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I give ZERO f’s.
Zero think tanks employ merchant mariners. We have zero veteran benefits that can be pulled. We get zero ribbons or salutes. Only one of us this century has gotten an appointment.
We don’t get speaking gigs, book deals, meet-and-greets with senators, fellowships, trips, or gala award dinners.
We don’t even get paid as much as everyone assumes.
Doesn’t matter if the left or right is in charge. We are excluded just because we are Merchant Marine.
We get jack sh!t. Nothing but contempt from these people for years.
They will write a WAPO front page hit piece on me but that’s about it.
And hitting rock bottom is liberating!
There are no consequences to telling the truth because they have nothing to take from me.
At least we didn’t get any perks, until Trump and @PeteHegseth and @SecDuffy came in and recognized us for the first time since Nixon. An administration that appreciates the hardest working Americans.
And I don’t need to be bribed with anything from them because I’m already grateful for just being seen.
I’m not brave. I’ve just got absolutely nothing to lose when I post and a whole lot of gratitude for finally getting a fraction of the respect and privilege DC elites take for granted.
And that’s why I have deep respect for people like @DataRepublican, @infantrydort, @CynicalPublius, @KurtSchlichter, @RobManess, @RobertMSterling, and many others with more followers than me.
Because these people have plenty to lose. But they post the truth anyway.
A “dirty” merchant sailor from the Bronx will never be respected by the swamp, so I’m free to say whatever the hell I want.