An Open Letter to Khizr Khan July 31, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Army, DNC, Humayan, Kahn, Khizr, Muslims, Navy, Trump, USMC
trackback
Please read “An Apology to Mr. Khan, Mrs. Smith & Gold Star Families”
Dear Mr. Khan,
I want to preface this letter by stating that I respect your son’s sacrifice for this great nation. By all accounts, he is a true hero that sacrificed himself in service to our country. For that I am thankful.
As a veteran, I watched your comments at the Democratic National Convention with a mixture of sadness, and anger. The United States has a military comprised of volunteers. Every single member has made the conscious choice to join the military and serve. There is not a single service member who has been forced into service. It is important for all service members (and apparently, their families) to understand that service to this great nation does not imbue one with special privileges or rights. I found your comments troubling when you said: “Have you ever been to Arlington cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one.”
Does it matter whether Mr. Trump has sacrificed “…nothing and no one?”…has Ms. Clinton “..sacrificed” for this nation? How about Mr. Obama? Your comment stating that Mr. Trump “…has sacrifice no one” is alarming. Are you intimating that YOU sacrificed? Sir, your son willingly sacrificed himself. As a father I cannot imagine the pain you must feel but his sacrifice is his own. He was not forced to serve.
I am troubled that you would allow a party that has little more than contempt for the US Service Member to parade you into the DNC to denounce Donald Trump. Did you watch when protesters at the DNC booed and heckled Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Florent Groberg? Did you notice your party interrupting the moment of silence for slain police officers? Your own hypocrisy in not denouncing these acts and instead using the DNC as a platform to make a political point is disgraceful. The simple fact is that whether one served or sacrificed does not give greater power to their statements. One vote is as valuable as another. That sir, is why our Country is great. Your condemnation of one person for a statement while standing idly as your party disparages veterans and police officers is the height of hypocrisy.
To conflate the need to prevent potential terrorists from entering our country with the belief that ‘all Muslims’ should be banned is simply wrong and disingenuous. As a reminder, Mr. Trump said: ” “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life,” The irony of your son’s own death at the hands of these very people in Iraq should not be ignored. I have little doubt that your son would have recognized the need to protect our country from these very people. In fact, he held is own troops back so that he could check on a suspicious car. Your son understood sacrifice and how to protect “his people”…’his soldiers’….’his fellow Americans’…
As you continue to make the media circuit and bask in the glow of affection cast upon you by a party that has little regard for your son’s own sacrifice, and veterans in general, I would ask you to consider your comments and your position more closely.
Respectfully,
Chris Mark
US Marine and Navy Veteran.
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 
Veteran Chris Mark,
First let me say thank you for your service to our great Nation and we shall all have great respect for your actions.
However, I respectfully disagree with your words regarding Mr. Khan and the death of his son in Military action. Mr. Trump (and I struggle to say Mr. because he doesn’t deserve he respect) wants to ban ALL MUSLIMS from the USA. This is clearly the point why Mr. Khan was chosen to speak at the DNC. If it was up to Donald, this family would be packed up and shipped out of this country simply for the religion they practice.
When Mr. & Mrs. Kahn’s son enrolled in the United States Military, was he denied the right to serve, be promoted to Sargeant and eventually die protecting his troops because of his religion? Clearly NO!
So to say his parents haven’t sacrificed because they are weren’t on the front lines with him is say I respectfully disagree. As you know first hand, if you serve, your whole family serves. And our VP Biden’s son did serve.
But let us not forget once again why this conversation even began. Trump is trying to get all Muslims sent out of THEIR Country, not OUR COUNTRY. They are just as American as you and are fighting and dying protecting ALL OF OUR FREEDOMS just like you did.
In ending, I respect that you served our country but please understand this country belongs to ALL RELIGIONS, RACES, FACES & CREEDS.
Nice comments by all. Before you tell the other countries how to run their shit, get your shit together. Leader of the free world my ass.
Thank you for your service, it’s because of men like you … And my husband, nephew and many other men and woman that willingly take that oath to give those lives if need be to protect us!!
And also thank you so much for writing this you definitely hit the nail on the head with this respectful letter to these people! God Bless you and your family!!
Like Donld Trump has any regard for veterans?
May God help America and the world should Donald Trump win.
Mr. Mark thank you for your service to this great nation. Thank you for writing this letter. I personally appreciate your perspective of this ongoing issue. Sometimes it takes a person such as yourself to point out what needs to be said. I feel you did just that. I totally agree with you that the Khan’s were used by the Democratic Party. I doubt seriously that Hillary Clinton cared how this family felt. She or else someone in her campaign staff saw an opportunity and seized it regarding the Khan family. It’s really too bad that many Americans don’t see the truth behind this situation. Prayerfully your letter will be read by millions of Americans. I sincerely pray for God’s blessings to be poured out on you and your family.
May God Bless the end of the world, should Trump not win
“May God Help America” should Either win.
🙏 🇺🇸
My guess is yes, God will help. He has helped us all. What is your point?
May GOD help ALL of us if a serial killer gets into the office. You don’t like it here than go back to where you came from and see if you survive making any comments about anything as a woman.
So agreed…..my family is terrified if such an angry, INEXPERIENCED, “hot-head” somehow manages to become our Commander-in-chief…….(God help us!)
“Hillary Clinton. She’ll say anything, and change nothing. It’s time to turn the page. Paid for by Obama for America.”
Obama 2008 Campaign Ad
God help us all if Hillary get in. The SC will have at least 3 new people picked by her, than along should put Mr Trump in the WH Clinton does not care for the America people, just like Obama. Its money honey and that is it. thank u
Right on I wish all who read this can understand the depth of this message?God Bless America.
tRUMP himself has said the military is in shambles, and he wants them to commit what may be war crimes.
On military morale…He’s correct on the first point…and your wrong on the second…
What are you speaking of when you say he wants the military to commit war crimes??
I think that Mr Khans point in his speech was that Mr Trump has said he wanted a ban on certain religions entering the USA because a minority of that same religion are terrorists. He wanted to show Mr Trump that there are persons of the religion that he wants to ban have given the ultimate sacrifice for the USA and continually do so on a daily basis just the same as all other religions. Therefore Mr Trump cannot treat people of one religion differently than another as enshrined in the US constitution.
I am an Indian… And a Muslim by birth… I agree with Khizr Khan, Chris Mark and your POV equally and in that order. Respect for Mr. Khan, Mr. Mark, and their families.
How you followed the media taking you from Donald Trumps comments that he want to stop immigration of Muslims until they were totally vetted to Donald Trump wanted to ban an entire religion. How you let yourself be lead to the belief the media wanted for you. How much did you listen to and read in order to make such a statement? Think for yourself! You will enjoy it!
The US Constitution only applies to citizens and a limited subset of legal resident aliens in its broadest sense. US Code and Immigration laws grant certain duties and responsibilities upon the US government and specifically the Office of the President of the United States to preserve the harmony and peace of this nation, especially as it applies to threats to the lives and property of Constitutionally protected classes. For this reason the Office of the President of the United States is required to limit, curtail and even ban the issuance of both permanent and temporary visas to individuals that pose a threat to our nation, its government, and its people. One specific clause literally allows a ban on the entrance of any people that believe that the government or its legal system should be overthrown for ideological reasons. Since it is the hadith, sharia and the Qur’an that literally demand the subjugation of our laws and our people to Islamic law and since a devout Muslim is forbidden to consider our secular law as dominant along with the requirement to utilize lethal force to require conversion and subjugation these Codes and Laws do apply specifically to people of the Muslim faith. Please understand something, I not only know that ALL Muslims do NOT believe such things…I am one of them myself; but I also know that all too many do believe these things. Especially those that have been raised in the middle-east and have attended Muslim schools were they are indoctrinated in Jihadist thinking from an early age. For this reason, Trump is fully justified in his position and actually is remarkably aware of the difficulty in facing the problems of Jihad when leading a secular and freedom loving nation.
