The hollow nature of Republican rhetoric

The Thursday Thoughts!

Nobody asked me, but….

PACT Act fails in the Senate

I have always suspected that most conservative American’s “Support the Troops” mantra was more form over substance, one popularized in the 1980’s not long after the turbulent 60’s and 70’s left Vietnam War veterans being routinely disrespected by anti-war protesters.

My theory was backed by more evidence this week after the U.S. Senate failed to pass the PACT Act, one that would add additional burn pit exposure conditions to the Department of Veterans Affairs database—while expanding coverage for 9/11 victims exposed to the pits. Ironically, the measure also would expand Medicare coverage for aging Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange.

Soldiers evacuating a wounded comrade in Vietnam circa 1965

While all 50 Democrats and eight Republicans voted to pass the measure, the Bill fell short of the 60 votes needed to bypass a filibuster due to, you guessed it, Republican refusals. Meaning, 42 Republicans voted “no” and, by so doing, proved once more that their flag hugging, “God Bless the USA” cries are not backed with efforts that could help the men and women doing the fighting, killing, and dying for America!

As the son of a Vietnam vet, and as one who has always respected America’s service members, all that I can say is that our vets deserve better—here’s hoping that the measure passes on the next go ‘round!

President Joe Biden in a moment of kind reflection

President Biden was recently diagnosed with Covid and just this week, informed the public that his latest two tests were “negative” and that he is no longer forced to isolate.

Kudos, Mr. President!

But in a throwback to presidential thoughtfulness gone by, Biden made respectful mention of his predecessor, Donald Trump, in saying, “Here’s the bottom line: When my predecessor got COVID, he had to get helicoptered to Walter Reed Medical Center. He was severely ill. Thankfully, he fully recovered. When I got COVID, I worked from upstairs of the White House in the offices upstairs for the five-day period. The difference is, vaccinations of course.”

Biden’s distinction in his diagnosis and Trump’s is important because it shows how far we have come in the two years since Covid started its painful and deadly scourge across the globe. When Trump was airlifted to Walter Reed in October of 2020 (above), he was far sicker than he or his press handlers let on. And while I have every right to criticize the myriad areas where Trump ranged from bad to deplorable during his term, I still maintain that his rhetorical indifference about Covid on Twitter—and his mocking of mask wearing—did not match his actual efforts to get vaccines developed and cleared by the FDA here in the U.S. and for that, I give him full credit.

Trump and January 6th

Several weeks ago in this column space, I questioned whether Donald Trump will ever face indictment for his part in stoking the January 6th MAGA rebellion that left a trail of death and destruction in its wake? But recent news that the Department of Justice is using many of those same Trump administration witnesses to testify before a federal grand jury leaves me to wonder whether precedent will be set in a former president being indicted for acts conducted while in office?

While I cannot predict that with substantial certainty, what I can predict is that if Trump is indicted, that the assorted bands of toy soldiers who are itching for a chance to scrap, like the Proud Boys, will very likely do their parts to “free” their indicted or incarcerated idol.

Stay tuned…

Biden vs. Trump Part II

If he is not indicted, will Donald Trump make a bid to become the first American president since Grover Cleveland to serve a non-consecutive term?

While the above question is in the back of all political junkies’ minds, the latest NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll indicates that 60% of those polled believe that Biden shouldn’t run for president—with 30 % of Democrats believing that Biden should stand down and retire in 2024. As to Trump, 57 % of those polled said that Trump should not seek a second term, with 26% of Republicans polled opining that Trump should not be the Republican nominee.

Well, if not Biden vs. Trump, then who? Early polling data show Vice President Kamala Harris as the most mentioned Democrat, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis being the most mentioned Republican candidate.

Stay tuned…

Florida Public Education Blues

While I can surely understand why voters do not wish to see Biden or Trump on their 2024 ballots, I am frustrated by the affinity that so many Republicans are showing for Florida Gov. Ron Desantis.

While I have a list of policy grievances with Desantis, arguably my most serious angst stems from his persistent undermining of local school boards and the quality of public education in Florida.

Whether it was his petty attacks on school board members who backed mask wearing during the worst days of Covid, or his asinine ban on the teaching of real American history that describes the good, the bad, and the ugly about this country; or, his base pandering “Don’s Say Gay” push that is a right-wing solution looking for a problem that doesn’t exist, Desantis shows and proves that he sees public education as his to toy with from an ideological standpoint.

The latest Desantis head scratcher has been his move to allow military veterans who do not hold college degrees to earn 5-year temporary teaching certificates. Make no mistake, I get that there is a severe teacher shortage across our state, but common sense suggests that Florida should up teacher pay and benefits to entice well qualified educators to our state?

While some veterans just may do well in the classroom despite having no degree, there still is a cynicism of sorts in this push, one that says, “hey, any damn body can teach!” A push that is wrong as two right feet—and could lead to worse public education results.

Like I asked on Facebook yesterday, would Florida allow veterans who are not educated pilots to fly the state’s planes that ferry Desantis and his aides hither and yon? Would it allow veterans who are not educated medical professionals to serve as nurses, doctors, or dentists?

No, of course not, but when it comes to the very public schools that most of these Republicans do not send their kids to, the end result could be the further dumbing down of our state.