May 04, 2004
Kerry's "References"
Apparently a lot of men who served with John Kerry in Vietnam will be getting together tomorrow to publicly sign a document that makes a remarkable assertion: they don't feel he would be a good commander-in-chief:
“What is going to happen on Tuesday is an event that is really historical in dimension,” John O’Neill, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Navy as a PCF (Patrol Craft Fast) boat commander, told CNSNews.com . The event, which is expected to draw about 25 of the letter-signers, is being organized by a newly formed group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
“We have 19 of 23 officers who served with [Kerry]. We have every commanding officer he ever had in Vietnam. They all signed a letter that says he is unfit to be commander-in-chief,” O’Neill said.
Via James, who makes this point:
ThereÂ’s nothing new here, just a renewal of the debate over the Winter Soldiers hearing and KerryÂ’s anti-war activities. Presumably, these things have been factored into votersÂ’ minds at this point, to the extent anyone much cares thirty-odd years later. Further, this is in some sense the mirror image of the chicken hawk argument. Since all theyÂ’re doing is assessing purely political matters, IÂ’m not sure why the opinion of KerryÂ’s former Navy mates should have any special weight.
What is relevant to the question of KerryÂ’s fitness to serve as commander-in-chief is his present maturity on defense matters. Given the advantage of thirty-odd years additional seasoning and reflection, what are KerryÂ’s views on Vietnam now? More importantly, what is his vision for the war on terror and our future in Iraq? ItÂ’s still very early in this campaign but Kerry will need to give a much more coherent view on those issues than he has so far.
And that's the hard part, for Kerry. He wants to be everything to everyone. This may change a few moderate minds in the months ahead, if the story has "legs." It does have a certain drama in it.
McCain will be pissed, of course.
Posted by: Attila at
12:13 AM
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It matters to anyone who has been in the military. I served in Vietnam and, while far from being any sort of hero, I am still mightily pissed that liars like Kerry and his VVAW crapped on us and made things even worse for our POWs in the Hanoi Hilton. Anyone who would defame his fellow military members would sell out his own mother. And I, for one, would hate the thought of such a (expletives deleted: traitorous, back-stabbing, stinking, putrid, honorless, scum-sucking pig) person occupying the Oval Office and commanding our military troops. I think if that horrifying situation ever came to pass that I would start a campaign urging all military people to quit as soon as their hitches are up before they are turned over to the UN to protect those thieving, corrupt, drunken, whoring bureaucrats while the it ignores despots and genocide. Arghh... Please don't get me started!
Posted by: Chuck at May 05, 2004 01:52 PM (UdnXf)
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No one should ever criticize our troops during war time. U.S. soldiers have never committed atrocities, and are not committing them now. Those men and women out there are the most patriotic and honorable our country has to offer, and are far above allegations of rape, murder, and wanton acts of destruction. War brings out the best in people, and those serving our country are the best of the best. To suggest that some members of our military would do anything bad is the lowest of the low. TRAITORS! DO YOU HEAR ME? TRAITORS!
Posted by: HipNerd at May 05, 2004 09:30 PM (tfidl)
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The fact is that sometimes war really does bring out the best in people. There are heroic men and women serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We never know how high we are
Till we are called to rise . . ."
Ask Pat Tillman.
Posted by: Attila Girl at May 10, 2004 01:19 PM (q85Vj)
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And, Chuck--while I'm against John Kerry winning (and don't think that will happen), it's worth noting that the military survived eight years of Bill Clinton, another antiwar activist. So all things are possible.
And the threat from AQ and similar groups is real.
Posted by: Attila Girl at May 10, 2004 01:21 PM (q85Vj)
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