02-12-2004, 03:08 PM
Mr McAuliffe of the DNC has attacked, possibly slandered, President Bush.
Some Viet Nam vets are laying out Senator Kerry's history, with their own spin.
An Attack on Senator Kerry
I am struck by the tone of the articles. I served under a number of Navy Captains, a few of who earned two, three and four stars, who were Swift Boat skippers in Viet Nam: Senator Kerry is in pretty good company as a Swift Boat Skipper. He was where the hot lead flew, yet some vets appear to begrudge him a Purple Heart for getting hit, albeit not losing a limb, while in a combat zone. Is this the old Army Versus the Navy rivalry coming to a head? He is then pilloried for applying for an Admiral's aid position. Well, any ambitious Naval Officer will try to hitch his wagon to a star. Plenty of well regarded officers have done so as junior officers.
Senator Kerry then came home and was an active voice against the War, as were any number of vets. He also had links to the political elite of Boston. So, he got into politics. Similarly, a different and highly regarded Viet Nam vet went to law school and got involved, in his case via veteran affairs, in high politics: James Webb, a decorated Marine who later became Secretary of the Navy and semi controversial author.
The only bit these "he did not deserve his three Purple Hearts" folks can really hang their hats on is Senator Kerry's record on POW/MIA issues in Congress, however, Ross Perot bore such a grudge on that issue that he went after George Bush senior, so once again, Senator Kerry is in good company.
I don't buy his New England Liberal politics, but I find it distressing that people are trying to smear a man who, as a young man of privilege, chose to enter the arena: plenty of his comtemporaries ran to Canada, got deferments, pulled strings, got 4F's via fraudulent physicals, etc.
Sen Kerry went forth and served. It's also obvious that he found military service to be a career choice not to his liking, as many do after their first tour, and chose other pursuits. *sigh* If folks are going to go after Senator Kerry, why this nasty spin on honorable service?
This mean spirited crap is only going to get worse from now to November. I am thinking of pulling the plug on my TV, and listening only to CD's, no radio.
Some Viet Nam vets are laying out Senator Kerry's history, with their own spin.
An Attack on Senator Kerry
I am struck by the tone of the articles. I served under a number of Navy Captains, a few of who earned two, three and four stars, who were Swift Boat skippers in Viet Nam: Senator Kerry is in pretty good company as a Swift Boat Skipper. He was where the hot lead flew, yet some vets appear to begrudge him a Purple Heart for getting hit, albeit not losing a limb, while in a combat zone. Is this the old Army Versus the Navy rivalry coming to a head? He is then pilloried for applying for an Admiral's aid position. Well, any ambitious Naval Officer will try to hitch his wagon to a star. Plenty of well regarded officers have done so as junior officers.
Senator Kerry then came home and was an active voice against the War, as were any number of vets. He also had links to the political elite of Boston. So, he got into politics. Similarly, a different and highly regarded Viet Nam vet went to law school and got involved, in his case via veteran affairs, in high politics: James Webb, a decorated Marine who later became Secretary of the Navy and semi controversial author.
The only bit these "he did not deserve his three Purple Hearts" folks can really hang their hats on is Senator Kerry's record on POW/MIA issues in Congress, however, Ross Perot bore such a grudge on that issue that he went after George Bush senior, so once again, Senator Kerry is in good company.
I don't buy his New England Liberal politics, but I find it distressing that people are trying to smear a man who, as a young man of privilege, chose to enter the arena: plenty of his comtemporaries ran to Canada, got deferments, pulled strings, got 4F's via fraudulent physicals, etc.
Sen Kerry went forth and served. It's also obvious that he found military service to be a career choice not to his liking, as many do after their first tour, and chose other pursuits. *sigh* If folks are going to go after Senator Kerry, why this nasty spin on honorable service?
This mean spirited crap is only going to get worse from now to November. I am thinking of pulling the plug on my TV, and listening only to CD's, no radio.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete