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
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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 
You just nailed it, I hope the stupid missed liberal.medua with no respect to military could understand this.
I agree with the sentiments but this statist garbage has got to stop on all sides. Stop disseminating state propaganda.
kahn is an islamic muslim promoting their entry to America.
you’re obviously retarded. Please step away from your computer.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/hsmkhan.htm
Thank you Mark for saying exactly the what the rest of True Americans are thinking in their hearts ! Everyone of my Family has severed in every branch of the Military and fought in every War from Korea,WWII,VIETNAM, IRAQ and Afghanistan and I for one am enterinily Grateful and so Honered that. Men and Women like YOU and them have given your All so the rest of us can live in this Country free and with A CONSITUTION that has given us the Rights that gives us FREEDOM OF SPEECH,AND THE FREEDOM TO ELECT LIKE MINDED PATRIOTS LIKE YOU OR PEOPLE WHO THINK LIKE US , WITH THE SAME VALUES THAT WE THE PEOPLE WANT AND DESRVE !!! Thanks Mark for sharing your heart and thoughts, YOU SIR ARE A HERO AND A GREAT AMERICAN !🇺🇸
“True Americans”…. what makes someone a true American?
AMAZING WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO FOR MONEY
Where is your letter to the Benghazi moms? You claimed the Khans have been used by the left. How about the Benghazi families used by the RNC for political purposes? The Benghazi soldiers also CHOSE to serve. They knew the risks, as you claim. I am sorry…You sound like a hypocrite, sir. Thank you for your service.
John, get a life!
John, you are an EVIL POS!!! How DARE YOU CALL THIS MAN A HYPOCRITE!! Those mom’s are BLAMING American for their sons’ deaths. They are blaming KILLARY FOR LYING ABOUT IT!!! CLEARLY YOU don’t understand the difference which is why you CLEARLY support A MURDERER!!
Unlike the many service members across all of the conflicts it seems very clear that the DNC ” Clinton and Obama” left the Benghazi victims there to die. The investigation proved not a single step not a single wheel was moving to support the Americans asking for help. Now who sounds like the hypocrite, sir? Retired Air Force Vetran
The State Department and White House sat on their hands and watched those men die. They did not lift a finger to send help. And now the person who wouldn’t engage to send help wants to be com-in-chief? She flunked the entrance exam in Benghazi. BTW I’m a retired cop and ever since Bill and Hillary’s trip to Tucson in the 90’s where she was heard to say, “Get those fucking cops away from me”, that proved to me who and what she really was. These are hateful people, these Democrats.
I could be wrong but I never saw them paraded on TV openly using their own builds death as a political instrument. The Khans should be ashamed of themselves for what they have done.
That was not his point
Those killed in the Benghazi attack were not soldiers.
The difference here sir is that they in Benghazi were abandoned when help was not far away. Then lies and cover ups transpired afterwards. That is the difference but I assume I would better to talk to a rock.
John van Horn has it completely right.
Excuse me, but there’s a huge difference. Yes the men lost in Benghazi did bravely CHOOSE to fight and try to save our Ambassador. The difference here is that the Kahns weren’t lied to about the circumstances in which their son was killed. I don’t see anywhere in Chris’s statement where he dishonored anyone, he was very respectful, as he should be. Comparing the loss of the Khans son to those lost in Benghazi is like comparing apples to oranges. Democrats are clearly using this family to try & destroy Trump. Benghazi also happened a few years ago and Democrats dropped the ball not trying to save these men then making matters worse and using the lame video story to save Obamas second term chances. Thats what’s shameful!!! The hypocrisy in the main stream media astounds me!!!!!
Thank you Chris for you service and thanks to all our service members!
John, you missed the crucial difference here Khan sacrificed himself, Hillary Clinton sacrificed our people in Bengahzi. The brave souls in Lybia had no hand in their own slaughter, no free will to save others in their actions. They were merely left on the field in a political ploy to advance a government agenda. I would have hoped thinking people could have seen this truth but perhaps this naive faith was misplaced.
Tunnel vision! How soon they forget what went on at the RNC! Both stories are very heart wrenching, neither one should be used for political gain!
The anger of the Benghazi mothers is directed at the people (Clinton and Obama) who were responsible for the position of their sons because Clinton and Obama:
1. failed to take reasonable care in providing protection for the diplomatic post given the known threats.
2. when an attack occurred, ordered potential rescue forces to stand down; and
3, then knowingly lied publicly about the cause in order to hide their own culpability.
