Posted on 02/10/2004 10:08:52 AM PST by redangus
I know we have all seen the picture of John Kerry and Hanoi Jane, but I thought my brother-in-law's commentary might add a little impact to what was happening in the real world while our "war hero" candidate was protesting with Hanoi Jane and her friends.
"In 1970, during the big war moratorium that was held on U.S. campuses, our entire outfit spent three full days at "general quarters" in dirt bunkers with our flack jackets, helmets, and M16s. We were anticipating a backlash event because the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese regulars were pounding US troops with extra venom whenever there was an anti war protest conducted by United States citizens. Jane couldn't have known that because she was in North Viet Nam and we were in South Viet Nam. She must have taken a wrong turn. Fortunately for us, we were well-armed both with weapons and the bad attitudes that were needed to use them effectively."
Plus, you are the 4th person I kow that mentioned the photo yet "Can not" Produce it.
Call me skeptical, does that photo really exsist and why hasn't it surfaced if it does?
Kerry received a Silver Star. I believe he received it for chasing down a wounded soldier and shooting him in the head. War Crime? I don't know.
I was under the impression that in his testimony to Congress, he admitted to having committed and observed specific atrocities. He considered the use of U.S. military equipment against the enemy as a war crime and against the Geneva convention.
I found striking one comment of his in particular:
"At any time that an actual threat is posed to this country or to the security and freedom I will be one of the first people to pick up a gun and defend it"
Apparently, he just doesn't believe that Iraq posed an actual threat to this country or our security and freedom. In my opinion he couldn't be more wrong.
I've done alot of historical research on military & pension records. In most cases during the Civil War, officers were elected by the men in their unit, and many received commissions because of political/family connections. The practice of appointments based on who you know wasn't new during the Vietnam War. Hell, I'd say that Wesley Clark and others like him were pushed up the ladder because they had a "Daddy" somewhere in the service who was looking out for them. That kind of crap happens in civilian life as well. Clark must have been one hell of an ass kisser to get where he got.
The General in charge of the Alabama unit who claims he never saw Bush, also said he had no idea who Bush or his father were. (Papa Bush was a Congressman at the time.) He also said that Bush wasn't under any orders that required him to report directly to the General. And, this same General stated in an interview with a Freeper, that he was busy most of the time making inspections away from the base. So if Bush showed up, it's quite possible he (the General) wasn't even there at that time.
In regards to muster records, you can't count on those to be factual either. Who knows who filled them out? Some clerk? Who's to say that the officers in charge actually completed the required paperwork. It was probably passed on to some subordinate to handle. So, even if documents exist, who's to say they are correct or factual? Not much has changed in the military through the years. Incompetents still get promoted, misbehavior gets a pass depending on who you know, people's records get lost or destroyed.
You didn't say "always," which leaves room for individuals to be appointed by other means. The President said no one in his family pulled strings for him. The story I've heard is that a family friend made the enquiries, and that Bush never asked for it.
2. How many other fliers have been trained with taxpayer money and then they were either discharged or walked away? How many female soldiers are trained with taxpayer money and get pregnant and can't perform their duties? (I'm critical about that and I'm a female!). The fact is...and you know quite well, just how much money is wasted on training people who can't continue. It happens in boot camps all the time. My brother had been in the Army for approximately 2 years before being sent to Vietnam ('66-'67). He went through advanced infantry training and guerrilla training in Hawaii before being shipped over. When his year was up and he had one more year to serve, he was sent to Ft. Carson, Co., and was made to go through basic training again because they didn't have anything else for these guys to do. Not a very good use of manpower or taxpayers money if you ask me. And it definitely isn't good for morale.
3. Hopefully, with the paystub information that's been released to the press yesterday, this brouhaha should be subdued. Bush earned 56 points during the year in question...six more points than the required 50.
4. Is the Officer Rating Form (OER) of today, the same one used back in the early '70's?
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