The terrorists ARE radical Islamic terrorists… Proven fact!! That’s Mr. Trump’s desire to protect America from, NOT the religion‼️‼️ What’s wrong with you people. My uncle was killed in WWII. He was a Methodist, but that didn’t define his service & Methodists weren’t killing people all over the world‼️
That is not what Trump said. You need to take a remedial reading or better yet, get your hearing aid checked before you misquote someone else.
Why not, it is the Islamist radicals trying to kill us? It is not other races or countries!
Mr. Khan is being used as a tool for Hillary’s con. Hillary and her useful idiots have been pushing the FALSE NARRATIVE that Trump is racist. This was another desperate infomercial to confuse the difference between not allowing unvetted people coming to this country as a security precaution and a responsible effort to protect this country from threats both foreign and domestic , yet they spin it to a racial issue. The fix is in and the CON continues.
He is wrong about the sacrifice, when a soldier joins up, he takes his family to war whether that is the intent or not to do so. When he is away peace is sacrificed, the family unit is not whole, the children sacrifice. Where is that child’s defender and hero? Who will pick him up and brush him off and say buck up boy, who’s Dad’s tough little guy? Who will vet the new boyfriend with a grim stare that keeps a suitor, suitable? Where is that mother’s warm sleepy spoon before dreams take her? Where is her helpmate and shoulder to cry on? There is no true peace or sleep when he is gone. When death takes them in battle, that soldier’s fear and sorrow is ended and they journey on. Here, where we live without them, that sacrifice never ends. Parents, to their dying day are never whole with the loss of a child. Did their daughter, bleeding out in a blown out truck call out for her mother? Was she afraid? Did she suffer? The children face a world infinitely harder to navigate with a mother or father missing, it just doesn’t go away, that want and that need for the missing parent, that feeling of being incomplete. A soldier cannot fully understand this, he could not do his job if he did. That’s simply how it works. How it has to work for it to work at all. Sacrifice, intense sacrifice. That is why those parents sacrifice is more real than this soldier could ever understand and certainly more than Trump could. How do I know? I am the child of Harry A. Walling. 5th Special Forces, Green Beret, Silver Star recipient, KIA June 19th 1964. The pain never ends, the loss to my sweet mother that broke her heart then made her the warrior he was so she could raise his three children, a widow at 19. The loss to myself and my two brothers who grew up without his love and guidance. The death and loss of him again on that day you could never understand, when suddenly you turn the age he was when he died and then even the mythical father is gone, a young man forever while you age past his eternity. You grow up a child of war, it colors everything. There is no misunderstanding about death with these children, it stands next to you on the playground, when the other kids make fun of you because you have no dad. It stands next to you, the ghost of him, when you marry and there is no father to kiss you and whisper, I can get you out of this if you’re not sure! then gently handing you to your new husband. There is no grave and proud grandfather to hand his first grandchild to. Unless you have just a memory and a box of medals to cling to, even if you a soldier, you cannot know the true sacrifice of it.
Thank you. Very reasoned and important response. I do feel for your loss.
have to say your comment about Dems being a party in contempt of the military is way off base. We are, generally, ant-war, not anti-soldier. We virtually all went to Vietnam when called upon and those who didn’t were equally divided. Trump, however, took 4 educational deferments and then one for bone spurs. I hope you take that into account.I
I have been educated on this point. Thank you. I was unaware of Trump’s deferments until recently.
I just want to add, there is a difference between sacrifice and loss. No one questions the deep and profound loss a family suffers when a soldier dies. No one questions the never ending grief and sorrow that families live with. But that is not a sacrifice. I think the distinction is very important in this discussion as many are arguing that sacrifice means something else entirely.
Try growing up and saving your mother since age 5, from an abusive husband who beat her repeatedly after coming home drunk, them committing suicide after he punched me in the mouth while trying to save her, growing up with his drinking habits, which affected ALL 5 CHILDREN, escalating to rampant drug abuse fir ALL 5 CHILDREN, destroying our lives, and taking the life of my younger brother. You don’t know pain.
TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT
Your words are more than powerful. They bring a level of clarity and understanding than any I’ve ever read about war, loss, and sacrifice. They will be with me forever. I’ve always believed soldiers and their families were uniquely special and you are. God bless you and your dear family.
Such a beautiful and poignant response.
I wish more people could see this.
Facts are stubborn things, but sometimes their lifelong effects are disastrous and hard to bear. The way you’ve described has every promise of the truth that you were made gradually to pass through. Your account made me weep. My own account carries many sad stories. It’s humane having such a feeling that of yours. I’m non-political and share no prejudices of any nature. May God bless you and your brothers.
Thank you for the true perspective. It’s easy standing on the outside, critiquing everyone else as if you’ve walked in the shoes.
Soldiers go off to war for many reasons, but they only stay for one – and that’s the guy next to them.
None of us understand the possible consequences of the choices we make when we are 19 and 20 years old. Coleen Shin, you lost your father and it had a profound impact on you. I don’t know if your father was drafted or volunteered and from your perspective; I don’t think that would have mattered either way.
Chris Mark is right though in his pointing out to Mr. Khan that his son’s death was an unfortunate consequence of his son’s choice to join the military, And for him to go on national TV and jump up and down about what he thinks Donald Trump sacrificed or didn’t? I would agree. Mr. Khan’s actions were inappropriate.
I too am a veteran. I did clean up after the 1991 Gulf War and I got very sick as a result of it. Finally the VA compensates me for illnesses they denied existed for the past 15 to 20 years. And yes, wars affect families in ways no one can imagine!
I have a 14 year old son with Autism and some really weird form of epilepsy. He like yourself grows up without a father, not because his father was killed in a war, but simply because his father could not deal with his disabilities! His disabilities that very well may have been caused by a war.
My son has no grandparents either. My parents died when he was young and his grandparents on the other side refuse to see him simply because his grandmother refuses to talk to me. I am the custodial parent who has taken care of this child his entire life. So yes, my son has very similar experiences to you Coleen, just different reasons.
It is a cold hard reality that yes, sometimes life really sucks.
My son was on home tutoring this past year (as a result of his disabilities, I think we’ve been through 5 different school placements at this point – but that’s a whole other story) and when we got home from one tutoring session, my son saw all his possessions that had been at his father’s apartment dumped on our front porch. (Mattresses, bedding, toys, even presents he’d given his father for Christmas). We pulled around the corner into the driveway and the first thing out of my developmentally disabled 14 year-old’s mouth was:
“At least I know I have a Father in Heaven who will never do this too me!”
Sometimes life does suck, but God is still good!
It’s because we soldiers understand that that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves in the hopes that the next generation won’t have to. I’m sorry about you loss.
Thank you for your letter . But to say your party has no regard for the Marines or the men and women who serve out great country is wrong . The GOP has consistent fought to not give money or benefits to Vets . At least as much if not more than the Democrats . Since 2012 the GOP controlled Congress has blocked 4 major bills for Veterans .
Good point. I have read that in other posts…
In February 2014 The Democrats in the Senate Blocked a Veterans bill and again in October 2015. On one of the bill sveterans would have become eligible for in-state college tuition, even improved dental care — and some wounded troops left unable to have children would have received fertility or adoption services.
In addition, the Veteran’s Administration would have received more resources to ease its backlog of cases, and the bill would have bolstered programs for veterans who suffered sexual abuse.
I believe the content of your claim is factual but incomplete. Rs and D’s are both known to attach riders to bills they know the opposition will not accept then use thay negative reaction to some unrelated amendment to say their adversaries opposed, for example, veterans benefits or funding for this or that.
Until congress introduces, considers and votes on single-theme bills only, none of these claims about Rs refusing to fund the military or D’s voting against gun rights really means much if anything.
Send this letter to Speaker Ryan..
This is unbelievable. I guarantee that the Clinton people knew all of this when they stood him up there. They have no shame. This really pissea me off. By the way the name calling little coward Chris Mark. You need to grow up.
