One of the recent news stories about presidential candidates has stirred the emotions of a wide variety of people. As reported by Phillip Bump in an article in the Washington Post on July 18th, presidential hopeful Donald Trump said that John McCain, a decorated veteran and a former POW was not a war hero.  Mr. Trump is quoted as saying, "He's a war hero because he was captured," Trump said. "I like people that weren't captured."

Now I am not quite sure if Mr. Trump believes what he is saying or if he or his advisers decided it was a good way to get press coverage.  If he said this for either of these reasons I am very sad.  Regardless of what one thinks of John McCain politically or where one stands on the question of the history of the military interference in the affairs of other nations by the United States, it would seem really low and insensitive to say that about someone who survived being a prisoner of war and made a successful life rather than allowing that experience to destroy him.  In that respect Mr. McCain reminds me of a lot of other people that I admire. 

This statement which is attributed to Mr. Trump and which he has not denied or said he did not mean to say exactly that also reminds me in some ways of the age-old practice of blaming the victim for getting abused.  For many years, and still sometimes today, women who were abused by their spouse, dating partner, or some stranger, were blamed for the abuse.  Still today, it is it women’s responsibility in many countries to dress and act in such a way that it is not even obvious that they are an attractive female.  If they break this rule and they get sexually abused it is considered their fault. That makes no sense to me at all.  True, I do not think it healthy or appropriate (I am old enough to get away with saying this!) for men or women to dress in a sexually provocative manner. Even so no one deserves to be abused sexually or in any other way. No one causes another person to abuse them.

This statement also stimulated my thinking about who I consider a hero or what qualities I admire in others.   As a child I grew up with standard heroes such as Theodore Roosevelt, Jesus, The Long Ranger, John Wayne, Huckleberry Finn and some very personal ones such as my Uncle Harold, Aunt Pleasie, Grandmother Pickett, and Aunt Marie. Later I would add such people as Eleanor Roosevelt, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, and Joan of Arc.  More recently I  have added such individuals Pema Chodron, Vilja Stein, my son Jamie, my oldest sister, Bonnie, Barbara Bonenberger, Julia Payne, Dr. Marv McGowan, Terry Bicehouse, Don  Youse, Denis and Paulie Darsie, Kurt Colborn,  Dee Flaherty as well as some more famous individuals such as Sonja Sotomayor, Janet Reno, Father Gregory Boyle, Rami Nashashibi, Wayne Dyer, and Oprah Winfrey.  (Actually, I could list many more individuals who I personally know as well as more famous individuals.  I hope no one is offended if I left them off the list.)   This, of course, challenges me to think of the characteristics that these people seem to have in common.  First, what they do not have in common are the same opinions and beliefs that I do.  If fact many of these individuals would strongly disagree with what I think about a range of subjects. Those that I personally know do not hesitate to strongly challenge me to think outside of the box I seem to have created for some person, subject or object.

When I am to attempt to make a list of the characteristics which would all the people I admire have in common it would include:

·      They love deeply, passionately and unconditionally.

·      They have a passion for life and learning.

·      They are not afraid to fail or if they are afraid the fear does not control them.

·      They are aware that they have been given gifts and often give thanks for those gifts.

·      They often use life hardships as an occasion to learn.

·      They are aware  that their behavior affects other people.

·      They think outside the box even when it is uncomfortable.

·      They are compassionate and not patronizing. They know or believe that everyone deserves love and respect.

·      They laugh a lot.

·      Most seem to really love food.

·      They work at being present.

·      They do not think their beliefa are the only possible beliefs.

·      They are deeply spiritual which may or may not have a religious framework.

If one goggles “characteristics of heroes” one will get a number of hits  including the following in an article by Donald Milller on storylineblog.com:

6 Characteristics of a Hero: How Many Do You Embody?

by Donald Miller

I’ve been studying story for a long time now but have only recently given a lecture or two about the characteristics of a hero. I created the lecture in response to a speakers series in Minnesota and greatly enjoyed delivering the content.

I enjoyed it mostly because, well, a hero looks nothing like you’d think. And in a way, I found the revelations quite comforting.

Admittedly, this is no scientific analysis.

I basically studied a bunch of movies and tried to find common characteristics of the character that “saved the day.” What I found, though, whether it was Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Tommy in Tommy Boy, Indiana Jones in Raiders Of The Lost Ark or Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones Diary, is that heroes are not exactly what they seem.

I created the talk because intuitively we all understand ourselves, or rather experience life, as the protagonist in a story. Stories resonate with us, then, because they are cleaned up, clear versions of the dynamics of a human life.

We all want things.

But we face resistance, and we have to risk and fight to make those things happen. It’s comforting to see romanticized, hyped versions of these plots play out on screen.

That said, what does it take to be a hero?

