My friends and fellow citizens, three years ago, I wrote a story to https://bookmystorydomain.blog/  titled “A Tweet to the President of these United States,” https://bookmystorydomain.blog/2017/02/06/a-tweet-for-the-president-of-these-united-states/, containing a pledge. A pledge that I am now rescinding. The narrative began with: Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s most united days, all because of the bliss of football. All through the season, we support our specific teams, then come together on one day of the year to cheer on the one we individually choose as the best. The following is a rewrite of that anecdote. 

The polarization of our society with violence has overtly and, by you, slithered into America’s greatest pastime (football), like the virus COVID-19, which you labeled a hoax. I do respect the office of the Presidency, and in 2017, I pledged I would never yell, “You lie.” (Referring to U.S. Representative Joe Wilson) As long as you are in office, I would never question your place of birth, make fun of your hair, call you names, question your ethnicity, or OK bring attention to the water coloring of your face. I wouldn’t even ask for your tax returns because I wanted you to succeed. You were going to be the president. If you succeed in creating jobs while keeping America safe, improving the quality of life for all, especially the poor and the declining middle class, and calming fears and hatred, then and only then would America succeed. However, valuing the position does not, by any law, mean that I must respect the person. Respect is something that’s earned through the deportment of one’s intentions. As a Navy veteran, during the primaries, I was saddened to hear a potential Commander in Chief of the greatest military on earth make a statement about a slain Muslim American soldier and disparaging remarks about a prisoner of war, Senator John McCain. Men who took the same path as me to serve our country. I have had relatives who have served in every war since WWII with honors. I feel… you, who have never served, have also disrespected them.

You are on the far end of the spectrum, a narcissist, falling into the category of not having a clue. The country is now on the edge of a disaster, and you are still calling names and now suggesting to the American people the ‘injection’ of disinfectant to beat coronavirus.  It has been three years since this original writing, and I must resend my pledge. You are no more than the back end of a donkey. Running a business requires investing money for a return. But in the position of the highest office of the United States of America as Commander-in-Chief, you’ve got to invest in people. People, then, by human nature, will respond positively. Don’t call me a four- to six-letter word and expect me to serve you breakfast in bed. We are not under an Empire, and you are not an Emperor.  

As a patriotic citizen, it depresses me to write in such negative terms about the Commander in Chief. Nonetheless, in the words of Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I call on the good citizens of these United States to do something by sharing… if you agree.

Henry L Faulkner, USN Ret.

Chief Navy Counselor