W.J. Astore
After Republican Bob Corker had the guts to criticize President Trump for his bellicose rhetoric and incompetent management of U.S. foreign policy, Steve Bannon issued the following riposte:
“Bob Corker has trashed the commander in chief of our armed forces while we have young men and women in harm’s way.”
The indecency of Bannon’s argument is obvious. According to Bannon, Corker’s criticism of Trump is tantamount to treason, because an attack on Trump is an attack on “our” troops “in harm’s way.”
If Bannon had his way, no one would be allowed to criticize Trump about foreign policy while U.S. troops are in harm’s way. Since U.S. troops are deployed to more than 800 bases overseas and to more than 130 countries while incessantly fighting wars in places like Afghanistan, they are, in essence, always in harm’s way. Thus, no criticism of our Great Leader would ever be allowed, which is convenient for Trump and Bannon Wormtongue.
It’s infuriating how men like Bannon attempt to squelch criticism of the president by hiding behind the troops. Judging by his rhetoric, Bannon doesn’t want to live in a democracy; he’d much prefer a dictatorship. Meanwhile, Trump’s riposte to Bob Corker focused on his height. (Corker is roughly six inches shorter than Trump.)
Mr. Bannon, Trump is more mocker-in-chief than a commander. And, in defending our chief mocker, your sophistic attempt to hide behind the troops was more than shameful. It’s grotesque.
Bracing Views 