The main point of this message is that every American must exercise great caution when s/he casts aspersions on another American’s patriotism. Therefore, it is quite disappointing to read a rather reckless opinion on the GOP presidential nominee’s love of country in one of its leading newspapers, of which I am regular reader.

I am NOT a Trump supporter, primarily because of his and his party’s policy positions and statements on important issues (to me, anyway) such as health care (replace “Obamacare” with what?), economics (based on the failed trickle down theory), environment (that global warming is a myth) and immigration (a religious test for entry into this country appears unconstitutional).  As for my personal thoughts,  Mr. Trump’s actions and words are, or appear to be, unethical, narcissistic, bigoted, misogynistic, clueless of solutions to serious issues that currently plague  this nation, quite crude in language and style, . . .

But, is Trump unpatriotic?  In the absence of concrete “unpatriotic” deeds by Mr. Trump, and given that I have no access to inner thoughts of people, I am obliged to at least give Mr. Trump (and, for that matter, Mr. Bruni) the benefit of the doubt.  To rebut just one of his reason’s for doubting Mr. Trump’s love of country, i.e., the unpatriotic act of  draft-dodging, it is important to note that two of our recent past presidents conveniently managed to avoid going to Vietnam.

When did, given our country’s history, being bigoted or controversial raise doubts of one’s patriotism?  In conclusion,  “Is casting unfounded aspersions on the patriotism of a politically conservative candidate the last refuge of a liberal journalist?”  (adapting lexicographer Samuel Johnson’s statement “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” for the occasion)