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Transcript
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SPEAKER 2
Hey guys, it's me, Sam Stein, Managing Editor at The Bulwark. I'm joined by Ben Parker, one of the great cogs in the machinery over here. We're here to talk about the dignified transfer that is happening, sadly, today, Friday, involving four U.S. troops who died in a training exercise in Lithuania.
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The reason we're talking about it is that Donald Trump, President of the United States, is not attending. Donald Trump will be down in Florida. He's at his golf club. I believe right now it is reported that he's going to be at an event and trying to, I guess,
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negotiate a settlement between the PGA Golf and Live Golf to warring factions in the golf wars. He also has, I believe, a fundraiser tonight at Mar-a-Lago, a million-dollar-per-person fundraiser tonight at Mar-a-Lago. And frankly, it's kind of repulsive, honestly, from a standpoint of optics. Let's put it that way. Ben, let's start with what happened in Lithuania,

Sam Stein and Ben Parker discuss the dignified transfer of four U.S. troops who died in a NATO training accident in Lithuania. President Trump chose to skip the event, attending a golf-related negotiation and fundraiser instead. Stein and Parker criticize Trump's absence, noting his history of controversial comments about veterans and contrasting his decision with past political responses to similar events.

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Discussion about this video

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Christopher B Drake's avatar

Foxtrot Delta Tango!

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dcicero's avatar

I WOULD like all those bros who attended the Trump rally in NYC to check THEIR Charles Schwab accounts!

Still so sold on that MAGA thing, dude?

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James Woodruff's avatar

Mark Hertling’s piece was very moving. I highly recommend it.

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Nickson's avatar

It’s a detailed account of tragedy, persistence, heroism and camaraderie. I think it’s a must-read. We’ve all been so distracted. Thanks for alerting us to it.

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Bruce Whitney's avatar

LTG (ret) Hertling's piece was moving and also brought home how difficult it was to recover the soldiers' bodies, an effort that involved not just the US Army but also elements of the Lithuanian, Estonian and Polish armed forces, as well as others.

If you haven't, check out the video clip of the procession of the soldiers' bodies being driven through the streets of Vilnius. Sidewalks packed with Lithuanians paying their respects, many holding small Lithuanian and US flags. Very moving. A Bulwark listener commented something like "And we want to abandon these nations, our allies, because...?"

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Shelley Fryer, Ed.D.'s avatar

You are surprised? Not me. Remember, this guy calls people who die in battle….Dear Lord, I cannot even say it. What I CAN do is express sincere condolences to their families. I lost several students in the Iraq-Afghanistan war. I am so sorry for your horrible loss.

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Nancy Willoughby's avatar

My hubby is a Vietnam veteran, 7 years in the US Marine Corps. He's in the hospital today, and every time I went to visit, he had tears in his eyes over the loss of the 4 young men in Lituania. The Lituanians honored our soldiers in a way that this country hasn't seen in decades, and definitely way better than the coward in chief. Of course, to him they are just expendable suckers and losers. Grr!

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Cora's avatar

What? You thought he would care. Silly you.

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Gaignum's avatar

If you struggle to remember what a real president looks like search YouTube for "Obama salutes fallen troops 2009." If you get through it without weeping you are a better man than I.

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Kentuckistan's avatar

There's been a bunch of severe weather in the center of the country with many killed and injured and more on the way over the next days and weeks. No kind word, support or prayer. He's off to milk the Saudi's .....that's nice

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Jean in Florida's avatar

Trump is not only repulsive, he is a coward. I think he should show respect for our troops, who have paid the ultimate price while serving our country. But I don’t think anyone should have any illusions about what a piece of garbage he is; he only cares about himself.

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Sera Bella's avatar

dump doesn't like vets. He envies anyone who can do what he can't.

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Colleen C Conwell's avatar

Is anyone shocked about this? That he put making money & playing golf over a Presidential duty.

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Jeffrey Reifenberger's avatar

Could not agree more. Reminds me of Niro as well. He is such a joke. The whole country is burning down due to his economic incompetence and his priority is golf. Thanks America!

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Blanche Axton's avatar

Money has always been more important to him than humans.

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Judy B's avatar

What a sleazeball

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Wendy's avatar

Marie Antoinette - after torching 🔥 the economy, skipped town on a TAXPAYER FUNDED plane, to host the Saudis, who will cram even more money into his pockets.

F*CK THIS GUY ALREADY

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Laurie Loudamy's avatar

He tries to normalize his abhorrent behavior but isn’t working for me or anyone who has a heart and decency.

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Laurie Loudamy's avatar

I was looking for the right words, and “repulsive” does hit the nail on the head. Unfathomable that a leader of a country would not, out of respect and consolation, be there for the return for the soldier out of total respect and honor to them and their grieving family. Sounds like he has no respect for anyone but himself; so sad for this country and makes me angry.

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Sera Bella's avatar

He has no self respect and thusly none for anyone else.

That's why there is no bottom to his depravity.

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Laurie Loudamy's avatar

Yes, it does!!!

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TW Falcon's avatar

"Deplorable" works, too.

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Jelly's avatar

I look forward to saying “how disgraceful” once in a while, rather than every single day.

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MUSA💙💙💙USAM's avatar

And when visiting Arlington Cemetery, asking ‘what was in it for them?’ Vile SOB.

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Kenneth Duckworth's avatar

And Biden was excoriated for looking at his watch during a dignified transfer ceremony. Trump skips it to play golf.

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Patricia McKeown's avatar

Disgraceful, but what else is new.

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Travis's avatar

Trump also playing golf while the market melts down. It's Nero playing fiddle while Rome burns.

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John Sanderson's avatar

I’ve had that picture in my mind for a couple of days now. It’s a very disturbing image.

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Marilyn Sepich's avatar

Trump is a 'strongman'.

Yes right.

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Nancy Willoughby's avatar

I don't get how anyone could think that.

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