George. …you are such a jag-off….and a complete idiot !!!!
God Bless…All the Chris Mark’s that have blessed Us the people by serving the United States with their lives to protect our lives, our freedom; and all that we hold so dear…..our independence.
We can not, and should not stand back and let pathetic, puppet politicians like Hillary and Obama in office for another four years, pad their pockets from special interest lobbyists, in disregard for the needs of the people of thid country.
Donald J Trump. ..the next Great President of the United States. God Bless. ….
and people who make such callous remarks need to grow up….you need to read that letter again…thoroughly. why is it that we lost all respect for ourselves….our country is in a war of hate and it is Killary and Obama who are fueling it…can’t you see what they are doing….it’s the agenda….it makes me sad that people have become so angry, classless and uncaring….the democratic party (and president) has created such damning, treason and hate….kiss our freedoms goodbye….A Clinton is an evil Clinton and will kill this country…..what gets me is Obama and Killary along with the rest of the democrats are putting our lives at risk thinking they will be safe…just yesterday I heard Muslims say “we are coming for the WH…..they will be getting their KARMA, which can be a beautiful thing in the right circumstances…..
Being a veteran doesn’t give you the right to be a dickhead. What have you done Mark? All you do is complain. You’re a pathetic excuse for a human being and the world would have been much better off if you had been in place of Khizr Khan’s son.
You’re an uneducated, angry, white trash vet with an axe to grind. Get over yourself faqqot
Well…no…I am a highly educated (getting a Doctorate)..probably white (I am going to 23 and me to see) vet. WRT what I have done…look at my bio. Let’s see..here is a shot…Marine Scout/Sniper..Marine Force Recon….US Navy Officer. BA, MBA…written about 60 articles..been on CNN..will be on Fox tonight…sooo…let me ask you. What have you done? Why with the homosexual epithets that you spell incorrectly? C’mon man…give a real comment.
Thank you for your service Chris Mark!
Sounds like some ingrate who has been living off the freedoms that others have provided for them. Part of living in a free society I guess. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Brothers in arms
The US needs closer scrutiny of any future immigrants wishing to enter the US. A terrorist can come from any country and purport to be any religion or are we to think that someone would kill Americans but tell the truth about where they’re really from or what their alliances might really be. Documentation from other parts of the world can be far less official than what we’re used to here. Accepting documentation from other parts of the world can also put too much trust in other countries security practices, it’s too many points of failure to be safe. Just allow enough time for our countries own thorough investigation.
I’m with you on this, my husband served 33 years 11 months and 29 days active and reserves. You know that drill, cut them loose before they get full retirement. I don’t think we either thought of it as a big sacrifice, it was just what we did. I would like to bring it to peoples attention that the Dems have done their fair share of taking away vets support financially and emotionally. Lower that low pay, getting ready to mess with their housing allowance now, you know that group the President appointed to look at the military situation as far as expense. How he’s stripped the military down to an unsafe level, getting rid of experienced people. Raising copays on Tricare. Yep, the Democrats have done their share, people need to wake up.
We’re not mad, it needed to be said. People that haven’t served over the long haul don’t understand, people that have served do, it’s just what they do, it’s their job.
Love love love this reply!! Great letter Chris!
Congrats on getting a doctorate. Warmest Regards, Sandy 🙂
Thank you but I am still working toward it. Done with classes just have to write that little paper called a Dissertation then defend it 😉
Thank you for your service. The remarks by Sam just shows how many ignorant individuals post trash. Again thank you ! We need more young people like you☺
Why don’t you list the charges you faced when you lied about being shot by 3 black men?
Wrong Chris Mark. Do your homework. That was a SEAL and he was cleared.
God bless you Mark! Thank you for the service of this country! Many as myself , appreciate and love our troops! Thank you!
Chris, your letter proves concisely that having an advanced degree does not make one “smart” and that being a vet does not make one an expert in military affairs. Congratulations, not too many people can accomplish that in one letter! Your service in the Marine Corps and later as a Navy Officer pale into insignificance compared to the supreme sacrifice made by Captain Khan. You should be ashamed of yourself for writing such an incendiary and disrespectful letter to the family of a fallen Soldier. I would think that someone who brags about having an advanced degree and time in the military would be smart enough not to do such an incredibly stupid thing but I guess that doesn’t apply to you. May God bless Mr. and Mrs. Khan for speaking truth to power. I hope you – and your wife – use a little bit better judgment before you decide to write another open letter to the family of a fallen service member. Semper Fi.
Disagreement does not mean either party is wrong. You disagree with me so then resort to calling me unintelligent?
Disagreement does not mean either party is wrong. You disagree with me so then resort to calling me unintelligent?
Remember this laddie buck… he earned the title United States Marine… what have you done for your country.. angry white trash vet…whooooa… look who is white trash…insults like that are generated by a weak mind trying to express itself forcefully.
The beginning of you childish tirade relegates you to something I might find on the bottom of my shoe…you do need help for your lack of self esteem issues….
Chris Mark …SEMPER FI, Brother all the best!!
Wow I see how Sam has called Chris a faggot angry and uneducated. Proves the point that Sam is the one who is an angry uneducated white trash want to act like a big man syndrome. Until you walk a day in a Veterans life. SHUT UP!
You know something folks, many of you are brutally rude. There is no reason for name calling. Everyone should choose to respectfully agree to disagree. It never ceases to amaze me how so many of the democrat party stoop so low when they disagree with the opposite party. It doesn’t serve any real purpose to talk to others in this fashion. Believe me, I get it when it comes to not condoning the opposite party’s political policies Etc. But it doesn’t call for stooping down and then wallowing in pig excrement to try and express your point of view.
Unbelievable….what kind of person talks like that of someone that kept our country safe……and you comment about he should have died….watch your words….Karma is a bitch…..where is it that you see him complaining….His letter was respectfully written…..perhaps you are the angry, uneducated trash….shame on you…you treat a vet just like the disgraceful lying, traitor we have in the WH who never served…you sound like an anti-military person….maybe you should join and go see what it is all about….
Sam. you sound like an angry, hot head ed individual. Chris wrote an admirable letter using integrity and meaning good will and understanding from ever perspective. Your comments said absolutely nothing to anyone. Just a lot of name calling. Everything you said was worthless.
Sam, what gives you the right to be a dickhead? You Sir, are a disrespectful, homophobic, narcissist. If you have nothing better than hate speech and death threats please don’t say anything at all.
Chris Mark, thank you for your service! Go Navy!
obviously being a redneck gives you the right to be a dickhead. I’m surprised you took the time to put down your banjo to make a complaint yourself. It sounds more like you are the pathetic excuse of a human being because you think by spewing crap out your pie hole that you are on the intelligent end of the conversation. It’s because of “white trash vets” like Mr. Kahn and Mr. Mark that you can stand in line to collect your food stamps and watch the price is right on your 22 inch tv collecting disability checks. Maybe you should think more about what have YOU done.
Gee, Michael, good to know that the progressives of the dem party are still churning out brain dead imbeciles that , per their education, cannot see, hear of comprehend….like BLM, call names, casting aspersions and lying fit you like a tee!!
Very harsh and disrespectful especially to someone whom has served, for the likes of you to be able to open your mouth, perhaps you can be of a life trade for the khan’s son? Hummmmm.
Finally someone with a brain speaks up! I commend you for both your service to the U.S. And your bravery for tackling a very hot topic..this is the first time I’ve heard the truth as to what happened! And you my friend hit the nail on the head when you reiterated that the soldier enlisted!! I wonder what the older vets would say? Great Job Chris!
You’re entitled to your own opinions but not your own facts regardless of your record. Trump has actively called for the end to ALL MUSLIM immigration at various times during this campaign. That you try to deflect this by saying he’s toned it down since does not excuse the fact that this is not the talk of a future president of a country built by immigrants including your and my ancestors. And to argue that the father has not sacrificed anything because his son chose to serve is specious and dishonorable. He is pointing out the hypocrisy of someone who’s ancestors came here for a better life arguing that no one of a certain type should be allowed to enter. So with all due respect sir GFY.
