Letter: Trump’s service doesn’t compare to Powell’s

To the Editor:

And we are off again. Former President Donald Trump just has to show how classless he really is when taking off against Gen. Colin Powell. Colin Powell, born 1937, who served the United States for 35 years in the U.S. Army, reached the rank of general and, as his last assignment, served as chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away last week. During Powell’s long military career, he spent two tours in Vietnam, where he was wounded during his first tour in 1962 and saved three others from the wreckage of a helicopter crash during his second tour in 1968. Powell served as both deputy and national security adviser under President Ronald Reagan from 1986 to 1989. After his military service, Powell went on to serve as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. Powell admitted in interviews there were decisions from his long government career that he regretted. Powell spent most of his adult life honorably serving the people of the United States.

Let’s compare Trump’s service to the country. Military service? Hmmm … think those bone spurs ended his desire for this service after he ran out of education deferments. Seems the Vietnam War was going on during this time. Other government service? Let’s see, real state developer? Nope. Reality TV star? Nope. Serial womanizer? Nope. Well, it appears he did serve as president of the United States. But wait, since he never conceded his losing effort in 2020, doesn’t that mean he still is president? How about “emperor”? I mean if you are never wrong and have never made any mistakes in your life, doesn’t a title such as emperor fit?

Thankfully, as time goes on, people care less and less about what he spews and are ignoring him more and more.

Timothy Knutsen

Crystal Lake