Americans would be reluctant to follow Donald J. Trump into war. At least a sampling of cyberfriends on the social media site Facebook seems to suggest this is the case.
When asked: “Honestly, would you follow 45 into war,” 99.9 percent of the respondents replied with some version of expletive no.
One respondent took exception to the question and responses by resorting to vile name calling. She saw this unscientific poll as an attempt by liberals to denigrate Trump’s win.
A female school teacher in Florida said she would not follow 45 into war. She added, “If I was younger, I would keep myself pregnant.”
A federal employee who lives in New York said, “I would not follow him down the block.”
A young lady who lives in Middle Georgia said,”I would not follow 45 across the street, much less to war.”
A cosmetics industry executive said, “I wouldn’t follow him across the street with a green light.” With emphasis on “with a green light.”
One young lady opined, “There is no ‘following’ a nuclear war.”
“I wouldn’t follow him into a building,” a young Black male said.
A female political consultant in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia said, “I would not follow him down Dempsey Avenue.” Ironically, Dempsey Avenue, now known as Mercer University Boulevard was widened in the early 1970s via funding from the Richard Nixon administration. Ostensibly to facilitate the movement of federal tanks through the heart of the predominately Black Unionville community in case of urban unrest.
A beauty pageant winner from Michigan averred that 45’s “Children won’t go to war,” as justification for her not following him into war.
“I wouldn’t follow him anywhere. I would head in the opposite direction,” a television producer said.
“I would not follow 45 into a church,” a prominent Georgia death penalty lawyer offered.
“Only long enough to make sure he made it to the front,” said a deputy director of a mental health facility in Northern California.
A landscape photographer said, “Only if he is taking point.”
“No, I wouldn’t follow him to 7-Eleven,” said a journalist and Ex-Pat living in Paris.
“I wouldn’t follow him into Kmart,” a retired United Methodist pastor added.
Granted the vast majority of the respondents are past military service age, but judging from this non-scientific polling, it appears that 45 would be hard pressed to find support for a war that he can brand as his own.
Harold Michael Harvey is an American novelist and essayist. He is a Contributor at The Hill, SCLC National Magazine, Southern Changes Magazine and Black College Nines. He can be contacted at hmharvey@haroldmichaelharvey.com
I hope you understand that my comments are made as a retired soldier. I have had commanders at all levels… some good, honest, moral, caring, and superbly trained. I served under others who seem self-absorbed and appeared (I cannot judge the thoughts and intent of the heart) to be focused more on doing an effective job so that they could rise to the next level.
In regard to your question, Harold Michael Harvey, my oath of office began with words regarding a solemn oath to “protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic; and to obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me.”
Only Congress can declare war. Congress also holds the purse strings on the authority to determine force strength, and funding for military operations that are not conducted under a congressional declaration of war.
I understand the nature of the question. But I also understand the good faith nature and the solemnity of the oath every soldier, sailor Marine, and Coastie (Coast guard member) takes.
Even though I am nearly 68 years old, as a military retiree I can be recalled to active-duty in the case of a national military emergency declared by Congress. This is the commitment that I made during the middle part of the last century. I know the risks involved. Regrettably many families are bearing lifelong sadness because of family members who willingly accepted such risk. This pain cuts across all racial, ethnic, economic, and social dividing lines.
So in answer to your question, I would not follow 45 into war. But I would do my lawful duty as a soldier, regardless of who is the CINC (commander-in-chief).
Thanks for your thoughtful perspective on this question.
We have not finished the wars we are in now in Iraq. So you would need old ladies to go because they are in better health than the men.
It does make one wonder where will the man/woman power come from for yet another war.
LOL!