With the recent emergence of the "Swift Boat Veterans for The Truth" it seems the question of John Kerry's service in Vietnam is being re-examined yet again. I heard some people complain about how this issue has very little to do with the more important issues of the day. I have to agree. Unfortunately, Kerry has made his time in Vietnam the centerpiece of his campaign. He frequently invokes his service there as proof that he would make a good Commander-In-Chief.
Since Kerry thinks it makes him worthy of being Commander-In-Chief, then the issue is worth examining.
Joe Carter does a great job of examining this whole issue, especially since he uses Kerry's own statements as his primary source.
Don't miss these posts:
The Swift Boat Veteran with The Truth
The Swift Boat Veteran with The Truth (Part 2)
I find it ironic that many of the same people crowing about Kerry's war service as an asset were also against the Vietnam War in the first place.
JDM ---
Thanks for posting these pieces. I find nothing in them to alter my previous opinion regarding Senator Kerry's actions during and after his military time in Vietnam. This aspect of his "resume" continues to rate as A-OK on this voter's tally sheet.
I would encourage those looking at these pieces to also read through the comments that follow Carter's entry. For me, with the exception of his final two or three paragraphs, I found those written by a Keith Kline (I believe that was his name) especially in tune with my thoughts on this entire issue. It's nice to know I do not stand alone.
Sarah,
You're hopeless! If Kerry was robbing a bank you'd probably comment on how considerate he was not to remove the change from some old lady's purse.
John Kerry is a political opportunist who will say anything to get elected. The concept of "truth" is as alien to him as it was to Bill Clinton.
It will be interesting to watch the press attack the Swift Boat Veterans and their supporters while only a short time ago they were taking a "neutral" or worse, supportive, stance on Michael Moore's outlandish assertions. Of course, Moore's work is a documentary but the Swift Boat Veterans have a "political vendetta".
-Jim.
Okay, I want something answered. Kerry can testify that all the soldiers in Vietnam committed atrocities, right? And the press accepts his word. Yet, they will not accept the word of any Vietnam Veteran's account of Kerry unless that Vietman Veteran was in the specific Swift Boat with Kerry.
By the liberals' and media's logic then, Kerry cannot attest to what everyone in Vietnam was doing except those who served in the boat with him.
I don't know the exact number, but there were 100,000+ soldiers in Vietnam correct? Kerry served with 6 others on his swift boat? So that means he can only give testimony to what 6 other soldiers did in Vietnam.
Someone needs to bring this up in the media or in debates. Either both Kerry's testimony and the claims of these Swift Boat Vets is a bunch of lies, or they both deserve to be heard. Since Kerry was allowed to spread his version of Vietnam, these Vets deserve to be heard without being called liars and politically motivated.
Posted by: Michael in MI at August 7, 2004 05:09 PM