We need to take care of Our Own Backyards for a Change. Are you all looking at Our Homeless, Our Children, Our Drug Epidemic, Our Illegal immigrants here on American Soil already, Our School’s, Our Overworked, Underpaid Teachers???? Our PTSD Military where and when Do we take care Of Our Own?
You obviously do not understand that there have been pauses in immigration at other times in the past. And to block those who could very easily import terrorists with the women and children, what few I have seen going to Europe. Right now Europe is being over run by people who hate Western values and are going to do their best to kill it. Mr. Trump has seen what has happened to other countries and does not want that brought here, and neither do I. European countries are having to have separate swimming times for the women and the men because of the Muslims who are invading those countries.
You sir are the minority! The majority want the Muslims vetted. We want Isis stopped in its track here and abroad. T
He majority saw through this little game the DNC played especially now that the truth has come out about Mr. khan.. You sir is the d…head. Thank you for your service Chris.
This letter makes a good point. But I see that many of the responses attempt to claim that Trump wants to stop all Muslim immigration stating that he has said as much during his campaign. In fact, he has stated Muslim immigration needs to stop we can start determining who is or is not a jihady.
And just to clarify things, Islam is not a religion. It is a cult that attempts to permeate all aspects of ones life. All Muslims read the same Quoran. The book specifies that anyone who is not a believer of Islam must convert or die. We do not see Baptist, Budhists, Methodists, Pentecostals Catholics, or even atheists perpetrating such acts of violence against innocent people. We do not see any of these people throwing homosexuals from tall buildings to a cheering crowd below. We do not see them burying their wives up to their necks to be stone to death for embarrassing their husbands. We do not see their daughters being mutilated to prevent them from enjoying the act of sex with their husband.
A religion is a set of beliefs about how to worship God. It is not a set of beliefs about how to dominate others. Shariah LAW indicates it is not just about worshipping God. It is about ruling all people’s lives. It is not compatible with the Constitution for the United States of America, because only a republican form of government is permitted in any of the states, in spite of the fact that government has, through deceit, replaced common law with admiralty law. We still have the common law available to us. Under Shariah law, their is no option.
The author suffers from the individualistic mentality that infests the right-wing. They are incapable of understanding shared responsibility and sacrifice. The author used many words to essential say 1. He hates Democrats & 2. The Gold Stare parents of a fallen soldier have no claim to their own son’s service and sacrifice because he miraculously & spontaneously sprung into existence w/o his parents have instilled in him the values that lead him to the ultimate sacrifice. I thank the author for his service and for highlighting what is wrong with the right-wingers.
Actually…the author successfully and properly puts the issue in its proper place. 1) that a political convention is no place for this rhetoric about a hero and 2) there are no special entitlements that come from being a Gold Star family, save the honor and respect for the action of the lost family member and 3) it does not give the right to question on a national stage the patriotism of any candidate who as a part of his platform, wishes to protect the lives of those he would be elected to protect.
But the respondent and many others would claim that they can extrapolate the heroic actions of one Muslim member of our military, when there are others, as a means to denounce that political platform which may one day save his or her life.
I keep having to remind my democratic and liberal family and friends that as you look back over the last almost 8 years, and as you include the previous 2 years under Democratic House control of Ms “you need to pass the bill to figure out what’s in the bill”, that things have steadily gone from bad to worse and that the very definition of insanity is: TO KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS.
It’s time to change.
Well said. Said much better than I have attempted to say it. Thank you! As I heard another Marine say today. “The life of a soldier is to be honored, not sold to the highest bidder for political gain”
what’s wrong with hating Democrats, or maybe that is too strong…..how about not trusting them and thinking that they are a danger to us…..but in all honesty, don’t you think they hate republicans…..
What sad about this letter of Mark and all the comments, no one said anything about the fact that Khan should not have ever been in Iraq to get murdered like many thousands of American’s Service People and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraquis citizens all because of a senseless war done by Outlaws, Crooks, Thieves George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, plus Halliburton, a war that Hilliary Clinton and bunch of other crooked Democrats & Republicans that backed Bush and Cheney to go into a senseless war in Iraq. In murdering hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians they took the lives of relatives, friends and associates of the people now classified as ISIS. Halliburton has made billions of dollars because of the war, of course Cheney was CEO of this country. Bush and Cheney are Fathers of ISIS, they along with a bunch of Halliburton people, Hilliary Clinton and all those Senators and Representatives that back Bush and Cheney should be behind bars for the rest of their lives instead of living the good life at the expense of we taxpayers. I wish Trump would really expose this issue and bring to the voters attention, he would win by a land slide.
You are so right. I’m sure most people don’t know this and many Would SIMPLY OVERLOOK it. What gets me is how they disregard everything Hillary has done and try to compare it to Trumps faults. I can’t understand what the people of our country have become.
This was hard to read because it is so sickning to think anyone that has any common sense to be able to see that Trump only cares about winning and has no respect for anyone. He is a self centered bigot. That is not what we are about. We do not wish to let a angry dictator become president of the the United States. So it is good that the majority of people can see right threw him for the complete asshole he is and elect Hillary Clinton for President .
Yes, elect Hillary Clinton – who voted for the War and lies whenever she talks. Benghazi comes to mind. Yet when Pat Smith was called out after her appearance at the RNC, where was the uproar. Hillary is the asshole, you have that part backwards.
where have you been….the Clintons are ALL ABOUT MONE…she has accepted money from our enemies and has along with president o given money (a lot of it) and weapons to use against us…that’s pretty much disrespecting people…she is a self centered lying criminal who should be in jail….and after 8 years of a wimpy president who started a racial war(agenda) and refused to go against ISIS (agenda) and has said publicly that he will side with Muslims (agenda) wants to take our freedoms and guns, along with Killary (agenda) those who vote for Killary will be helping to destroy our country and citizens…..people need to see that Obama and Killary are both assholes….Killary has had a lot of people killed because she didn’t like that they could bring to light her treason. lying evil ways…..she is demonic and Obama is the anti-christ…..good luck with that
Well said and thank you from a military wife and mother for the sacrafices you have made for our country. May God bless you and yours.
Thank you for your letter. It was amazing.
Dear Mr. Khan,
“I want to preface this letter by stating that I respect your son’s sacrifice for this great nation. By all accounts, he is a true hero that sacrificed himself in service to our country. For that I am thankful.”
Okay.
“As a veteran, I watched your comments at the Democratic National Convention with a mixture of sadness, and anger. The United States has a military comprised of volunteers. Every single member has made the conscious choice to join the military and serve. There is not a single service member who has been forced into service.”
Mr. Khan made the point that his son made a conscious choice to join the military.
“It is important for all service members (and apparently, their families) to understand that service to this great nation does not imbue one with special privileges or rights.”
Mr. Khan never said, or even implied that service gave anyone greater privileges and rights.
” I found your comments troubling when you said: “Have you ever been to Arlington cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one.””
I presume you are fine with the first sentence.
The second sentence is true.
“Does it matter whether Mr. Trump has sacrificed “…nothing and no one?”…has Ms. Clinton “..sacrificed” for this nation?”
First, Ms. Clinton DID sacrifice for this nation, but that’s another topic. And, I’m Christian, conservative, against abortion, and pro-Second Amendment, but I do recognize the truth. But, her sacrifice is not relevent. She did not threaten to oppress Muslims, and make no mistake, Trump’s proposed subversion of the U.S. Constitution by infringing on the religious freedom in this country, which would directly affect Mr. Khan is very wrong, and he’s right to point out that Trump has made no sacrifices. His wife has even said Trump was not involved in raising his own children.
“How about Mr. Obama?”
Again, not relevant. Obama has not threatened to oppress Muslims in the U.S.. Trump has.