These mothers have not raised the Benghazi matter in relation to some other policy, only in relation to the dereliction of duty by Obama and Clinton on that occasion.
On the other hand, as a civilian Trump had absolutely nothing to do with the death of this opportunist’s son. This mahommedan opportunist is attempting to use his son’s death to oppose a Trump policy when his son’s death, like that of far more American servicemen and civilians, demonstrates the sense of that policy.
They did choose to serve, and Mrs Clinton chose to ignore the request for more security every one of the 300 some odd times it was requested in the MONTHS leading up to that event. She CHOSE not to do her job and her inaction cost lives that might not have been lost otherwise. One of her campaign slogans in 2008 was asking who we wanted answering the phone at 0300. She didn’t answer the phone, she ignored it. And we’re supposed to trust her?
Thank you. GOP hypocrisy at it’s finest!
I couldn’t have said it better Chris! Semper-Fi
Chris thanks for your service. I would also like to thank you for a well written letter. God bless
Your a punk Chris Mark and so is anyone who would disrespect a gold star family.
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/11/20/marine-donald-trump-military/
You are a master wordsmith!
No he is not. He served his country also, He is stating the truth. Thank you for your service Chris Mark. Alfred Smith. you forget that Chris Mark also put his life in harms way so you can call him a punk. I think in this case, you would be the fool.
Hillary and the DNC are just using Mr. Khan as their prop. They are the ones who are despicable, …
Alfred…spoken like a truely tolerant and respectful leftist. I guess the 1st Amendment only applies when your a Democrat or Progressive. Any other thought is invalid, insulting, and to be squashed.
Veterans are demeaned daily by Progressives, and for the most part we sit back and take it. We are neglected and thrown away by the very government we served, while importing people who’s loyalties and motives are questionable at best,
It’s spelled You’re. It’s a contraction of You are. Your is a possessive adjective, used to describe something that belonging to you. Your is always followed by a noun.
Bravo, Chris Mark; bravo.
From your blog, I got a sense of “these are the risks he signed up for when he volunteered to be a soldier”. Isn’t that the same risks that the 4 fallen soldiers from Benghazi signed up for? Didn’t the other side trot out those grieving family members in Cleveland for their own political gain, the same way it is claimed Mr Kahn was trotted out for political gain in Philly? The hypocrisy goes both ways in the political spectrum. Another question to the author, you suggested that the fallen soldiers “sacrifice was his own” while suggesting families of soldiers don’t make a sacrifice. There are some military spouse groups I’d like to introduce you to. Finally, I’d like to thank the author and all veterans or acting service members in this thread for their service and sacrifice to protect all of our freedoms, even the freedoms some are trying to take away.
The hang-up with your attempt at a “gotcha” here is that Hillary was partly or fully responsible for the deaths of those in Benghazi, and the son of the Khans. She voted for the war in Iraq. She also failed to ensure that Libya was capable and/or willing to maintain the security of the embassy.
Blaming Hillary for the tragedy that occurred in Benghazi is equivalent to blaming Bush Jr. for 9/11.
The difference between what the RNC did and what the DNC did is that Hillary was partially responsible for the situation that occurred in Benghazi while Trump had nothing to do with Khan’s sons death. There was no reason for this man to attack Trump like he did.
Agreed. Thank you James.
The reason that this man attacked Trump the way he did was for the same reasons they RNC brought the Benghazi moms on stage. Political gain. If you can’t see that, then I am not sure what to say honestly. Was Clinton partially responsible for their deaths? Sure was. But they weren’t brought out to seek justice. Just as political pawns which is sick. And as Mr Kirk stated in his original post, that is the risk they knew when they signed up for their jobs. Sadly soldiers die because of negligence all too often. Several thousand died because of negligence when WMD were never found. It’s all tragic and should never be used for political gain. Let’s not fall into the traps the media, as a whole, lays out to divide us.
Personally speaking I find many many reasons neither of these two candidates are fit to be Commander in Chief, and way too few reasons why they are fit…
Except the republicans are seeking accountability for the Benghazi victims who, once again, died in attack on an embassy and were denied support that could’ve saved their lives. One of the victims was a diplomat and they were there in a peaceful capacity. The reason why they keep being brought up is because there has not been any answer for their deaths. Khan, on the other hand, was a solider on the front lines who died in a war that Donald Trump opposed from the beginning, and Hillary vehemently supported. It’s also interesting how we never heard of this guy until the DNC where he was used by his father to attack Trump.
