Punctilious has a post on the Bush/Kerry Vietnam issue I talked about here.
You can depend on the Democrats to ignore any stories about Kerry’s military service and anti-war activism by simply crying “Bush and the Republicans are being nasty.”
Well, they can probably count me in with that group. I had no opinion about Kerry (except that he’s one of those “Don’t you realize who I am?” egotistical types) until I started researching his background. As a military man myself, I had some doubts about what he had actually done in Vietnam based on early readings. Those doubts had legs. I now completely doubt he ever did anything more courageous than anyone else, and the majority of them received no medals.
I can tell you from experience that who your boss is makes all the difference in awards. Some give them out like candy, others require almost superhuman achievement. Others look merely at rank as a discriminator.
Kerry was anti-war before he joined the Navy. He tried to avoid military service, and requested deferment to go to Europe. When that was denied, he joined the Navy. He spent several months at sea, then returned to the US. He volunteered for the small boat unit, was accepted, and did four months in Vietnam. As soon as he could, he requested a return to the US, then immediately requested, and was granted, discharge from the Navy. When he tried to get elected to Congress, and failed, he joined the anti-war movement. His connections with the Kennedy Clan got him notice and help.
Kerry is the new Carter. His views are almost identical. What I can say about Carter that can’t be said about Kerry is that Jimmy was sincere. Kerry just wants a free ride.
Kerry compounds the issue with his letter to Bush:
“As you well know, Vietnam was a very difficult and painful period in our nation’s history, and the struggle for our veterans continues. So it has been hard to believe that you would choose to reopen these wounds for your personal political gain. But, that is what you have chosen to do.”
Call me insensitive, but I think reopening the wounds of Vietnam will heal quite a few others. In fact, the only ones who could be injured by an examination are those who fought the radical war at home. I think history will not be gentle with them.
There are numerous stories on Kerry’s service, if you are willing to pay attention, here, here, and here.
I believe in open minds discussing issues, not debate and rhetoric. I went into my research on Kerry with an open mind. It’s pretty much closed, now.
UPDATE: Greyhawk has some more.