” Your comment stating that Mr. Trump “…has sacrifice no one” is alarming.”
No, it’s the truth. What’s alarming is threatening Muslim U.S. citizens, and Trump has done that.
” Are you intimating that YOU sacrificed?”
He DID sacrifice. Are you a parent. I can pretty much guarantee that he would accept death immediately if it could bring his son back. Nothing it worth than losing a child.
” Sir, your son willingly sacrificed himself. As a father I cannot imagine the pain you must feel but his sacrifice is his own. He was not forced to serve.”
Again, nobody has claimed he was forced to serve. In fact, again, that he made this choice is a point that Mr. Khan himself made!
“I am troubled that you would allow a party that has little more than contempt for the US Service Member to parade you into the DNC to denounce Donald Trump.”
Ah, so this is really about your dislike of the DNC. Well, I’, troubled that you would support a narcissistic sociopath who changes wives like coats, lies more than any politician I’ve ever seen, and clearly cares only about himself.
” Did you watch when protesters at the DNC booed and heckled Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Florent Groberg?”
You are now confusing protesters with everyone in the party. In response to being booed, Captain Florent Groberg’s said, ““There were a couple hecklers … It’s America — freedom of speech!” he exclaimed.”
He recognizes the fallacy of labeling an entire group by the actions of a few. Trump’s xenophobic followers do not recognize that distinction.
” Did you notice your party interrupting the moment of silence for slain police officers?”
Yes, there was some jeering. That’s disgraceful. I agree. Again, reference earlier comments about individuals.
Did you notice Trump promoting violence at his rally, and even promising the legal costs of anyone who accosted a protester. Then one of his supporters made a totally unprovoked attack, punching someone walking out of the forum in the head, and the supporter was arrested. Then, Trump, renigged on his promise. I consider that much more offensive, and unlike the rude jeering, the presidential candidate was a willing participant in the bad act.
” Your own hypocrisy in not denouncing these acts and instead using the DNC as a platform to make a political point is disgraceful.”
Wait, so you think a speaker at the convention who was not on the stage at the time the acts occurred is then supposed to become a spokesman for the party and denounce the acts! That’s weird. Why haven’t you then denounced Trump’s various bad acts in this letter?
A Muslim man who is being attacked by a major presidential candidate, being told his relatives won’t be able to visit, and having Newt Gingrich at a Trump rally saying that all Muslims should be interrogated, should bring up rude jeering instead of expressing his concerns for all Muslims by citing his son as an example. What planet are you from?
” The simple fact is that whether one served or sacrificed does not give greater power to their statements.”
Actually, that’s false in this case. Trump is attacking Muslims. His son is an example of a Muslim who the U.S. is lucky to have had serve. That gives much greater power to his statement.
” One vote is as valuable as another. That sir, is why our Country is great.”
Yes, and nobody has contested that.
” Your condemnation of one person for a statement while standing idly as your party disparages veterans and police officers is the height of hypocrisy.”
He’s not condemning Trump for one statement. He’s condemning Trump for a myriad of repeated statements against Muslims and real threats against Muslim U.S. citizens. And, he’s right. Your comment about the DNC disparaging police officers is false too, you are referring to specific individuals. In fact, you have disparaged the Father of a U.S. Servicemen who died for our country by your illogical comments. That’s worse!
“To conflate the need to prevent potential terrorists from entering our country with the belief that ‘all Muslims’ should be banned is simply wrong and disingenuous.”
Trump has said, “All Muslims should be banned from entering our country.” I believe that’s his exact words. He’s said different things at different times, but he has said that.
” As a reminder, Mr. Trump said: ” “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life,” The irony of your son’s own death at the hands of these very people in Iraq should not be ignored.”
The irony of your obliviousness to the data regarding this issue and the U.S. Constitutions prohibition on religious freedom cannot be ignored either.
Look at the data. In the almost 15 year period since 9/11/2001, 135 people have been killed by Muslim terrorists. There are approximately 3.3 million Muslims living in the U.S., including two Muslim U.S. Congressmen, who, due to Trump’s fear-mongering, are now getting death threats. American citizens murder over 16,000 people a year, even more some years. Even with 300 million American citizens, that’s a higher rate of murder than Muslims have committed, even when lumping the terrorists in with the good people. So, abandoning the First Amendment to the Constitution is a stupid idea, and Trump is wrong to propose it.
” I have little doubt that your son would have recognized the need to protect our country from these very people.”
Uh, that’s what his father said he was doing!
” In fact, he held is own troops back so that he could check on a suspicious car. Your son understood sacrifice and how to protect “his people”…’his soldiers’….’his fellow Americans’…”
Yes, he did – his son fought for the freedom that Trump wants to take away. Do you get that yet?
“As you continue to make the media circuit and bask in the glow of affection cast upon you by a party that has little regard for your son’s own sacrifice, and veterans in general, I would ask you to consider your comments and your position more closely.”
Give me a break. Democrats care as much about Veterans as Republicans. And, recall I oppose Clinton on almost every issue, but I’m not irrational.
“Respectfully,”
I found very little respect for a man who lost his son. You attacked him for his party affiliation because you don’t like what some people in the party did. Then, ironically, you defended that by pointing out that everyone has a vote.
“Chris Mark
US Marine and Navy Veteran.”
Mr. Mark, I do thank you for your service. I mean that. I have no dislike for you, but I found your attack on Mr. Khan totally irrational and you completely missed the point of his speech. It wasn’t him bragging, except perhaps a bit about how proud he was of his son. His endorsement of Clinton was specifically because Trump says he wants to oppress people like him.
If you doubt any of the statement’s I’ve made about Donald Trump or Newt Gingrich, I can point to videos of them speaking that support what I wrote. I wish you the best – and again, thank you for your service.
Bill Hallahan
I would add that, considering his ease to express reactionary ideas, I guess that Mr. Chris Mark will try to follow a political carreer, as soon as he will retire from the army. And than, he will probably adopt a speech similar to that of Mr Donald Trump.
I have been out of the military for 16 years. I am well established in corporate America. I have ZERO interest in EVER being in politics.
Hey Roland… I’m guessing your reading comp isn’t quite up to snuff, in that you missed the part at the end of the article that clearly states Chris Mark is a US Marine and Navy Vet. This means he isn’t on active duty and he was not in the Army. In the future, please try and pay attention before you make a reply simply to embarrass yourself.
I don’t want my comments to imply that I’m a “Trumpster” because I am not.
“It is important for all service members (and apparently, their families) to understand that service to this great nation does not imbue one with special privileges or rights.”
I disagree, Mr. Mark. I believe that all service members who serve in active war zones ought to some special privilege upon their return in addition to excellent heath care and educational opportunities.
A ban on the admission to this country of any member of a religious group is absolutely NOT a ban on that person’s right to practice his or her religion.
The following is my response to Mr. Bill Hallahan’s reply to Mr. Chris Mark’s statement:
CM: “Your own hypocrisy in not denouncing these acts and instead using the DNC as a platform to make a political point is disgraceful.”
BH: “Wait, so you think a speaker at the convention who was not on the stage at the time the acts occurred is then supposed to become a spokesman for the party and denounce the acts!” (sic)
One does not become a “spokesman for the party” by simply expressing his or her opinions. I do believe, however, considering the reason for Mr. Khan being at the Convention, he ought to have denounced the sad and utterly disrespectful actions at issue. By not actively condemning such behavior, he silently, and thus, passively, condoned said actions.
Mary Judith Crotty Hall
Mr. Khan is an immigration attorney who makes his livelihood importing people from countries that sponsor terrorism and the very people who killed his own son. He used his son’s death to bludgeon a political candidate whose Presidency could threaten his business. Then he used his son as a human shield to deflect the blowback from the man he attacked. There is nothing sacred about Mr. Khan and he has no position on the pedestal of honor that was earned by his son. HE attacked Donald Trump. Donald Trump did not attack him. Trump rather clumsily responded to the badgering of democratic operative George Stephanopoulos. Trump is a man of action, not a man of words. He is not schooled in the art of crafty politispeak. This is why so people liked him but now this trait is being used against him. There is nothing wrong with Trump’s and Gingrich’s idea to carefully vet immigrants from enemy nations. We have done this during previous wars and it makes perfect sense. The Constitution is silent on this issue as well although Mr. Khan seems to believe otherwise.
I will only reply to one point, as I have not read your entire response to Mark.
Much is made of honor surrounding this Kahn family. Democrats, liberals, and other enemies of Trump cry out in indignation at the gall of anybody to respond to Kahn’s vicious insults as being like railing against Gandhi.
This was a shameless and despicable charade conceived, set up, and performed by the DNC. Kahn lost his claim to honor when he went from describing his pain to railing against a man who, unlike barry and hillary, had nothing to do with the death of his son. This man is a muslim activist lawyer linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, and any and all muslim organizations in the US. The Democrats are in bed with Islam in the US because they are both leftists. The close relationship of Obama and Islam has been made crystal clear over his 8 years in office, and this little dog-and-pony show was just another piece of DNC political theatre.
Their son was a brave and honorable hero. I believe if he could see how his father has defiled and abused his sacrifice and death, he would be as ashamed as his father and the DNC should be.
No time to reply to all this but I find it interesting and worth noting that you frequently repeat the broad-brush painting you so carefully accuse Mr. Mark of commiting.
Most egregiously, comparing the murder rate of Muslims with that of Americans to rationalize your apparent belief that we should just throw open the borders and welcome all Muslims with open arms because there will be fewer who endanger American lives than Americans do.
Say what?!
Trump isn’t trying to do anything that isn’t in the constitution read it a 1952 act give the POTUS the right to BAN anyone, group from entering the country for national security very well before 2001. So Trump may accept your apology!!
But you’ll ignore everything Clinton has done/said, just to try tip prove this guy wrong? What have you sacrificed?
“Election year or not, the VFW will not tolerate anyone berating a Gold Star family member for exercising his or her right of speech or expression,” said Brian Duffy, the national commander of the country’s oldest and largest war veterans organization, referring to families who have lost relatives in wars.
Have a little respect for criticism. Were built for that. Many others aren’t. It’s an “open” letter. Allow it to be treated as such, stand down, and keep your character intact
Agreed. I listened to some advice…thank you…
For one thing the American Legion is the biggest Veteran organization in the country get it right before tell other people what to do.
You made many good comments but first and foremost is the fact that neither Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton deserve to be president. God is the boss and abortion is wrong, and I am proud to be an American. I do lastly want to mention that I have never heard anyone who wants to be president act like Donald Trump. When we get blown up a lot of opinions might change.
I told someone kind of like being asked which is better….stepping on a lego barefoot at night…or during the day 😉
Mr Khan was not talking about whether or not Trump, or Hillary or even President Obama served he was pointing out that even Muslims whom Drumph wants to remove from this Great country have sacrificed as well as everyone else, and that deserve to be in this country despite his views towards them, what has Trump sacrificed in order to be making comments about our Multicultural country. As a former Soldier you should know we fought for the Constitution of the United States not just the Second Amendment not just cuz you like Trump, we front so everybody can have their own opinions and not be demonized for them. If you want Trump America there’s a country called Iran with and for all those ideals where if the Media speaks bad about a leader they are punished were religion and the state are one, it’s called Iran. Trumpet nothing but the worst of our country being brought to light, Reminiscent of the past, reminiscentt of a political party from another country that demonized another ethnic/religious group and said it needed to be cleansed removed from the country. And if you don’t like what I said you don’t have to get out of OUR country because that’s the beauty of America we can disagree.
FUCK YOU Chris Mark you ignorant, lying piece of shit. Just another ignorant conservative that doesn’t believe in facts or reality.
classy reply
WOW…..my mommy called that potty mouth….i would say your words say that you are ignorant, lying pos. careful
Trump made comments about Muslims, and Kahn is simply telling Trump that HIS son is a hero, yet he is villifying all Muslims. I understand your argument, but by Trump saying those things, HE IS subject to a grieving parent questioning his sacrifice. Obama and Clinton did not say anything about Muslims, so they aren’t in the same category.
that’s because their evilness, and they plan their words, they are not nice…you are going to see what kind of person she truly is if you vote her in. everyone that is down on Trump because of his words and actions are uncomfortable with truth even if it is true….wait till you see Killary’s change nothing she promised you will come about….she and obama are bringing murderers and evil right to us….not speaking of ALL immigrants and muslims
Add: In constitutional law, the political branches (Congress and the President) have “plenary power” to decide who can and can’t enter the country. Mr. Trump’s ideas on immigration, whether you like them or not, do not violate the Constitution, and waving a Constitution around and challenging him to read it does not in any way change that fact.
The courts do have a modest authority to review immigration law passed by congress, therefore it is up to them to truly decide if “waving a Constitution” around is warranted or not. So while it is described as “plenary power” in legal terms, by the definition and according to the law, congress does not have true absolute power over who can and cannot enter this country. Secondly, the president is simply tasked with enforcing laws – as noted in that constitution I am currently waving around – and therefore has no authority over the laws regarding who may enter this country.
You miss the point, preventing a person from entering is not unconstitutional, targeting an entire religion IS unconstitutional.
When two laws seem to exist in opposition of one another we are required to analyze the intent of each, look at where those intentions intersect, and then make a decision that must satisfy both laws.
The presidents power to ban entry of a person is intended to allow him or her protect the country from a known danger.
The laws against persecution of an individual based on their religion, exists to prevent the mistreatment and degradation of the individual based on which invisible man they pray to.
So where do these intersect, banning A MUSLIM because his goal is to harm us violates neither the power or the protective law.
Banning ALL MUSLIMS because they are Muslim, because there may be one other Muslim who wants to harm us is discrimination and criminal.
This is the part that bigots and racists don’t understand.
The fact that you believe that being Muslim proves something about everyone who is Muslim, that it somehow ties them all together in a meaningful way, is what makes you biggots in the first place.
The fact that you believe stopping Muslims from coming in will make you safer, is biggoted.
I think these facts end up being debated like they are opinions because deep down what you really want to argue is “there is nothing wrong with being a biggot.”
So if that’s the debate you want to have, stop pretending you’re not a racist, or a biggot or
Xenophobic and start trying to convince me why it’s one to be those things.
I concur with you. I am a Vietnam Veteran and was verybtroubled by comments made by this Soldiers Dads remarks. Dad you did not sacrifice anything just loke my parents didn’t sacrifice anything during my service to the country that I love and promise to protect with my life if necessary. I am sorry for your loss of your Son. He died protecting the constitution that the Democratic party is tearing to shreads, I hope he didn’t die in vain.
I still think that if you don’t have any good thing to say about a person it is best not to say anything at all. My dear Mother taught me that many years ago. I believe that we have many good people in this world and I pray for our Country and those who sacrifice their lives for our freedom. I like Ann Marie’s post, In just a few words she said it all! Thank you Ann Marie! Blessings~ Helen Bias August 2, 2016
Your candidate and her party kept us in those wars. It would have been over if they had not meddled.
Yet you’d hand this country you’ve proudly defended to a megalomaniac who has basically laid out plans to rule like a dictator, who has called upon a foreign government to commit a crime against an opposing political party, and whose economic plan is considered farcical by most economists? President Obama and Mrs. Clinton are politicians in the mode of any other politician, and contrary to your commitment to one-sided ideology their differences with Republican Presidents of the past 50 years are nearly negligible. Politicians are run by a corporate oligarchy, through which one narcissist has risen to the Republican nomination and whose only interest is in seeing himself the ruler of all. Y’all will regret this one. Mrs. Clinton is not my ideal candidate, but my fight against the status quo will just have to wait a little longer. Good day.
