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President Trump’s idea to ban transgenders from the military is wrong! He should have spoken to his military leaders before tweeting. Anyone who has joined the all-volunteer military and completed basic training is qualified to serve. To remove 15,000 fully trained soldiers from the service would be detrimental to our country’s defense. It costs roughly between $50,000 and $70,000 to recruit and train one civilian to become a soldier. More if they are specialized or a pilot. It doesn’t make sense and it is discriminatory. As for your allegation that transgenders are a distraction, Mr. President, your tweeting and tantrums are more of a distraction. Shall we ban you from your government position?
Republican fans of President Trump were quick to acknowledge Trump’s tough talk at the christening of the super aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford. They even tried to give him credit for having the carrier built. Truth is, the carrier’s construction began in 2005 during the presidency of George W. Bush and built over the next 11 years including eight years of Obama’s terms. I find it ironic that Trump christened the carrier named after the only president to pardon another president, Richard “I am not a crook” Nixon.
Speaking of the word “pardon”, it has been in the news lately. Trump has even asked the question, “can I pardon myself?” The answer for that is no or “nyet” for Trump’s better understanding. However, Vice President Pence, once he becomes president, could grant the pardon of Trump should the need ever occur. I wonder if Pence would be willing to take the political chance that Gerald Ford did in pardoning President Nixon. Ford’s pardon was probably the reason he was not re-elected as Americans wanted to put the Watergate scandal behind them.
Let’s not forget that Ford became vice president after Spiro Agnew was forced to resign due to bribery charges and a failure to report income on his tax return. A president and vice president resigning due to improprieties during the same term. Considering that “Tricky Dick” Nixon was probably more ethical (I know, ethics and Nixon is a stretch), more intelligent and definitely more presidential than Trump, I wonder if history will repeat itself. One can only hope.
Author’s Note:
I have been given the opportunity to express my opinion and viewpoints on politics, national, state, and local issues as well as life in general. I hope to inform you as well as entertain you, make you smile or make you mad. I will use humor, sarcasm and occasionally anger to express my views. My intention is to hold politicians accountable sometimes bringing some heat on them and if my views make you angry or hot, remember that like my humor, it is a dry heat. These opinions are entirely my own and do not reflect the views of Copper Area News Publishers.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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