had less typos the first time I wrote that… then shockwave crashed and wiped it all out. Please excuse the errors!
There’s a story in today’s Washington Post that features female Republican legislators who are vets contending that their party needs to treat vets better, but we could argue all day long about which party supports vets better and never agree.
It’s not that those things in and of themselves are bad, but it’s sort of like the social justice warriors (aka slacktivists) who act outraged on social media but never actually do anything beyond expressing outrage. It’s not like this is just my opinion either. As I said, I’ve read a lot about this and would encourage you to do so. Many people who know far more than I do about veterans issues and how we treat veterans believe that we pay lip service to caring about vets and that too many never go beyond bumper stickers. If the sticker makes you feel better, by all means put it on your car. But talk is cheap, and many believe there’s too much talk and not enough action. I agree with that.
Best way to show support for our troops is to make sure there is adequate funding for the military so that they are able to do what needs to be done and financially support services for returning soldiers. Although I don’t put bumper stickers or magnetic ribbons or flags on my vehicle I send financial donations to organizations that help wounded warriors. For years it was the Walter Reed Society. Many of us have family members who served in wars and some served during those relatively short spells of peace. Most of my relatives who served in the military were Democrats. We should show respect to our soldiers and to the families of those serving. Their sacrifices were/are for our benefit.
AG, Rachel Maddow isn’t running for anything, but Donald Trump is. Trump said all foreign-born Muslims, like Capt. Humayun Khan, should be kept out of the US.
Hillary Clinton said nothing comparable about Christians (or Sean Smith).