We would’ve never heard of Dr. Khan and his wife, had Trump not decided to “wage war” against Muslims. The origin of this hate speech, this inappropriate mixture of religion and politics, and anti-American madness was brought to the forefront during this election cycle by Mr. Trump. I’m beginning to think that it takes an elevated IQ to understand this. How did we go from two men that personified class and dignity, McCain and Romney, to this? I’m not a fan of either candidate, but I cannot understand how real Americans, patriots even, can justify voting for a candidate who insults without remorse. And whenever this fact is brought up, the only rebuttal is always “Hillary is just as bad.” So we have two HORRIBLE candidates… how sad. Like Hillary, Trump is the worst thing that has ever happened to this country and the fact he has progressed so far shows the pathetic state our country is in. Keep Dr. Khan’s name out of your mouth and stop defending Trump and his lack of sensitivity. God help us all.
Dear Mr. Mark~ I appreciate your response to the speech given by Mr. Khan at the Democrats convention. The speech reeked of manipulation, it was obvious Khan’s grief was being capitalized upon by the DNC.
It was only a week or so before that the family of American Ambassodor Stevens criticized the RNC for reminding Americans of the murder of their son in the Benghazi / Clinton debacle. I felt that reaction was prompted by the DNC. Apparently, never mind the heroes who willingly sacrificed themselves to save others. Never mind their grieving families and their losses.
Mr. Mark, you expressed what many Americans feel. You said it well.
Forgive me for the intrusion, friendly Canadian here. I’m sure I’ll be reading some hate for this, but I thought I could offer an outside opinion?
I’ve read the situation as Captain Khan, a practising Muslim, made the ultimate sacrifice for a country he loved and believed in. A true hero. Mr. Trump is proposing to ban, allegedly temporarily, people of a faith from immigrating to your great country. People who share Captain Khan’s faith, a hero and a patriot, for the actions of what is largely a minority.
While they may indeed have been used as political tools, they are still grieving parents who chose to step up in front of the entire world and fight to protect their son’s memory and legacy. It too was it’s own act of bravery.
That’s all well and good Jason, but the fact of the matter is, no one, not even Trump, was disrespecting or disregarding Captain Kahn’s memory or legacy. The call to restricting immigration of a particular class has to do with the level of risk and the difficulty in vetting Muslims and their allegiances. I may not agree with it entirely, but I certainly understand the sentiment and motivation. And, I must add, lest it be misunderstood, I am not a Trump supporter.
That’s a nicely worded letter, but it is a huge myth that the Democrat party has disdain for the military. Plenty of Democrats have proudly served and as I recall, only one Senator had a son serving in Afghanistan. He was a Democrat, the Republicans did not have any of their children serving.
Also, were Trump to become President, he will be barragged with criticisms on an hourly basis. Is he going to respond to all of them?
I get that you don’t like Hillary Clinton because I don’t like her either. But out of 15 Republican candidates, the least Conservative one was chosen. He is showing that he is unfit for the job.
Thank you for your service. But the point Khan was making was that you shouldn’t lump all people in nto a category based on the actions of a few, who are phonies to begin with.
Perhaps you should start seeing things objectively instead of ideologically. You will see things more clearly.
You are incorrect in your comments about congressman (women) with children currently serving or having served in this ongoing conflict. There are several Republican’s with military children who are or have served.
I don’t disagree with your comment that we shouldn’t lump all people into a category based on the actions of a few. The problem, however, is being able to determine where a person from that region allegiances lie. It behooves us to exercise utmost caution when considering immigration into this country. It’s not just the US that they are attacking. These radical Islamic groups have been reeking havoc all over the world from the middle east to the west and europe, and it’s not just ISIS. So how we go about that process of enhanced security against this radical element?
“Gold star family” is a designation that allows members of the community to know the price that the family had paid in the cause of freedom. That price that these families have paid and continue to pay each and every day when they wake up with the pain of being without their child, brother, sister, husband or wife is a huge sacrifice.
Chris – you need to know that there are bad people in this world – bad muslims, bad democrats, bad republicans, bad cops, bad black people, bad white people, bad school teachers, bad rich people and bad poor people, etc.
You also need to know that there are great people in this world – great muslims, great democrats, great republicans, great cops, great black people, great white people, great school teachers, great rich people and great poor people, etc.
All muslims are not bad, all democrats are not bad, all republicans are not bad, all cops are not bad, all black people are not bad, all white people are not bad, all school teachers are not bad, all rich people are not bad, and all poor people are not bad, etc. If you believe I’m wrong on any of these, please specify.
Mr and Mrs Khan HAVE sacrificed as has their son. I would rather die myself than see my son die. They are using the freedom that you have defended to say what they believe. They believe, as do I, that Mr Trump is actively spreading the notion that muslims are bad. His son, a muslim, was not bad – he was great; a better man than I.
Very well said, as well as written.
Curt Anderson, Mr Trump did not say all Muslims are bad. He said until the US immigration folks are certain of some Muslim immigrants status and intent that we need to stop future immigrants from entering the US. If you don’t want to hear all or read all of what is said, please don’t attempt to tell those of us who do what the intent of Mr Trump is. My heart goes out to the Kahn family for the loss of their son but he was the one who chose to defend the US and a lot of us have lost sons and daughters to this war that seems to be coming into the United States thanks to Obama and Hillarys doings. I wish people would read everything and not just a headline or media spin……
It is very hard to understand how our great country has sunk as low as it has in such a short period of time. Honor and morals seemed to have been lost . We all need to back off. And look at the big picture. Hilary has neither trait and Trump does respond oddly at times, I personally believe trump does have a big heart and strong enough to do what he says he will do. What we need to do is to get heads out of our recdoms and push to make this country of ours great again,
You say “our great country” then say we need to make it “great again”. Which is it? When did it stop being great?
When you say you believe Trump has a “big heart”, Why do you believe that?
Kudo Chris. I am in agreement with you and your assessment of Idiotic khan. And frankly Chris, I know you can disregard most if not all of the epitat hurled in your direction. As a vietnam Veteran, an infantryman, trained by the best armed force in the world I have a message for you. I think you are a terrorist.
I also think your son committed suicide, that’s right, he killed himself. A well trained infantry Soldier knows not to trigger a suspicious device. That’s right. He rightfully stopped his square, while he checked out a suspicious explosive device. That explosive device will not go off unless captain Khan touched it, kicked it, triggered it and it exploded Killin him.
Any trained marine, or Army personal will upon inspection call on the expert anti-detinator to do further investigation the disarm the device. If you are not an expert, then you should know better than to touch it. SO PAPA KHAN, YOUR SON KILLED HIMSELF.
who planted the device, your people, blame the terrorist attacker, Mr. Khan, your people killed your son, NOT DONALD TRUMP.
Another thing, the founding fathers of the United States of America never had you or any Arab nation in mind when the wrote the constitution. They did not even had the Indians or the African slaves in mind when the constitution was written.
Enjoy your media circus, when the Democrat get tired of your antics, you will the tossed out like a cold potato. But, remember, according to this Amy infantryman, YOUR SON KILLED HIMSELF. If it was an accident, then he abused his training. If it was not an accident, then he disregarded his training as a commanding unit officer and could have injured many more casualties.
Well said and God bless you sir and all veterans.
In all due respect to this veteran, after reading this I questioned whether Chris Mark watched the same convention I did. He says Capt. Florent Globerg was heckled and booed by protesters. I never saw that. I did hear a small group of people yelling “USA” when the captain first walked out and then a small group of people yelling ” No more War!” for a few seconds. Capt. Florent finished his very brief speech to applause and USA signs. Based on the behavior of a small group of people he can claim that an entire political party has less than contempt for a military service member? He can say that Democrats have little regard for their son’s service? Democrats disparage veterans and police officers? During the moment of silence for fallen police officers, it was literally a small hand full of people who briefly chanted, “Black Lives Matter”. I agree that this was disrespectful. However, in both instances that Mr. Mark references, the behavior of a small group of people is not quite on the same level as a presidential candidate being disrespectful to a Gold Star family and then doubling down with comments about Mrs. Khan. Mark’s says that it was disgraceful for the Kahn’s to use the DNC as a political platform? Then did the mother of a Benghazi victim use the RNC as a political platform? Anyway, after viewing several videos to reaffirm what I had watched at the DNC, I came across footage that appeared on Fox News and it became clear where Mr. Marks may have gotten his information.
