Trump Campaign verbally and physically assaults Arlington Memorial staff, illegally uses site for campaigning

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just joining now...

But why haven't the Biden/Harris Admin reached out more to the Gold Star Families of the Afghanistan withdrawal? Yes, I'm sure they would face ire--but it could be private meetings. The anguish of these families ... it seems a simple thing to 'do the right thing' and acknowledge and offer comfort, even if rejected. I don't really understand why they are just ignoring them.

Highly skeptical that you're "just joining now" (in fact, I think some of you are trolls and are sockpuppeting). I have a question for YOU: what is so special about this group of Gold Star families? Why should they be singled out for attention and not any other group of families of war dead?

OK, well, I guess you can ask Jeff to verify I haven't posted on this thread before if it matters to you.

I am not sure why you are answering a question with a question. My husband has served in combat under multiple administrations, and if he had been killed in combat, God forbid, I don't know if I would have been receptive to outreach from the CIC at the time - but I would certainly prefer it be proffered than not proffered. It is impossible to predict how families will react, which is why notification is such a tremendous duty, but it is the right thing to do to offer full ceremony, ritual and regard to Gold Star families. If it is rebuffed, it's rebuffed-but it seems a simple thing to do. I am wondering why it hasn't been done? It certainly is causing further division and pain.

I'm the PP you are responding to. I answered a question with a question because I STILL don't understand what is so special about this specific group of Gold Star families--given the enormity of loss represented at ANC. But I will try to answer your questions on the assumption that they are sincere. You asked: "But why haven't the Biden/Harris Admin reached out more to the Gold Star Families of the Afghanistan withdrawal? Yes, I'm sure they would face ire--but it could be private meetings. The anguish of these families ... it seems a simple thing to 'do the right thing' and acknowledge and offer comfort, even if rejected. I don't really understand why they are just ignoring them."

I can't speak for the Biden administration, but I'm assuming they're not reaching out to the families because it would be a damned if you do/damned if you don't situation. Since the incident occurred, it has become highly politicized and is a frequent line of attack against the Biden administration. Some of the relatives were openly hostile to Biden and criticized him publicly 3 years ago after Biden met with the families at Dover when the caskets were brought back. A subset of the families spoke at the recent RNC and, working with the Trump Campaign, have released a statement and videos which criticize Biden and Harris. The relatives are not looking for "comfort" from the Biden administration as you suggest. Some of them hold Biden personally culpable for their loved ones' deaths. You can be sure that if Biden met with them, even if privately, he would not be graciously received and every word of the interaction would be used against him. They've already made up their minds about what happened and who's at fault and there's nothing Biden or Harris can do or say to change that. Finally, Biden/Harris are not "just ignoring them"--the WH has said that B/H were not invited (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-harris-werent-invited-arlington-abbey-gate-trump-rcna169154).

Biden did meet with them though. Not all the families but I’m sure all would have been invited. They were unhappy with the meeting (they accused him of looking at his watch). But it most certainly happened.

Yes, he met with those of them that would meet with him (some refused) at Dover three years ago when the caskets came in and he was, as you say, criticized for looking at his watch, among other things. The issue is that some PPs are saying that Biden should have met with the families again in 2024, on the 3rd year anniversary.

I think the families' "issue" (besides their fallen children) is the sense that this administration has brushed their children's deaths under a rug. When they say the administration needs to "say their names" it is similar to BLM or any other anguished cry that a person in a position of political authority acknowledge a situation or events. Equally obvious is that the Biden (and now future Harris administration) would like as little attention paid to the withdrawal and Abbey Gate as possible. Let's talk about what we are really talking about, on both sides of this 'ceremonial observance' controversy.

But Biden does “say their names” and is very caring of our troops. This has been evident for decades.

This is not a “both sides” issue.

Trump, as usual, took our country to a new low by breaking decorum and politicizing ANC. He’s a psychopath and doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

We are talking about this specific incident, a massacre during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. There is disagreement about how his administration has responded to critique of that, and to the families of the fallen during that incident. Not his attitude overall to the military.

Biden paid his respects to all 13 families when he showed up at Dover for their loved ones' dignified transfer ceremony. Something that Trump almost never did for the personnel that died under his Command.

[Anonymous]

The families are using the deaths of their loved ones as partisan props. They dishonor the memory of their loved ones every bit as much as the Trump campaign did. They should be ashamed.

[Anonymous]

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the MAGA cultists still think this wasn't a political hack job from the beginning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yup. Trump f***ed up badly with this one. He was probably trying to fix his Medal of Honor stupidity.

His actions were dishonorable and neither he, nor the GOP seems to grasp how offensive politicization of ANC is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the MAGA cultists still think this wasn't a political hack job from the beginning.

No, they know. They just DGAF if Trump exploits fallen soldiers at ANC for his campaign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yup. Trump f***ed up badly with this one. He was probably trying to fix his Medal of Honor stupidity.

His actions were dishonorable and neither he, nor the GOP seems to grasp how offensive politicization of ANC is.

Now he’s pretending that people made it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

[Anonymous]

Is Trump the only US President to surrender to the forces of another country when he surrendered to the Taliban?