Here are 6 surprising commonalities of movie-screen heroes:

1. They are flawed…

2. They are filled with doubt…

3. They seek a guide…

4. Heroes are lazy but get forced into action …

5. Heroes change

6. Heroes experience pain …

Everyone can come with their own list, but of all the lists I read on various web sites, I did not find one which indicated that not getting captured in a war qualified as a hero characteristic.  Of course, both sides in a conflict are going to do all they can to avoid capture. Some may even commit suicide to avoid capture.  If one does get captured how does one use the experience in a positive manner.  Perhaps Nelson Mandela and Dietrich Bonheoffer are two positive role models in addition to John McCain for people who got captured and used their time to grow spiritually.

I am really confused by the number of people who seem to admire Mr. Trump. Perhaps my prejudices and close mindedness is keeping me from seeing his hero characteristics.  I will challenge myself to look deeper into the story of this man. I do know he knows how to fail and to come back financially. I do not have a solid sense of the values, which allow him to achieve financially.  I do believe that he is beloved by God and I believe that fact has nothing to do with how much money he has made or lost.

I am fascinated by the fact that here in the United States where there are a number of individuals already campaigning to be elected President in 1016, one Republican candidate is gaining in popularity and being taken very seriously. This is the renowned businessperson, Donald Trump.  I began searching the Internet for clues as to why so many people find him an attractive candidate.  The web site louderwithcrowde.com has the most articulate and thorough list of possible explanations. They surmise:

“Ok, ok, let us ALL be clear here: we at Louder with Crowder have in NO WAY had a change of heart regarding our position on newly announced, Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump. We made our position MORE than abundantly clear yesterday when we both picked apart his speech and vetted his “conservatism”. Got it? Got it.

What we DO find interesting is the incredible amount of backlash we felt in response to both of those pieces. Just peek through the comments section on the aforementioned articles to see for yourself! The hilarity that so many people take Trump seriously aside, it begs the question “why?” It’s clear that he hit some notes that really spoke to some Americans and that itself worth dissecting.

That said we give you the top 4 things America finds attractive about Donald Trump.

         Donald Trump clearly has business sense; or at least more so than any other candidate in this election. Here’s a man who has seen more than his share of successes and failures.  He knows what makes capitalism work and what makes it fail. Even though he’s not a true free enterpriser (he does abuse the courts and take advantage of government favoritism as it relates to business), it’ll be hard for the career politicians to debate him on economics.

         When Donald Trump has ideas, he finds ways to make them work. He’s not necessarily the most honest guy, but he isn’t inherently dishonest either, in that he doesn’t promise things he cannot deliver.  When Trump says he’ll do things, he typically does them. Why? His pursuit of excellence. Sure, he’s an egomaniac. But he possesses a confidence that many Americans find refreshing in a field of GOP lambs.

         Donald Trump raises the level of play for the rest of the candidates. At the very least, in Donald Trump’s brazen attempt to provide bluntness over eloquence, it allows for a dialogue that might otherwise not take place. Trump’s not afraid to poke his finger in his opponent’s chest, and that opens up the field for all other Republicans alike.

         Donald Trump believes in and loves America . We’ve been tied to the international whipping post too long. The current administration has apologized for America to every race, creed, nationality, gender, and orientation on the planet. Yet we have shamefully allowed ourselves to become THE worldwide villain on the cosmic wanted posters, despite our giving more resources globally to improve the life than any other nation. Our enemies see attempts to appease them with self-deprecation as weakness. They have and will exploit that weakness to defeat us. Ronald Reagan once said that as a nation, “It is good to be liked, but it’s much better to be respected.” Donald Trump is unapologetic about respecting America and not caving to other movements, regimes, or nations. He goes a little far in his rhetoric, but I will give credit where it’s due here.

Read more: http://louderwithcrowder.com/not-all-bad-where-donald-trump-gets-it-right/#ixzz3fag3f1qk

I personally find the above frightening. If indeed this is an accurate assessment, which I sadly suspect that it is, then it makes me even sadder for the country of which I am a citizen.

The problem I have with each of these points is:

1.  Donald Trump clearly has business sense; or at least more so than any other candidate in this election. Here’s a man who has seen more than his share of successes and failures.  He knows what makes capitalism work and what makes it fail. Even though he’s not a true free enterpriser (he does abuse the courts and take advantage of government favoritism as it relates to business), it’ll be hard for the career politicians to debate him on economics. 

Me:  This is attractive?  This statement only confirms my fear that Donald Trump is the sort of business person who subscribes to the maxim:  The end justified the means.  Abuse the courts? Take advantage of government favoritism?  This  makes me wonder if he is the sort of  leader who will continue the history of this country making a profit off of military weapons and gear and which will make use of such groups as Blackwater and, yes, the CIA.

