Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Captain Khan’s Commanding Colonel Denounces Trump: ‘I Am Republican, But Will Vote My Conscience’
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2016/08/03/capt-khans-commanding-colonel-denounces-trump-republican-vote-conscience/Well, one of the men who knew Captain Khan best–his former brigade commander–decided he couldn’t remain silent any longer, and decided to let Trump and his mob have it in an op-ed that will run in Thursday’s edition of The Washington Post. Retired Army major general Dana Pittard is best known as the commanding general of Fort Bliss from 2010 to 2013. However, from 2002 to 2005, he was the colonel commanding the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division–the unit in which Humayun served....
To Pittard, Humayun wasn’t just a Muslim-American soldier, but “a member of our team–of our family.” He was one of 37 officers and (wo)men killed in Iraq while the 3rd Brigade was deployed there. Pittard said these fallen troops “represented sacrifice, service, duty and the essence of what makes our country great.” They were the embodiment of the 3rd Brigade’s motto, “No mission too difficult. No sacrifice too great. Duty First!”
Although Pittard never calls Trump by name, he has a very sobering message for him.
“I join all those who stand in support of the Khan family. This family is our family, and any attack on this wonderful American Gold Star family is an attack on all patriotic and loyal Americans who have sacrificed to make our country great. Any politically or racially motivated attack on the Khans is despicable and un-American.”
Pittard says that he is a registered Republican, following a tradition dating back to the 1920s. However, he says, “I have voted my conscience” at every election–and he intends to do so again this year. He then makes it clear where his conscience is leaning.
“We live in a dangerous and complex world. We need leaders who are steady, patient and empathetic, especially at the national level, during this troubled time. We need somebody who has respect for our Gold Star families.”
To Pittard, Humayun wasn’t just a Muslim-American soldier, but “a member of our team–of our family.” He was one of 37 officers and (wo)men killed in Iraq while the 3rd Brigade was deployed there. Pittard said these fallen troops “represented sacrifice, service, duty and the essence of what makes our country great.” They were the embodiment of the 3rd Brigade’s motto, “No mission too difficult. No sacrifice too great. Duty First!”
Although Pittard never calls Trump by name, he has a very sobering message for him.
“I join all those who stand in support of the Khan family. This family is our family, and any attack on this wonderful American Gold Star family is an attack on all patriotic and loyal Americans who have sacrificed to make our country great. Any politically or racially motivated attack on the Khans is despicable and un-American.”
Pittard says that he is a registered Republican, following a tradition dating back to the 1920s. However, he says, “I have voted my conscience” at every election–and he intends to do so again this year. He then makes it clear where his conscience is leaning.
“We live in a dangerous and complex world. We need leaders who are steady, patient and empathetic, especially at the national level, during this troubled time. We need somebody who has respect for our Gold Star families.”
BOOM! Drop the mic!
4 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
