Millions were inspired by Khizr Khan’s simple, devastating remarks at the DNC on Thursday night recalling the ultimate sacrifice made by his son, Humayun, an army captain who died protecting his troops in Iraq in 2004.
On Friday, Khan appeared on MSNBC to give what he called the second part of his speech. He said:
The other half is addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. What a patriot, decent human being; what a leader he is. And then Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House, leading the majority in the United States House of Representatives. What a patriot, decent human being he is.
But isn't it time to repudiate Trump; what he has said? What he has threatened to do? This is moral imperative for both leaders. To say to him that "Enough." You are about to sink the ship of the patriot Republicans. Republicans are as patriotic as Democrats are. They're half of the goodness of this beautiful country. Half of this political process that rest of the world watches enviously; learns from it.
Over the weekend, Trump predictably replied to the Khan family in his obnoxious, ignorant and tone-deaf way, further dragging down his flailing campaign.
But from Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, the two highest-ranking elected Republicans in the nation, we heard nothing. Perhaps they were hoping the Khans would go back to their home in Virginia and be forgotten; perhaps they were genuinely examining their consciences; perhaps they were even secretly negotiating with Trump over a potential exit, given the disastrous rollout of his general election campaign.
But Khan and his wife, Ghazala, have continued to speak out. Ryan and McConnell could not hide forever. On Sunday afternoon, we got an answer of sorts in the form of canned statements.
From the Speaker of the House:
Ryan said a religious test for people coming into the country is "not reflective" of the nation's values.
"Many Muslim Americans have served valiantly in our military, and made the ultimate sacrifice. Captain Khan was one such brave example. His sacrifice — and that of Khizr and Ghazala Khan — should always be honored. Period," Ryan said in a statement.
From the Senate Majority Leader:
“Captain Khan was an American hero, and like all Americans I’m grateful for the sacrifices that selfless young men like Capt. Khan and their families have made in the war on terror. All Americans should value the patriotic service of the patriots who volunteer to selflessly defend us in the armed services," McConnell said in a statement.
"And as I have long made clear, I agree with the Khans and families across the country that a travel ban on all members of a religion is simply contrary to American values,” McConnell said.
In other words, thank you for your son’s sacrifice; blanket travel bans are bad; but we are not even going to do you the courtesy of engaging with your argument: that this buffoonish man who proposed these policies is so contrary to American values and the American people that he is not worthy of support.
Is that really a way to honor Humayun’s and this family’s ultimate sacrifice?
This article from last year offers some food for thought on the thorny topic of how to thank vets, for whom pat phrases like “thank you for your service” sometimes rankle.
Some suggestions from actual vets:
Maybe promise to vote next time, Mr. Freedman said, or offer a scholarship or job (as, he said, some places have stepped up and done). Stand up for what’s right, suggested Mr. O’Brien. Give $100 to a vet, Ben Fountain, author of the “Billy Lynn” book, half-joked, saying it would at least show some sacrifice on the thanker’s part.
In other words, make a sacrifice yourself. Neither McConnell or Ryan have shown that they have learned anything about sacrifice from this episode. Maybe they need to watch Khan’s speech again.