Letter to the Editor: Reader disagrees with assessment of ‘true American’

I was intrigued by the letter from retired Col. Frank Daniels titled “Who are we becoming as a nation?” (July 15).

It’s a fair question. The first part of the discussion — citing tweets by congresspeople who said the Declaration of Independence was for White people and that the Statue of Liberty is irrelevant to non-White Americans and that the flag is no longer a symbol of unity — are valid areas for discussion and introspection.

Even his statement that “the silence by our president concerning these comments can lead one to believe that he supports them” has some merit. Although, if we went shopping for someone to fill a job, we would look for experience at the job level, and Joe Biden would be at the top of the list. I was at the Pentagon when George Bush was succeeded by Bill Clinton. The transition was messy and protracted. Joe had us up and running at light speed. I don’t like the border mess, and it’s not all good — but it never is.

Where I am compelled to disagree emanates from the signature as “Retired U.S. Army Reserve Col.,” giving credit to being touted as a judge as to who is a “true American.” See the partial quote: “Biden and his handlers … their hatred for Trump, which is turning out to be hatred of America, is starting to be seen by those of us who are true Americans.”

I understand regarding yourself as a true American, but there are many military members who think Trump is a traitor, and when you read Gen. Mark Milley’s comments, you realize he feared that Trump would destroy America as a democracy. Defense Secretary Gen. Jim Mattis resigned over Trump’s abandonment of our ally, the Kurds. Read comments from former White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly and you won’t think of Trump as a “true American.” I was amazed that even during the coup attempt, Trump cared little for the safety of Vice President Mike Pence (talk about a loyal Trump guy!).

Trump should have been censured by Republicans. But he is their cult leader.

So I understand the charisma of Donald Trump. Like other cult leaders, he can be very intoxicating (I remember Dover Air Force Base being the mortuary for the bodies of the Jonestown massacre, where followers of Jim Jones were convinced to drink the Kool-Aid that killed them). I find Trump attractive at times, like I would a favorite movie actor — but “true American or patriot”? Uh, no!

He fits the classic definition of a narcissist — check it out!

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Emmett Venett Jr.

Milford