The ‘Broken Veteran’ Excuse
Graham Platner’s defenders are playing into a dangerous stereotype about Americans who have fought in war.
TL;DR
- Graham Platner, a Marine Corps veteran, won Maine's Democratic Senate primary despite a history of questionable behavior, including a Nazi tattoo and offensive statements.
- Platner and his supporters use his military service and PTSD as an excuse for his past actions.
- The author contends that this excuse is a harmful stereotype that insults veterans and absolves Platner of personal responsibility.
- The article criticizes the 'soft bigotry of low expectations' applied to veterans, reducing them to a 'broken veteran' cliché.
- It argues that while veterans face stresses from war, this does not justify immoral behavior, and everyone is responsible for their choices.
- The author asserts that veteran candidates should not use their service to excuse past misconduct or as automatic proof of worthiness for office.