The US did something similar in Vietnam but after the US was out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

She’s lying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yup. Trump f***ed up badly with this one. He was probably trying to fix his Medal of Honor stupidity.

His actions were dishonorable and neither he, nor the GOP seems to grasp how offensive politicization of ANC is.

Now he’s pretending that people made it up.

As if we needed more proof that Trump’s tenuous grip on reality is slipping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just joining now...

But why haven't the Biden/Harris Admin reached out more to the Gold Star Families of the Afghanistan withdrawal? Yes, I'm sure they would face ire--but it could be private meetings. The anguish of these families ... it seems a simple thing to 'do the right thing' and acknowledge and offer comfort, even if rejected. I don't really understand why they are just ignoring them.

Highly skeptical that you're "just joining now" (in fact, I think some of you are trolls and are sockpuppeting). I have a question for YOU: what is so special about this group of Gold Star families? Why should they be singled out for attention and not any other group of families of war dead?

OK, well, I guess you can ask Jeff to verify I haven't posted on this thread before if it matters to you.

I am not sure why you are answering a question with a question. My husband has served in combat under multiple administrations, and if he had been killed in combat, God forbid, I don't know if I would have been receptive to outreach from the CIC at the time - but I would certainly prefer it be proffered than not proffered. It is impossible to predict how families will react, which is why notification is such a tremendous duty, but it is the right thing to do to offer full ceremony, ritual and regard to Gold Star families. If it is rebuffed, it's rebuffed-but it seems a simple thing to do. I am wondering why it hasn't been done? It certainly is causing further division and pain.

I'm the PP you are responding to. I answered a question with a question because I STILL don't understand what is so special about this specific group of Gold Star families--given the enormity of loss represented at ANC. But I will try to answer your questions on the assumption that they are sincere. You asked: "But why haven't the Biden/Harris Admin reached out more to the Gold Star Families of the Afghanistan withdrawal? Yes, I'm sure they would face ire--but it could be private meetings. The anguish of these families ... it seems a simple thing to 'do the right thing' and acknowledge and offer comfort, even if rejected. I don't really understand why they are just ignoring them."

I can't speak for the Biden administration, but I'm assuming they're not reaching out to the families because it would be a damned if you do/damned if you don't situation. Since the incident occurred, it has become highly politicized and is a frequent line of attack against the Biden administration. Some of the relatives were openly hostile to Biden and criticized him publicly 3 years ago after Biden met with the families at Dover when the caskets were brought back. A subset of the families spoke at the recent RNC and, working with the Trump Campaign, have released a statement and videos which criticize Biden and Harris. The relatives are not looking for "comfort" from the Biden administration as you suggest. Some of them hold Biden personally culpable for their loved ones' deaths. You can be sure that if Biden met with them, even if privately, he would not be graciously received and every word of the interaction would be used against him. They've already made up their minds about what happened and who's at fault and there's nothing Biden or Harris can do or say to change that. Finally, Biden/Harris are not "just ignoring them"--the WH has said that B/H were not invited (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-harris-werent-invited-arlington-abbey-gate-trump-rcna169154).

Biden did meet with them though. Not all the families but I’m sure all would have been invited. They were unhappy with the meeting (they accused him of looking at his watch). But it most certainly happened.

Yes, he met with those of them that would meet with him (some refused) at Dover three years ago when the caskets came in and he was, as you say, criticized for looking at his watch, among other things. The issue is that some PPs are saying that Biden should have met with the families again in 2024, on the 3rd year anniversary.

I think the families' "issue" (besides their fallen children) is the sense that this administration has brushed their children's deaths under a rug. When they say the administration needs to "say their names" it is similar to BLM or any other anguished cry that a person in a position of political authority acknowledge a situation or events. Equally obvious is that the Biden (and now future Harris administration) would like as little attention paid to the withdrawal and Abbey Gate as possible. Let's talk about what we are really talking about, on both sides of this 'ceremonial observance' controversy.

But Biden does “say their names” and is very caring of our troops. This has been evident for decades.

This is not a “both sides” issue.

Trump, as usual, took our country to a new low by breaking decorum and politicizing ANC. He’s a psychopath and doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

We are talking about this specific incident, a massacre during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. There is disagreement about how his administration has responded to critique of that, and to the families of the fallen during that incident. Not his attitude overall to the military.

And overall you guys keep pretending like Trump didn’t create the conditions that caused the massacre. Biden couldn’t fix every booby trap and bomb Trump left. There is collateral damage when someone like Trump is in charge. If you honestly think that those 13 soldiers killed in the withdrawal is the worst thing that ever happened, and you voted for Trump, then you need to revisit your part in the death of those 13 soldiers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The families are using the deaths of their loved ones as partisan props. They dishonor the memory of their loved ones every bit as much as the Trump campaign did. They should be ashamed.

Easy there. grief is unique and people are allowed to grieve how they want. Full stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm just joining now...

But why haven't the Biden/Harris Admin reached out more to the Gold Star Families of the Afghanistan withdrawal? Yes, I'm sure they would face ire--but it could be private meetings. The anguish of these families ... it seems a simple thing to 'do the right thing' and acknowledge and offer comfort, even if rejected. I don't really understand why they are just ignoring them.

