Everyone is going to be talking about the pretty incredible moment President Trump let the country in honoring Carryn Owens, the widow of the Navy SEAL who died in the Yemen raid he ordered. Some are pointing out dismissively that Trump was just using her to clear his name about the Yemen raid.
They might be right, but the way they’ve been condescending to Owen is pretty terrible.
And Mary Katherine Ham obliterates them over it.
Just read:
For those lamenting Carryn Owens' "exploitation," let me offer some thoughts. I'm not asking you to like Trump or credit him for that moment
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
But what you can & should do is credit her. Maybe a SEAL wife who's been through, God willing, worst life will give her, can handle Trump.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe a SEAL wife knows exactly what she's doing & doesn't need you to explain it to her. Maybe she needs things you don't know much about.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe a widow raising 3 children knows how important it is to keep his name & memory alive, & that this moment is bigger than Trump or you.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe she knows one day she will show them this video & tell them the President of the United States & all the nation honored him.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe she thinks it might teach her children the strength & courage of their dad (& mom!) to watch her stand up tall even when it hurts.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe all that is more important than your angst about which president is involved & how. Just bc she's crying doesn't mean she's a victim.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Maybe, probably, very likely, she's a badass. You and your kids are in my prayers, Carryn. Do what you gotta do. Proverbs 31:25
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 1, 2017
Well, damn. That was almost as powerful as the first applause for Owens. And it’s made all the more moving because Ham herself is a widow and knows that pain more than most people.
In any case, I do think that there’s a chance Trump was using the extraordinary moment to clear his name about the raid. But, Ham is absolutely right that it doesn’t take away from the beautiful and wonderful moment where a nation came together to show its gratefulness for such a painful sacrifice.
We can do more than one thing at once, people.
Here’s the video of Trump honoring Carryn Owens:
Full video of Trump paying tribute to Ryan and Carryn Owens. pic.twitter.com/vpjlM94SV4 #JointAddress
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) March 1, 2017