John Chuckman
COMMENT POSTED TO AN ARTICLE BY JASON DITZ IN CHECKPOINT ASIA
“Trump Pardons War Criminals to Show Just How Pro-Military He Is
“Come 2020 nobody is going to out-hawk him”
“The Pentagon’s commanders are deeply concerned about these moves, and had been trying to talk Trump out of them. They argue that military discipline will suffer if soldiers believe they can ignore military rules on the assumption of a pardon.
“Trump’s position is built around showing that he is so pro-military that he can excuse war crimes, including murder, on the basis that the soldiers are supposed to be killing the enemy anyhow”
Trump invariably appeals to the lowest instincts in every matter with which he becomes involved.
The Pentagon officers who tried appealing to him not to grant these shameful pardons, on the basis of the need for military discipline are, of course, absolutely right.
But "right" - like "decency" or "fairness" or "justice" - has no hold on this contemporary American popular hero. This bizarre dyed-phosphorescent yellow cockatoo-like cartoon figure, strutting around with a big paunch and an even bigger mouth.
He finds his audience and applause in latrines and sleazy bars and trailer parks everywhere. He’ll need all the votes he can get next year.