The fact that you act like these situations are even remotely similar shows just how much you don’t understand what’s going on with either of them.
The situations are not similar. Perhaps I was not clear with my point. My point was, that is what they ALL signed up for when they chose to serve. That is what is similar. All of their deaths are tragic, and the fallen soldiers in Benghazi certainly could have have had better support on the ground. But when you sign up to serve your country you are doing so with the risk of dying many number of ways which include – from the enemy as Khan, by negligence from your leaders and/or commending officers like the Benghazi soldiers, by front line mistakes, by friendly fire, by equipment failure and so on and so forth. To me it doesn’t not matter why the DNC/RNC trotted these people out at their convention, it was under the guise of political gain from both sides and to me that’s sickening.
I’d also still like to hear an explanation to “the sacrifice was his” as to infer that military families don’t make sacrifices, and especially gold star families. Also as stated in a previous comment I read, that was taken out of context by the author as well.
The difference is that the sitting President and the woman that he is endorsing for President, lied about every aspect of the circumstances of their deaths after purposely failing their duties to provide necessary support.
The politicians Khan is supporting spearheaded a massive disinformation campaign in the media to mislead all Americans about the circumstances in Libya to hide actions to arm what would become ISIS.
Thosr killed in the Benghazi attack were not soldiers.
two different things. trump had nothing to do with his death while clinton could have at least tried to prevent the others but didnt
Thank you Chris. All that you said is so true. Obama has no idea what a military is and he is Commander. Our country needs to get smart before it is four more years of Obama, Hilary already said that he will be by her side. Very upsetting. Again, thank you Chris for serving and “God bless you and all your loved ones”. the Democrats will do anything to insight. Look where they have taken us in the past 7 1/2 years!!
I didn’t notice anyone asking for special rights and privileges. I saw them asking for the rights guaranteed to all Americans by the Constitution. Any American has the right to ask for that, but especially one whose son died for it. I would really be amazed for you to tell any other mother or father that they didn’t sacrifice, it was all their child. Your partisanship has blinded you.
Thank you for your service and time to write out this letter. Too many people misplaced their anger and barking at the wrong tree. Mr. Khan action is just a political stunt to score cheap political points for the unscrupulous candidate.
Well said Chris, I to found these same issues but in his speech disturbing. Thank you for this letter and thank you for your service.
Semper fi Right on. God,S blessing for speaking on our behalf.
Marine Veteran Cpl. John Martin
He is doing a disservice to his dead son and to his dead son’s memory by defending Obama and Hillary They do not respect our service men and women. This letter says it all and God bless you for writing it, I hope it does some good.
How hard is it for you people to grasp? Trump has a policy to ban all Muslim immigration. Mr Khan’s son immigrated to the USA at two years old. Trump’s policy would have excluded this hero from coming to our country based on a unconstitutional religious test. Since when did conservatives not bat an eye at subverting this first and most important amendment in the Constitution? You people have thrown away your principals to support a demagogue. Shame on you all!
Great letter!
Thank you sir for your service and for this letter. Your words were as if you were in my mind!
Merlin
Mr. Mark,
I respect your opinion of The Kahn’s actions. You are exercising your rights under the First Amendment, and do it well I believe.
You label the Kahns hypocrites because they did not denounce others at the DNC who booed members of the military and police forces. I think it’s a terrible choice to boo these people, but it is our right as American’s to voice our opinions even if others find them misguided. Perhaps this is why the Kahn’s did not denounce them? The Constitution, which Mr. Kahn held in his pocket, allows us to speak out when we feel we must and, hopefully, to respect others when they do the same. I argue that the Kahn’s are being consistent, not hypocritical and I appreciate your giving me a forum to do so.
Regards,
Ellen Masterson
Time to face the fact that neither of these candidates is worth pissing on if they were on fire. Khan’s statements were exactly correct. The fact that they could have been uttered about either candidate doesn’t make them less true.
If anyone thinks Trump holds those who serve in esteem then they’ve not genuinely investigated hi record. The only reason he pretends to respect those who’ve served is because it caters to the only base he has…Aging white men…many of whom have served.
I’m an aging white man and I have served, but I’ve been around the block enough times to know a bullshit artist when I see one. Trump is a bullshitter of the highest order.
Thank you for saying what needed to be said. I felt sorry for them sad and angry too. I just didn’t know how to articulate it. Bless you and thank you for your service
Well said.