Highly skeptical that you're "just joining now" (in fact, I think some of you are trolls and are sockpuppeting). I have a question for YOU: what is so special about this group of Gold Star families? Why should they be singled out for attention and not any other group of families of war dead?

OK, well, I guess you can ask Jeff to verify I haven't posted on this thread before if it matters to you.

I am not sure why you are answering a question with a question. My husband has served in combat under multiple administrations, and if he had been killed in combat, God forbid, I don't know if I would have been receptive to outreach from the CIC at the time - but I would certainly prefer it be proffered than not proffered. It is impossible to predict how families will react, which is why notification is such a tremendous duty, but it is the right thing to do to offer full ceremony, ritual and regard to Gold Star families. If it is rebuffed, it's rebuffed-but it seems a simple thing to do. I am wondering why it hasn't been done? It certainly is causing further division and pain.

I'm the PP you are responding to. I answered a question with a question because I STILL don't understand what is so special about this specific group of Gold Star families--given the enormity of loss represented at ANC. But I will try to answer your questions on the assumption that they are sincere. You asked: "But why haven't the Biden/Harris Admin reached out more to the Gold Star Families of the Afghanistan withdrawal? Yes, I'm sure they would face ire--but it could be private meetings. The anguish of these families ... it seems a simple thing to 'do the right thing' and acknowledge and offer comfort, even if rejected. I don't really understand why they are just ignoring them."

I can't speak for the Biden administration, but I'm assuming they're not reaching out to the families because it would be a damned if you do/damned if you don't situation. Since the incident occurred, it has become highly politicized and is a frequent line of attack against the Biden administration. Some of the relatives were openly hostile to Biden and criticized him publicly 3 years ago after Biden met with the families at Dover when the caskets were brought back. A subset of the families spoke at the recent RNC and, working with the Trump Campaign, have released a statement and videos which criticize Biden and Harris. The relatives are not looking for "comfort" from the Biden administration as you suggest. Some of them hold Biden personally culpable for their loved ones' deaths. You can be sure that if Biden met with them, even if privately, he would not be graciously received and every word of the interaction would be used against him. They've already made up their minds about what happened and who's at fault and there's nothing Biden or Harris can do or say to change that. Finally, Biden/Harris are not "just ignoring them"--the WH has said that B/H were not invited (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/biden-harris-werent-invited-arlington-abbey-gate-trump-rcna169154).

Biden did meet with them though. Not all the families but I’m sure all would have been invited. They were unhappy with the meeting (they accused him of looking at his watch). But it most certainly happened.

Yes, he met with those of them that would meet with him (some refused) at Dover three years ago when the caskets came in and he was, as you say, criticized for looking at his watch, among other things. The issue is that some PPs are saying that Biden should have met with the families again in 2024, on the 3rd year anniversary.

I think the families' "issue" (besides their fallen children) is the sense that this administration has brushed their children's deaths under a rug. When they say the administration needs to "say their names" it is similar to BLM or any other anguished cry that a person in a position of political authority acknowledge a situation or events. Equally obvious is that the Biden (and now future Harris administration) would like as little attention paid to the withdrawal and Abbey Gate as possible. Let's talk about what we are really talking about, on both sides of this 'ceremonial observance' controversy.

But Biden does “say their names” and is very caring of our troops. This has been evident for decades.

This is not a “both sides” issue.

Trump, as usual, took our country to a new low by breaking decorum and politicizing ANC. He’s a psychopath and doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

We are talking about this specific incident, a massacre during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. There is disagreement about how his administration has responded to critique of that, and to the families of the fallen during that incident. Not his attitude overall to the military.

And you don't think that some of the families who are in the tank for Trump, had it in for Biden from the outset and have been fomenting that "disagreement" for almost 3 years now?

Like, from before their kids died? You think they have just seized their kids death as an opportunity to 'take on Biden'. Like, a silver lining? Weird. No, I think they hated the sloppy withdrawal, blame Biden as Commander in Chief for their children's death when they were literally preparing a homecoming, and want to call attention to his mishandling of the withdrawal at every opportunity. I think any parent would behave this way. You may not agree that Biden is at fault, but since they feel that way, their behavior is very understandable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the Gold Star moms was just on Fox and said that Harris and Biden were invited but they didn’t respond. DP.

That seems unlikely enough that it makes me really wonder who sent the invitation, as well as when, where and how. If the invitations were sent via whatever the proper channels might be, it’s difficult to imagine that both offices wouldn’t have at least sent letters expressing regrets. Both offices must get hundreds of invitations each week. A response would have been routine. So, definitely something I’m curious about. Was a letter sent to the right offices, a few months in advance? Did someone send a tweet a few days ahead of the event? This all seems quite odd.

Narrator: The invitations were issued in the minds of the MAGAs who staged this. The never existed, and the whole point of the exercise was to have this "event" and gaslight the public into believing the VP and President "blew it off"

I guess there are some, including people posting in this thread, who are stupid enough to believe it.