1/ A few quick thoughts on Trump's decision to send more than 5,000 U.S. troops to the border to confront the super not-deadly caravan that is two months away and may never arrive at all. We know this is a pathetic political ploy to rile up possible midterm voters who live in...
2/ ...near-constant fear of non-white people. Using the military for fear-mongering before an election is bad enough on its own. But then there's the cost. This won't be cheap. You don't move and then support a force that large for free. But I think the most overlooked thing...
3/ ...is that a deployment like this invariably risks the lives of soldiers. Not because they'll engage with "invaders" - nothing like that's going to happen. But because accidents happen when the military is deployed. Soldiers die in vehicle crashes. They get injured while...
4/ ...working or building things. Soldiers aren't just at risk in combat. It's not unusual for a soldier to die or get injured in a freak accident. So even though we know there's no need for an armed force to take on the migrant caravan, Trump is putting soldiers at risk.
5/ I have known many veterans and active-duty soldiers, and they have all been more than willing to accept the risk that comes with serving. But to be put at risk for a mission that's unnecessary? They might accept it, because that's what they do. But we shouldn't.
6/ This deployment is beyond irresponsible. I pray for the safety of the men and women who will be part of this mission. And I am truly sorry they are being used as pawns by a president who wouldn't know sacrifice if it bit him on the ass. END