I have to agree Both political parties were wrong! Didn’t the other side trot out those grieving family members in Cleveland for their own political gain, the same way it is claimed Mr Kahn was trotted out for political gain in Philly? The hypocrisy goes both ways in the political spectrum.
Your service is greatly appreciated. The whole point that Mr Khizr was trying to make is he is Muslim and is a citizen of this country. Not every Muslim is a terrorist. His son did volunteer like you said and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Mr Trump lived in a different time when there was a draft and decided to defer rather than join. Now he believes his sacrifice to the world is making money for himself.
Why not speak out regarding the unjust wars the rep. And dem. Have gotten us into with their interventionist policies. Supporting our troops is best done by bringing all of them home and minding our own business like George Washington advised.
Mr. Mark if you don’t think the loss of a child is the ultimate sacrifice then you obviously don’t know what it is to be a parent. Trump has repeatedly shown his lack of respect for the military he would command as president. From his lack of respect for John McCain’s ordeal in Vietnam Nam to the death of Major Khan who volunteered his service and his life . Trump has no respect for the men and women of our armed services and I am shocked that as a former service man you support him. I can only conclude that you are as racist and bigoted as he is. As far as making the media circuit,as you put it, why shouldn’t Mr Khan have the same opportunity that Trump has to express his views. And what a disgraceful remark made about a grief stricken mother not being allowed to speak .It just goes to show how stupid and condescending Trump is. As for the protesters at the convention they were people who supported Sanders, the same people that Trump urged to vote for him. I am saddened by the thought that after giving so much to this country that you are giving It all up to vote for a man who will destroy everything you fought to preserve. By supporting Trump you have obviously lost all respect for this country and yourself
Again…I find it curious that the ‘tolerant left’ is quick to condemn anyone’s choice in an election.
These folks always seem to dig up the parent of a son that served, made the ultimate sacrifice and are now willing to use that against their child’s honor. Thank you for your comment, since as a parent of someone serving in combat it gives comfort and meaning.
Dear Chris Mark – As a fellow veteran. I Thank You for YOUR service and Pray for your wellbeing. However, I respectfully disagree with your blog above. Sacrifice is not made by people like us serving the nation. Sacrifice is made by the people we leave behind, “while” we are doing our job in the service of our nation. The loss of a loved one is indeed a sacrifice and it is astonishing how many in our country continuously support a man who mocks veterans (john mccain), reporters with disabilities, bars some media outlets from his press conferences and entourage (a free press is really a pillar of our democracy) and who had the opportunity to gracefully respond to Mr. Khan, but yet chose to attack a Gold Star Mother instead. There was a lot said in Trump’ behaviour – none of which was American by any means.
Thanks,
He was killed on 2004 obama and hillary weren’t in office. Also they never wanted to kick out muslims . This guy’s as dumb as trump
[…] And this: An Open Letter to Khizr Khan […]
Thank you for writing this letter. I agree with all my heart. You and all those in the military have my undying respect and gratitude. God bless you, sir. From a soldier’s mother and a veteran’s daughter. ♡
You fail to mention one good thing Trump has ever done in regards to the military or one bad thing Hillary has ever done. OH WAIT, Trump made fun of John McCain for getting captured!!! He is the true patriot!!
Here is the real problem. Trump.
His words are reckless and callous. He DID say to ban all muslims. As usual, it was not a steadfast policy bc he has no core values or principles, and the wind blew and he changed positions again. And again. Ultimately takin Ted Cruz’s stance, which is all immigrants from countries w terrorist activity until our vetting system is fixed.
But if you were a muslim, who came here in 1980, and raised your kids to be good and patriotic Americans, and had a son give his life for his country and to save other Americans, wouldnt you take offense with trumps words, that ALL muslims must be banned? Because thats what he said, and doubled down.
Do we really think ppl are going to keep listening to his schtick until he finally gets it right? No, they are going to hear what he say, be rightly offended, and probably not listen to anything else he says.
Just like i dont listen to anything hillary is saying to try to get herself out of the benghazi shadow.
My son is a Marine. My grandfather was a frog man in the navy during WWI. My father was in the Army. I am not unfamiliar w the military, the sacrifices made by them or their codes of conduct.
Perhaps Mr Khan let the dems use him. Or perhaps he used the dems to get his point out there to trump. So what? At the end of the day, no matter what he said, the fact remains that had trump not said something so utterly stupid, and said it again just to be sure every single American muslim heard him, Mr Khan would have never had anything to say on the issue.
