The Truth about Kerry

[Thewsconia]

I think the video explains itself.

www.swiftvets.com/

[Keamian Territories]

First off the foundation was paid for by friends of Bush. Here are 6 problems about these vets against Kerry.

1. All the men in the adds never served on a ship of any kind with Kerry. Only the same fleet and theater.

2. The doctor Louis Letson in the commercial was a stand in he never treated Kerry. Medical records never showed his name on any reports.

3. The maltreatment of prisoners of North Veitname and South Veitname natives are true. My favorite example is an officer named Kelly who lined Veitnames men women and children up in a ditch and shot them all. Men would cut off the ears of North Vietnames and stick them in bags as trophies, another proven fact.

4. Have you checked out were these men were stationed during veitname. No you didn't I did go look for there bios.

5. The one purple heart he did not deserve. What was the story about that. He hit himself with a fragment of an M79 gernade.

6. Look at the letters. only a third are actuall US Navy or Navy Reserve so the others did not serve with him.
Most were marines, army and airmen.

[shilaria]

I would just like to say that Kerry is completely unamerican, and it would be a said day in America if he were elected president, not to mention how terrible this country would end up..

[Perugio]

Kerry keeps changing his tune! There's a big question about where he spent Christmas 1967.

[Kellopalopalis]

That ad is BS and I doubt any credible figure would support that garbage.

[Thewsconia]

Those Purple Hearts sure must've not meant a lot to Kerry if he was willing to toss them out. And I'm sure that Shilaria will agree that that is not very american thing to do.

[Kellopalopalis]

What didn't mean a lot to Kerry was the unjust Vietnam War and all the tragedy it caused Americans and Vietnamese. That is why he tossed out his ribbons, not because he personally didn't have reguard for his earning them. And let's not use this word "un-American." It reminds me of McCarthyism. America is a diverse country, and we should not label someone as "un-American" because they are excercising their right to protest a terrible war. (I know "un-American was not the word used, but it is the same as "not American") To simply refute someone's ideas by labeling them "un-American" is not responsible in a democratic society with freedom of speech. (or, at least some freedom of speech)

[Bonaduce Alander]

He's right and the other reason Kerry threw out the ribbons is because he didn't want a ribbon awarded to him because he was good at killing people. Would you want something that reminded you of bloodshed and death?

[Bad Infinitum]

Nope. I've turned down a decoration.

[Perugio]

I hear he's in a real fix over this issue.
As president how would he cope if soldiers behaved like he did? No wonder the Vietnam War was lost.

[Kellopalopalis]

He fought valliantly! And it wasn't the soldiers' fault that the Vietnam War was lost. But it's awful that 60,000 of them had to die. He's not in a real fix over the issue though, it is Bush who is in a fix over his questionable service. Also, as president, he wouldn't have to cope with soldiers like himself. That's the point! He wouldn't have to cope with such soldiers because he wouldn't fight unjust or unnecessary wars. (And I don't understand why a president would have to cope with a soldier like him anyway. He discarded his ribbons after his service, but was an excellent soldier during his service)

[Perugio]

It make syou wonder what the guy really stands for! He seems to change his mind far too much.
At least Bush is consistent.

[Kellopalopalis]

There is really nothing inconsistent about what John Kerry did in/thought of the Vietnam War. Nor is John Kerry inconsistent in any of his decisions. His decisions are perfectly justified for those who care to listen. And yes, Bush is consistent in his foolishness.

[Selmishaland]

As far as the above add is concerned, Kerry’s commanding officer has now stated that he should have never signed any documents questioning Kerry's actions in the war, and that Kerry deserved every award he got.

"I hear he's in a real fix over this issue.
As president how would he cope if soldiers behaved like he did? No wonder the Vietnam War was lost."

The reason we lost the Vietnam was not because of the soldiers.. To suggest so is a disgrace to the men that died there in a doomed war. If you want to blame someone look to the government. And give the Vietnamese people some credit, they where some of the most cunning and resourceful soldiers to run a rice patty.

As far as Kerry's medals are concerned, he can do whatever he wants to do with them.. that is what makes him American to begin with. Questioning your government is a fundamental right and is the bases of patriotism! That man was neck deep in the muck in the blood.. he dealt with the jungle rot, saw men who where like brothers die beside him, lived everyday known the next second could be his last, he survived the battles, he fought in the war, and he risked his life.. he was THERE. He saw it first hand.. his FIRST hand experiences lead him to protest against the war. Not to mention he was protesting for one of the largest veterans groups in the US.

As far as his "flip flopping" over an issue.. I say thank god.. the world is not static.. it changes daily, facts change, circumstance change. I want someone who can look at the situation and say, "okay this has changed we have new information, lets change our approach".

[Keamian Territories]

Perugio said:

I hear he's in a real fix over this issue.
As president how would he cope if soldiers behaved like he did? No wonder the Vietnam War was lost.

