Remember when your character was called into question for not having this?

Just how deep is the GOP hypocrisy on Captain Khan? Consider some recent history.

I was the first able-bodied adult male in my family for generations not to serve in the military and I have complicated feelings about that as I grow older and start to take stock of things I never got around to. But for my entire life, I can remember the obligatory political arguments at Thanksgiving surrounding which party was actually better for the military or whether the criticisms of war fomented hatred of those who served. You know how it goes. The legendary stories of troops coming back from Vietnam being spat upon.

You may remember that the entire strategy of the 2004 Presidential election was to tar John Kerry—who served honorably in Vietnam—and his military record. At the time, everyone was hanging yellow ribbons and putting bumper stickers saying they supported the troops. (That some of us thought it would be a good way to support them by not getting them shot at for a pointless war in Iraq was besides the point.)

In fact, this issue goes to the very core of the two parties’ current identities with Democrats ever fearful of repeating the electoral mistake of McGovern doing things like constantly appointing Republicans as Secretary of Defense and trying, like John Kerry did, to run on his military record. Maybe Iraq has changed that? I don’t know.

But you cannot hold out the pretense of being the “pro troops” party and allow your Presidential candidate to insult the John McCains and the Captain Khans and the Gold Star parents this way.

And issuing a Sternly Worded Statement® is not enough. As a prominent Republican once said, “you’re either for us or against us.” This is actually true in first past the post electoral systems (and not true in foreign relations).

So, are you going to have the courage of many Republican campaign operatives and now elected leaders like Rep. Hanna? I’m looking at you Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Mitch McConnell. I’m looking at you too, George H.W. Bush and Jeb Bush. There’s only one way to stop Trump, and that’s elect Hillary.

Honorable Republicans have always had a role in the governance of Democratic presidents, including President Obama’s and President Clinton’s. If you can bring yourself to stand up for your country, you will have a role too.

Otherwise, you will permanently lose your status as the party of the troops.