The June 14 editorial cartoon by Steve Kelley seems aimed at a second-grader (except for having “existential” in the caption, which is a pretty big word for a 7-year-old).
Apparently, standing in front of an American flag, saluting, is equated as good, and forgives all sins of omission or commission.
The facts about our current president of the United States are these: POTUS was a serial draft dodger yet he commands our military; POTUS is a serial bankruptcy filer yet he directs our economy; POTUS is a serial philanderer yet he and his supporters portray him as a paragon of moral virtue; and POTUS is a profligate liar yet he leads our diplomatic efforts around the world.
And, apparently, standing with one’s back to the flag with pennant in hand represents some kind of peril.
How the social protest act of kneeling has anything to do with the “socialism” pennant is beyond me.
And how, anyway, do the popular socialistic programs we currently have in place in the United States imperil our country? Our seniors enjoy socialized medicine (Medicare) and socialized retirement (Social Security). We are protected by government police departments, and we travel courtesy of national transport modes (the interstate highway system, our air traffic control system, etc.).
The existential threat to our democracy is real, but it is Donald Trump who is the threat, abetted by his servile followers.
Saluting the flag confers no absolution.
Samuel Johnson, 1775: “Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.” Mr. Kelley nailed it with his recent editorial cartoon, but maybe not in the way he intended.
PAUL F. WERBANETH
Franklin Park
Note from KBJ: Keep attacking those of us who voted for Donald Trump, Paul, and your candidate will get even fewer electoral votes next time.