Veitname was lost for 3 reasons.

1. No clear objective
2. Poor intellegence
3. Poor high command decitions

[Grub (Lenlyvit)]

I'd also like to add that it didn't help that the public didn't support Vietnam and the troops. That war was decided in America and not in Vietnam.

Also, I don't know if this has already been mentioned or not, but I am sure part of the reason the vets are mad at Kerry is because Kerry himself, in front of Congress in 1971, said that he (and others with him) committed atrocites in Vietnam. Has Kerry said anything about that recently? Did he change his mind about those atrocities he committed? I don't think he did commit atrocities, but he actually did say that.

[Keamian Territories]

There was an artical in the paper about the writer of the ad. The writer had written ads similar to this one about the pope and other people. When cofronted he said "I was only joking"

[Perugio]

I didn't wish to demean Us troops, only to state that Kerry's inconsistencies didn't help the American cause in Vietnam.

[Selmishaland]

Kerry's statement did nothing to harm the war in the first place.. he just joined the hundreds of thousands of veterans who came home to protest the war.. the only difference is John Kerry is now running for president.

The politicians are pulling out all the stops when it comes to advertisements.. I suggest you research both sides of the argument before you make a judgment. You will find that these political commercials are half-truths and manipulations of facts. I suggest that each person cut off their TV and do their own research.

[Bonaduce Alander]

Just a friendly remender: People who don't support the war still support the troops. Like me. I protest the war in Iraq, but I sure as **** support our troops!
Also about the ads for the Bush side of the campaign, you should notice one large thing. None of them are focused on what Bush has done. They are all cons of John Kerry. All of Kerry's ads are about how Kerry will help America. Not about how our president has messed up. And Kerry has plenty of things to throw against Bush.

[Selmishaland]

you make a very good point.. I do not support the war in Iraq, I feel it is misguided at best. But as far as the troops are concerned.. I will stand behind them till I die. I have an ex over there, two relatives, 3 close friends and one 20 year old kid that I think of as my little brother on the way.. my father fought in two wars, WWII and Korea.. I lost an uncle in Vietnam and gained an aunt from Vietnam (the other uncle married her while stationed in Vietnam). Needless to say the defense of the US has a long history in my family. I spent a large portion of my childhood soaking up my fathers war stories about Germany.
What I learned in those stories was being a real patriot is having the courage to question, as well as lead and follow.

[The Peoples of Yavanna]

Grub said:

I'd also like to add that it didn't help that the public didn't support Vietnam and the troops. That war was decided in America and not in Vietnam.

Also, I don't know if this has already been mentioned or not, but I am sure part of the reason the vets are mad at Kerry is because Kerry himself, in front of Congress in 1971, said that he (and others with him) committed atrocites in Vietnam. Has Kerry said anything about that recently? Did he change his mind about those atrocities he committed? I don't think he did commit atrocities, but he actually did say that.

Oh, my, I try to stay out of RL political discussions on the forums. I just wanted to say that it is very true, Grub, that he did say that, and testified before Congress. I also want to say that as a political enthusiast, I generally try to watch both conventions. No matter which side you are on, it is important to hear what everyone has to say, and make up your own mind. I feel it is my right, and my duty, to be an informed voter. Great freedom bears great responsibility.

Kerry recently put that speech he gave to congress before the public. I saw it on C-Span, during the DNC. It was part of a Kerry election campaign commercial. I do not know if anyone else has seen it. (I also want to say that if you want to watch any political convention, C-Cpan is the way to go. No talking heads, no comments, ect. You just get the same experience the people at the convention get, with no interruptions. Not even commercials! Except, of course, the party ones that all convention members see on the big screen at the convention. Keep that in mind if ya plan to watch the RNC.) As far as I know, he has not reversed his opinion or stance since time he gave that speech to Congress, especially in light of the fact that he used that testimony as a campaign commercial at the DNC. It was, however, a campaign commercial.

I also want to say that it is difficult to gauge the mood the country was in during the Vietnam War if you were not alive at that time. I'm sure the veterans who are angry with Kerry are just as justified as those who stand behind him and pledge their unconditional support. That, I feel is one of the things that continues to make our country great: The freedom to speak your mind and stand up for your opinion. And any soldier who was in Vietnam deserves to have his voice heard on the matter. It just troubles me when it is spun in a campaign no matter what side.


"The freedom of opinion and the reasonable maintenance of it is not a crime and ought not to occasion injury." ---Thomas Jefferson

[Perugio]

Perhaps Kerry and Bush should concentrate on today's current issues.

[Serconea]

Indeed. What happened 30 years ago is not relevant today.

It's not like JK's Vietnam service means he's less likely to get involved in a war. Every POTUS from Truman to Bush Senior served in the military (Alright, Reagan only made training films but that was because of his eyesight). That didn't stop them from getting involved in wars.

IMO, let the best man win.

[Perugio]

Well said!