I don’t think the father was trying to “politicize” his son’s death at all. Mr. Trump wants to keep Muslims from entering the country b/c he fears that most of them are terrorists. Little does he seem to realize that many have fought on our side with our military and some have even died- for our country!! His speech showed the absurdity and hypocrisy of Mr. Trumps ideas. For Mr. Trump, if you can’t stand by our soldiers, American or foreign, then try standing in front of them. I can’t believe that this man’s speech about his son serving out country, is dividing our country! He has every right to be opinionated re: Trump as I’m sure you are with Hillary.
Like many of those who worship Donald Trump, you miss the entire point of Mr. Khan’s speech. Furthermore, your comment about rude protesters at the DNC, while correct, completely avoids the fact that none of them are the Republican party’s nominee for president.
Chris Mark —- thank you for your service, as a Vietnam era vet and 3 sons in the military during Afghanistan and the gulf wars (one a Purple heart recipient). I really don’t think you get it. Obama did not get “deferments”, like Trump, Rove, Limbaugh, Cheney, GW Bush (a National Guard part time slot afforded to him by his father) —- and all the Republican leaders that are willing to send our troops into harms way!!!! Their logic is flawed, their position is flawed, their reasoning is flawed, their intentions are flawed, the reason they are for inserting troops is flawed, there is no military solution to the middle east as repeated by countless generals —–
“Does it matter whether Mr. Trump has sacrificed “ — yes sir it does. And you more than anyone should understand that.
Trump is about Trump —- not the country, not the citizens, not our soldiers, not our children, not our values (he has been married 3 times, declared bankruptcy 6 times, destroyed the lives of many of his employees, defrauded many people out of their money with “Trump University”) and the list goes on.
I was an engineering officer —- you know, the analytical type. Nothing about Trump makes sense to me.
Thank you Chris Chris for your service.
They are, and may forever be in mourning for their son. I can’t even imagine losing either of my own sons, regardless of the circumstances. However, in Chris’ defense, their son did voluntarily made his own sacrifice. It was his decision, not theirs. A courageous and heroic one, for sure.
To Jason, to Herb and to Curt Anderson, I believe that Mr. Mark put in his letter to Mr. Khan exactly what Mr. Trump said and has been saying for the past several months: “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life”. That is a clear statement that doesn’t say ban forever. Mr Trump knows just as do others that to ban all Muslims would not be the right thing to do. This stems from the fact that ISIS has publicly stated since they began in Syria that they would use the refugee system to ship out jihadi’s to different countries (France, Germany, Italy, England, USA, etc.) to wage war on the West. While we certainly don’t want to cast everyone with one stone, the simple matter of the fact is this…our country and the citizens who reside in it come first. Period. Our politicians responsibility is to those of us who live here, work here, pay taxes here. It is their sworn duty to protect and defend against all enemies foreign and domestic from doing harm to this country and those of us who live here. Radical Islam does not discriminate. It will kill Muslims just as easily as Jews and just as easily as Christians. It doesn’t matter to them. Mr Trump did need to spread the notion that Muslims are bad. Many people before Mr Trump entered the political arena thought that of them. Most of that is due to the carnage that is paraded across television screens, computer screens and smartphones every day of the destruction that radical Islam leaves in its wake. For Mr Khan to go on Sunday morning talk shows and say that “terror has nothing to do with Islam”. Really? Then why do all the followers who espouse this radical form of Islam rely on terror and terrorism to spread their brand? He is not a stupid man. He knows that the two are connected. The problem is that with almost 2 billion people on the planet (1 in 4) practicing the Muslim faith that means on the low side of the equation (5%) that somewhere between 75,000,000 to the high side of the equation (25%) being 375,000,000 support or condone or are engaged in some active form of terror activity or violent jihad. That is a whole lot of people and these percentages are just from the ones that admit it. What if those numbers are higher? I hope to god they are lower. In any even those numbers combined with one of the key doctrines of their religion is taqiyya which is the practice of lying and deception (aka dissimulation) to mislead others, hide true intent, in order to defend the individual Muslim or Islam. Many who appear to be “moderates” turn out to be “radicals” after all. So when one is taught concealing or disguising one’s beliefs, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and/or strategies at a time of imminent danger, whether now or later in time, to save oneself from physical and/or mental injury, how do we determine if they truly want to be here or are coming here to wage war? Its a very fine line. Mr Khan’s son should be held up in the highest regard. He truly is everything that a hero is. He went towards the danger not away from it. He held back those under his charge so they would not be hurt. There is no higher caliber of person that would do that. I just believe that Mr Khan’s speech would have carried far more weight if when leaving the stage we had not heard from him again. No morning spots on television. No chats with this host of that host. Just let the words he said to millions of people still ring. That would have carried far more weight then the current situation of tit-for-tat that we have between he and Trump. Sometimes knowing when to stay silent says more than shouting from the mountains.
As I watch Mr. Khan’s prepared performance I could feel his hurt and frustration for his son’s death, not so much pride for his son’s sacrifice which was not his choice but rather his son accepting a commission to serve…I wonder if his Father supported that choice.
The Hillary administration will be filled with many, many who never served, starting with the influential Job that Bill Clinton will receive, and if we continue to track Khan, he too will be rewarded, as well as Comey and Lynch…who never served in our military.
I only wish that our Forefathers would have included a prerequisite to becoming our President that one would have had to serve in some capacity in our services … That would have eliminated the two candidates we have now, and the previous two we already had.
The below comment of mine was made regarding a letter from another..in this attachment:
Read this letter to Mr Khan who spoke at the Democratic convention.
I thought the letter was composed with forethought and conviction, obviously a former member of our military…I would vote for him.
As it will be, Hillary will become our next President, exactly what the so called other AMERICANS will vote for…how stupid has our fellow countrymen and women become ? The gullible populace will bring us down starting at the voting booth.
Thanks for sharing and caring…SHIPMATE
NAVYBEAR
Bear
Proudly Retired, U.S. NAVY SEAL FAMILY
I have to absolutely disagree with the retired navy seal about having a prerequisite of serving in the military to become president. That prerequisite would soon become service in combat, then service in the infantry or other combat arms. NO. The founding fathers wanted a separation of the branches of government and also a separation of the military from their civilian leaders. The military is by no means perfect and their leaders are not always perfect and that is why there is no prerequisite of service to become president. The former military men that have been president were good and bad. Honest and corrupt. Foolishly trusting and paranoid beyond the pale. In other words, they were human and no better for having served in the military.
One last thing to bear.If the American populace or the other Americans as you put it are so inept and need guidance so badly, why don’t you run for office. I am sure your local town, congressional district or perhaps even senatorial seat could benefit from your years of experience in the military and wisdom.
I hope to hear that you have run for an office befitting your knowledge and experience and that you have won. Then you can make the changes you believe we so dearly need. Oh and next time maybe you should put a real name down and not a nickname. You would be more believable that way. Just a thought.
Jeff Iaia
America freedom of speech. Those who oppose Chris post you have the right to do so. I believe if you really are so opposed to his letter ya’ll will be more than welcome to become one of them. You will better understand their teachings. Of Jihad and and their freedom of speech.
I personally don’ t give 2 shits what anyone has to comment. Good luck to everyone
Thank you for your letter Sir I wish to bring to your attention that the irate father of the dead son never read the BOOK THE CONTSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN ON !
Thank you Chris.
They did not sacrifice their sons but they never said that they did, that’s the difference between them and him!! He belittled their lose and Obama or Hillary did not!! That’s the difference!!!