Republicans and others are disgusted by Graham Platner’s tattoo. If tattoos are so important, maybe those same people should take a serious look at Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s.

Hegseth has tattooed on his chest the Jerusalem Cross. Alt-right and white supremacist groups have adopted symbolism associated with the Crusades. That includes the Jerusalem Cross and the motto “Deus Vult.” Hegseth has that motto tattooed on the inside of his bicep. Both of those symbols evoke the Crusades as a symbol of Western civilization and white European Christianity.

Now put that together with what Hegseth has done to the soldiers of color and women in our military, and that’s the proof he is using the Christian religion as a white supremacist weapon in the name of Jesus. Women were subservient to men during the Crusades. 

Is that what Republicans believe in? Seems likely to me, as none object to the tattoos.

Mike Grove
Belgrade Lakes