And, frankly, a real Republican would never have said to ban ALL muslims. A real Republican would have thanked Mr Khan for his son’s sacrifice. A real Republjcan NEVER would have been so stupid and calllus as to compare their son’s sacrifice to merely going to work every day (something most Americans do).. a real Republican never would have mocked Mrs Khan and her silence on that stage.
Trump needs to take responsibility for his actions and his words. It is precisely those ridiculous actions and vile words that has forced this life long Reagan Republican who holds an elected Republican pksition, to vot Constitution Party in November. Trump has not earned my respect or my vote.
Thank you for writing this letter. I agree with all my heart. You and all those in the military have my undying respect and gratitude. God bless you, sir.
Mr Marks
I wanted to let you know that, yes, Pres. Obama and Mrs. Clinton have sacrificed for our country. Anyone in public service is probably sacrificing something be it time away from family or privacy. But be clear about his. The Khans suffered the loss of their son which is the ultimate sacrifice. Trump nothing. He got out of serving because he is a coward. And now he insults veterans, POWs, and Gold Star Moms. He should be ashamed of himself. And you too for defending him. The Khans are not being forced to tell their story. Leave them alone.
What does ‘sacrifice’ matter? that is my point. Does Mr. Khan’s sacrifice or anyone else’ give them greater standing in our country? No. That is the point at which I took exception with Mr. Khan.
Except Mr Khan did not imply he had greater standing. He said quite plainly that trumps words were wrong, their son was a patriot and a muslim, and he died in service to this country and saved American lives. The ONLY point the man made, IF we listened, was that banning all muslims, for being muslim is unconstitutional. And it IS. And yes, trump said that more than once
And then the numb nuts mocked their loss with his vulgar comparison of their sons sacrifice with him going to work every day.
The dems are horrible. Thanks to trump, the rep party has become horrible, too.
Good job!
So tired of all of this. Families of fallen soldiers have their opinions, current military members have their opinions, retired military personnel have their opinions. Within each of these groups involved with our military are different opinions. All of us have our opinions…….like assholes we all have them.
Thank you for your service, Mark, and your thought provoking letter. However, I believe the point these hero’s parents were making was in response to Trump’s derogatory images of Muslims. He has caused undue pain to innocent American Muslims. He is inciting fear across our nation promoting his political agenda, and that is self-serving and evil.
Very valid points. Thank you for your reasoned and professional response.
How can you compare Obama and Clinton to what Trump is doing? This is all about what Trump is saying about Muslims. It is interpreted as if he wants to ban all Muslims. I’ve met Donald several times and I actually like him but I don’t believe he should be president of the United States. You can put down a Depalma, Clinton or trump that is easy but I can understand how Muslims come be a little fed up with Donald. He hasn’t lost yet
It makes me sad that you are so partisan, you cannot see the problems with Mr. Trump, and the GOP as a whole. The GOP has deferred more and more of the military budget to defense contractors who waste our money on unnecessary projects and weapons; money that should be spent on our troops and our returning vets.
Trump will order you to commit war crimes. Torture, carpet bombing, killing families of suspected terrorists. Are you ok with that?
I am not as partisan as you think. Read my Open Letter to Sarah Palin or read it on Huffington Post (liberal mag). I certainly see the challenges in the GOP. Make no mistake.
I didn’t realize that a campaign built on racism and hate is a “challenge.” You’re a Marine, start acting like one. Stand up for the little guy, not the big racist bully. You have no idea what being a Marine is about if you feel it necessary to decry this man who lost his heroic AMERICAN son for a country where half the voters, including YOU, want to shit on him and his religion. What an embarrassment this letter is. I’m a Marine and you disgrace our uniform with your nonsense. No respect at all to you and look in the damn mirror.
once again someone telling me “I have no idea what being a Marine is about”…enlighten me Marc. No doubt you are some POG that sits in the AC. Get get a donut.
Well said…I am starting a group to march to the house of the family, not a March against Muslims, not a March against his son who I thank everyday for what he gave up to keep this country free, but to march and ask him why 5000 had to die on 9/11 and who did it and why is it he can mock us but do nothing to stop terrorist…. Already have 150 ready to march.
why would you want to create more pain for that family? bringing an angry mob to their home is quite the opposite of being thankful for their son’s sacrifice. it puts you in the same category as the kkk and every other group that incites terror. will you feel better about 9/11 when they don’t feel safe in their own home?
what is wrong with you?
Why would Mr. Khan choose to politicize this point?
As heartfelt as this open letter was, it unfortunately misses the point of Khizr Khan’s speech.
