I served with over 600 squadron mates in two tours in Vietnam. Of that number, we had several who went UA and several others sent home because of mental problems with which they had arrived in country. Not one person went "crazy" because of his Vietnam service. I know of none who, upon returning home, joined such excreble groups as Vietnam Veterans Against the War. If you do nothing else, buy a copy of Burkett's "Stolen Valor," which shines a bright light upon that disgrace from my state, John Kerry.
Bums who went to Vietnam returned home and continued being bums. The press' desperate attempts to hide their own personal cowardice and selfishness (they almost to a man dodged the draft during the Vietnam War) will continue as an endless attack upon honorable Vietnam Vets. But that not withstanding, we now have a chance to relentlessly oppose the presidential bid of their "boy," John Kerry.
With your help, and the communications resources available in 2004, we can send this bum back to Massachusetts in the disgrace he so richly deserves.
You're correct about a 'bum will always be a bum'. IMO, the press has been looking for a way to apologize to us VN veterans for their traitorous acts and they have apparently found the ideal means by which to do it - by supporting a decorated VietNam vet and anti-war protestor with some distinction. They again miss the point and will not succeed.