"Losers and suckers"

The Atlantic has run a story, based on information from a general and collaborated by another DOD official, claiming that the President of the United States has called Americans who have died in the defense of their country "losers" and "suckers." All of us have already heard him say essentially the same thing about Americans who have been captured by the enemy. If you, personally, haven't, be my guest.

Is the story in The Atlantic hearsay? Sure. Most news stories are. So was the story about Mr. Trump discouraging the presence of disabled veterans at his silly "military parade" a while back because "nobody wants to see that." Just like his purported puzzlement at the sacrifice of those who have died for their country in our nation's wars expressed at the graveside of his own chief of staff's heroic son given the fact that there was "nothing in it for them." Just like the pattern of disrespect for the military and their families that have dominated his behavior ever since he took office.

The statements were reported by what The Atlantic believes to be a credible source, an American general. It was collaborated by another official of the Department of Defense. The same standard of collaboration that Woodward and Bernstein used in their Watergate investigation was met. It's the standard of collaboration journalists typically use when a source tells them something.

Some folks refuse to believe that Mr. Trump made the statement The Atlantic reports he made. I hope they're right. I just wish that Mr. Trump's track record made the story less credible. And I imagine those serving in our armed forces wish the same thing.