1. Yes, all the service members chose to serve and no one was forced to do so. Voluntary service should not and does not “imbue one with special privileges or rights.” However, Khizr Khan was responding specifically to Trump’s charge that all Muslims are terrorists and cannot be American and that they should be barred from entering the country en masse. In this regard, he was first asking for equal treatment as proscribed the US Constitution (thus the display of said document in his speech) and second, refuting Trump’s assumption that Muslims cannot love America and make sacrifices for the nation.
On the second issue, the open letter compares Trump to Clinton and asks if the latter had also made sacrifices for the nation. But again, this open letter misses the point. Khan was comparing Trump to himself and asking why someone who has not made a sacrifice for the nation was alleging that someone who did so should now be barred from the nation.
Finally, Trump replied that his own “contribution” to the nation was that he was built access ramps for the disabled in his buildings. This is something that any decent CEO should do and in any case was already mandated by US federal law. How Trump sees it as a sacrifice comparable to having a son lost on battle is baffling. Trump’s own cruel mocking of a reporter with disability is strongly indicative of his own uncaring nature on this issue. This is not to forget that Trump was himself a draft dodger who did everything possible to avoid being sent to Vietnam and he also insults true war heroes like John Mccain because the latter was captured by the Vietnamese.
2. The open letter hints that Khan was used as a puppet and paraded at the DNC. This is a little insulting and assumed that Khan was a gullible person with no control over his own actions.
3. The open letter attacks the Democratic Party as one which has contempt for US Service Members because protesters booed a MoH winner and interrupted moments of silence for slain officers. This readily ignores countless examples of Republican Party members doing similar things.
Both parties thus have members who do disrespectful things and should be disavowed from the human race. So where do we find a difference? It comes in the form of Trump being the official voice of the GOP and making his views clear that he things the US Military is a disaster. It comes in the form of Trump saying that any country with Muslims or a history of terrorism will be prevented from sending citizens to the US. In contrast, try as I might, I have not found Clinton to have ever made disparaging remarks about the US military at all.
4. The final paragraph is the most insulting. He insists that Khan is “making the media circuit and basking in the glow of affection,” insinuating that this was made either for profit or for attention. I don’t think any grieving parent deserves these sort of insults and it is Chris Mark who needs to reconsider his comments and his position more closely.
Valid points. Keep in mind his son died 12 years ago in a war authorized by Hillary Clinton. I agree that we are all proscribed with the same rights. Then why did he question if Trump had sacrificed? My point was simply that whether one sacrifices or not…we are all afforded the same rights under the constitution. He has been on the media circuit. We may simply disagree on this.
Well said sir! I salute you!
Chris, you completely missed the point Mr. Khan was trying to make and if you support Trump, you spit on your oath.
Wow…so now supporting a political candidate is “spitting on my oath”? People must conform to the left or be caste aside? That is tolerance.
For those that toss around HERO I suggest you google Audie Murphy and get a better understanding of HERO !!!
moemoe4571@yahoo.com
I have read with Captain Khan did..no doubt in my mind he is a hero.
Very well said, I hope this letter gets out to all the people in this election so they can see what the DNC is doing.
Chris Mark , I usually address individuals I don’t know by Mr. , well I’m grateful I don’t know or care to know you or your agenda. As a
+ Hispanic-American , whose brother served in the Korean War, he’s passed now but his was proud to have served our country , have you ?? You’re the reason for all of this hate & venom being ignited in our country . I have one son , I’m a grandmother of 10 grandsons & proud to say they are Americans who have their political opinions , but are educated enough not to degrade people no matter race or beliefs . I pray for your parents .
Really? “I am the reason?” I did not degrade Mr. Khan’s race nor religion. I am not asking you to pray for anything. Keep your prayers to yourself and your comments to your self.
To Mr. Vanhorn and Mr. Weaver: There is a significant difference between Donald Trump’s involvement with Mr. Khan’s son and Hillary Clinton’s and Barak Obama’s involvement with the four Americans at Benghazi. Hillary specifically lied to the parents about the issues involving the attack. She made a commitment to them to find out what happened and get them the information and has ignored that commitment. Neither she or Obama lifted a finger to try to send help to the defenders during the thirteen hours of the attack. By the way, the two defenders killed at Benghazi were not active duty military, but understood that fellow Americans needed help and got involved. Obama and Hillary were supposed to be responsible for America’s immediate actions in doing something about the Benghazi attack – which they didn’t.