Attack on homeless is an attack on veterans

In 1932, veterans camped on government land in Washington, D.C., demanding that President Herbert Hoover release their bonuses to help them survive the Great Depression. He responded by sending in the police, and two veterans were killed. Then he turned the Army against them, evicting them and burning their few belongings.

The same thing is happening now in Washington, D.C., ordered by the new Hoover — Donald Trump.

Trump has called up the military to sweep D.C. clean of the homeless. He is doing it by bringing in backhoes and dump trucks to scoop up what little these people have and throw it away. One of the largest groups among the homeless are veterans — many of whom became homeless because of their sacrifice to this country. Now, Trump has stolen their dignity and what few possessions they had, using their own military to do it.

He isn’t offering new shelters — D.C.’s shelters are already full. He isn’t offering even a ride out of town. No, those with almost nothing have been criminalized, and the proudest military in the world has been reduced to abusive garbagemen by a draft dodger.

Where is the outrage? Where are the Christians crying out to protect the poor? Where are the flag-waving Republicans defending our vets?

I’m calling on all of us to stop worshipping the cult of Trump and do more than thank our veterans for their service.

MARY HALEY

Sandpoint