Jonathan Klate: Make American great again?

A few months ago, my wife and I stood in solemn remembrance and reverent contemplation in the American cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandie, regarding the inscription of the poignant words of General Mark W. Clark whose Fifth Army led the liberation of Rome in June 1944 that are carved in stone in the memorial there.

“If ever proof were needed that we fought for a cause and not for conquest it could be found in these cemeteries … All we asked was enough soil in which to bury our gallant dead.”

And today we witness one Donald J. Trump boasting how he harangued another contemporary European ally when discussing the costs of mutual defense. “I said: ‘You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent?’” Trump recalled. “No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills.”

“Give me a break — I mean, it’s Trump,” blathers Senator Lindsey Graham, who eight years ago traveled the country warning about the dangers posed by Mr. Trump. Similar sentiment has been echoed by other GOP leaders, all in the past stalwart supporters of America’s honor and commitment to those with whom we make common cause.

Make America great again?

Jonathan Klate