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I’ve had incredibly cordial interactions with @jaketapper in the past. Looking at our convos back to 2016 we talked to clear up misunderstanding, show respect, and agree to disagree. I asked for a small favor once, one I didn’t follow through with, and he obliged.
I’ve had incredibly cordial interactions with @jaketapper in the past. Looking at our convos back to 2016 we talked to clear up misunderstanding, show respect, and agree to disagree. I asked for a small favor once, one I didn’t follow through with, and he obliged.
In the past 4 years we’ve all changed. In 2016 I campaigned against Trump for Rubio. Since then I’ve applauded his policy wins, disruptive style and seemingly flawless ability to “piss of the people who piss me off” and along the way I had to do a healthy amount of eye rollin too
I’ve seen many, like @jaketapper become what I would call just as galvanized against him. In that time my friend and recovery/EOD/double amputee brother @BrianMastFL because a member of congress. I can’t explain what seeing him up there means to me. It means a lot. I will always
Defend Brian; a man I watched learn to walk on prosthetics with HIS HAND SEWN TO HIS STOMACH with smile on his face. When he voted for a gun bill I defended him against spiteful, hateful cheap shots about his legs from “friends” in the gun community. And when @jaketapper took
his off-the-cuff shot at him this week I vehemently defended him again. But let me be clear about something I’ve been consistent about since John McCain. Those like Brian, @SenDuckworth and Senator McCain who enter politics after heroic service and sacrifice absolutely earn
Criticism. As wounded Warriors we are more prepared for, not more delicate to, being called on our bullshit. We have thick skin and take pride in our work. I can’t speak for them, but I don’t see my injuries as some shield for a bad take or disagreement.
My point here is simple. Jake wasn’t wrong to criticize Brian for his politics, it’s very clear they’re on different sides of many issues, especially this divisive topic of election integrity. But our injuries aren’t added targets for criticism either. We paid in flesh and blood
Let that speak for itself. Don’t worship it, and don’t add your own idea of what it “should” mean. In closing, I am sorry for piling on @jaketapper not because he didn’t earn a moment of rebuke, and not because I want to “cozy up” to him. But simply because I know @BrianMastFL
Has earned the right to defend his own honor. To own the room when someone carelessly uses Brain’s own sacrifice to prop up their own ideas, and attacks against him. I hope Jake messages Brian and apologizes sincerely. But either way, I hope the rest of us learn from his mistake.
And try a little harder to attack ideas, not people. To rebuke unwanted outcomes, not genuine beliefs. We are in this together rather we like one another or not. The least we can do is not use the few things we respect about one another, against each other.
