Many thanks to Paul Schrag and Mennonite Central Committee for welcoming President Trump’s announcement of withdrawal from Syria. Trump backed away from the decision, but it was telling. Compared to our deeply hawkish political establishment, Trump can be a dove.
When Trump bombed a Syrian airfield in early 2017, Hillary Clinton exclaimed she “would have destroyed the whole Syrian air force by now.” In Obama’s first term, he legitimized a Honduran coup and wrecked Libya, paving the way for Syria. Barring war with Iran, Trump may be the first president since 1980 to not kill at least half a million Muslims. Don’t ignore this.
I detest what Trump stands for and hope he falls. But many who despise him ignore our establishment’s wrongs, whether in war, deportation, incarceration or racial and economic injustice. Our parties are ill-intentioned. I will be praying, giving and volunteering for Bernie Sanders in 2020.
David Lapp Jost
The writer serves with Mennonite Mission Network in a sensitive location overseas.
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