2.  When Donald Trump has ideas, he finds ways to make them work. He’s not necessarily the most honest guy, but he isn’t inherently dishonest either, in that he doesn’t promise things he cannot deliver.  When Trump says he’ll do things, he typically does them. Why? His pursuit of excellence. Sure, he’s an egomaniac. But he possesses a confidence that many Americans find refreshing in a field of GOP lambs.

Me: Same problem.  He may not be honest, he is an egomaniac and his pursuit of excellence?  How do those qualities or characteristics fit together.  If we define excellence as “winning at any cost” from a spiritual standpoint that sounds like the same losing policy which is responsible for our spiritual corruption as humans. It also validates what many others in the world have been saying about how the United States functions for a long time.

3  Donald Trump raises the level of play for the rest of the candidates. At the very least, in Donald Trump’s brazen attempt to provide bluntness over eloquence, it allows for a dialogue that might otherwise not take place. Trump’s not afraid to poke his finger in his opponent’s chest, and that opens up the field for all other Republicans alike.

Me:  Is this not a description of a bully.  Suddenly bluntness is made to sound like honesty  and  lack of eloquence is made to sound like plain speaking.   How about lack of respect for the complicated nature of immigration related issues including the outsourcing by United States  Firms to get cheap labor and/or avoid certain taxes, the use of cheap labor even it is performed by illegals in this country, the many faceted issue of addiction and other factors.  I am not aware that being a bully with other candidate is likely to produce an honest, open, compassionate dialogue.

4. Donald Trump believes in and loves America . We’ve been tied to the international whipping post too long. The current administration has apologized for America to every race, creed, nationality, gender, and orientation on the planet. Yet we have shamefully allowed ourselves to become THE worldwide villain on the cosmic wanted posters, despite our giving more resources globally to improve the life than any other nation. Our enemies see attempts to appease them with self-deprecation as weakness. They have and will exploit that weakness to defeat us. Ronald Reagan once said that as a nation, “It is good to be liked, but it’s much better to be respected.” Donald Trump is unapologetic about respecting America and not caving to other movements, regimes, or nations. He goes a little far in his rhetoric, but I will give credit where it’s due here.

Me:  Excuse me but I suspect that we have a lot for which we need to apologize.  Is this author correct in assessing the thinking of many in the United States?  Do we not have much for which we need to apologize if we are to become the nation we have attempted to convince ourselves and others that we are?  Have we not been and do we not continue to be a nation born of violence as well as a nation, which has continued to be most violent bully, which presents as a dove of peace.  As much as I hate the beliefs and behavior of Hitler, for the most part he was very open about his goals, methods and biases.  Are we, as a country respected by most other nations?   Certainly there are qualities of the United States, which engenders millions wanting to become citizens. However, this sadly often speaks to the level of oppression and poverty in other countries more than to the essential goodness of the United States.  Let us suppose for a moment that individuals, families, communities, and nations grow spiritually when honestly faces oneself.  Do we, as a nation, need to honestly face and be accountable for not only our racist behavior but for our arrogant, bully behavior in much of the world since we first took over this land? 

One can easily find and read a comprehensive history of our use of violence since our inception.   Alternet.org is a good place to start this search.  Although I am tempted to simply list the major violent actions of the United States since its inception I will refrain even that simple list would take pages.

There are also several good books on the history of CIA interventions in other countries and in our own country.   These include Killing Hope: U.S. Military and CIA Intervention since World Wart II by William Blum and The 60 Greatest Conspiracies of All Times The 60 Greatest Conspiracies of All Times by Jonathan Vankin and John Whalen.  Better yet, if one is lucky enough to have the time and money to take an extensive tour around the world to chat with folks in other countries, one will get a very different perspective of the United States. My experience in foreign travel is that there is enormous respect for much of what the United States has accomplished while, at the same time, there is enormous sadness for and fear of the denial of the extent to which we use violence to obtain what we want or what we think is right. 

Are we in the United States really so spiritually corrupt that we want to continue to deceive ourselves or are we willing to do what is necessary to embark on a journey of redemption and healing.   On September 11, 2015 Trinity Church in New York City will host a guest preacher who will preach on the subject of reconciliation.  He or she will take as the basis for their sermon texts from Isaiah 2:1-4 and Matthew 18: 21-36. Regardless of one’s religious and spiritual history we could all benefit from studying these passages.

We, as a country who is preparing for yet another President and new members of Congress in 2016 could greatly benefit from revisiting the 12 steps of the AA and other recovery programs.  These steps can be easily applied to anyone or any country that is willing the take the risk of honestly facing oneself and doing what one needs to do to move forward.

We could also benefit from the most recent example of Pope Francis who apologized for past treatments of indigenous people in South America by the Catholic Church.

I am not advocating that we hang our heads in shame.  I am not advocating that we compare ourselves to other nations. I am advocating that we begin to grasp the courage to face the dissonance between who we want to be and who we are. Only then can be face the next election with a modicum of hope for a more spiritual future for this country.